Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-07-02

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

News in English, 02/07/97

TITLES

• Albanians hope for a return to normal after the Socialists' election triumph.
• Kostas Simitis says Turkey is the problem in Cyprus.
• And, Greece extends its perfect European championship record.

ALBANIA/LATEST

As we hear in this report, they hope they'll win enough of the seats to be decided in a run-off contest next Sunday, to remove Sali Berisha from the nation's presidency.

Calm reigned over the Albanian capital of Tirane Tuesday, and life went about as normal.

The main contestants in Sunday's elections appear determined to ensure things go smoothely.

Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano says he's ready to shake president Sali Berisha's hand, when Berisha keeps his promise to resign. Nano even believes the new government can find partners within the ranks of Berisha's Democratic Party.

The Socialist Party and its allies, including the Greek-minority-backed Human Rights Party, could muster the two-thirds parliamentary majority needed to elect a new president, whether or NOT Berisha steps down.

Berisha has accepted defeat in the contest, in which the socialists scored a landslide victory. But so far, he hasn't said anything about stepping down, even though he promised to before the election, if his Democratic Party lost.

Though Berisha appeared graceful in defeat, urging his party to accept the people's verdict, his party, charging voter intimidation, is making noises about trying to have some results nullified in the southern rebel strongholds.

As in Tirane, the mood is better in the southern part of the country, where anti-Berisha sentiment runs strongest.

In Argyrokastro life appeared Tuesday to be returning to normal. Shops were open and there were police patrols out on the streets of the nation's cities.

There was some shooting of Kalashnikov's into the air, but out of enthusiasm rather than anger.

After four months of chaos, which began as spontaneous protests over a banking collapse, and ended in rebellion in the south, most people are hoping that Albania is turning a corner, and returning to law and order.

Many people with guns say they're ready to lay down their weapons. Nano appears determined to see their two demands - Berisha leaving office, and the return of their money from the banks - are met.

Nano is putting a priority on forging national unity and promoting economic development. Meeting with the Greek ambassador, he explained that the socialist government will set up a three- member committee, on which the Euorpean Union, the OSCE, and the Albanian government will be represented on. It's goal will be not only turning the economy around, but also creating credible state institutions.

KROMMYDAS

KrommEEdas was abducted a week ago. His uncle, Fotis Kyria-zAtos, told Antenna anchorman Dimitris StA-mou Tuesday there was still no good news.

The kidnappers are asking for 150 thousand dollars. "We just don't have it", says KyrizAtos.

He also says, "the kidnappers have always been our enemies. We've tried to live in peace with them, but unsuccessfully. They want to scare us. Vassilis KrommEEdas had the courage to set up a business in Albania, so they thought he was rich".

KyriazAtos is asking the Greek government to come to the aid of his nephew and help raise the ransom money.

But he also believes that money was not the kidnappers' main object. They abducted him for political reasons.

KOLLAS

Christos's family thinks HIS death was an inside job, and that he was killed because he's the top witness in the trial of consulate guard Dimitris Tzavellas, who's admitted shooting and killing ANOTHER consulate guard, Dimitris Markakis, in the consulate several weeks ago. Tzavellas claims it was an accident.

Christos Kollas's sister, Eleanna, believes her BROTHER'S killer might be someone they know, and even have been to their home.

And Christos Kollas's father, Fotis, wants another autopsy performed to determine which direction the fatal bullet came from.

Stavros Boutsos, who also police's the consulate, says there are legitimate questions about where exactly the bullet that killed Christos came from. He believes it may have been fired from the window of the consular residence.

ALBANIA/ANT1 INCIDENT

Antenna cameraman Yiannis MAn-thos, an Albanian translator, and two Avlona residents were driving toward the centre of city, when five gunmen in another car opened fire on them.

The driver managed to get away, but the shotgun passenger was shot in the back.

Returning to their vehicle, the gunmen chased the Antenna crew to the city centre. During the chase, MAn-thos and everyone else bailed out, abandoning their equipment.

MAn-thos says it's a miracle they weren't killed.

ALBANIA/RETURN

They hope their ballots will make a democratic difference, and lead to an end to the anarchy.

The buses bringing the voters back to Greece were escorted to the border by Italian peacekeepers.

One man says, "We're hoping for better days and happiness for ethnic Greeks in Albania".

Another adds he believes that things will be better with Fatos Nano and the socialists in power. "We'll just have to see", he says.

Most of the people who went to Albania for the elections should be back in Greece by the end of the week.

They know it will take a lot longer for Albania to get back on track, but they hope an important first step has been taken.

SIMITIS/CLIRIDES

Glavcos ClirEEdes met with prime minister Kostas Simitis on Tuesday, to discuss how the talks should be approached.

Simitis said, "If it wants to resolve the Cyprus issue, the international community has to realize that the Turkish side must comply with international law. Turkey must end its military occupation of the northern part of the island.

Only then can a just and viable solution be found".

The prime minister also reiterated the three conditions the EU and Greece have asked Turkey to comply with, to help improve relations between the two countries. The first is that Turkey stop threatening Greece with violence, as it did over Imia; Turkey must respect international law; and it must take any claims it wants to make on Greece to the international court.

Simitis added that he has no plans to meet with Turkish President Suleiman Demirel.

SIMITIS/DELORS

The Greek leader and former EU commission president Jacques Delors were the key speakers at a socialist discussion on the future of Europe.

The purpose of the discussion, organised by Pasok, was to help develop a common line among EU socialists over economic and monetary union.

Simitis said the policies being followed by European governments create difficulties.

"Greece's European vision is not limited to establishing a common currency", he said. "Our vision is a lot larger, it expresses our values, aspirations for a better lifestyle, more freedom, democracy, a society of social justice". Simitis stressed that a prospering and developing Europe needs both realism and vision to ensure that its goals are met.

Delors spoke of a need for policies to deal with problems like unemployment and the environement, and promote higher education.

The discussion was attended by members of the left and center parties. In his speech, Left Coalition leader Nikos Kon-stan-dO-poulos said that above all the Europe should care for its citizens and the environment.

KARAMANLIS

Kostas Karamanlis rounded up a tour of northern Greece, with stops in DrA- ma, SErr-es, and Ka-VA-la.

Karamanlis attended a mass at the cathedral in DrAma, as the city marked the anniversary of its liberation from the Bulgarians in 1913.

The New Democracy leader also laid a wreathe at the monument in honour of all those who've died fighting for their country's liberation.

There was also a military and student parade on the anniversary. Karamanlis hailed the long struggles of the city's people. He said they're a reminder of our duty to defend and advance Greece's rights and interests with courage.

QUINN

Quinn, who loves Greece, said his desire is to build an international art museum in Rhodes.

The event was attended by a number of leading figures, including Antenna president Minos Kyriakou.

During the course of the evening Anthony Quinn, the man who once studied architecture with Frank Lloyd Wright, spoke of his dream to build an International Arts Center in Rhodes on the land he claims.

"I want to do the museum for artists of the world. I didn't want to build a hotel....I just wanted to bring some culture back...The beauty of Greece".

Once again, the actor expressed his attachment to all things Greek.

"You Greeks, have so many gods, so many heroes to worship, that it's difficult for you to distinguish whom you love. But, I don't blame you for that. I understand it because I'm partially Greek".

The gala event was attended by 150 prominent Greek figures, including Antenna's president Minos Kyriakou.

The 82 year old Quinn, or 'Zorba the Greek', danced a lively "syr-tA-ki" and said he was proud of the 350 movies he has made during the span of his career. The actor mentioned how "Greek" he felt, after his interpretations of Greek characters in five of those films.

And he said he'd like to play one more great Greek: Pasok founder and former prime minister Andreas Papandreou, who died last year.

"I'd like to play him. We have much in common.... young wives, etc".

Quinn says that if he adds Papandreou to the list of Greeks he's played, then maybe people will finally believe he's Greek.

Many Greeks are already convinced, and have their arms open wide. Quinn still needs the Greek state to give him the land in Rhodes where he wants to build the museum.

After discussing the matter with him, development minister Vasso Papandreou said the actor has given Greece a lot, and that Greece owes him something in return.

ELGIN MARBLES

In opposition, Britain's Labour Party said in the '80s that if it were elected to power it would give them back to Greece.

But back in office, Labour is singing a different tune.

After meeting with the British arts minister in Luxembourg, Greek culture minister Evangelos Veni-zElos said he's still confident that the marbles from the 5th century BC will one day be returned.

Veni-zElos says it's not a question of the marbles being given back to one country by another, but of restoring the architectural and artistic integrity of the Parthenon.

ECONOMY

Pa-pa-io-Annou adds that the government is going to start running a tighter ship when it comes to state insurance fund workers. There is to be an end to overtime claims for time not actually worked.

Pasok is also going to limit the amount of money people collecting state pensions can earn. Anyone receiving a pension will lose it if they earn over 450 dollars a month from active employment.

There is also to be more part-time work in some state-owned companies, like Olympic Airways, and the phone and electricity companies.

And employers will be given financial breaks for hiring unemployed young people.

BASKETBALL

Greece moved out to a 6 and oh record with an 85- 82 victory over Israel Tuesday evening.

On Monday night, Greece had chalked up its fifth win, over France.

That 80-71 victory comes without any great difficulty for a team which has proved throughout the tournament that its depth may be just the thing to carry it to the title.

Guard Fran-kiskos Al-vErtis leads Greece against France with 17 points.

In the quarterfinals, Greece, which finished first in its second round group, will be up against Poland, which placed fourth in the other group.

SLIM ART

Ask someone what the difference between "thin" and "skinny" is, and they'll likely tell you thin is chic, graceful, and attractive, while skinny means hungry-looking.

But ask the 22 artists whose work is on display at the "Slim Art" exhbition at the Astrolavos Cistern Gallery in Athens what "slim" is, and you may get 22 different answers.

Here's a look at how THEY express "slim" through their work.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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