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Antenna News in English 010896Antenna Radio News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: antenna@compulink.grNews in English, of 01/08/1996TITLES
AMERICAN ARCHBISHOPGreek-Americans are welcoming the election of a new American Orthodox archbishop. Archbishop Spyridon, who replaces the outgoing archbishop Iakovos, will take office on September 21st.For Iakovos, it's the end of a brilliant 37-year career. US president Bill Clinton said he considers himself lucky to have known him. Metropolitan Orthodox bishop of Italy Spyridon will leave his post, to take over as Greek orthodox archbishop of America. His surprise election by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is being welcomed by Greek Americans. American archiepiscopal council president Dimitris Moschos says, "We're very pleased to have the ecumenical patriarchate elect the first American-born bishop as archbishop of America, and look forward to his eminence archbishop Spyridon coming here and leading us in the 21st century". Moschos says the division of the archdiocese of the Americas into the metropolitan diocese of Canada, Mexico and South America, with the United States remaining an archdiocese, will not weaken Hellensim in the Amerlicas, and doesn't worry Greeks there. That's because, as representative of the archdiocese and the diocese of Toronto, Mr Sotirios explains, "Washington attaches no importance to what happens in Canada and South America. As far as Washington is concerned, the strength of Hellenism in the Americas is in the US". Archbishop Iakovos's resignation marks the end of an illustrious career. No one paid him greater tribute than US president Bill Clinton. "I'm pleased to join Greek orthodox Christians and all people of faith across America and all around the world in extending my heartfelt congratulations to his eminence archbishop Iakovos on the occasion of his retirement. Archbishop Iakovos...........I wish him...and Godspeed". As Iakovos goes into retirement, he takes the love and admiration of millions with him. His successor, Spyridon, is being received with open hearts. ECONOMY/DELORS PACKAGEThe government is concerned about the slow rate at which the Greek economy is absorbing development funds from the European Union.The cabinet met to discuss ways of getting the money working for Greece more quickly. Behind the concern lies other worries about a possible resurgence of inflation, and growing unemployment. Economy minister Iannos Papantoniou is sounding an upbeat note, saying he's confident inflation will continue its downward course. He's also pleased with the way the 1996 budget is being adhered to. Some of the EU money set aside for infrastructure development in Greece is going to be used by the culture ministry. It's getting some 600 thousand dollars out of the 15 billion dollar total. Over the next five years the culture ministry will undertake a number of projects. They include the unification of archeological sites in Athens, the building of the new Acropolis museum, restoration and promotion of ancient monuments, and construction of convention centres in Athens and Thessaloniki. EVERTNew Democracy leader Miltiades Evert says the government hasn't done enough to ensure that the mass media keeps its nose clean.The Pasok cabinet has decided to establish a special committee to keep an eye on the economic doings of large media concerns. In addition, all large media enterprises will have to make public the names of all their shareholders. But Miltiades Evert says the government is a year late with its recommendation, which comes in the form of a presidential order. Evert is concerned that mass media owners getting government contracts for non-media related projects leaves an opening for political trade-offs: good press for politicians who give media owners the contracts. Evert wants the prime minister to guarantee that in two months, he'll have instituted a regimen of total transparency in the financial operations of media owners. MELISSANIDES FAMILYIt's only been three days since Yiannis Melissanides, a nineteen-year-old Greek won an Olympic Gold in gymnastics.But, already, the mail is pouring in to his family home in Thessaloniki, and the phone is ringing off the hook. "Two young boys, Charis and Stavros came to our house", Yiannis' sister Maria says. "They asked for Yiannis' phone number, they want to meet him... their Golden Olympics winner they called him". In the neighborhood, the Melissanides family gets congratulations everywhere. One man tells Spyros, Yiannis' brother, "I wish you and your brother every success. You must be proud of him". The months leading up to the Olympics were a period of rigorous training for Yiannis. During that time he literally lived in a gym in Thessaloniki. His brother says that was to avoid wasting time coming and going. His family delivered his meals. Yiannis has strong patriotic feelings. As did one of his idols, the late Melina Mercouri, whose picture graces the wall of his bedroom. FOURASThe government is preparing a heros' welcome for Greece's returning Olympic gold medalists.Deputy sports minister Andreas Fouras thanked Greece's medal winners, saying "Together, and individually, they have been the best ambassadors Greece could have at an international sporting event". When they touch down in Athens next week, Greece's gold medalists will be taken to central Athens in military jeeps. The procession will stop at the ancient Andrianos Gates, where the city will award them its gold medal. From there, they'll go on foot to the first modern Olympics stadium, where there will be a concert by composer Stamatis Spanoudakis. That concert will be free to the public. Fouras says the medalists will carry the Greek flag into the stadium. Two of Greece's gold medals have come in weight-lifting. And the government is also using the Olympics to raise money to build a new weight-lifting centre in Piraeus. The money will be raised with a special lottery issue. Fouras is optimistic that Greece will win its bid to host the 2004 Olymics. Athens is sure to be on the short list of candidates announced in 1997. From there on in, he adds, hard work will be needed to get the Olympics to Greece. SALTSIDESAt the current Olympics, Greek athletes are giving their all on the field. Weight-lifter Pavlos Saltsides finished seventh in the 108-plus category.Saltsides lifted a total of 420 kilos in what is considered weight-lifting's toughest category. That total comprises 185 kilos in the jerk and 235 kilos in the snatch. FULL MOONIt had already happened once this summer. And it happened again Tuesday night. 15 thousand Athenians and tourists experienced the romantic full moon on the Acropolis.The culture ministry opened the Acropolis gates on the occasion of the full moon once again. The turnout was much larger than it was on full moon night earlier this month. There were so many people, that a programmed string concert was cancelled, as the orchestra's members couldn't make it to the Acropolis on time. The ancient sites will also be open on the last full moon night this summer, August 28th. Closing time will be 1 a.m. © ANT1-Radio 1996Antenna Radio News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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