Antenna News in English 090796

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

News in English, of 09/07/1996

TITLES

• The prime minister starts thinking about a tight 1997 budget.
• Serbian children say goodbye to Greece.
• And, a long life at sea applauded.

SIMITIS

Mr Simitis made the promise as he met with orthodox archbishop of Albania Anastasios.

Prime minister Kostas Simitis told orthodox archbishop of Albania Anastasios that the Greek government is going to give money to the orthodox churches in Albania. Hundreds of those churches have been restored in recent years, since the fall of communism.

Money was also the subject of Mr Simitis's meeting with finance minister Alekos Papadopoulos. More specifically, they talked about cutting state spending and putting together a lean 1997 budget.

Papadopoulos said, "We assessed the progress of the economy over the first half of 1996. We think it's been a positive period for the economy, and we'll keep implementing our budget targets at the same pace over the second half of the year".

Papadopoulos says the rest of 1996 will be difficult fiscally. But the government says its tight spending is necessary.

The finance misister made it clear that the European Union convergence programme will be followed to the letter.

And the EU's recommendations will be taken to heart when next year's budget is put together. People should look for the rate of privatisation of bankrupt state enterprises to pick up.

Tax laws will also be tightened up. Papadopoulos says the government is taking a hard look at a number of tax exemptions, adding that the government's bill on tax exemptions is almost ready to go to parliament, adds the minister.

ND

National security issues were discussed at Monday's meeting of New Democracy's political council.

After the meeting party spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos said New Democracy' thinks the improvement in Greek-Turkish relations is only temporary and superficial.

Last week, Greece and Turkey agreed to a moratorium on war games in the Aegean over the months of July and August. That moratorium is proposed by a 1988 memo signed by both country's, but is only being implemented now, following a US-Nato initiative.

Prokopis says New Democracy is in favour of the other five points of the 1988 memo being implemented, as is the Greek government. Turkey has been provoking Greece in the Aegean since January, and Athens is cautious about Turkish intentions. New Democracy says further contacts between the Greek and Turkish governments should only come if Turkey meets certain conditions.

New Democracy believes the government's policy toward the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been quote a strategic failure. Attempts to resolve the issue of Fyrom's name are at a standstill says the opposition party. Greece and Fyrom signed an accord in 1995 resolving all other differences between them except the name issue. The hope has been that talks would lead to that being resolved to, but so far, they haven't.

HEATWAVE

Since the weekend, Athens has been something of a ghost town, as people have headed for beach-side vacation getaways, or, barring that, the coolest place they can find in the capital.

Athens has had plenty of heat, but the record high went to Larisa, where the mercury hit 106 degrees farenheit. Hot enough to burn that egg on the sidewalk.

Things were a little cooler on the Aegean islands, owing to the seasonal winds blowing out of the north.

The weatherman says temperatures over the mainland will start dropping, and that Athenians can look forward to a cool high of 100 degrees farenheit Tuesday.

SERB KIDS

They had arrived with tears of insecurity and fear in their war-weary eyes....on Saturday, there were tears of sorrow at departing from their new-found friends and families.

One little boy said "I'm sad because things are better here than in Serbia. There are more beautiful places".

His Greek friend reluctantly wished him a safe journey home.

It's a difficult journey for these youngsters. Some of them won't find their families alive when they get home.

EVERT/METSOVO

The meeting was attended by 5 thousand people, The festivities included performances by 30 folk dance groups.

New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert attended the event. He said the most important thing that could come out of it was an understanding of the need for all Greeks to unite.

Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras also attended the celebrations.

ERMIONI

At one ceremony, Antenna president Minos Kyriakou awarded Giorgos Kritikos with a plaque, honouring the sailor from Porto Heli as Greece's longest-serving seaman.

Fireworks exploded in the sky, bringing the event, and "Naval Week", to an end.

SAILING

The World Open Sailing Championships started Monday morning in Piraeus.

Sunday, the opening ceremony was held at the Naval Club.

Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, the US and Greece are all taking part in the championship race. Among the individual participants is the king of Norway.

At the opening ceremony, Piraeus mayor Stelios Logothetis said Greece is greatly honoured that it has been chosen to host the event.

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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