Antenna News in English 181096

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

News in English, of 18/10/1996

TITLES

• Turkey invites the murderer of a Greek-Cypriot to a conference.
• Unrest on the Pasok parliamentary benches.
• And, a great painter's literary achievements.

CYPRUS

Using video documentation, the Cypriot authorities were able to identify Turkish-Cypriot chief of police Atillas Saab, as one of the murderers.

The Cypriot prosecutor is expected to issue warrants for the arrests of all the killers of Solomou and another Greek-Cypriot, Tassos Isaac. Isaac was murdered a week before Solomou by a Turkish-Cypriot mob in Cyprus's neutral zone.

While Cyprus seeks to bring the killers to justice, Turkey is inviting one of them, Saab, to an Interpol conference in Atalia.

The invitation is seen in Greece as an attempt by Turkey to win indirect international recognition for the self- declared North Cyprus state.

Just last Sunday, a third unarmed Greek-Cypriot civilian was murdered. 58-year-old retiree Petros Kakoulis was shot to death by two Turkish soldiers while he was out collecting snails.

Kakoulis was on ground under British control. An eyewitness says Kakoulis was marched onto Turkish- held ground nearby by his executioners before they shot.

The Cypriot prosecutor general says Kakoulis's murder constitutes an act of pre-meditated murder.

Stunned by the murder that occurred so close to their base, the British authorities in Dekelia have taken steps to ensure that Greek-Cypriots on terriroty under their jurisdiction come to no harm.

Protesting the Kakoulis murder, on Saturday, the Greek- Cypriots are closing the Lydra Pallas gate that leads to the Turkish-occupied zone.

PASOK

One in four Pasok MPs failed to vote for the nominees to be Pasok's parliamentary group representatives.

42 of the 161 Pasok MPs who took part in the vote cast blank or invalid ballots.

People close to the prime minister say that's not an indication of dissatisfaction with Kostas Simitis. Instead, they argue that there were blank and invalid votes because the nominees lacked popularity.

Others say there is dissatisfaction with the government, noting that there were 10 blank Pasok ballots in the election of the parliamentary president.

Giorgos Makriotis, Pasok MP, says the MPs wanted to show their dismay over the fact that the parliamentary group representatives' role has been curtailed in recent years.

Another Pasok MP, Sifis Micheloyiannis agreed that there was a protest vote.

ATHENS CASINO

Later, in June, a public prosecutor concluded that Livanos had acted in violation of the law governing casino licencing.

Before the bidding was over, the eventual winner, joint venture group Athens Casino, sold most of its shares. The prosecutor says the group was given the licence before the business ethics of the new shareholders could be checked out. That ethics check, however, is required by law.

The prosecutor also says Livanos violated the constitutional article that protects the environment, in giving the parkland over to the casino developers.

Now, the government is trying to get all Pasok MPs to sign a petition calling for a parliamentary committee to examine the case.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas says the government wants the examination because it believes utter clarity is necessary for the well- being of the political system.

New Democracy wants pre-investigative committee set up, on the grounds that Livanos may have acted wrongly as a minister.

Bt the government says there are no indications of wrongdoing that justify a pre-investigative committee, because there's no evidence to justify one.

ECONOMY

All nations meeting the EU criteria for monetary union will be admitted to the unified currency in the year 1999.

Those who don't make the cut, warns the chairman of the European Commission, will be in for leaner times.

That means wage-earners and pensioners can expect austerity for at least the next three years, as their countries try to live up to the EU's standards.

Bank of Greece governor Loukas Papadimos is telling Greeks not to fret about what will follow. He believes Greece will be able to join the European currency in 1999.

Sources close to the national economy minister express the same optimism.

ND

New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert assured union leaders Thursday, that his party will do what it can to protect real wages. But, he added, it won't interfere in wage bargaining between workers and employers.

Evert is also calling for an all-party parliamentary committee to deal with pensioners' problems.

The opposition leader believes that the essential thing for the health of the Greek economy is 4 per cent annual growth.

He wants to see wasteful spending cut out of the state budget, and doesn't want to see anymore tax increases.

Evert told the union leaders that he will be constructive in his criticism of the government, but tough when Pasok makes mistakes.

CARS

The EU is looking at banning leaded fuel by the year 2002, forcing everyone to use to cleaner catalytic converters.

That means that 65 per cent of Greece's cars will have to be taken out of circulation within six years. But deputy Greek environment minister Thodoros Koliopanos says there's no need for car- owners to panic.

"It's obvious we won't be able to comply by 2002", he says. "So we're asking for an extension until somewhere around 2010".

The EU plan means the Greek government is likely to offer incentives to old-technology car owners to go lead-free. That could mean reduction or abolition of the special circulation tax; or letting people pay reduced sales tax on a new car in exchange for junking their old lead-burning one.

Used cars could also become a cheap way of going catalytic. The European Court is expected to issue a decision opening the door to used car imports sometime next year.

OLYMPICS

Athens 2004 Committee chairwoman Yanna Daskalaki- Angelopoulou discussed the Greek strategy with government members Thursday.

After the meeting, deputy foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou said great effort will be needed to secure the games for Athens, whose 1996 bid failed. Papandreou believes the Greek capital will be successful this time.

TSAROUCHIS

Attention was given to Tsarouchis the man of letters, at a recent exhibition of his work.

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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