Antenna: News in English (PM), 97-10-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Patriarch

[02] Balkan Security Conference

[03] Joganis-Karadayi

[04] New Democracy

[05] Economy

[06] Snow

[07] Miss Hellas

[08] Exhibition-Sala

[09] Birds

[01] Patriarch

Vartholomeos's arrival coincided with the October 28th holiday, the day when Greece refused an Italian order to surrender at the outset of World War II.

But, as we hear in this report, for the orthodox community in Boston, it was like Easter.

Despite the cold weather, ecumenical orthodox patriarch Vartholomeos felt the warmth and enthusiasm of young Greek orthodox youth at the church of the Taxiarchae in Watertown.

Ignoring the cold, the young people and adults - in all some 25 hundred people - cheered his arrival, the youth performing traditional dances for him.

Schoolchildren on hand couldn't conceal their excitement at seeing Vartholomeos.

Echoing the mood, 14-year-old Stephanie Logan called it a once-in-a- lifetime chance.

It was Oxi day, the anniversary of the day when Greece refused to surrender in 1940. But, holding candles, the orthodox faithful sent an Easter message of hope and resurrection. A message of affirmation, that they will always keep the light of orthodoxy in the US united.

Orthodox bishop of Boston Methodios made the comparison in welcoming Vartholomeos to Massachusetts.

"The children are holding candles because today", Methodios told the Patriarch, although it's the 28th of October, is Easter for us. Today, we're living the joy of the resurrection. The patriarch is with us. Our children and their parents came with their teachers, to welcome you here, to kiss your hand, even at a distance; to hear your words; to feel your embrace, the beat of your heart and the warmth of your love. In the hearts of these youths, we plant the seeds of our Greek orthodox faith. We believe our children are our greatest treasure. They're the guarantee of the future of orthodoxy in this country. Your Holiness, I thank you for coming to welcome them. They love you immensely".

Father Emmanuel of the community of the TaxiarchOn, welcomed the patriarch:

"Behold the glory of byzantium", he said, "the light of the Fanari lights America and all of us individually. Our Church bears the name Panagia of the TaxiarchOn. It got its name from the people from Constantinople who wanted to plant their church in this foreign land. We're proud".

Addressing the young people, Vartholomeos said, "I have to tell you a few words from my heart, in the language of our fathers, of you grandfathers and grandmothers. I love you with all my heart. I trust you, the fate of the Greek community and church in America is in your hands. Tonight is bright for us. It's Easter. It's resurrection, as

I see you with candles and your faces lit up. You really brought heaven down to earth tonight. I must congratulate the holy fathers here, and bishop Methodios and the teachers...all who work under the inspiration of the church for your progress. Seeing it, I'm proud; glory be to God".

Vartholomeos thanked all those of the community who welcomed him. He singled Father Emmanuel out for his work, presenting him with the Cross of the Great Church - an encouragement, he said, to continue his efforts".

Presenting the church with a small gift from Constantinople, Vartholomeos said that when he leaves Boston, he will leave a piece of his heart with it.

[02] Balkan Security Conference

The Greek government wants the focus of the conference to be on regional economic development.

Athens doesn't want the meeting of the Greek and Turkish prime ministers on the sidelines of the conference to be at the centre of attention.

As we hear in this report, the Greek government says it doesn't expect much to come out of that meeting.

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis and his government will try to keep the focus at the Balkan Security conference on regional economic cooperation.

Simitis discussed his game plan for the Crete conference with foreign ministry officials Wednesday.

They spent much time discussing infrastructure and energy projects that Greece will propose be developed in the Balkans at the conference.

None the less, much of the attention will be on Simitis's meeting with Turkish premier Mesout Yilmaz. The United States is hoping that meeting will revive the spirit of Madrid, where the two sides agreed to a non- aggression pact in July. But Greek officials say not much should be expected to come out of next week's meeting. They remain sceptical when it comes to any statements about friendship an cooperation from Turkey, given Ankara's hostile approach to relations with Greece in the real world.

The Greek government is concerned about the fact that the military plays such an important role in running Turkey. The most recent example came Tuesday, when Turkish general Ismael Karadayi requested that Nato stop what he calls an anti- Turkish alliance being forged by Greece and Russia.

Education minister Gerasimos Arsenis says Greece shouldn't have great expectations or illusions about Turkey's real intentions.

Many Pasok MPs say any words of friendship from the Turkish prime minister in Crete should be taken with a grain of salt.

Kimon Koulouris says Greece's aim is to prevent any further tension in bilateral relations, given that the current climate of crisis benefits Turkey.

Nikos Sifounakis says, "Greece is doing its best to maintain the climate of the Greek-Turish non- aggression agreement reached over the summer.

But", he adds, "that's difficult given the current situation".

[03] Joganis-Karadayi

Greek air force wing commander Atha-nassios TsogAnis also says it was unethical of Karadayi not to send him - Tsoganis - that letter to Nato.

Attending the celebration of the founding of the Turkish state at the Turkish embassy in Athens, Tsoganis repaid a visit by Karantagi to the Greek embassy in Ankara on Greece's national holiday, March 25th.

Tsoganis said such visits are normal around the world, and Greek political leaders were on hand. But it was the first time the chairman of the Greek chief of staff attended the Turkish event.

Tsoganis said his presence showed Greece and its armed forces love peace. But the military is also prepared to defend the country.

Greece and Turkey are about to start separate exercises in the Aegean. Asked if he's concerned about the possibility of a shooting incident, Tsoganis said that possibility is always there.

[04] New Democracy

Kostas Karmanlis expressed his dissatisfaction with the Pasok government and its policy towards Turkey during a meeting he had with his "shadow" cabinet.

Stressing that Greek-Turkish relations are on the razor's edge, Karmanlis urged the Pasok government to change its tack.

The New Democracy leader said its time to take a firmer stand before Turkey's aggressive ways, especially since Turkey has become more provocative and intolerant toward Greece lately, in an attempt to put pressure on Athens.

[05] Economy

Brokers in Athens say the drop is normal, given the decline that began in Asian stock exchanges, and of sell orders from large foreign investors.

The Bank of Greece intervened to support the drachma again Wednesday, backing it with 410 million Ecus.

The attempt to buoy the currency worked. While the Ecu was worth 314 drachma Tuesday, it held at 310 Wednesday.

Interbank interest rates were at 14.1 per cent at the start of the day, but as Bank efforts to defend the drachma paid off, they fell back to 11.6 per cent at noon.

One investor said the Bank has got to ensure that rates don't start a steady rise.

Everyone recommends that investors keep cool, and don't make the mistake of selling off their shares cheap in a panic.

The long-term strength of the Athens exchange is still there. It's based on government plans to partially-privatise state-owned utilities; the 2004 Athens Olympics; and falls in inflation and the national deficit.

[06] Snow

Greece saw its first snowfall this year in the northern part of the country early Wednesday.

Inhabitants of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria and Kozani woke up to a winter wonderland in plenty of time for Christmas.

With the mercury hovering just over 5 degrees above zero, people were advised to use snow chains, especially on roads heading to the ski resorts of Lailia and Seli in the regions of Serres and Veria.

[07] Miss Hellas

Maybe...but not in the case of 23 year old Evgenia Limantzaki, who stole people's hearts as she won the title of Miss Hellas 1997, held by Antenna.

The tall, lanky brunette left for the Seychelles Wednesday in the hopes of securing another crown: that of Miss World.

Limantzaki calmly told reporters at the airport that she doesn't feel stressed, just a little anxious. she promises she'll do her best.

She said, "A close friend told me that even if I don't get a title, I will have won the most important title of all, having won people's hearts.

Her mother is proud of her daughter, and wishes her all the best.

Her father, accompanying her to the Seychelles, is a little more positive. He thinks she's got a good chance of winning. "Everyone does", he says.

Limantzaki will be one of 80 contestants competing in the November 22nd event.

Last year, Greece's Irini Skliva won the Miss World title after being crowned Miss Hellas in 1996.

[08] Exhibition-Sala

Visitors will be certain to think a concert of cicadas is about to start when they see all the cicada-related artwork.

Sala says she got the idea from a photography shoot she was at with her daughter, where they'd collected a large number of live cicadas.

Sala has also produced a book on the insects. It contains hand-made silk prints depicting the cicada at the different stages of its life.

The exhibition ends November first.

[09] Birds

Wild pelicans dropped in on Nea Kios in the Pelponese, giving residents a pleasant autumnal surprise.

The flight of pelicans took a short time out from their flight to warmer seas for the winter.

The ten pelicans landed in the marshlands of Nea Kios, which seems to be a popular pit stop for migrating birds. Last year some southbound flamingos dropped in.

Hungry, thirsty and tired, the imposing birds, which stand up to 1.5 metres high, had no trouble winning the affection of the locals.

And the visiting creatures didn't seem to mind... their hosts looking on as they frolicked in the water.

Last Updated: Thursday, 30-Oct-97 13:51:42

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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