Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-03-10

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

Last Updated: Tuesday, 10-Mar-98 16:29:55

CONTENTS

[01] Kosovo-Albanians

[02] FYROM-Kosovo

[03] Albania-Kosovo

[04] Maydani-Simitis

[05] New Democracy

[06] Vartholomeos-Chalki

[07] Archbishop-Health

[08] Sports

[01] Kosovo-Albanians

Albanians in the Yugoslav province claim that more than 20 people have been killed by the Serbs since Saturday. Last week, between 20 and 50 Albanians died during Serbian assaults in the region of Drenica.

Serbia says it is moving to stamp out militant separatists in the province.

Policemen and tanks continue their assaults on the Albanian villages of Drenica, according to the ethnic-Alabanians of Kosovo.

As the six members of the Contact Group for Yugoslavia announced in London that they're slapping sanctions on Serbia, tens of thousands of protesters on the streets of Pristina waved Albanian flags and chanted "Drenica, Drenica".

Antenna's Antonis Fourlis asked one man why he was protesting.

"Yes they killed children and women and pregnant women, they are killed ther. It's a massacre.

There is outrage over the attacks. One woman said through tears, "We want peace".

Many of the Albanians want independence. One man shouted "Long live the republic of Kosovo".

The ethnic Albanians say 62 of their number have been killed by the Serbs. The Serbs have collected the bodies, but no one's claiming them, since the authorities say they are all members of the Kosovo Liberation Army - an organisation they brand as terrorist.

While the Pristina protest was peaceful, in Pets to the north, demonstrators were met by water cannon and clubs.

Fourlis talked to one of the protesters.

"What are you asking the US for?" "To intervene to stop the violence". "Diplomacy?" "We are scared of it being too late...like in bosnia".

On Sunday, ethnic Albanian women held a silent protest at the US information office in Pristina, as the Serbian police looked on. Said one woman, "In ten years, nothing's changed, especially for the victims among the Albanian population.

All the protesters, whether noisy or quiet, are asking for the US, Nato, and the UN to put diplomacy aside, and intervene directly to put an end to the Serbian attacks.

But Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and the US says a peaceful solution must be found. They're giving Serbia two weeks to comply with their order to bring about an improvement in the situation in Kosovo. Otherwise, they'll take further steps.

In London, British foreign secretary Robin Cook sided most adamantly with the American and German view that a drastic and immediate response to the Serbs is needed.

Only Russia, a traditional ally of Yugoslavia, differed with the tough line.

While coming down hard on the Serbs, the group of six is also urging the ethnic Albanians to enter negotiations with the Serbs, with no pre- conditions.

The Albanians of Kosovo just want the attacks to end.

The villages of Drenica are like ghost towns: the men are in hiding, the women have fled with their children.

[02] FYROM-Kosovo

Antenna's Nikolas Vafiades visited UN observation post N37, manned by Swedish peacekeepers. One of them explained that they can do little else but observe.

"Our task carries reporting and informing our HQ what we see in the area and that's most of it, just reporting and observing".

The same soldier said the locals appar to be favourably disposed to the UN presence. Nonetheless, some people are leaving the area. They fear that the troubles in Kosovo may lead to a wave of refugees - already there is a trickle - and, with them, spreading trouble.

Antenna's camera spotted one family abandoning the border area in a tractor laden with the basic necessities.

[03] Albania-Kosovo

Albania's special forces are being concentrated in the northern part of the country, near the border with Kosovo, in anticipation of explosive developments.

From the city of Skodra north, there is a heavy police presence on the streets, carrying out detailed checks of motor vehicles.

Albania already has a mountain of domestic troubles. The authorities believe a bomb blast at a Tirana building was directed at the offices of the company charged with the task of sorting out a pyramid banking collapse that triggered months of rebellion last year.

Olympic Airways, the National Bank of Greece, and the office of the Greek commercial attache are in the same building. No one was injured in the blast.

[04] Maydani-Simitis

Kostas Simitis reiterated his view that there should be no changes in the existing borders in the region.

Simitis met with Albanian president Rejep Maydani in Athens Monday.

"There is a vicious cycle of terrorist acts to achieve political goals, and the use of violence for repressive reasons", said the Greek leader, expressing his disapproval of both militant separatists and the Serbian attacks.

Albania's president is asking Greece to move within Nato and the European Union to ensure that Milosevich's violence in Kosovo ends.

Rejep MaydAni, in Greece for official contacts Monday, presented Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos Albania's highest distinction, the medal of honour.

Stephanopoulos called for wisdom to be exercised in finding the answers for Kosovo.

The tribute was a symbol of the Albanian people's

appreciation for all Greece has done for their country. And during Monday's meetings, there was a positive climate, both sides expressing a desire for deeper cooperation.

The message from Athens is that it is ready to help organise a summit between Albania and Yugoslavia.

[05] New Democracy

At a meeting of the party's MPs Monday, Kostas Karamanlis renewed his determination to continue his course over and above the objections of in- house dissidents.

Addressing the New Democracy parliamentary group meeting, Kostas Karamanlis tried once again to restore calm under his authority within his party.

He told his MPs: the back-biting, press leaks, and controversial statements to the press - hallmarks of the past - have hampered the party - stunting its capacity to rule the country - and cannot be tolerated.

The conflict in the party has taken on dramatic proportions in recent weeks. First, Karamanlis either expelled or suspended six MPs for refusing to toe the party line in a parliamentary vote. Then, he effectively banned former prime minister Constantinos Mitsotakis from party organs.

Mitsotakis hinted on the eve of Monday's meeting that it could be time to form a new party. "Greece needs regeneration", he told a party gathering.

"I hope the impetus for that comes from the existing parties. Unfortunately, I don't think it will".

In his speech Monday, Karamanlis maintained his assertive tone: "None of us will allow a return to

the ways of the past that restricted our party's appeal", he said. "We can discuss differing views among ourselves, but in a way that is productive and maintains the cohesion of the party".

Unswayed by Karamanlis's words, Mitstotakis expressed his disagreement with the recent expulsions, which he asked to be overturned. "Those who represent 40 per cent of the last party congress cannot expel those who represent 30 per cent", he said. "That amounts to a schism". With the expulsion of so many leading MPs, he added, a large section of voters is no longer represented by New Democracy. Those voters, he added, will find some political body to express their views, to the detriment of New Democracy and the political system as a whole.

Miltiades Evert, replaced as party leader by Karamanlis last year, spoke in softer tones than Mitsotakis. Striking a more conciliatory note, he also asked that an attempt be made at a rapprochement with the expelled MPs. Upcoming local elections could be the focal point of a dialogue with them, he said, and Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras - once a New Democracy member - should be included in it.

Criticising Karamanlis's style, he said New Democracy has got to stop worrying about its ideological identity, and start dealing with the problems of the people and taking a tougher stance with the government.

Though there are clear differences at the top of the party, Karamanlis has no desire for the abrasive infighting to continue. He wants the party to move on. when Giannis Kefalogiannis unleashed a sharp attack on Mitsotakis Monday, Karamanlis urged him to use gentler tones.

[06] Vartholomeos-Chalki

Philanthropist Panagiotis Angelopoulos announced during a meeting with ecumenical patriarch Vartholomeos that he is going to pay for the renovation of the Church's Chalkis seminary.

Angelopoulos said his act is partly intended to help bring Greeks and Turks closer together. No one knows the daily consequences of Greek-Turkish problems better than Vartholomeos. He believes Athens and Ankara should defuse the tensions arising from their differences over the Aegean.

He says "Greater mutual trust, good-neighorliness, peaceful co-existence, and mutual respect and understanding are needed".

Repeating his request that Turkey allow the ChAlkis school to reopen, Vartholomeos said it's a question of basic religious rights. He appealed to the Turkish authorities not to treat Greeks in Turkey like second-class citizens - to fully respect their rights.

[07] Archbishop-Health

Fifteen days ago the archbishop, who suffers from kidney failure, entered the hospital with a viral infection.

Metropolitan bishop of Serres, Maximos told reporters after the meeting that the Synod extends its sympathy and wishes the archbishop a speedy recovery. Adding, "The church needs his experienced guidance, especially during this period".

During Serafim's absence, the Holy Synod will take care of all church matters, making decisions if deemed necessary.

Serafim underwent his scheduled dialysis treatment Monday morning. Doctors say that the 84 year old archbishop's recovery is slow due to his age and his kidney problems.

[08] Sports

Olympiakos scores its first goal against Kalamata just nine minutes into their match - Ivan Ivich gets that one, his 19th of the season - Ivich is now in second in that category, behind Pao's Christoff Vazecha.

Vazecha gets his 23rd goal of the season as Pao romps over Ofi.

In other weekend matches, EthnikOs beats Apollon, while Ionikos gets past Xanthi and Athinaikos whips

Panionios..

Iraklis sees defeat at the hands of Paok, while Veria and Panachaiki - no score in that one.

Proodeftiki sees blue skies as it bests Kavala, and AEK is a winner over Paniliakos, by a score of

In a not to be missed weekend game of basketball, Olympiakos and Panathinakos played an overtime thriller.

Injury-riddled Olympiakos was dethroned last week

from Euroleague at the hands of Partizan Belgrade, and goes into this one needing a victory over its perennial rival.

Frankiscos Alvertis misses the three-pointer that will break the tie with 30 seconds left in overtime. Olympiakos misses a tray of it own at the other end, but Artouras Karnvisovas scoops the ball up and hits for two in the lane with 3 seconds to play, giving Olympiakos the 67-65 win.

The two teams now share the best won-lost records in the league - though Pao has the edge in the standings because it beat Olympiakos by twenty in their first meeting.

In other games played over the weekend, fourth- placed AEK gets by Iraklio at 69-63, while PAOK, third in the league beats Papagou 71-73. Daphne drops one to Iraklis. Aris and Panionios are triumphant at home, and Peristeri wins on the road.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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