Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-11-19

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From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: antenna@compulink.gr

Last Updated: Wednesday, 19-Nov-97 10:44:52

CONTENTS

[01] Patriarch

[02] Simitis

[03] Karamanlis

[04] Evert

[05] Earthquake

[06] Air force

[07] Tzoganis

[08] Degrees

[01] Patriarch

As Greeks living in the US came to wish the him well, Vartholomeos said he was completely satisfied with the way his trip went.

And, as we hear in this report, the patriarch had a special message for Greek-Americans.

Ecumenical orthodox patriarch Vartholomeos left Pittsburgh pleased with the way his US journey had gone. It was a trip that included a White House visit, and an appearance at an ecology conference in California; a Congressional tribute, and a visit with homeless kids.

Before leaving the US, Vartholomeos said that everywhere he went, and no matter who he talked to, he found understanding and goodwill.

In a written departing message, Vartholomeos asked all Greeks in the US to avoid disputes, to resolve their differences in a democratic manner. He encouraged them to join together and cooperate with one another, and not waste their energy in conflicts which in the past have troubled the Greek nation.

Orthodox Archbishop of America Spyridon called

Vartholomeos's visit "a blessing from God... for all orthodox people in the US, whether they be Greek or not. The Patriarch's visit," he added, "contributed greatly to the development of orthodoxy in the US".

Methodios, Bishop of Boston agreed. "Greeks living in the US had the rare opportunity to meet with the Patriarch", he said. "Vartholomeos is an extremely educated man, who has great visions for orthodoxy in the US". Methodios is certain the Patriarch is proud of the growth and strength of hellensim in the US and the progress of the church there.

Public relations commissioner Father Alexandros Karloutsos said, "Given that we have a religious leader, a true father of 300 million Orthodox people worldwide, our next step is to stand by and strongly support him".

Karloutsos notes that during his US visit the Patriarch was awarded the Crown of Glory on behalf of the Archdiocese and the Gold Medal of Honour by the US government. "What does that mean?", he asks. "That the US government, President Clinton the vice- president, the Congress and the Senate, the American people all support the Patriarch and his work".

[02] Simitis

Turkey has repeatedly called for blanket dialogue, but Greece says it wants to see Ankara show goodwill on specific issues.

Simitis said at a press conference that if Turkey wants closer ties to the European Union, it had better change its hostile stance toward Greece.

"We haven't seen any steps taken by Turkey" in that direction, he adds. "How can we co-exist in the EU when Turkey has its eyes on the rights of Greece?" Simitis leaves open the possibility of Greece vetoing Turkish participation in the upcoming EU conference.

During his press conference, Simitis touched on domestic issues.

He spoke positively of Maria Damanaki's recently- announced candidacy for mayor of Athens.

"In city hall, she could implement the kind of policies that would substantively improve the living conditions of city residents", he said.

Damanaki, a former Left Coalition leader, could end up with joint Coalition, Pasok backing.

Simitis also said that he doesn't feel Pasok's tough economic policies will hurt the party in next year's local elections.

[03] Karamanlis

Kostas Karamanlis spoke at Pantio University in Athens Tuesday.

"We asked to be briefed on what happened at the EU summit in Amsterdam nearly six months ago", he said. "We still haven't heard anything".

Briefings are important to achieving consensus on major issues, he added, where big differences between the parties don't exist anyway.

Noting that Turkey's plan is to alter the status quo in the Aegean at Greece's expense, Karamanlis accused the government's foreign policy of being ineffective.

As for talking to Turkey, he was clear: "It's one thing to feel like your talking to a friend and ally", he said. "It's quite another thing to feel that you have to say yes all the time like an obedient child".

[04] Evert

Speaking before parliament's constitutional revision committee, Evert said 180-MP majorities should be required on votes concerning national sovereignty and border issues. The current requirement is a bare 151 majority.

Evert says consensus is needed on major issues. More parties must agree on policies concerning big issues.

Asking the government to commit to his proposal, Evert said major issues can't be decided by 151 MPs, elected by 40 per cent of the vote.

[05] Earthquake

The 6.6 Richter quake occurred just after 3 pm.

There were no injuries, but there was damage to buildings in many places.

Cracks were reported in old buildings in Zakynthos, where residents streamed panic-stricken into the streets when the quake hit.

And there were damages caused to buildings, and household goods were knocked around all over the western Peloponese.

In Rethymno, Crete, the courthouse shook so much, trials were postponed.

The quake was followed by another shaker, registering 6 on the Richter scale five minutes later. Seismologists in Athens and Thessaloniki continued to register aftershocks of smaller

magnitude throughout the day.

There were damages reported on the mainland in Pilo and GargaliAnous, where the police station suffered damage. In Kyparissia, a balcony on an old building collapsed, falling onto two cars. In many towns, buildings were badly cracked.

In Kalamata, there was a power cut as a result of the quake, and telephone communications were disrupted throughout the western Peloponese.

Seismologist Giorgos Stavrakakis said Tuesday evening it is 95 per cent certain that the 6.6 quake was the strongest one. What we'll see over coming days will be weaker aftershocks.

But seismologists urge caution in coming days, when seismic activity will continue.

In areas where the quake hit hardest, residents prepared to spend the night outdoors, fearing strong aftershocks bringing the worst.

[06] Air force

The French aircraft will be the second tested by the air force, which is getting ready to purchase some new planes.

As we hear in this report, Greece is looking at a number of aircraft, and weighing up their pros and cons.

A Mirage 2000 dash 5 arrived at an air base outside Athens recently, so Greek pilots could check it out.

The plane will be tested in battle conditions over the Aegean. The Russian Suhoi has already been put through the test.

The Mirage 2000-5, the latest model of the French fighter that has long been used by Greece, will be especially scrutinized for its interception capabilities.

Greece was to have taken delivery of two American planes - an F-15 and an F- 16 - a week ago, also for testing purposes. But they didn't show up, as the US decided to freeze export of both aircraft types to Greece.

Greece was impressed by the Suhoi's air capabilities. Its disadvantages are its electronic systems, and problems with spare parts and technical support.

The Mirage 2000-5 has excellent electronic systems and interception capabilities, and are extremely safe at night and in poor weather conditions. The minus for the Mirage is its 40 million dollar plus price tag.

The American F-16 has been used by the Greek airforce. What gives Greece pause for thought about it is the fact that it's being manufactured in Turkey at a rate of one plane every ten days.

That has Greece interested in the F-15, the disadvantages of which are its price - over 50 million dollars - high use and maintenance costs, and the fact that it doesn't fit in Greece's existing hangars, meaning new ones would have to be built. In addition, it is considered likely that the US would refuse to sell the aircraft with all the weapons systems it is capable of carrying.

Greece's governmental defense council meets Wednesday to discuss the the country's armaments programme.

[07] Tzoganis

The government's defence council meets to discuss changes in the military's high ranks Wednesday.

Pargioudakis would take over from Tzoganis after

three months if his replacement were decided on.

Sources say that there will be no changes in the air force or navy leadership at this time.

[08] Degrees

The sixth department of Greece's council of state, the body that determines constitutional legality, issued its decision Tuesday, asking Greece to comply with European Union requirements that the degrees be recognised.

The Council also says people who have lost court battles to have their European degrees recognised can sue for compensation.

Observers believe the council ruling will lead to European university degrees also becoming recognised in Greece.

The matter has been referred to the council plenary for a final decision.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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