Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-11-27

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

Last Updated: Thursday, 27-Nov-97 11:14:45

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis

[02] Taxes

[03] Damanaki

[04] Police

[05] Metro

[06] Space trip

[07] Sports

[01] Simitis

Kostas Simitis told the Greek-American Chamber of Commerce that the budget does not put added burdens on the pockets of low wage-earners.

Kostas Simitis went on the offensive, trying to turn around the negative climate generated around his 1998 budget plans.

The government will continue with its belt- tightening economic policies, he said, but added that next year's budget is not a tax storm, and will not put financial pressure on low income groups.

"The budget's been criticised from two sides", he said during his address at the Greek-American Chamber of Commerce. "It's been called a tax storm, and it's been accused of hitting low wage earners too hard. Both complaints are based on a false premise: that economy stability, reduction of the national deficit, falling inflation, and growing investments are all achievable without taxes, with unlimited handouts, and the abolition of all the means we have of fighting tax evasion".

"The apprentice wizards of irresponsible criticism", said Simitis, "will of course be the first to talk if we don't meet our economic targets".

Simitis responded to New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis's criticism that the govrenment is taxing too much. "Whoever tells the Greek people there are easy solutions", he said, "isn't doing them any good".

The prime minister was upbeat about the future. "The country is moving ahead creatively", he maintained. "Rather than see that, many people are cultivating a climate of distrust with their contradictory claims and criticisms. That creates the impression that there are other, easy, roads to follow. Those roads don't exist; what took years to do can only be changed with time and great

effort. Simplifying the problems do the Greek people a very poor service".

Responding to the prime minister's speech, New Democracy said Kostas Simitis is personally responsible for the dead end the economy finds itself in. The opposition party adds that Greek taxpayers don't want their income to go to paying off the deficits caused by years of wasteful public spending.

[02] Taxes

The finance minister confirmed Wednesday that Pasok is making concessions on a bid to raise the amount of income tax withheld at source.

Yiannos Papantoniou says the government is going to change tax plans which would result in families with kids losing more in withholding tax than families without.

Papantoniou repeated that Pasok has no intention of letting the economically weaker strata come under financial pressure owing to the tax laws.

The minister didn't go into details, but said the matter will be dealt with when the tax bill goes to parliament in January.

Reaction has been stiff to the prime minister's announcement Tuesday that the government's economic policy will continue along the same lines for the next three years.

Merchants and artisans held protests around the country Wednesday.

Sensitive to their complaints, the government has announced the abolition of the objective tax criteria in 1999. Those criteria tax businesses and professionals according to assets rather than declared income.

[03] Damanaki

Damanaki met with prime minister Kostas Simitis on Wednesday.

Afterwards she commented, "The climate was warm and the meeting positive. I believe things will move along just fine".

Asked whether or not she will actually get Pasok's support she said, "I can't speak on behalf of the premier. Pasok, Like any other party, has certain procedural matters that are involved in such a decision".

Pasok will convene on the matter at its headquarters.

The Left Coalition is also in the process of deciding where it will stand on the candidacy of Damanaki, a former Coalition leader. The Coalition is going to poll members at its regional offices.

[04] Police

Antenna's camera captured their rigorous training exercises.

They could be the stars of a police movie. But these new police protagonists will soon be out on the real-life mean streets.

For police officer Vangelis Dimitrou-lAkos, the women are a source of pride. "With their presence", he explains, "we'll be able to offer the public much more".

If you think women are too dainty to handle a club, think again. The female officers are being trained with virtual reality and lasers to handle the most dangerous of situations.

[05] Metro

After months of stoppages owing to archaeological finds and digging problems, the machine broke through the concrete barrier 25 metres beneath the city.

After gigantic Jason reached the intersection of Panepistimiou and Voukourestiou Streets, the environment minister said he thinks the city will have its new subway system by 1999.

Technicians are pleased that the digging machine worked as well as it did, and that no major problems were encountered.

12 of the 18 kilometers of new subway tunnel are now dug. And 19 of the 21 new stations have been built.

[06] Space trip

Fasten your seat belts. There's good news out there for you interplanetary explorers.

A Greek travel company in cooperation and its American affiliate are already taking bookings for the first trip into space four years from now.

Saturday, December 1st in the year 2001, a twin- engine space vehicle equipped to take six passengers is scheduled for launch at 10:00 AM in Seattle, Washington.

The shuttle will climb to a height of 100 km. Those lucky enough to book in advance will have a birdseye view of the planets, stars and of course mother Earth.

Yiannis Trentzos, head of the Greek travel company optimistically says, "The moment has come to forget traditional methods of travel. Adding, "Space travel is the future, which of course will eventually become traditional several years down the road". He adds that later on there will be stop-overs at space stations where weary travellers will be able to get out of the shuttle and stretch their legs.

The price of frolicking in the heavens? A mere 100 thousand dollars.

[07] Sports

Ionikos drops a 1-nil decision to Proo-devtiki, and remains behind first- place Aek, and Pao and Olympiakos, tied for second in the standings.

Greece and Slovenia tipped off in a 1999 European championship qualifier in Athens Wednesday night.

Greece goes into the contest hoping for the home court victory.

And it comes down to the wire.

With Slovenia up by a pair, Dimitris Papanikolaou drives in for what would be the tying bucket with 5 seconds to play. He misses that, and its Slovenia's ball out of bounds. Papanikolaou kicks the ball before the visitors can get their hands on it.

The Slovenes convert two free throws, making it 78- 74. Greece gets a consolation bucket, fouls on the inbounds, Slovenia converts one of the free throws, and that's all she wrote. Final score: Slovenia 79, Greece 76.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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