Antenna: News in English (AM), 98-01-15

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

Last Updated: Thursday, 15-Jan-98 11:35:18

CONTENTS

[01] Terrorist

[02] Burns

[03] New Democracy

[04] Mount Athos

[05] Katerina

[06] Sports

[01] Terrorist

After following Maziotis for nearly 40 days, police arrested him Tuesday morning.

A day after he was arrested, Nikos Maziotis has been charged with manufacturing, possessing, and distributing bombs; the attempted bombing of the development ministry on December 6th; and with possession of firearms.

Charges he denies. The three guns found in his house aren't is, he told the prosecutor; nor are the explosives. He has never manufacutured a bomb or planted one.

Of note is the fact that Maziotis has not been charged with illegal group activities, meaning the police don't have enough to directly implicate him as a member of a terrorist organisation.

In a pre-dawn swoop in four parts of Athens Tuesday, Maziotis and 15 other people were picked up by anti- terrorist police. Only Maziotis has been charged in connection with terrorist activities. Of the other 15, only two men have both been charged, but with offences unrelated to terrorism.

Police launched their operation after following Maziotis for over a month. His fingerprint matches that found on the bomb that was planted at the development ministry on December 6th but never went off.

That bomb was planted by a group calling itself the Anarchist Urban Guerrillas. To date, that is the organisation's only appearance.

But four days after that failed attack, a bomb exploded a the office of the development minister. The Combatant Guerrilla Faction claimed responsibility for that blast, the group's sixth attack.

In both cases, the reason given for the bombings was the government's decision to reopen mines in northern Greece.

That and literature found at Maziotis's home, raided Tuesday morning by police, lead the police to suspect a connection between the two small terrorist organisations.

27-year-old Maziotis is well known to the police: he refused to serve in the military on the ground that he was a conscientious objector; and was arrested during disturbances in Athens in 1995.

Maziotis has also taken part in the occupation of a number of vacant buildings in Athens and turning them into communes.

When police raided Maziotis's home Tuesday, they

found three firearms, explosives, and masks. They also found an army canteen, similar to the one in which the December 10th bomb at the development minister's office was placed.

Among the papers found at Maziotis's residence was a poster bearing the legend, "Rebellion is always just".

[02] Burns

"We must agree that...when murder....political ends....by the Greek authorities yesterday".

Nicholas Burns also called the Cyprus problem and Greek-Turkish differences among the most complex issues in the world.

He called on Greece and Turkey to take bold initiatives to settle the differences between them.

The US ambassador denied reports that he suggested Greece reduce its air space in the Aegean if Turkey recognises Greek sovereignty over the strategic central Aegean rocks of Kalogiri.

The issue has been hot recently, since Turkey has planned Aegean air exercises this month within the ten mile air space Greece claims from its islands' shores. Turkey recognises only a six-mile limit.

On Wednesday, Turkish aircraft made 45 violations of Greek airspace, over the islands of Limnos, Chios, and the Dodecanese. They were chased out by Greek fighters.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas called the incursions a provocative, unacceptable, and dishonorable tactic of Turkey's.

During his speech, Burns criticised past policies

of the US government. Specifically, he criticised US policy toward Greece between 1967 and 1974, when the country was under an unpopular military dictatorship.

"With the obvious benefit of historical hindsight... side of democracy during these years".

On a lighter note, the newly-appointed American ambassador showed he's getting used to doing as the Athenians do, rooting for a local sports team.

"I must confess...fan of Panathinaikos".

Burns also let it be known that his brother was married in a Greek-Orthodox church in an Athens suburb.

[03] New Democracy

The chapel was also vandalised and looted.

Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Netzati Outkan said Wednesday he believes the perpetrators will be arrested.

Earlier, the Greek consul in Constantinople lodged a formal written complaint with the city over the murder, after city officials refused to see him.

In his letter, the Greek consul notes Greece's concern about ongoing attacks on institutions belonging to Greeks and on orthodox churches in Constantinople.

Greece is asking Turkey to launch a full investigation of the latest crime.

Turkish police have pulled people in for questioning, but so far have no leads.

It appears though, that a gang of Turkish thieves has targetted small orthodox chapels which contain items of value, such as the silver plated icons stolen from the chapel where HaviarO-poulos was killed.

[04] Mount Athos

The hand-written document entitled, "Slavo- Bulgarian History" comprises 600 pages, and dates from the year 1762.

Written by the monk Hilandarinou Paisou, it was anonymously donated to the National Museum in Sophia, Bulgaria last year.

It was returned to Athos by a Bulgarian delegation headed by that country's deputy culture minister. For safe keeping during transport, it was put in a safe.

Mount Athos superintendent Callinicos said the monastery of Agios Georgios of Zografou is pleased to be getting the manuscript back.

[05] Katerina

Even before the story ended, Antenna president Minos Kyriakou had announced that he would pay for the medical treatment that would allow Katerina Trombouki to walk again.

On Wednesday, Katerina underwent an operation on both her legs at the Athens Medical Center.

Continually informed of the little girl's health, Antenna president Minos Kyriakou and president of Athens Medical center Giorgos Apostolopoulos agreed over the weekend that the operation should take place as soon as possible.

On Wednesday, Apostolopoulos told Katerina their main goal is to get her up and walking. He explained that they need to rehabilate both of her legs for her to be able to walk properly. Katerina's right leg had to be amputated below the knee after she was stricken by meningitis, and she will be fitted for a prosthetic leg.

Apostolopoulos told Katerina "Mr. Kyriakou is extremely interested in helping you to get well; that means getting the necessary medical equipment and proper physical therapy.

The operation carried out by orthopedic surgeon Ioannis Vlahos and plastic surgeon Sotiris

Koutsogiorgas on Wednesday was a success.

Vlahos explained why it was necessary to operate on both of Katerina's legs. He said, "There were problems with the fibula on the leg that was amputated. We needed to remove a portion so that the prosthetic leg will fit in easily".

Katerina's left leg was left permanently bent at a 45-degree angle by her illness. In correcting that, says her doctor, we inserted a device that resembles a compass which will gradually reduce the anchylosis by one degree per day". The alternative was to cut into the leg, which carries the risk of creating future blood pressure problems. Katerina won't have to be in the hospital for the 45 days it will take the inserted device to clear up the problem. She'll be in physical therapy, learning to walk.

Vlachos believes Katerina will be able to stand and move about on her legs in ten days. The girl will be fitted for a prosthetic leg.

[06] Sports

The Greeks beat the defending world champion USA 3-2 to earn a place in the semifinals. Greece comes from behind twice and gets its winning goal in the fourth quarter of the contest.

The US beat Greece in the last world cup final, so the Greek victory is sweeter than ever.

Things didn't go quite as well for the Greek women, who missed a chance to go to the semis by losing an 8-6 decision to Brazil. Nonetheless, the Greek women did well enough in Perth to qualify for the next polo world cup in 1999.

In pro basketball, Panathinaikos has virtually assured itself a place in the round of 16 in the European Cup tournament.

Pao beat Germany's Leverkouzen 86-64 in the first of two meetings between them. For Apollon, the round of 16 is looking rather distant. It will have a hard time overcoming its 101-84 first-leg loss to Israel's Haboel.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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