Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-09-02

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

News in English, 01/09/97

TITLES

• Greece remembers Lady Diana, former princess of Wales A newly-married Greek couple attempts to get into the Guinness Book of World Records.

DIANA

For Greece, Lady Diana was one of the most beloved foreign personalities who spent many sun drenched holidays here.

The sudden loss of such a vivacious, loving, caring, and spontaneous woman is made even more poignant. Over a week ago, Diana enjoyed a six-day cruise on the Greek islands surrounding the Saronic Gulf. Left, are the memories of those whose lives she touched.

The brief holiday for Lady Diana in Greece over a week ago was a dream come true. She managed to elude the press cloaking her movements in the utmost secrecy.

For six days, she, her friend Rosie Mooktan, and the crew of their yacht, the Delagrazia sailed the Aegean seas around the eastern Peloponese. They stopped off on the islands of Hydra, Spetses and at the village of Kyparissi in Lakonia.

Those who had the opportunity to meet her paint quite a different picture of Diana than the tabloids.

"As a friend she was steadfast and loyal," said Rosie Mooktan. Adding that, "She did everything from the heart. Her heart ruled her head, which is why I think she was so often misunderstood."

The crew members have memories of a down to earth, good natured, polite lady, who drank no alcohol and used ordinary brands of sun tan lotion. Konstantinos Anastopoulos, mayor of Hydra added, "Hydra lost a great friend. A woman who truly loved this island, honouring it with her presence every year".

Greek President Kostis Stefanopoulos told reporters during his tour in the Peloponese on Sunday, "It was a tragic accident for which we all express our deepest sorrow".

Saying farewell to the crew on the yacht the Delagrazia. Diana told them, "I'll come back". But this trip to Greece was meant to be her last ...

One year ago, Lady Diana made a special trip to Greece to attend the funeral of a young man, who she met six months ago during one of her visits to a London hospital.

28-year-old Yiannis Kalyviotis was a life long sufferer of cystic fibrosis in his pancreas. The condition began to deterioriate in his 19th year.

During his hospital stay in London, the former princess of Wales developed quite a close relationship with him. Upon his death she accompanied the family to his final resting place in the town of Limni on the island of Evia.

One year later and after hearing of Diana's tragic death, the mother of Yiannis expressed to Antenna her sadness. "It was a great shock for me. I still cannot believe that Diana is dead. Adding that, "I believe that a human being, with her kindness, love and depth of soul, is very rare indeed and few and far between.

In Athens, the British flag was flying half mast at the British embassy. Several Athenians came to sign the condolence book. The British ambassador in Athens thanked all Greeks for the admiration and affection they showed to the former princess of Wales.

He said, "The death of princess Diana is a tragic event which shocked and grieved the entire British nation. Our thoughts are focused now on her children and family. This is a very diffcult time for them.

Princess Diana was very loved in Greece. We deeply appreciate the participation of the Greek people in our grief. Many Greeks, adults and children alike, sent messages and flowers. I'd like to extend to all of them our thanks".

The funeral of Lady Diana will be carried out in London on Saturday.

STEFANOPOULOS

In a speech to local officials and reporters, Stefanopoulos referred to two countries which have had tense relations with Greece on several occasions.

Speaking about the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia or Fyrom, Stefanopoulos said, "they have denied their country of its own national identity". Adding that, "If we want to be fair towards history, we shouldn't call ''Macedonians'' those, who today live in the so-called state of Skopje. "''Macedonia'' is a name they recently acquired for only political reasons. Their roots are from Bulgaria. They have created a non- existing state under a non-existing name and with a non-existing language".

Fyrom wants to call itself Macedonia. Greece objects, saying that could open the door to claims on Greece's PROVINCE of Macedonia. That amounts to theft of Greece's ancient heritage.

Referring to Turkey, the other country in which Greece has had tense relations. Stephanopoulos stressed the political instability and unrest within the country.

KASTANIDES

During the meeting, prime minister Kostas Simitis indirectly criticized the ministers of health, agriculture, labour and transport for delays in projects overseen by their ministries. Simitis also called for an end to public quarrels between government officials.

Simitis was quick to issue an explanatory statement to the four ministers following their complaints to the government spokesman.

The Transport minister took offense over statements he said were leaked to the press, mentioning delays in transport ministry projects.

In his resignation letter, Kastanidis also referred to a planned attack against him by some specific quote, circles, unquote. Possibly hinting to people in the so-called "inner-circle" of the premier. He did add however, that he will continue to stand by the prime minister.

In accepting the resignation, the premier expressed in HIS letter, "that any comments expressed by non-governmental members, are not proof of any plans for attacks."

Kastanidis will be replaced by former deputy Interior minister Tassos Man- dElis, who will be replaced by Pasok MP Stavros BEnos. Benos was minister of culture in the previous government of Simitis, before last September's national elections.

KARAMANLIS

Karamanlis was warmly welcomed by the inhabitants of Preveza on Monday, where local officials declared him honorary citizen of their town.

The leader of New Democracy also conversed with farmers about the problems they face.

He stopped to visit the Arta dam, belonging to the Greek Electricity Company. It was inaugurated by his uncle Konstantinos Karamanlis in 1981.

The New Democracy leader accused the government of delays in large infrastructure public works. His tour in western Greece will end with a visit to Ioannina on Tuesday.

ECONOMY

Greece must continue to get its fiscal house in order to qualify for EU monetary union by the end of the century.

Finance minister Yiannos Papantoniou will meet with the ministers of Education, Defense, Health and Labour to discuss the issue.

The government is also examining the possibility of slowly abolishing the procedure of submitting tax declarations for public sector employees and pensioners.

Tax officials say this would ease the workload placed on tax offices, enabling them to devote more time to carrying out close controls on tax evaders.

ANTENNA PENALTY

The National Television council, a watchdog group close to the government imposed the fine a month ago on Antenna for it's daytime program "to Kendri" the Sting.

The program which aired involved accusations that a man was sexually abusing his 12 year old daughter. It included an interview with the girl, but their identities were concealed.

The 47 year old man accused, who was awaiting trial on charges of sexual molestation, committed suicide shortly before the show aired.

The penalty imposes a fine of 378 thousand dollars and orders Antenna to suspend "The Sting" for a duration of 10 minutes for five consecutive days.

Antenna's legal advisors will appeal the decision.

SCHOOL/ENTRY GRADES

Each university posted a mean average, enabling thousands of school students to find out whether or not they managed to enter the state university system. The entry grades correspond to entry exam scores.

According to the results posted Monday, over 54 thousand school students will enter state universities and technical schools this year.

Female students did better than their male class mates.

GOLD FIN

A fishing boat collected the body of 35-year-old Evangelos Mavridis, owner of the pleasure craft Gold Fin which sank after catching fire in the engine room two weeks ago.

Only one of the eight people on board the craft has been found alive. Vagia Zisi was rescued from an islet one day after the accident occurred.

Rescue teams found the bodies of the five other passengers, including two small boys and Zisi's husband near the collapsed dinghy.

One man is still missing : 35-year-old Dimitris Theodorides.

The three families wearing lifevests abandoned their burning sail boat for an inflatable dinghy. Having no time to radio for help nor to attach the motor, they fought rough seas and gale force winds for over 16 hours.

Autopsies have determined the cause of death of all five passengers to be drowning, following days of exhaustion, dehydration, and hypothermia. They perished two days after the accident.

An autopsy will be carried out on the sixth body found to determine the cause of death.

SOCCER

In the first week-end of premier division soccer, Olympiakos was off to a good start beating Ethnikos 3-1.

Paok and Aek are tied, scoring...no goals!

Panathinaikos won the season opener against Panionios at 3-nil.

Other week-end victories, were Veria, Proodeftike and Xanthi.

Iraklis got a hand in there beating Panahaiki at 1-nil and Ionikos scored two goals against Apollonas.

And, Panileakos breezed past Kalamata, playing on its home turf at 2-1.

RIDERS

They traveled the silk road delivering a message of peace and friendship to people all over the world. But as we hear...their trip wasn't all that peaceful.

Rebels chased them, soldiers fired at them, severe body searches were imposed on them. But Kostas Mitsakis and Olga Papadoyianni were determined to make their dream come true. And what would that dream be? Well a position in the Guinness Book of Records of course.

"Weather conditions were the most difficult hardships we faced," says Kosta. Braving temperatures of over 100 degrees farenheit in the deserts of China.

The couple passed through Siam, Uzbekistan, Kirgistan, Turkmenistan, and the Caspian sea. Reaching sometimes mountains of over 3 thousand meters high.

During their spectacular journey, they received special gifts from Chinese officials, like a plaquette of silk offered to them by Beijing's mayor.

What's waiting for them at home? The Guinness Book of Records answer of course!

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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