Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-12-03

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

Last Updated: Wednesday, 03-Dec-97 10:33:16

CONTENTS

[01] NATO

[02] Western European Union

[03] Economy

[04] Thodoros Kassimis

[05] Greek Olympic Winners Association

[06] Mimis Plessas

[01] ΝΑΤΟ

As part of its moves toward modernisation, Nato wants to override national sea and airspace controls when conducting manoeuvres and operations within Nato countries.

For Greece, the problem has been that Turkey would use the proviso to ride roughshod over Greek airspace in the Aegean.

General Klaus Naumann, the chief of Nato's military committee, said after Nato military leaders met Monday that there had been a breakthrough in the decades-long dispute between Greece and Turkey over Nato use of Aegean air space.

The question has been: should Nato priorities override Greek authority over the Aegean?

In Brussels, a compromise was reached. Nato has agreed to open a regional command centre in Larisa - for the first time since Greece left Nato's military wing in 1974. And it will be under Greek control.

Defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos said Tuesday that's good for Greece. "We're getting the post in Larisa, and it will be equal to other Nato regional command centres. At the same time, Turkey's regional commands are being reduced from three to one.

What Turkey got is agreement that Nato southern command in Naples will have central contol over Nato operations in the Aegean area - the Greek and Turkish regional commands will report to it.

What Greece wanted is for Athens to maintain full rights over Aegean military flights.

Greek officials add that while accepting the Nato plan to unite its members' air space for the purpose of alliance operations, the compromise

also contains safety valves, recognition of Greece's right to control its own air space.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas says, "Greece can defend its sovereign rights and be a Nato member at the same time".

And Tsochatzopoulos says the Brussels agreement will not change the way Greece deals with Aegean airspace violations by Turkish military aircraft. Athens will continue to protest them, and Greek jets will chase intruders away.

Naumann hails the fact that Nato can finally set up the regional commands, in which Greek and Turkish officers will work side by side.

The news from Brussels gave some members of the ruling Pasok party pause for thought in Athens.

MP Ioannis Kapsis said he wants to study Nato's new operating code carefully before passing judgement.

New Democracy's spokesman slammed the agreement. "If we accept the establishment of regional command posts with no territorial limits on operations responsibility, and at the same time back away from Nato's proposed confidence-building proposals for the Aegean, then the result could be an altering of the status quo in the Aegean.

The agreement must be endorsed by the governments of Greece and Turkey before it becomes official.

But with the accord, Britain remains the only Nato member rejecting the alliances new command structure, which would cut the number of main and regional commands from 65 to two dozen.

Britain disagrees with Spain over the status of the airport in Gibraltar.

[02] Western European Union

With Greece taking over as WEU chair in January, prime minister Kostas Simitis addressed the WEU parliament Tuesday.

In his address to the WEU deputies, prime minister Kostas Simitis underscored the importance of enhancing the WEU's military operations capabilities. That, with a view to giving the European Union a stronger defence and security identity. The EU must have the means to defend its interests, added Simitis.

The WEU operates under Nato's wing. The Greek leader believes that it should also be linked to the EU.

Simitis would also like to see a WEU summit convened, which would make what he calls criticial decisions concerning the future of the EU's fledgling defence shield.

The premier argued that another advantage of improving the WEU's ability to respond militarily to situations would be its greater credibility in the eyes of the EU and Nato.

The Greek leader also argued that the WEU should extend its links to nations that are not headed for Nato membership in the near future. And it should develop its ties to Russia and Ukraine.

That, he explained, would allow those nations to strengthen their position within the European security structure.

After his speech, Simitis fielded questions, many of them about Greek- Turkish relations. He said Greece doesn't question Turkey's intentions, but wants to see Ankara take tangible steps toward better relations; namely, Turkey should adhere to the rules of international law, and recognise the international court as the right institution to arbitrate differences over the Aegean. Simitis also says Turkey must implement United Nations resolutions on Cyprus.

At that session in Paris, prime minister Simitis answered a question from a representative of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, or Fyrom. Fyrom and Greece differ over what Fyropm's permanent name should be. Fyrom wants to use just Macedonia, but Greece objects, noting the name's historical importance, and fearing that its use by its neighbour could be used to support expansionist claims on northern Greece.

In Paris, Simitis said Greece wants to resolve the issue

[03] Economy

The age limit for receiving the so-called social solidarity supplement will be lowered from 62 to 60.

That means 80 thousand people whose pension was less than 420 dollars per month will qualify for the extra sum, which will range from 10 to 42 dollars a month.

Those eligible for a pension qualify after the age of 58 with 35 years in the work force.

No limit will be placed on the size of supplementary pensions.

[04] Thodoros Kassimis

Antenna's Nancy Biska spoke to Thodoros Kassimis, president of the organisation, about its specific aims in the region.

Thodoros Kassimis told Antenna that the main goal of the Black Sea Cooperation Orgnisation is to promote business.

"It is a cooperation of 11 countries and the main target is economic cooperation as we say. I mean first of all the transition from the central to the market economy".

Greece, says Kassimis, has a major part to play in doing that.

"We have a tradition in the free market and we are the link between these countries and the EU".

Kassimis is head of the organisation's main committee, the one responsible for industry, infrastructure, energy, technology, and the environment. What Greece is trying to do is show the new democracies of the region what a free market economy is all about. The fact that Greece is the best-liked foreign nation of all the member states gives it an edge in doing that.

Kassimis says the best areas for investment in the region are the infrastructure, food, and banking sectors.

But are the opportunities that exist good enough to attract foreign investors?

"Now yes because legislation allows foreigners to conduct business in those countries. Until two years ago the situation was difficult. But they now have really liberal laws. They protect foregin capital and foreign investment in most of those countries".

It is hoped that the Black Sea Investment Bank, soon to be established in Thessaloniki, will coordinate investments in the region.

"This is the investment Bank of the Black Sea, which will start in the first weeks in the New Year. Eleven countries have capital in it. It will be the key to investment and commerce in the eleven countries, with the cooperation of the European Investment Bank and other big banks that want to transfer in those countries".

Kassimis believes that the organisation's efforts

to promote economic development will have spin-off benefits for political developments in the region.

"Without economic improvement we can't have peace and stability of the area, and I'm sure we'll be able to succeed...establish peace and stability".

Greece cannot just give a lead in the Balkans, it can also benefit from greater cooperation in the area. And Kassimis believes Greeks in the US and Australia can help Greece in its regional undertakings.

"They can help us a lot. They have Greece their hearts. Greece today is a great country with great opportunities. We still have national problems.

But they can help us become economic partners of Black Sea nations".

As a member of the European Union and Nato, Greece has a pivotal role to play in bringing the nations of the former Soviet bloc into the orbit of the developed western nations. Kassimis hopes that economic cooperaton will benefit the fledgling democracies, foreign investors, and Greece.

[05] Greek Olympic Winners Association

European basketball champion Olympiakos and European water polo cup winner Vouliagmeni were among the teams singled out.

The National "Ensemble" Gymnastics Team was honoured for placing second at the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.

Individual athletes awarded were track and field competitors Niki Xanthou, Katerina Koffa, Kostas Gatsioudis, Lambros Papakostas, and Haris Papadias. Olympic weight-lifting silver medalist Leonidas Sabanis and European cycling champions Dimitris Georgalis, Giorgos Himonetos and Lambros Vassilopoulos were also honoured.

Receiving her award, Olympic Gold Medalist Voula Patoulidou, took the opportunity to launch her new book, "Explosion of the Spirit".

Athens 2004 Olympic bid committee president Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki was awarded for her efforts in securing the Olympiade for Athens.

[06] Mimis Plessas

Children with special needs sang along, knowing that the proceeds would help establish a school for them outside Athens.

Plessas remarked, "Everyone who attended the concert represents several bricks or a portion of the roof of the building that will shelter these children. They need our love, affection, and assistance".

One of the young beneficiaries said "We thank all those who came and kindly contributed to our school fund".

Anastasios Balafoutas of the Rotary Club chapter responsible for organising the concert said his organisation is doing whatever it can to raise funds for the project.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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