Antenna: News in English, 97-01-24

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

News in English, 97-01-24

TITLES

• Greece asks the US if it's prepared to vouch for the security of Cyprus.
• Anchors up, as the seamen's strike ends.
• And, the main opposition leader attacks the government over its tough tax policies.

CYPRUS

The Greek leader discussed Cyprus-related issues with the US ambassador to Greece.

Greece wants to see the Cyprus problem solved; in the meantime, it wants to be sure that Cyprus is safe against Turkish aggression.

US ambassador Thomas Niles told prime minister Kostas Simitis that the US wants a moratorium on military flights over Cyprus implemented; and that it wants Cyprus to cancel its order for a Russian anti-aircraft missile system.

Simitis repeated his government's position: Greece is ready to help reduce tensions over Cyprus, in any way it can, but Turkey must show that it wants a peaceful resolution of the Cyprus issue.

Cyprus knows what a Turkish military invasion is like, and has rejected both US proposals - on the moratorium and the missiles - fearing that if its defences are weak, it would be vulnerable to another attack on free Cypurs.

Greece and Cyprus have their own proposals to reduce tensions in Cyprus. Cyprus says the island will be demilitarised only if the United States guarantees the freedom and security of the Cypriot Republic.

Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos says that if the US pledges to intervene to stop any future Turkish attack on Cyprus, then the idea of scrapping the missile purchase could be considered.

The US says that if the flight moratorium is implemented, then Cyprus will have no need for anti- aircraft missiles.

Pangalos asks, "Does that mean the US would be willing to ensure that the moratorium is implemented, whatever happens? If Turkey aggravates the situation in Cyprus in any way, is the US air force committed to destroy Turkish air force jets if and when they violate Cypriot airspace and bomb Cyprus, as they've done in the past?"

If the answer is yes, says Pangalos, then there would be something to discuss.

CYPRUS INDEPENDENT

The piece hypothesises a series of events that could end in a global crisis.

And urges the United States and Europe to make a priority of solving the Cyprus problem.

The imaginary scenario opens in March, 1998, with the European Union wavering before its commitment to start talks on Cypriot accession to the EU.

At the same time, the writer predicts another bloody incident on the line dividing free from occupied Cyprus, with Greek-Cypriot victims.

Those events convince Cyprus to deploy the much- discussed Russian anti- aircraft missile system. Greece agrees with the move.

Turkey then launches an attack on Cyprus, bombing the base at Pafos as it prepares to receive the defensive missiles. The Turkish navy sets up a blockade, surrounding the island.

The imaginary developments continue with Greece taking the Turkish assault as an act of war. Getting only lukewarm support from its western allies, Greece reveals that it has a secret defence agreement with Russia.

As Turkey bombs the Aegean islands, the fictional conflict is globalised. Alexander Levitz, whom the creator of the scenario believes will be the president of Russia, in agreement with China, opposes US intervention. The scenario ends with the three nuclear powers going on nuclear alert.

Assessing the current situation in Cyprus, the Independent article says that mutual mistrust, the recent murder of three Greek-Cypriots by Turks in Cyprus, and the Cypriot decision to buy Russian anti-aircraft missiles, all make resolving the Cyprus issue difficult.

The paper also cites a Nato official as saying Turkey's threats to take action if Cyprus acquires the missiles should not be seen as idle. The official is further quoted as saying that the political rise of islamicists in Turkey is alienating Turkey further from the West.

Concerned by what it sees as the possibility of war, the Independent urges the US and Europe to make a priority of resolving Greek-Turkish differences.

SEAMEN STRIKE

The seamen decided to go back to work after the government came closer to meeting their demands on taxation and pensions.

Cargo ships and ferry boats that had been stubbornly docked in Piraeus and Patra for ten days, raised their anchors and set sail for Italy and the Greek islands Thursday morning.

The strike ended after a late-night meeting between seamen's reps and the government. While 300 seamen rallied outside the merchant marine ministry, inside, the government was improving its offer the strikers, to get the ships sailing again.

Late Wednesday night, merchant marine minister Stavros Soumakis, deputy finance minister Giorgos Drys and deputy labour minister Christos Protopapas proposed the seamen federation reps to

Seamen were protesting the government's decision to cut their tax breaks, and expressing their dissatisfaction with their pension plans.

Merchant marine minister Stavros Soumakis called the government's offer its final offer. "It's high time the seamen put an end to this strike, which has caused people, and the country as a whole, serious problems. This is a time for all of us to act responsibly".

The government is offering to ease up on seamen's income tax, and improving the lowest retirement pension to 58 per cent of a seaman's entry-level salary.

The seamen's union reps voted to accept the offer 9 votes to 5, with one abstention.

Then it was time for the seamen, and the people who depend on them, to get back to work.

GSEE STRIKE

While union members held a one-day strike that kept banks, post offices, and factories closed, Dris also announced the formation of an all-party committee, which will include workers and farmers, to discuss ways of improving the tax system.

There will be substantive dialogue concerning areas that need change, said the minister. He added that the changes will be implemented next year.

The General Workers Union called Pasok's decision to consider pegging tax brackets to inflation a positive step.

PARLIAMENT/TAXES

Finance minister Giannos Papantoniou said in parliament that Pasok's tax policies are guided by a desire to make the haves rather than the have nots shoulder the growing tax burden.

But New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert expressed concern over what he called the unprecedented wave of strikes and protests that have greeted the government's tax proposals. He called on the prime minister to enter into dialogue with disgruntled groups.

Evert said the force behind the strikes is exasperation. The government has refused to discuss people's economic problems with them. Pasok also made promises before the last election, but hasn't kept them, he added. Calling Pasok's tax policy a "predatory" blow to the have nots, and government social policy unfeeling, the main opposition leader said it's no wonder people are turning to protest.

Papantoniou replied that the government HAS entered into dialogue with disaffected groups. Citing the case of the seamen's strike, he added that dialogue has also brought results. Pasok is THE dialogue party, said Papantoniou, and doesn't need any lessons from New Democracy.

Pasok is also the party of social cohesion and justice, he argued; the state needs more revenue, but no matter how tough the tax bill is, it's fair.

ALIKI

The people who were closest to her attended a memorial service in her honour at the Athens cemetery where she rests.

Family members, close friends, and close associates came to remember Aliki, who died in July after a long illness.

Among those who attended the service were Alike's son Yiannis, her brothers, her one-time husband Dimitris Papamichail, and her companion until the end of her life, Kostas Spyropoulos.

Aliki Vouyouklaki reigned over the hearts of Greeks for over 40 years. To generations of cinema and theatre-goers, she was the best. She will never return in the flesh, but her spirit will stay alive.

BASKETBALL

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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