Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-03-11

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

Last Updated: Wednesday, 11-Mar-98 16:30:13

CONTENTS

[01] Clerides-Simitis

[02] Balcans-Kosovo

[03] New Democracy

[04] Holy Synod

[05] Health-Arthrytis

[06] Stamps

[07] Rotary Club

[08] Sports

[01] Clerides-Simitis

Kostas Simitis and Cyrpiot president Glavcos Clirides met in Athens Tuesday, for talks on Cyprus's entry into the European Union, Cyprus's plan to deploy Russian missiles, and Greek-Turkish relations.

Urging Turkey to help settle the Cyprus problem, prime minister Kostas Simitis said Ankara's cooperation there would help it gain a foothold in the European Union.

Both Simitis and Cypriot president Glavcos Clirides agree that Turkish- Cypriots should participate in Cyprus's EU accession talks, due to start this month over Turkish objections.

The only condition, add Greece and Cyprus, is that Turkish-Cypriot partition not imply recognition of their breakaway state in the Turkish- occupied northern part of the island.

Ankara renewed its opposition to Cypriot accession last December, when the EU refused to put Turkey on its list of prospective members.

Simitis and Clirides renewed their support for the UN's proposal for a bi- zonal federation to be the framework for reuniting Cyprus.

But Turkish-Cypriot leader Raouf Denktash says he will boycott all talks on the Cyprus problem unless the EU cancels its accession talks with the Clirides government.

There are other issues clouding the Cyprus issue. One of them is Cyprus's plan to deploy Russian ground-to-air missiles later this year, again over Turkish objections.

US Cyprus envoy Richard Holbrooke says that the chill in relations between the EU and Turkey over the fact that Cyprus is to gain EU admission soon, while Turkey isn't even on the waiting

list, complicates efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.

Noting that there has been no progress in the past year, Holbrooke says it will take "a great leap of faith - something akin to Egyptian president Anwar Sadat visiting Jerusalem - for progress to made".

The American diplomat concurs in the Simitis view that it is good for everyone if Turkey moves closer to Europe. "It's not a zero-sum game", explains Holbrooke. "It is not automatically true that what is bad for your rival is automatically good for you. I know Mr Simitis has made similar statements".

Holbrooke also backs Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos's recent statement that all Aegean issues be taken to the International Court of Justice.

[02] Balcans-Kosovo

Western leaders repeated their appeal for an end to the bloodshed, fearing that a new Balkan war may be in the making.

They filed past the dead in mourning, rage, and disbelief.

The Serbs claim that they've killed only members of the outlawed Kosovo Liberation Army, a militant separatist organisation.

But Antim Tzasari, a doctor from Pristina, talked to Antenna about the scale of the outrage.

"The youngest children is four years to thirteen

years the oldest...and another seven old men killed on their houses...and they killed the children".

Many are the voices calling for dialogue and reconciliation.

Said US envoy Robert Gelbart, who arrived in Pristina Tuesday after talks in Belgrade:

"The violence must be stopped on both sides... government with greater means needs to take initiative to restore confidence...and more violence".

That may not be easy after what has happened. As one ethnic Albanian said, "This genocide has dashed all hopes that we could live together with the Serbs again".

The Contact Group of six nations, among them the US and Britain, has moved to impose sanctions on Serbia to press it into ending the assaults.

But group member Russia opposes blaming the Serbs exclusively. Russian officials argue that the tragedy in Kosovo has even been fueled by Western nations, which have encouraged militant Albanian separatists by promising them their assistance.

Winter weather has worsened in Kosovo; perhaps the cold, fog, and snow are a blessing in disguise, as they prevented any policing operations by the Serbs in Drenica.

The situation in Kosovo has heightened tension in the neighboring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Officials in Fyrom fear that nation's Albanian minority may become more restive in response to Kosovo.

The authorities in Skopje were alarmed by the waving of the Albanian flag and the singing of the Albanian national anthem at a recent rally held by ethnic Albanians.

The interior minister has reacted by arresting the leaders of three ethnic Albanian parties: Republican Party leader Nevzak Halili; Democratic

Welfare leader Hidari Halid; and the Albanian Welfare Party's Rezet Nagavchee.

The arrests sent a wave of concern through the ranks of the Albanian minority - a rally scheduled for Skopje Tuesday was cancelled.

Halili recently spent 8 and a half months in jail over a crisis over the Tetovo University, which ethnic Albanians want to teach Albanian.

Halili tells Antenna that the position of Albanains in Fyrom is worse than it was when Fyrom was part of Tito's Yugoslavi. Then, he explains, people could fly the Albanian flag freely everywhere, anytime.

[03] New Democracy

Former prime minister Mitsotakis's words came just a day after a heated meeting of the party's MPs.

Relations between former New Democracy leader Constantinos Mitsotakis and current leader Kostas Kararmanlis look bent beyond repair.

In his latest volley, Mitsotakis says Karamanlis is leading the party to certain election defeat.

And he adds that those who will be responsible for handing the next elections to Pasok on a platter will have to assume responsibility for the disaster they've created.

At a heated parliamentary group session Tuesday, Mitsotakis asked that six MPs recently expelled or suspended from the party be allowed back in.

Rejecting the proposal, Karamanlis reiterated that the expulsions are on the books, and it's time to turn the page.

"We're going to move forward", he said. "Whoever doesn't want to come with us is removing himself from the front line of the battle".

After a huddle of the party leadership Tuesday to map out the response to Mitsotakis's latest attack, it was parliamentary group secretary Stavros Dimas who replied to Mitsotakis's charge that the party is being led toward disaster.

And his reply was consistent with the Karamanlis line that it's time to move on, and to ignore the dissident voices.

"We're sorry Mr Mitsotakis continued the parliamentary group discussion with public comments Tuesday", said Dimas. "We won't follow him in that".

Dimas added that Karamanlis has clearly defined Mitsotakis's role in the party. Last week Karamanlis effectively removed Mitsotakis from all party committees, saying he was above party politics and should be grooming himself for the nation's presidency.

Mitsotakis has not taken kindly to the offer that he let himself be kicked upstairs - he's still very much interested in the party he once led.

[04] Holy Synod

The Holy Synod of the orthodox church of Greece discussed the health of the archbishop for a second straight day.

Two Synod members visited Serafim in the hospital Tuesday. Bishop of Serres Maximos

said, "He's been through a lot, he's 85-year-old and has kidney failure".

The issue of whether or not there is to be a replacement for the archbishop will be decided at the Synod's next meeting, in April.

[05] Health-Arthrytis

The news was announced at the 7th conference on spinal ailments, organized by Greece's Nimits Hospital.

Hospital phsyiotherapy chief Christos Spryopoulos explains that, today, physiotherapy can restore the patient to his former health, without the aid of machinery. By manipulating the back with our bare hands, we are able to visibly improve the patient's health musch sooner than in the past".

In cases where physiotherapy isn't sufficient, the patient can opt for neurosurgery. Neurosurgeon Stergio Tegos points out that in addition to micro-surgery, discs can be removed by laser and suction.

Doctors admit the most difficult decision lies in diagnosing whether or not a slipped disc should be operated on.

75 percent of adults in Greece suffer from back ache because of sedentary lifestyles or from the lifting heavy items.

[06] Stamps

Eight legendary comic actors will soon grace the stamps people will be putting on their letters.

They were unveiled in Athens Monday.

The new series is a tribute to actors who made their mark in Greek comedies in the fifties and sixties.

"It's the least we could do for these unforgettable greats", commented one post office official.

The actors depicted are Vasilis Argyropoulos, Vasilis Avlonitis, Mimis Fotopoulos, Lambros Konstantaras, Vasilis Logothetides, Dionysis Papayiannopoulos, Nikos Stavrides, and Georgia Vasiliadou.

Culture minister Evangelos Venizelos called the postage stamps a tribute to Greek cinema.

At the unveiling, honorary plaques were given to the family of the eight acting legends.

[07] Rotary Club

Receiving the honorary distinction was Antenna public relations director Lola Daifa.

Panos Theodorooulos, chairman of the Rotary Club in Eastern Thessaloniki warmly thanked the station, saying, "Antenna and Lola Daifa have made tremendous efforts to help Northern Greece. We are forever grateful".

Daifa said there will be more Antenna aid in the form of events and donations. She noted that the station has given books or money to libraries in Greece's border regions.

[08] Sports

Pao was on the road Tuesday against Poland's Slask Vortslav.

And thanks to the the offensive efforts of centre Dino Radja, the visitors get what they need. Radja scores 19 points in the first half, and the bucket with a second to play in the contest that ties the contest at 61.

Under the tournament rules, the team with the best aggregate after two regulation games advances to the next round. In this case, that's Pao, which won the opener against Vortslav by 24 points.

Panellinios has come up with a new sports program designed to help full- time workers, students and parents get their fair share of exercise.

Every weekend, there will aerobics, swimming and track and field events for those too busy to work out during the week.

With expert trainers on hand, dishing out advice to ambitious athletes seeking perfection, the initial response has been overwhelming.

One man said, "It gives parents who are interested in sports but don't have the time, a great outlet during the weekend. It is also motivational for children, teaching them about the world of sports".

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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