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

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

Last Updated: Friday, 12-Dec-97 11:22:25

CONTENTS

[01] State Department

[02] Miltiades Evert

[03] Ìarket

[04] Students-Parliament

[05] Batista

[06] Prisons

[07] Old buildings of Pireaus

[01] State Department

The US state department condemned Ankara saying that the recent flights of Turkish F-16's south of Thermaiko bay in Halkidiki were unjustified.

Adding that NATO radars have confirmed the Turkish violations.

Ankara sidestepped the issue with the Turkish Joint Chiefs of Staff issuing a statement saying that Turkish Military aircraft did not violate Greek airspace, rather they flew over International airspace during training flights.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas condemned the Turkish aircract overflights saying they don't serve Turkey's interests.

On Thursday the Defense department reported 52 violations of Greek air space between the islands of Samos, Kos and Rhodes in the south eastern Aegean by Turkish fighter jets.

[02] Miltiades Evert

During a press conference Thursday, Evert said he predicts an upcoming economic crisis and some provocative action by the Turkish in the Aegean some time next year.

Referring to Greek-Turkish relations he said, "As far as national issues are concerned, we go step by step forward giving things away".

When questioned about the economy he said he felt new currency troubles in Latin America will negatively influence Greece. He also expressed his concern that in course toward economic and monetary union, Greece is going step by step backwards.

Presenting his own proposals to resolve Greece's economic problems, he then criticized those who present neo-liberal proposals. By expressing such ideas he says, they try to show a liberal face but are essentially not involved in the people's problems.

Speaking about New Democracy's popularity in the latest MRB poll, Evert said it's very encouraging, however New Democracy must continue forward with its efforts until the next national elections.

[03] Ìarket

In Athens and in other major cities throughout the country the buyer's market is low. So low...store owners are considering pushing up the annual sales season by early January.

Giorgos Kanellooulos, the Merchant's representative says, "Overall sales remain the same. The Christmas atomsphere is just not there". Adding, "Unfortunately this will lead to early sales and offers. We are hoping that at least in the last fifteen days of the year things will improve".

But, one merchant pessimistically says, "Whether or not there are sales, people don't have any money to buy anything".

As of next week until the end of the year, shops will remain open from 9am to 8pm. Next weekend stores will remain open Saturday from 9am to 6pm and Sunday

all day for last minute Christmas shopping.

[04] Students-Parliament

Marking this special day and proud of their work, the children now had the opportunity to voice what was in their hearts.

Dreaming of a world without violence, abuse, poverty or misery, one girl said, "I wish there was no war, that there was always peace".

A pupil lending her voice to the report said, "We all took the oath to avoid drugs and to protect younger children from getting involved at any price".

Another boy touched on ecological issues saying, "There are so many problems in the world. People should care more and not pollute the environment, the sea". Adding, "They should do their best for a better world".

Apostolos Kaklamanis, the president of parliament told the pupils that there are many things they can do to help those in need. He suggested, in celebration of this special day that they might want to consider giving a portion of their pocket money to help the children in Bosnia.

Adding, "If each student were to give 18 dollars per month of their pocket money to help a child in Bosnia, it would be enough to cover that one child's needs for one month".

Warming to the idea, one little girl said, "Of course we want to help the children of Bosnia.

Adding that, "If we wait for the grown-ups...they won't do anything".

[05] Batista

Invited back by Greece, Batista talked with the four patients he had operated on during his last visit.

The Batista technique consists of removing inflamed parts of the heart, usually the biggest part of the left cavity of the heart, thereby making it easier for the heart to work by relieving excess pressure.

The key is to reduce the diameter of the heart, thus making it easier for it to open and close, improving blood circulation.

"The heart when...it's big...muscle is weak... softer..will be smaller".

After the procedure, the lifespan of those patients operated on is extended and the quality of their life enhanced.

One of the patients operated on said, "The day after my operation I was able to walk". Adding that several weeks later, "I was able to climb the stairs. Today I am a new man, better than before"

The Brazilian doctor's technique has appeared in Time magazine under an article entitled, "Heroes of Medicine".

Batista's technique has a 72% success rate, which is quite high based on the fact that he accepts patients during the final phase of cardiac insufficiency.

[06] Prisons

The re-integration program, in its second consecutive year is called, "Social Exclusion" an obvious play on words. It offers such classes as PC use and Jewerly design.

The curriculum consists of a six hour day either of computer training or art lessons.

Commenting on the program one inmate says, "The hours give us the opportunity to escape from our problems while at the same time teaching us something than can be useful in finding a job later on".

Giorgos Kibousis, the prison's director says the six hours a day are not enough adding, "The inmates are very interested in the program and have asked for more hours".

The "Social Exclusion" program is funded by the EU.

[07] Old buildings of Pireaus

The title of the tome, "Buildings of Pireaus during the 19th Century" was launched Thursday on the ship "Rodanthi" which is located in the port of Pireaus.

Certainly a labour of love, Dorizas said it took two years to research the material. Adding, "We went to all the museums, especially to the National Gallery, through the archives to write this book".

Eleni Meleti, secretary general of the Friends of Pireaus Municipal Theatre Society says the idea for the book started with society members two years ago.

The picture book contains 350 buildings of Greek neo- classical architecture.

The book's launch was kicked off by Marios Ploritis and attended by politicians, artists and intellectuals, as well as friends of Pireaus.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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