Antenna: News in English (AM), 98-01-16

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

Last Updated: Friday, 16-Jan-98 11:53:49

CONTENTS

[01] Stefanopoulos

[02] KYSEA

[03] Terrorist

[04] Simitis

[05] Karamanlis

[06] Tsovolas

[07] Sports

[08] Athens 2004

[01] Stefanopoulos

Kostis Stephanopoulos is on an official visit to India, where he lectured at the Ra-jiv Gandhi Foundation.

During his lecture entitled "Some Greek Views on Contemporary Issues", president Kostis Stephanopoulos spoke of his concern over Turkey's oft- repeated threats to use force against Greece to get its way in the Aegean.

"I think I ought to remind you that Greece is under a threat of war from Turkey, in case of it makes use of its right to extend its territorial waters from 6 to 12 miles as recognised by the Law of the Sea. Greece has declared that it retains this right and that it will exercise it in due time when it will be appropriate".

The Greek president also talked about another facet of Turkey's aggravation of Greece, its constant violations of Greek airspace.

"As you know", he said, "Turkish jets violate Greek national airspace daily, and often fly over our islands. They also refuse to submit details of planned flights over Greek airspace to Athens for approval".

Stephanopoulos is concerned that the frequency of Turkish violations could end in a shooting episode. Greek jets have no choice but to chase the intruders away, he explained. It's a question of defending our sovereign rights.

The solution, said the president, is for Turkey to start abiding by the tenets of international law. Ankara should take any claims it insists on making to the international court, and stop flexing its muscles to get its way. The only real issue between Greece and Turkey, Stephanopoulos added, is that of rights over the continental shelf in the Aegean. Turkey should agree to take that issue to court".

Turkey has refused to do that, insisting instead that all issues between the two countries go to the court as a package.

But among "all issues", Ankara includes its claims on Greek territory in the Aegean, claims Greece will not negotiate over.

[02] KYSEA

Dimitris Apostolakis said after Tursday's government defence council meeting that he hopes Turkey will realise how dangerous its game of provoking Greece in the Aegean is, and that it's not in its interests to continue playing it.

Alternate defence minister Giorgos Papandreou commented on US ambassador Nicholas Burns' recent statement that the extent of Greek airspace in the Aegean, which Turkey is currently questioning, is not related to Greek sovereignty in the Aegean. Papandreou said "If we focus on a position the US has held for 30 years, we'll lose sight of the main issue, Turkey's aggressive stance. That's something we and the international community must respond to".

Greece claims 10 miles of airspace, but Turkey recognises only 6 miles, and has provocatively scheduled air exercises within the ten mile limit.

On Thursday, Turkey was supposed to hold manoeuvres

near the Greek rocks of Kalogiri in the central Aegean, but - as has happened on numerous occasions during Ankara's three weeks of scheduled exercises - no Turkish fighters or warships appeared in the area.

However, there was a Turkish provocation, as four or five Turkish fishing boats tried to approach the Greek rocks of Imia, just as they had a week ago. On both occasions, the Greek coast guard turned them back.

After Thursday's attempt to get near the rocks, the Greek foreign ministry lodged an official protest with with the US ambassador.

[03] Terrorist

Police found guns and explosives, and have charged him with illegal possession of those, and with planting a bomb at the development ministry last month.

That bomb didn't go off, and police were led to Maziotis after they found his fingerprint on it.

Police are now working on establishing whether or not the three guns found at Maziotis's house have been used in robberies or other criminal acts.

They've already ruled out that the guns were used in past terrorist hits.

Investigators are also examining political documents and diaries found at the home of Maziotis, a known anarchist who denies all the charges that have been brought against him.

Police specialists are trying to see if there are any similarities between the wording used by Maziotis in things he's written, and telephone statements that have been sent to the press by various terrorist groups taking responsibility for bombings.

The 27-year-old's court arraignment is Friday.

[04] Simitis

Said Simitis, "International economic problems, problems of everyday life, and tension in Greek- Turkish relations shouldn't give us the impression we're not moving forward. Our economy is performing better than it was a year ago. Competitiveness and productivity are up, and a number of public works projects are underway. They will make a very positive impact on the employment picture.

Simitis added that Pasok's goal is to forge ahead with modernising the state, public administration, and society as a whole. The results of his government's efforts in that sector will soon be apparent he promised.

Beyond Greece's borders, too, says the prime minister, the country is doing well. "The international community supports our efforst to promote peace and stability in the region", he explained. "Our role in the Balkans is becoming ever more important.

[05] Karamanlis

Meeting with top members of his party, Kostas Karamanlis lambasted the Simitis's government's economic policies.

Everyone can see that Pasok's ecnomic policies

are a failure says New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis. He adds, "the government's tricks aren't fooling anyone".

Meeting with his top party officials Thursday, Karamanlis took issue with the government's 1998 tax bill once again. That bill will raise many people's income taxes. Karamanlis says the bill is proof that the tax- grabbing government's policies are at a dead end.

"The tax plan shows an extremely harsh side of the government", insists Karamanlis. "Who is hit by taxation?" he asks. "Everyone, you'll answer, and you're right, but wage earners and pensioners are hardest hit of all".

New Democracy's goal is victory in the next general elections, adds Karamanlis, and to go on to create a strong and effective government, one capable of giving the Greek people vision and inspiration".

He urges everyone fed up with Pasok to give his party a chance next time around.

Karamanlis says the government is collapsing under the weight of its own timidity, indecision, and inefficiency, and it's time for a change.

[06] Tsovolas

Dozens of party supporters and close friends met Tsovolas with applause as he left the cardiosurgery clinic after his quadruple bypass and ten day stay.

Feeling well and ready to return to parliament, the man who left a Pasok, he felt had abandoned the common man said, "When people die or commit suicide because they're unemployed, it justifies our party's positions. For us...real politics doesn't mean numbers, but respect for human values".

Tsovolas referred to the recent problems in Greek-Turkish relations, saying, "Continuous retreats by Greece encourage more provocative behaviour from Turkey, which results in continuous airspace violations". He added, "The Greek government and the main opposition party must realise that in politics there are no friends and allies, just interests".

Doctors say Tsovolas, a prominent minister in Pasok government in the 1980s will be well enough to re-enter the political ring by next week.

[07] Sports

Aek big man Victor Alexander tips in a missed shot by Pane Prelevich to tie the game at 71 with two seconds remaining.

And Aek goes on a 10-nothing tear in the extra period, winning it 81-73. Alexander leads the victors with 22 points and 13 rebounds on the night.

With the victory, Aek stays at the top of its six-team group, with an 8 and 4 record. Ulker is 4 and 8.

At the world swimming championships in Perth Australia, the Greek men failed in their bid to reach the water polo semifinals.

Greece goes down to home team Australia in the quarterfinals. Greece is up 3-1 in that contest after two periods, but fails to score in the final two periods, and goes down 5-3.

The Greek women fared better in their battle against the United States. The Greeks have their sights set on a fifth place finish after outlasting the Americans 10-9.

On the soccer pitch, Panathinaikos played host to legendary Ajax of Amsterdam in a friendly match Thursday night.

And the fans get more than they could've hoped for

Pao's Giorgos Georgiades opens the scoring with a ligntning bolt in the 22nd minute.

And Lagonikais makes it 2-nil right before half time.

Alexoudis adds another goal for the winners in the 48th minute.

The Dutch get one back after that, making the final score 3-1.

Pao coach Vasilis Danil said after the match, "It's always nice to beat Ajax".

And Ajax coach Morten Olsen said he hopes Pao will soon be back where it belongs: playing in a major European tournament.

Pao's poor finish in the Greek first division last season left it without a ticket to any European tourney's this year. But the Athens club is currently in third place this season, and looks set to return to European action next year.

[08] Athens 2004

The prime minister and key aides have worked out the institutional framework of the committee, which will be submitted to parliament for approval.

After the meeting, culture minister Evangelos Venizelos said, "We didn't discuss names, but how the committees will be set up, how many members they'll have, and what they'll be responsible for".

The organising committee will have a 15-member board of directors, made up of bankers and people with experience in public administration.

There will be three sectors of responsibility for the committee:

one overseeing the construction projects associated with the 2004 games. That sector will be self- financing;

there will be another sector responsible for organising the athletic and cultural events at the games;

and another sector to handle international relations.

In addition to the organising committee, there will also be a much larger national committee, which will meet four times a year.

By next month, the organising committee seats will have to be filled: in Japan in February, it has to report to the IOC on progress on the Athens games.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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