Antenna News in English 250796

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

News in English, of 24/07/1996

TITLES

• Saying farewell to Aliki Vouyouklaki.
• US concerns over the Aegean.
• And, Patriarch Parthenios passes away.

ALIKI/LAST TRIBUTE

She had their love when she was alive, and still has it, in death.

The woman known as Greece's national actress sent the country into mourning Tuesday morning, when she succumbed to an incurable liver ailment.

Throughout the day, into the night, and Wednesday, they visited her coffin in the Athens cathedral chapel.

Family, friends, old associates, and people who knew her only from afar lined up outside the church, waiting to pay their sad tribute. Some of them were young children, proof again that even after a 43-year career, Aliki was a star of the times.

Actress Vassia Trifilly told Antenna she was sad, but also angry, because the Aliki's illness struck so quickly that she never had a chance to fight it.

Early in the morning, Aliki's ex-husband Dimitris Papamichail went to the chapel, and her partner Kostas Spyropoulos stayed at her side for a long time. Her son, Yiannis, seemed incapable of reconciling himself to the terrible truth.

Jules Dassin, the director who lost his wife, another famous actress, Melina Mercouri, almost two-and-a-half years ago, also went to say goodbye to a close friend.

One woman said, "To me, she's not dead. I feel I'm waiting here to buy a ticket and see another one of her performances". One of the boys who'd worked with her during her last play, "The sound of music", says "She loved us very much. She was a child deep inside. That's why we got along with her so well".

One woman said farewell to Aliki with a poem, which read: "All of Greece mourns today, for you have gone forever; but your figure will remain alive in our hearts".

ALIKI/PRIVATE MOMENTS

In her private moments, Aliki was childlike, full of spontaneous joy and love for everyone.

Aliki's love of children was apparent in her relations with the kids she worked with in "The Sound of Music.

ALIKI USA

The news of the actress's death reached Greek- Americans on Antenna's satellite broadcasts.

Commenting on Aliki's death, sweet shop owner Giouli Pantzi said "All Greeks are depressed. Greece is poorer".

One customer said, "She was a great actress, and will be remembered".

Another man said, "We all got a picture of Greece from her movies".

Pictures is what Aliki did best. One video store owner says that young people always ask for her movies.

One teenager said she loves to watch Aliki's films, and is saddened by the star's death.

AIRPORTS

Antenna's Giorgos Amyras visited London, Paris and Zurich airports, putting security officials to the test.

Giorgos Amyras visited Heathrow in London, de Galle in Paris, and Zurich's international - three of Europe's busiest airports.

Leaving a metal trunk untended for over a half an hour at several busy points in and outside the terminals at all three airports, Amyras was surprised to find that no policemen bothered to check it out. Even though, as in Zurich, airport officials warn travellers that untended baggage will be picked up by the police for reasons of safety.

In Zurich, a rifle lay unclaimed on the floor of the baggage claim area for over 2 hours.

In Paris, access to the tarmac is as easy as walking down a concrete ramp - no questions asked, no police in sight.

Amyras's experiment followed a barrage of claims in the international press that Athens international airport is not security-tight.

Those claims came after TWA flight 800 exploded shortly after leaving New York - the plane had been in Athens earlier.

Following Amyras's report, Greek transport minister Harris Kastanides said the story repays the attempts made by some in the foreign media to scapegoat Athens in the interest, he added, of special interest groups.

The metal trund episode sparked comments from New Democracy spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos too. He said, "New Democracy said at the outset that the foreign press reports directed at Greece were spurious. Antenna's revealing report confirms our view. But it's also a lesson: criticism should start at home".

Political Spring spokeman Notis Martakis said Antenna's report on lax security in Europe is an embarrassment to those who questioned security at Athens.

Greek newspapers also commented on the Antenna report.

"Elevtheros Typos" said Heathrow, de Galle, and Zurich airports are naked.

"Elevtherotypia" suggested that England, France, and Switzerland should take a look at how bad things are at their airports.

And the paper "Niki" called the report a "vindication" of Athens airport.

Not that Athens needs vindication. The US government said after the TWA explosion that Athens meets international security standards.

On a recent visit to Greece, US first lady Hilary Clinton had only good things to say about Athens airport, despite negative press accounts.

And when she flew into Athens recently, US ambassador to the UN Madelaine Albright said, "I had no problems at the Athens airport".

And the Greek people inspire confidence with travellers through their hospitality. George Bush, the former US president has visited Greece three times. He says he's overwhelmed by the warm reception he gets from the people.

ALBRIGHT

Albright discussed Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue during her Mediterranean trip. And it seems that the US wants to play the role of mediator to prevent an unintended incident sparking an air battle over the Aegean.

Albright told reporters in New York after her trip that both Greek and Turkish generals were concerned about the possibility of an accidental encounter".

She also said that the US is extremely pleased with Greece's decision to lift its veto over Turkey getting 500 million dollars in aid from the European Union.

Greece says it may still block the funding if Turkey doesn't commit itself to respect Greece's territorial rights in the Aegean.

PANGALOS

Pangalos discussed a range of issues during an interview with CNN.

Pangalos told the international American news network that the US government should make Turkey understand that it can't get away with its military occupation - entering its 23rd year - forever.

Turning to domestic affairs, Pangalos said the main goal of the Greek government is roping in public sector spending. He said Pasok wants to limit state involvement in the economy, but not abolish it.

He added that Greece believes international trade should be conducted in such a way that it promotes scientific progress.

Pangalos also had something to say about the late Andreas Papandreou. He said that he had helped to modernise political life in Greece, and helped the country overcome the bitter years of civil war and dictatorship.

ANNIVERSARY

Former president Konstantinos Karamanlis returned to Athens to shut the door on the dictators, and re- open the door to parliament.

22 years later, his successor, president Kostis Stephanopoulos, held a reception in honour of the political world and the country's armed forces.

The anniversary was also marked by parliament.

Parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis told the deputies it is their duty "to protect democratic institutions, especialy the institution of parliament, in deeds, not in word".

On this anniversary of democracy, it is noteworthy that all the political leaders who reflected on 1974, mentioned the Turkish invasion of Cyprus the same year.

Labour minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos said "We must never forget our duty to defend the principles of democracy".

PARTHENIOS

His body lays in state at Petraki monastery. It will be taken to Athens metropolitan cathedral Friday. On Saturday, archbishop of Greece Serafeim will hold a memorial service there.

Patriarch Parthenios will be given head-of-state honours. His coffin will be flown to Cairo in a military aircraft. He will lay in state there until his burial at Cairo's Saint Nikolaos church next Tuesday.

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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