Antenna: News in English (AM), 98-04-03

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

Last Updated: Friday, 03-Apr-98 09:14:21

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus-Holbrooke

[02] Cyprus-S300

[03] Constantinople-Cemetery

[04] Turkish violation

[05] Archbishop Serafeim

[06] Basketball

[01] Cyprus-Holbrooke

The trip comes after this week's announcement that Turkey and Turkish- occupied northern Cyprus have signed a political and economic cooperation agreement. Turkey is calling it the first step toward annexation.

Sources say Richard Holbrooke's aim will be to coax Turkish-Cypriot leader Raouf Denktash into returning to negotiations to reunite Cyprus.

UN-brokered talks broke down last August, when the European Union rejected Denktash's demand that it shelve plans to make Cyprus an EU member.

Denktash also said his self-declared northern cypriot state must be internationally-recognised before any talks on solving the Cyprus problem can recommence.

As EU accession talks began earlier this week, the Cypriot Republic renewed its invitation to the Turkish-Cypriots to join in the EU negotiations, but as representatives of a community, not a state.

The issue is further complicated by the demand from Turkey and the Turkish- Cypriots that Cyprus not be allowed to join the EU before Turkey. But Turkey will not be invited to do so anytime soon, because of its problems with Greece and Cyprus, and its poor human rights record.

In Cyprus over the weekend, Holbrooke will have separate meetings with Clirides and Denktash. Observers believe he will try to impress upon Denktash that it would be in the interests of the Turkish-Cypriots to change their tune, and join in the EU admission talks.

France and Germany would also like to see Turkey and Denktash strike a conciliatory pose. German foreign minister Klaus Kinkel warns that annexation of northern Cyprus by Turkey quote "cannot and will not be allowed", unquote.

The French say the annexation moves do nothing to help EU-Turkish relations.

At the same time, France, Germany, and other EU members say that if the Greek and Turkish Cypriots cannot come to terms, then admission of the island into the EU is not possible.

But the admission talks have started. And Greece is optimistic that obstacles notwithstanding, Cyprus will become a part of the EU as planned.

[02] Cyprus-S300

Russia has been drawn closer to the issues surrounding Cyprus since its decision to sell the Cypriot government S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, over Turkish objections.

Greek deputy foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis is asking the UN Security Council to use its authority to get the Turkish Cypriots to the negotating table without any preconditions.

Russia, a security council member, says it will use its influence to help resolve the Cyprus problem.

Kranidiotis believes Russia's UN influence has already allowed it to make a positive contribution to the search for a just and viable solution.

[03] Constantinople-Cemetery

The culprits smashed marble tombstones and crosses in the graveyard behind St Elevtherios Chuch in the Kurtulus district.

Kurtulus is something of a rarity in Constantinople, as it is home to dozens of historically important churches and synagogues which serve the needs of Istanbul's small Greek, Armenian, and Jewish communities.

Caretakers at the cemetary said it would've taken at least four people to lift the heavy gravestones.

Not only were marble stones damaged and crosses broken but the bones of the deceased were strewn across the graveyard.

The Synod of the Greek-Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate condemned the desecrations. "Those responsible for this attack", it said, "don't frighten us, no matter what their motive was. We plan on remaining here and continuing our religious work".

Turkish authorities were called in immediately after the incident but said due to heavy rainfall it was impossible to find any fingerprints.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said such incidents should be dealt with decisively and effectively. They stigmatize Turkish society".

This is by no means the first attack against Hellenism in Constantinople. Several bomb attacks have been carried out against the

Patriarchate within the past few years.

Last December, a bomb exploded on the roof of Agios Georgios's Church in the patriarchal compound, injuring a priest.

Earlier this year, a chapel near the cathedral of Agia Sofia was vandalized and looted. The sexton responsible for tending to the chapel was found murdered.

And in 1993 another orthodox cemetery - also in Constantinople - was vanalised.

The identities of the perpetrators of Tuesday's vandalism are unknown. In the past radical islamic groups have claimed responsitiliby for anti- Christian attacks, including bombings of the patriarchate.

[04] Turkish violation

The frigate attempted to get in the way of four Greek naval vessels northeast of the island Evia.

The Turkish frigate "TrakAi" was supposed to be observing four Greek mine sweepers on manoeuvres fives miles northeast of Evia.

The Turkish captain suddenly sailed his vessel into the area where the Greek exercises were being conducted.

Fortunately, the Turkish frigate left the area without provoking a more serious development.

[05] Archbishop Serafeim

Doctors said the health of the 84-year-old Archbishop, who also suffers from kidney failure, is getting worse.

Yiannis Papadopoulos, president of the Laiko hospital said it is difficult to say when the archbishop may be allowed to go home.

Papadopoulos added that in recent days Serafeim's health has taken a downward spiral, and his age and chronic health problems mean it will be a while before he is well enough to be released.

Given that, some orthodox priests believe that it would be best if Serafeim resigned his position.

[06] Basketball

Pao had beaten Stefanel by 19 points in their home- and-away opener. And all it needed to do is protect that margin of victory to go on for a shot at the cup.

But the Italians have other ideas in Milan Wednesday night, blowing out to an 11-8 lead, the home team shows it thinks it can get over that 19- point hill into the final...and it does.

The Italians lead by 15 at the half and roll to a crushing 86-61 triumph.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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