Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-09-23

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

Last Updated: Wednesday, 23-Sep-98 21:37:16

CONTENTS

[01] Ancient artefacts

[02] "Parmenion"-military exercise

[03] Dimitris Avramopoulos

[04] Sports

[01] Ancient artefacts

57-year-old Theodoros Poutous Pitides was arrested after police found a treasure documenting thousands of years of Greek civilisation.

The office of the security police chief in Athens looked like a museum Wednesday, after the arrest of Theodoros Poutous Pitides.

Police had found enough things in his house to make many museum curators green with envy.

Some of the artefacts tell an important part of the history of modern Greece.

Police chief Theodoros Papaphilis held up one of the bonds issued by the provisional Greek government in 1822, during the revolution.

The bonds - which bore an annual interest rate of 8 per cent - were issued in January of that year to raise money to continue the war of independence from Turkey.

They were signed by the president of the executive, Alexandros Mavrokordatos.

In addition to the bonds are bank notes - the first money issued by the Greek state after liberation.

The banknotes - Finikes was the currency - are signed by the head of the government, Yiannis Kapodistrias.

But Pitides had more, much, much more in his possession, from much further back in history.

The authorities confiscated 2,900 coins minted in the classical Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods. And there are coins minted during the 400 year period when the Turks ruled Greece.

But the prize is this coin, made of rare amber. Until it was discoverd in Pitides collection,

archeologists thought there was only one of its kind left in the world - the one sitting in the British Museum in London.

That coin alone is worth four million dollars. Pitides has been charged for not reporting his collection to the authorities, as he is obliged to do by law. He says he didn't know he was supposed to, but that excuse didn't satisfy the prosecutor.

Pitides, a member of Greece's coin society, maintains that he imported the items from foreign countries at different times.

[02] "Parmenion"-military exercise

The week-long joint army, navy, and air force manoeuvres ended on Chios Wednesday.

President Stephanopoulos congratulated the armed forces for carrying out successful manoeuvres.

But even as Greek forces were practising, the Turkish effort was launching very real provocations.

There were massive air space violations of Greek air space by Turkish fighters in the northeastern Aegean, near where the exercises were being held.

Former New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert, in Chios for the manoeuvres, said the violations were massive and repeated, showing the true aggressive intentions of the Turks.

On Tuesday, Akis Tsochatzopoulos observed the exercises in Evros, in northeastern Greece.

In the mock exercise there, Greek forces recaptured Greek soil in the border region from an invading army.

Tsochatzopoulos and military officials came away

impressed by the troops' performance.

Joint chiefs of staff chairman Athanassios Tzoganis said the exercises have sent out a message: Greece's forces are well-trained and ever ready to defend the nation.

[03] Dimitris Avramopoulos

Asked how far his ambitions reach, Avramopoulos responded diplomatically, by turning the question around: "all of us have their ambitions", he said. "How far do yours reach?"

In a more enlightening vein, he continued: "We are judged by the people. There always comes a time when the people give you more to do or send you home. You have to be prepared for everything".

At the end of his chat with the neophytes, the seasoned politician said he would come away from the press conference optimistic about the future of journalism.

[04] Sports

Vazecha was injured a neck muscle during a practice.

Meaning he may not be on the pitch when Arsenal and Pao kick off at Wembley stadium next Wednesday.

Doctors will know Thursday how serious the injury is and how long the Polish-born star will be out.

In pro basketball, two Greek teams got off to a flying start in the Saporta Cup tournament.

In Thessaloniki Aris breezed past Swedish Plania 92- 60; down in Athens, Aek had hard time of it before brushing off Hungary's Pax 66-59.

The Greek Basketball Federation wants the youth of today more interested in basketball.

And what better way than to organize a 3-on-3 annual basketball tournament in one hundred cities throughout the country.

In the event sponsored by famous players, dedicated coaches, and local government, kids are getting the opportunity to show their stuff on the court.

This weekend Thessaloniki and the island of Chios played host the tournament.

Akis Papadopoulos, an advisor to the Greek Pro Basketball Federation, says over 100 thousand children from 100 cities all across the country are in the tourney, and are having a great time.

One little boy said "It really was great. We played for prizes. I didn't win but it doesn't matter".

Another chimed in, "When I grow up, I want to play like Nikos Gallis". While another said, "Me, I want to become like Jordan".

Why not?

Well known player Igkor Moraitis said, "There is a lot of hidden talent out there that just needs to be discovered".

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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