Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-06-25

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

News in English, 25/06/97

TITLES

• Greece asks the US to lean on Turkey to end its aggressive ways.
• A Greek businessman is kidnapped as chaos continues in Albania.
• And, Miss Aphrodite 1997 is crowned.

TSOCHATZOPOULOS

In Washington, Akis Tsochatzopoulos met with defence secretary Bill Cohen and undersecretary of state Strobe Talbot.

In the US for meetings with Bill Cohen and Strobe Talbot Greek defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos said Greece wants to do what it can to smoothe out Greek-Turkish relations. Tension in the Aegean is a key concern for the US, interested in stability in the wider region.

Commenting on Turkey's insistence on laying aggressive claim to Greek islands in the Aegean, Tsochatsopoulos said it's necessary that Turkey understand that there is such a thing as international law, and interational treaties.

The acceptance of that fact by Ankara would make it easier to repair Greek- Turkish relations, and open the door to the European Union to Turkey.

Talbot said the US is pleased with what he calls the positive role Greece is playing in the Balkans. Greece is taking part in the international peacekeeping mission in Albania, and has launched a number of initiatives to promote closer cooperation among Balkan nations, and regional economic development.

Tsochatzopoulos rejected a US request that Greece allow Turkish jets the right to fly certain paths over the Aegean uncontrolled.

The Greek minister said that would be unacceptable. "There can be no special treatment for Turkish jets. They are obliged to submit their flight plans over Greek air space for approval, just like every other country, just like international stipulates", he explained. "Otherwise, we won't be able to guarantee their safety".

Tsochatzopoulos and Talbot talked about the prospects for resolving the Cyprus problem, an open sore since 1974, when Turkey invaded the northern part of the island.

There are expectations that there will be some movement on the issue at last, as the US recently pointed Richard Holbrooke spcial mediator on Cyprus. Expectations are further raised by the planned meeting of Cypriot president Glavcos Clirides and Turkish- Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash under UN auspices in New York.

ALBANIA

A Greek businessman has been kidnapped.

And, as we hear in this report, chaos reigns everywhere.

Afraid to show his face to the camera, for fear of reprisals, an associate of Vassos Memas, who sells meat in Argyrokastro, tells how he was kidnapped by three armed men, wearing masks. So far, no ransom has been demanded.

Fear imposes silence in Albania, where only guns speak with authority. Another man with Memos when he was abducted has disappeared. He's probably in hiding.

A roadblock has been set up just outside Argyrokastro. Residents fear a vendetta between criminals will bring more bloodshed. They became alarmed after Zakou Zaimi, one of the men who kidnapped another Greek businessman, Andreas Randoyiannis a few weeks ago, was murdered. he was killed by Randoyiannis's driver, who was involved with Zaimi, and became upset over the way the ransom paid out for Randoyiannis's release was divided.

Antenna was able to video a group of armed men of all ages, arguing over their differences. When they saw the camera rolling, they had it turned off.

15 people died in the past 24 hours in violent episodes in Albania. Among the fatalities was a 17-year-old girl, shot as she was leaving school.

Concerned that the violence will prevent the elections from being conducted calmly and fairly, Greece sent a convoy of 30 jeeps and 6 armoured vehicles to Tirane Tuesday. Before their journey from the border north, the commander of the Greek troops in Tirane gave the men instructions for their safety. Do not pass cars, he told them, and always wear your helmuts and bullet-proof vests.

Even political candidates travel in convoys, with armed guards.

One man told Antenna "This gun is for Berisha", the country's president. The rebellion in the south began several months ago with calls for his resignation.

But Berisha's presidency will not be affected by Sunday's voting.

Many people are worried that the situation is so out of hand in the south, that even Sunday's elections may not be able to restor law and order.

Nonetheless, there is hope. Hundreds of people turned up to hear ethnic- Greek parliament candidate Vassilis Iatrou speak in PremetEE.

Iatrou is running on the ticket of the Human Rights Party, which has strong ethnic-Greek support.

ALBANIA/VOTERS

Hundreds of Albanians and Greek-Albanians sailed for the Albanian port of Durres from Piraeus Tuesday. Greek-Albanian organisations in Greece have chartered the Vergina, which, all told, will make four trips to Durres in the run-up to the Sunday election. Voters get free passage to Albania and back.

ND

At the end of that summit, prime minister Kostas Simitis said the EU is now moving in a more left- wing direction.

But after a meeting of New Democracy's executive committee, Marietta Kout- sEE-kou said Pasok has no reason to celebrate a change in Europe. Maastricht has not been pushed in a left-wing direction.

Another matter discussed by the executive committee was the party's proposals for changes to the Greek constitution. On the table was former premier Constantinos Mitsotakis's suggestion that the president be elected by the people, and not by parliament.

YOUTH PARLIAMENT

As the country's political leaders listened, Greek students from Albania, to the US, to Australia, spoke their minds.

Michalis Agathokleous, from Lemessos in Cyprus, said his people are ready to fight for an end to the occupation of the northern part of their island by Turkey.

"But first", he added, "we'll do whatever we can to find a solution without blood and pain".

Christina Goutzou, from northern Ipirus, today in Albania, cited lines by the poet Odysseas Elitis, asking Greek leaders not to forget the Greeks in Albania.

Politicians on hand were impressed by what they heard.

Alternate foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou said they had shown that the Greek youth of today are especailly sensitive on issues of ethics and human values.

New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis said he had attended the proceedings to listen to the teenagers' concerns and criticisms, and draw inspiration from it. The criticism and concerns of the pure are always a spur to thought, and make us want to do better. We have to show our confidence in our youth", he added. "They're the Greece of tomorrow".

Left Coaltion leader Nikos Konstantopoulos said it's a great experience for politicians and ordinary people to hear the voice of the young, of the future. Young people are hurt, and concerned, but also optimistic, tender, and combative, he concluded.

Democratic Movement leader Dimitris Tsovolas said the young parliamentarians had shown what they're about, belying all those who claim they have no ideals or vision.

Wednesday's parliamentary session, which capped three days when young people expressed their feelings about major problems, ended with everyone joining in to sing the national anthem.

BRANDO

As the UN earth summit reviewed progress on protecting the global environment, five years after the Rio summit, Brando spoke on ecology in his honour in Athens.

At the PallAs Athina, Brando criticised people who ignore the danger of environmental catastrophe. The internationally-acclaimed actor touched on a number of problems, including global warming, which he says is resulting in the extinction of thousands of species of animals and plants.

Brando cited a number of other potential environmental dangers, including depletion of the ozone layer, war, and even smoking.

QUINN

Anthony Quinn is in Greece for a Zorba the Greek reunion. Quinn will travel to Crete, where he and others who took part in the 1964 film, will relive unforgettable moments from the past.

The 80 year-old actor is in Greece with his wife and four children. Ryan, the youngest is just 11 months old. Quinn says, "I'm not important, he is".

Quinn is excited to be back in the land which holds special memories for him. He has a special love for Crete, and the time he spent there while making the famous picture. He's even written a book about his experience in the role of Zorba.

"I have fond memories of Greece. I've been a Greek four times, and this is the last time".

And maybe the best. Quinn will be in Rethymnon, Crete, for three days at the end of this week. While there, he will meet with Mikis Theodorakis, who composed the score from the movie.

BAEZ

It was July, 1983, when Baez's concert in Crete was called...due to rain.

This his Baez's third visit to Greece. Always a political campaigner, today she speaks out in defence of the victims of war in Bosnia.

Arriving in Athens, she spoke of her revulsion for war and nationalism.

"I have believed in seeing all my life, that it's nationalism that is international like an illness".

Though always serious about fighting injustice, Baez shared a humorous moment from her career with the reporters.

Asked how she likes being in the public eye, she said,

"Once I was sitting with Tina Turner after a concert, and a man stuck a camera in her face.... how does that make you feel? She said, baby, my problems start when this shit stops".

Baez's fans are glad she hasn't stopped performing, and will be looking forward to hearing her in concert.

BASKETBALL

The team held it's last practice, optimistic about its opener against Turkey on Tuesday night.

Greece is one of the favourites to win the title.

But Coach Pangiotis Yiannakis says his team has got to concentrate and be ready for surprises. He says in its opener, his team has got to pay special attention to the Turkish guards.

APHRODITE

13 married women competed for the crown during an evening of ceremony and splendour organised by Antenna.

And the winner was,

Maria Miche-lA-kou.

The 26-year-old was crowned by last year's winner, and the current Mrs Globe, Anthi Prio-vO-lou, who was the head of the judges' committee.

The competition was stiff, but from early on, Miche-lA-kou and Vanessa Niko- lo-poU-lou distinguished themselves from the rest.

Niko-lo-poU-lou, as first runner up, was crowned Athina 1997. Georgia Si- dEri was Aphrodite number 2. And Korina Sipi-tAnou was Athina number 2.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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