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Antenna News in English 040996Antenna Radio News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: antenna@compulink.grNews in English, of 04/09/1996TITLES
SIMITISOn the 22nd anniversary of the official launch of Pasok, prime minister Kostas Simitis enumerated what he calls the historic achievements of the party. And outlined the new challenges before the party and the nation, as both move toward the 21st century.Mr Simitis said that the national conference he was addressing that the party meeting was an opportunity for Pasok members to renew their optimism and their faith in the principles and ideals that carried Pasok from the shadows of opposition in 1974, to government in the 1980s. He bgegan with praise of where the party's been. "Our hearts are with the late, great Andreas Papandreou, our teacher and party founder", he said, as the hall boomed with applause. Mr Simitis built a bridge of continuity. "Just as the thought of Andreas Papandreou fed our movement", he said, "so the thought that comes out of dialogue will nourish our future". The prime minister said Pasok had met an historic challenge in 1974: "They disparagingly called us a protest party", he said, "and they were right. In the aftermath of the military dictatorship, Pasok stood for democracy, and the end of police controls over people's lives, of the party state based on clientelism, and of state control over the mass media". In 1974, said Mr Simitis, Pasok signed a covenant with the people, promising to bring those who had long languished in the margins of society - the young, women, and workers - into the mainstream. Pasok also swore to turn Greece from a marginal country dominated by others into a sovereign state. In power, Pasok gave Greece to the Greeks. It created a modern welfare state and abolished social inequalities. Pasok had pushed Greece into the 20th century, said Mr Simitis. Now, its task is to lead Greece into the next century. The post-cold-war period is a new challenge argued the Pasok leader. The superpower standoff between the US and the Soviet Union, imposed stability on the world. Countries fell into one or the other camp. With the collapse of communism, every nation found that there is no longer one big protector. Every country sees new opportunities to play a role in the world. Greece must be everywhere, explained Mr Simitis. Whereas during the cold war, it had a direct line only with Washington, now it must have direct lines with Brussels and the European capitals, with the Balkan capitals, with Moscow, and so on. Greece must have not one vital relatonship with a protector, but many relationships. Particularly in the Balkans, Greece has tremendous opportunities to be a leader in promoting democracy and economic development, but also in spreading culture. If Greece fails to step in, then Turkey, increasingly expansionist, will, and that's bad for Greece. And Greece is ready to defend itself against direct threats from Turkey. It's military is being modernises, the joint Greece-Cyprus defence doctrine and Greece's veto over EU funding of Turkey are all example of how Hellenism is fending for itself. Another challenge of the future is the increasing global integration of local economies. The Greek leader told his party and the nation that states are finding it more and more difficult to exercise control over their national economies, in an age of super-national economic forces. The left and the right have reacted incorrectly to this development, said Mr Simitis. The traditional left and populist right, he explained, have turned to isolationism. But that would only lead to Greece becoming like Albania, he add. In the modern world, only economic development designed to make the Greek economy more competitive will make Greece economically dynamic. Mr Simitis also criticised the Thatcherite right in New Democracy. It's clinging to old failed policies, he claimed, a model that created discontent and social divisions. In what amounted to the announcement of his campaign platform, the prime minister took up the main aspects of New Democracy's electoral strategy: promising tax relief to the farmers and small businesses. Mr Simitis said the way forward for agriculture and business isn't spasmodic measures that bring termporary relief, but long-term plans to make farms and businesses more competitive. Pasok is giving businesses incentives to import foreign technology, which will make Greek industry more competitive. And it's encouraging young farmers to modernise production methods. Mr Simitis said Pasok is also determined to create a social welfare state that will help those who need help. Pasok will aid social insurance funds, including farmers' pension and healthcare funds, and help poor pensioners, he said. The prime minister made a strong appeal to the centre-left in his speech, calling it the natural ally of Pasok. And he appealed to those who place social cohesion high on their list of political musts. Mr Simitis called Pasok the party that has maintained, and will continue to maintain staility in Greece, through promotion of egalitarian policies. EVERTNew Democracy leader Miltiades Evert says the two major issues before the country are foreign policy and national security, and the economy. Evert oultined his plans for the economy last week. At a press conference Tuesday, he announced a series of measures he would take to strengthen the nation's defence and foreign policy position.SMALL PARTIESThe country's smaller parties continue their campaigning around the country.Communist Party secretary Aleka Papariga toured Athens suburbs Tuesday, and spoke to pensioners. Papariga told reporters that the government's goal has been to destroy the social security and pension system. Left Coalition leader Nikos Konstantopoulos toured in the island of Rhodes. Dimitris Tsovolas's Democratic Movement has put together its election ticketes. Candidates on its ballots include former Pasok MPs, journalists, and popular singers. DUKAKISFormer Massachusetts governor and one-time US presidential candidate Michael Dukakis commented on developments in Iraq. In Greece, the Greek-American politician met with New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert and parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis. Asked to comment on Saddam Hussein's latest military actions in northern Iraq, Dukakis said, "I think Saddam Hussein's a little crazy, that's the problem".After his meeting with Kaklamanis, Dukakis returned to Hussein, calling him clumsy, and a master of miscalculation. Kaklamanis compared the situation in Iraq with Cyprus, saying Greece would like the US to meet Turkish violations of human rights in Cyprus, the same way it responds to Hussein's trampling of human rights. In a similar vein, New Democracy vice president Iannis Varvitsiotis said he wished the US would show the same sensitivity to all violations of international law, that it does when Iraq is the violator. IRAQThe Greek defence minister says he's concerned about further military clashes between the Western powers and Iraq. Gerasimos Arsenis said the US missile attack wasn't exactly a surprise. I'm afraid this latest episode is one in a series of episodes that will continue in the future. It is an uncertain region with strong spheres of influence are at play". Arsenis added that Greece can play a stabilising role in the Middle East, and should be an important player in the area.LAPAROSCOPYAn eleventh-month-old boy has made Greek medical history. Little Yianis Plexoudakis of Crete became the first person in Greece to have a gallstone removed with only a small incision being made. The tyke was operated on at University of Crete hospital. Several students watched the team of doctors get rid of the gallstone. The method is called Laparascopy. Dr Giorgos Charissis explains, "This is a great method, because the scar left is tiny, and recovery time is short. The patient can go home as early as 24 hours after the operation. This operation is so fast and untraceable that this medical first probably probably won't be remembered by little Yiannis.RACK RAILWAYGrime Face celebrated its 100th anniversary by getting back on track. The historic train so affectionately called was toasted during festivities in the towns of Kalavryta and Diakofto in the Pelponese. The old train, which used to link the two towns, was a key component of the the financial and social development of the region in the end of the last century. "Mountzouris" - that's Grime Face in Greek - is back on the rails. Setting out from Diakofto, it brought back memories for some of the residents. The train's route, which passes through a narrow canyon, is a sight-seers delight. In Kalavryta, hundreds of people gathered to warmly welcome "Grime Face", which has never had an accident. But time has taken its toll. The train will be getting a face lift and an overhaul.© ANT1-Radio 1996Antenna Radio News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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