Antenna News in English 160796

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

News in English, of 15/07/1996

TITLES

• The European Union gives money to Turkey, but tells it to respect Greek rights.
• Greece's elder statesman makes a rare public appearance.
• And, Oedipus Rex in Epidavros.

* MEDA

Greece had vetoed money for Turkey because of Turkey's unfriendly attitude toward Greece.

In giving the green light to the so-called Meda funding programme, Greece showed its satisfaction with EU demands that Turkey respect Greece's sovereign rights.

Meeting in Brussels, European Union foreign ministers agreed to release the funds set aside for non-EU member states in the Mediterranean, among them, Turkey.

Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos said Greece has agreed to lift its veto over the Meda programme IF Turkey complies with the requests the EU makes of Turkey in its statement of solitdarity with Greece.

Greece's main concern, reflected in the EU statement is over Turkey's recent tendency to make claims on Greek territory in the Aegean. In January, it claimed the Greek isle of Imia, then it said there are "grey areas" of questionable sovereingty in the Aegean, then they said the status of the Greek island of Gavdos is "questionable".

In their statement, Greece's EU partners express their solidarity with Greece. Laying the blame for the recent Aegean tensions at Turkey's feet, they express their belief that any territorial claims should be taken to the international court.

Ever since Turkey staged a military landing on Imia in January, Greece has said the court, and not bullying, is the way for Turkey to proceed.

Greece has also said that Turkey's muscle-flexing in the Aegean ill prepares it for a seat at the European table. The EU statement issued Monday urges Turkey to base its relations with EU members on the principles of international law, and on respect for EU members sovereign rights.

Sources say that the EU is essentially asking Turkey to be a good neighbour to Greece and, more generally, to avoid creating tension with shows of force.

The European Commission will now keep tabs on Turkey, making sure that it abides by the points laid out in the EU statement.

The MEDA funds won' be released until until September 15th, meaning EU foreign ministers will meet again before the final go ahead is given.

Pangalos says he hopes Turkey will respond positivley to the EU's offer, and that all the conditions Turkey was supposed to have agreed to when given associate EU status, will finally be met.

* SIMITIS

But education minister Giorgos Papandreou repeated Monday what everyone in the ruling party has said all along: Pasok will complete its term.

Papandreou made the comment after meeting with prime minister Kostas Simitis.

The education minister, son of the late Andreas Papandreou, said the main issues discussed at the meeting were education and party matters.

Since taking over as prime minister, and as head of Pasok, Mr Simitis has stated over and over his commitment to change Pasok into a collective party, rather than one dominated by one person at the top.

George Papandreou says he is behind the changes Mr Simitis has in store for Pasok, which are all directed at giving party bodies more of a voice. The prime minister is planning to set up a series of organisations in Pasok, whose areas of focus will parallel the areas with which various government ministries are concerned.

* EVERT

Opposition leader Miltiades Evert wrapped up his three-day tour of the Cycladic islands, saying the nations enormous economic troubles will force Pasok to call national elections.

During his tour of Andros, Tinos, Naxos, Donoussa, Amorgos, and other Aegean islands, New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert lambasted the government over its handling of the economy.

Evert called it a do-nothing government, which has caused paralysis in the public sector, and which is out of touch with the people.

"Wherever we go, there's no work being done", said Evert. The country's political leadership isn't communicating with the people".

The economic ineptitude of Pasok, he added, will force the government to call early elections.

In Naxos, Evert said that government ministers should be close to the people and constantly visit the various parts of the country. If there's a problem somewhere, then the cabinet members should get to where it is immediately and solve it.

Evert was well-received everwhere he went. On the small islands of Amorgos, Koufonissia, and Schinoussa, Evert promised residents, most of whom make a living off fishing, that economic development will be the basis of defending the islands against external threats. If the islands are economically-abandoned, he said, then they may become prey to the expansionistic designs of Turkey.

* KARAMANLIS

The man who towered over Greek politics for three decades before retiring from politics last year, had been out of the public eye for several months. But Antenna's Eleni Nikolaou caught up with him before he left for Myconos.

Nikolaou wished Mr Karamanlis happy holidays, and handed him a red rose through his car window.

In fine spirits, the former president responded, "You're more beautiful than this flower".

Mr Karamanlis intends to spend about a month in Myconos, the guest of Theodoros Nikolaides, publisher of sports newspaper.

* GOULANDRI

It's just opened a health centre for pregnant women and new-born infants in Chimara, Albania.

Niki Goulandri is the organisation chair, but, owing to health problems, couldn't be there for the opening.

The centre is a gift from Greece to the Albanian people. Attending the opening ceremony, Albanian health minister Maxi TsIkouli thanked Greece, expressing his belief that the centre will serve the town residents well.

Greek ambassador to Albania, Christos Tsalikis congrautlated all those who had contributed to making the health centre a reality.

Now, much work will be needed to keep it going. The obstetrics department at the university hospital in Iannena will offer the unit medical support. University professor Dimitris Lolis says that every two to three weeks obstetricians will visit the centre to help their Albanian colleagues.

Eleni Chondropoulou, of "Save the Children", hopes that the centre can become the blueprint for other centres in Albania and elsewhere.

Her organisation is getting support from the Greek government to build similar units.

* FRENCH KIDS

Greece's soccer lottery organisation, OPAP, held a special ceremony to pay tribute to the winners.

Taking his hat off to the 40 young ancient Greek scholars from France, OPAP director Christos Salales said the youths had, through their voluntary study of the ancient Greek language, burrowed deep into ancient Greek civilisation.

The contest was inspired by French professor Antoine de Neville and Greek actor Lakis Lazopoulos. De Neville said in flawless Greek, "We should all be aware of the fact that Greece is the onlyb ancient European language that never died".

Lazopoulos had praise for de Neville. He said she has succeeded in making many Greeks aware of the ancient Greek language. "Thanks to you", he told her, "many young people in Greece are now showing an interest in ancient Greek".

Lakis Lazopoulos had praise for de Neville: "You have succeeded in sensitizing many Greeks on the subject of the ancient Greek language", he told her, "and, thanks to you, many young people in our country are now turning to ancient Greek".

* EPIDAURUS

14 thousand people watched the performance put on by actor Giorgos Kimoulis's theatre group.

And they were held spellbound until the very end, absorbed in the suffering of the tragic Oedipus, and in the superb acting.

After the performance Kimoulis said he believes the powerful performance will give all those who saw it the strength to keep watching his performances. He added that what he got from the audience will give HIM the strength to keep performing.

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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