Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-06-12

Antenna Radio News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

News in English, 12/06/97

TITLES

• Parliament ratifies an agreement that will lift travel restrictions for EU citizens within the EU.
• Lawlessness in Albania ends in the murder of an ethnic-Greek.
• And, in New York: Greeks celebrate their islands' union with Greece.

HOLBROOKE/CNN

As undersecretary of state, Richard Holbrooke was the chief architect of the Bosnia peace settlement. Now he's been charged with finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. He says that though a solution is badly needed for Cyprus, the results of his efforts won't be immediate or spectacular.

"Want to be clear. The difference between Bosnia and Cyprus is that Bosnia had a military situation and Cyprus is in chronic equilibrium....the US thinks that equilibrium isn't stable....could explode".

Antenna's Athanassios Ellis asked Holbrooke if he will try to repeat his Dayton success, and resolve Greek-Turkish differences in the Aegean along with the Cyprus issue.

Holbrooke replied, "My mission is to mediate on Cyprus. If that includes things you mentioned, then we'll bear them in mind. As you know, the new undersecretary of state for European and EU affairs Mark Grossman is just leaving his post as ambassador to Turkey. He and I have discussed it. I won't deal directly with the Aegean. If it's a factor, we'll see. During visits to Athens and Ankara, I've been told there is no connection between the Aegean and Cyprus issues".

Holbrooke's first visit to Cyprus isn't expected to take place until planned UN talks between the Cypriot government and Turkish-Cypriot leaders.

SCHENGEN TREATY

As we hear in this report, not everyone in Greece favours the agreement.

Greek deputies voted in favour of Schengen by a 142 to 80 vote. The other 78 MPs were absent. Supporting the agreement, the government argues that it will allow free movement of citizens within the European Union, and be instrumental in fighting crime on an EU basis.

But not everyone agrees. Among those who voted against it were conservative and leftist MPs, and even four Pasok deputies.

Opponents say that the electronic ID system, which will allow an EU-wide electronic filing system to be set up containing records and details about about all aspects of people's lives, poses a threat to civil liberties.

Other opponents also say the Schengen system amounts to an incursion into Greek sovereignty.

In parliament, justice minister Evangelos Iannopoulos said that's not true. The authority of the Greek state will be in no way diminished, but life WILL be more difficult for criminals.

Foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos says that Schengen will create, not inhibit, personal freedom, because it will lift the EU's internal border controls. He added that those who voted against it, or abstained, don't understand the document.

This is an issue which cuts across party lines. New Democracy MP Pavlos Sarlis, for example, also argues that Schengen is a support for democracy.

But those worried who believe Schengen is a violation of civil rights are not reassured. New Democracy MP Gerasimos Gikoumatos says over 60 MPs have so far signed a petition calling for the issue to be decided by a national referendum.

So far, Greece, France, and Italy are among the Schengen signatories which have NOT implemented full passport-free travel to and from other EU states.

Two other EU members, Britain and Ireland have opted NOT to join Schengen at all.

SIMITIS/STEFANOPOULOS

The two men discussed the latest developments in Europe, Greece's economy, and Greek- Turkish relations.

Simitis and Stefanopoulos also talked about proposed changes to the constitution. Pasok is considering presenting legislation to reduce the size of the parliamentary majority needed to elect the nation's president. New Democracy opposes that idea, but would like to see legislation passed giving the president more powers.

KARAMANLIS/MITSOTAKIS

Mitsotakis, New Democracy's honorary leader, said there has been much improvement in Greek-Turkish relations. He added however that the Cyprus issue remains unresolved, and that it will be difficult to find a solution.

New Democracy plans to discuss Greek-Turkish relations at its parliamentary group meeting on Thursday.

PANGALOS/TSOCHATZOPOULOS

Speaking at a Pasok meeting entitled "National Strategy, Challenges, and Prospects", Akis Tsochatzopoulos also said Turkey's aspirations to join the European Union, are tied to Cyprus's efforts to join.

Tsochatzopoulos thus urges Turkey NOT to pose any obstacles to talks on Cypriot entry, due to begin soon.

Greece wants better relations with Turkey, but Tsochatzopoulos points out that it is nonetheless important for Greece to send out the message that it is prepared to respond to any threat.

Foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos also addressed the meeting. He defended the government's policy toward Turkey against opponents within Pasok. Many Pasok MPs disagreed with the government's decision to set up a committee to list Greek- Turkish differences. They fear the Turkish committee will use it to get Turkey's claims on Greek rights on a future negotiating agenda.

ALBANIA

Since a banking scandal in February, Albania has been in a state of upheaval. State authority has virtually collapsed in the south, in the wake of open rebellion.

As a result, armed gangs terrorise the population, robbing and, as we hear in this report, sometimes killing without restraint.

Anastasia Kalogirou has lost her husband. It was Monday afternoon in the village of Rachoula when 2 armed Albanian youths knocked on their door, saying they were friends of the ethnic-Greek couple's children, who live in Athens.

Anastasia and her 75-year-old husband Grigoris were overjoyed at the visit, and kissing the two young men, invited them in for coffee and a chat.

Anastasia was making the coffee.

"One of the young men suddenly got up", she says. "Grabbing my mouth and head, he demanded my money. 'I'll give you whatever I have dear', I told him, 'just let go of me'".

Instead, her assailant pulled out a pistol, hitting her in the head with it.

Anastasia fell unconscious to the floor. When she came to, her husband was dead from a bullet to the head.

Grigoris's brother Ilias tells how the other bandit had pulled out his gun and shot him while he was sitting on the bed.

The assailants left the house and, joining three other men waiting outside, escaped in one of their two cars.

After she came to, Anastasia shouted for help. The villagers came to her assistance. Armed, the riddled the car the bandits had left behind.

Indicative of the inability of the police to impose law and order in the region is the fact that the killers brazenly returned to get their other car a short while later.

In fighting with the locals, the two assailants were apprehended. One of them, injured, was sent to the hospital.

He denies any part in the events; indeed, he claims he himself was chased and robbed by the bandits.

The residents of Rachoula, like the people in many towns and cities throughout southern Albania, are frustrated by the chaos in their country. They hope there will be a return to law and order soon.

One elderly woman says, "All I want is for the elections to be held, for laws to be upheld, and peace and quiet. Nothing more".

It is hoped that the elections scheduled for June 29th will end the political upheaval stemming from the stand-off between president Sali Berisha and the rebels in the south.

Socialist party leader Fatos Nano continues his campaign stumping in southern Albania. In Tebeleni, he said the elections will be a new start for the country, after years of corruption and tyranny.

"I have to say...working together...dialogue and cooperation...rebuilding... chance to Berisha who has only 20 days left...if not...to be a normal European one".

Until a governement accepted by the people is installed, many people will be spending their days praying that they don't lose their loved ones.

For the Kalogyros family, it's too late. Grigoris's wife and children were inconsolable at his funeral.

ALBANIA

And four masked men attacked a Mercedes near the Greek border, killing four of the people in it, and leaving one other passenger in critical condition.

The attackers are still at large. The authorities believe the episode was a settling of accounts between rival gangs.

The authorities say dozens of people have been killed in the south in the past few days.

And the Greek consulate in Argyrokastro was riddled with bullets again, as men opened fire on it from a car.

MAKRIY-INTERNET

Kyriazides has established a web site dedicated to the general. Internet users will find information on his life, and many of his basic writings, including a linguistic analysis of the 200 thousand words he used.

Kyriazides believes the web site is important to all Greeks, because it's about an important event, the Greek revolution.

ΙΝΤΕRΝΕΤ

Ετσι, οι επισκέπτες τού Δικτύου, μπορούν να διαβάσουν τα κείμενα του Μακρυγιάννη για την επανάσταση του 1821.

ITHAKI/KEFALONIA

Greeks from Ithaca and Kephalonia living in the US laid on a week of celebrations, commemorating the anniversary of the islands' union with Greece.

IRODIO

The opera, performed by the National Lyric Scene is based on the controversial play by Oscar Wilde.

The ancient open air theater was packed with those waiting anxiously to watch the one-act opera directed by Spyros EvangelAtos and conducted by Alkis BaltAs.

The original production of Oscar Wilde's "Salome", created quite a stir when it was staged for the first time 92 years ago in Dresden due to its modern orchestration and provocative topic.

National Lyric Scene performances will also be held on Thursday and Saturday.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

Antenna Radio News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article