Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-07-10

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

Last Updated: Friday, 10-Jul-98 22:05:12

CONTENTS

[01] Turkey-Cyprus-S300

[02] New Democracy-Local elections

[03] Athina Onassis

[04] Flying Dolphin 2000

[01] Turkey-Cyprus-S300

Instead, Turkey is threatening to increase its military power in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island if Cyprus deploys Russian surface-to-air missiles this autumn.

Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, and has over 30 thousand troops there.

Confronted not only with Ankara's unwillingness to earnestly search for a solution to the Cyprus problem, but with Turkish hostility, the Cypriot government has decided to acquire Russian S-300 missiles to bolster its air defence shield.

The only way it would consider cancelling the missile deal would be if the island as a whole were demilitarised.

But Turkey has other ideas. Prime minister Mesout Yilmaz says that if the Cypriot Republic deploys missiles, then Turkey will too.

"That would increase tension on the island", warns Yilmaz. "Armed conflict could arise, and we won't be the losers".

Cyprus and Greece believe the only rational way forward Cyprus is through diplomatic channels and the strengthening of the island's ties with Europe.

Talks on Cypriot entry into the European Union are set to begin in November.

There, too, Turkey has tried to prevent progress, distancing itself politically from the EU and threatening to annex the north if membership talks proceed.

[02] New Democracy-Local elections

Kostas Karamanlis warned New Democracy's central committee that he will not tolerate personal bitterness and ambition to get in the way of the party's election campaign.

"I can't allow personal feelings to take precedence over the major political issues at stake", he said.

To do so, he added, would only allow the government to continue with its strategy of confusing the public with its ill-defined policies.

Karamanlis said the party is opening its arms to

all voters in the upcoming elections, even those who have never voted New Democracy.

The main opposition leader said "We want full mobilisation of the party for these elections", the results of which will amount to a clear political message to the nation's parties about what voters feel and want. "Whoever lacks the courage to work with us should stay out of the campaign", he warned those who may not agree fully with the party line or its choice of candidates.

Turning his sights on Pasok, Karamanlis accused the government of being timid and ineffective. "The government", he added, "is wasteful in its spending".

[03] Athina Onassis

Athina and the Roussel family left Athens on Friday for Ibiza, where they will continue their holiday for another ten days.

Roussel will be back in Greece on October 30th, for a court hearing in a 15.6 million dollar slander suit brought against him by the Onassis Foundation.

[04] Flying Dolphin 2000

The vessel, built in Australia, can travel at a speed of 42 nauts an hour. Meaning holiday spot Poros will be just 45 minutes away from bustling Piraeus. Hydra and Spetses will be a little further away.

The "Flying Dolphin 2000" has a passenger capacity of 516. There's a bar on board and has an air conditioning system that has been specially adapted for our hot Greek summers.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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