Antenna: News in English (PM), 97-11-05

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

Last Updated: Wednesday, 05-Nov-97 12:01:00

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis-Gilmaz

[02] Meeting - Reactions

[03] Turkish violations

[04] Ånd of the summit

[05] Ôhe wives of the Balkan leaders

[06] Kostakos

[07] Basketball

[08] Yianna Angelopoulou Daskalaki

[01] Simitis-Gilmaz

In Crete Monday night, Greece's Kostas Simitis and Turkey's Mesout Yilmaz called their meeting the first step toward better relations.

The Greek and Turkish prime ministers outlined their countries' views on issues of mutual concern, showing that there is no common ground between them.

In a press conference after the meeting, Simitis told reporters, "Mr. Yilmaz said he believes that problems can be overcome by a dialogue on all issues. We reiterated that dialogues on all issues have taken place in the past without positive results. That's why we remain firmly behind a step-by- step approach to Greek-Turkish differences, as we have for the past year".

Despite the difference over how to tackle their problems, in Crete, both leaders stated that they want to renew their commitment to the non- aggression pact they made in July.

And for the first time, that pact was connected to the establishment of specific mechanisms designed to de-escalate tensions.

Simitis said he and Yilmaz have agreed to implement a 1988 agreement, which calls for a 2- month moratorium on military flights over the Aegean in the summer; and Nato monitoring of the two nations' military flights.

Simitis said they've also agreed to look at various other confidence building measures; and to look for ways of continuing the work of experts from both countries to list bilateral differences.

The Greek premier said, "There are difficulties, but it's good to repeat that commitments have been made, that there IS a framework for cooperation, and that these commitments must be implemented. Our common goal is peace, stability, and coopeation".

Simitis says he will accept Yilmaz's invitation to visit Ankara, as long as there are tangible signs of improvement in Greek-Turkish relations.

After the meeting, Yilmaz said he was enthused by Simitis. The talk was good, he added, and was based on the 1988 agreement and the recent non- aggression pact.

He also said that reducing tensions is necessary, and expressed the hope that at their next meeting, the two men would have something new to say to each other.

On Tuesday, Mesout Yilmaz was upbeat:

"We have created a very solid base for the future cooperation in our region. I would say I had a very frank and fruitful meeting with His Excellency the Prime minister. I think we have paved the way for better relations between our countries. We're going to think on the existing mechanisms, how to accelerate the mechanisms, and how to strengthen these mechanisms. I've noticed that my Greek counterpart is approaching this issue in good faith and that is absolutely satisfactory".

On Tuesday, Simitis dwelt on Turkey's call for bilateral dialogue on all issues. Greece refuses to allow Turkey to put its numerous claims on Greek sovereign rights in the Aegean on an all- encompassing negotiating agenda.

But once again on Tuesday, Yilmaz insisted. He rejects Greece's call for a step-by-step approach to better relations.

Both men agree that further contacts are needed. Simitis said Tuesday, "Our meeting was useful - when countries have problems, there should be contact between them".

The Greek leader also responded to those in Greece who say the government isn't taking a tough enough line with Turkey. "Some people say that all bridges between us should be burnt", said Simitis, "but that point of view isolates Greece".

The Greek leader explained that he had reiterated to Yilmaz what Greece's position is on bilateral relations, the continental shelf, the Turkish airspace violations, and other issues.

[02] Meeting - Reactions

State department spokesman James Rubin said he hopes the meeting will prove to a starting point for better Greek-Turkish relations.

The US has often expressed disagreement with Greece and Turkey holding military exercises in the Aegean.

And, in a reference to the two nations' current separate military exercises in the Aegean, Rubin said that it's necessary for confidence- building measures to be implemented.

Commenting on the Simitis-Yilmaz meeting, Turkish president Suleiman Demirel urged calm on both sides in confronting the sensitive issues between them. He added that a peaceful resolution of Greek- Turkish differences is possible.

Chairman of the Turkish joint chiefs of staff, General Ismail Karatagi said the Greek and Turkish people feel no hostility toward each other. And on the day when scores of Turkish warplanes violated Greed airspace, he nonetheless said that there's no danger of Turkish exercises leading to war.

In Greece, New Democracy is calling the Simitis- Yilmaz meeting a failure. Party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos says all that was confirmed is Turkey's intransigence, and accuses the Pasok government of being passive in its response to Ankara.

[03] Turkish violations

Greece is currently conducting the exercise named "Parmenion" in the Aegean. The Turks are holding exercises in occupied Cyprus. Eight F-16s are taking part in that exercise.

New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis says the Turkish airspace violations are an indication of Turkey's real provocative stance, and show that Ankara is the problem in Greek-Turkish relations. Taking an unfavourable view of the Simitis-Yilmaz meeting, he adds that the government should make no concessions to Turkey, and that Ankara must be made to understand that it must respect Greece's sovereignty, and that Greece is ready to defend itself.

Former New Democracy leader Constantinos Mitsotakis viewed the meeting differently.

[04] Ånd of the summit

At the end of the summit, the leaders of Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Fyrom, Romania, Turkey, and Yugoslavia issued a joint statement pledging to promote cooperation and friendship between their peoples.

"We shall work together to create the conditions for prosperity within a framework of peace, security, good-neighborliness and stability", says the declaration issued at the end of the summit.

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis said the declaration constitues a set of principles that will form the framework of inter-Balkan relations.

The statement also includes a commitment to respect borders, minority rights, and to settle disputes peacefully.

[05] Ôhe wives of the Balkan leaders

They began their day at the ruins of Knossos.

Once again, Berna Yilmaz, wife of the Turkish leader, did not join the group, prefering to follow a different itinerary. Daphne Simitis, wife of the Greek premier, said that's normal, she does it herself when she travels.

On Monday, the Balkan leaders' spouses walked around the old town of Rethymno, where locals showed them how to wield a traditional Cretan knife and gave them a string of worry beads.

At the port, it was time for a sip of the local alcoholic beverage "tsikoudia".

[06] Kostakos

A memorial service was held at the Palaskas naval training centre.

The Kostakos sank on November 4th 1996 after it was rammed by a ferry boat off the coast of Samos.

The captain of the ferry boat said the Kostakos, on manoeuvres, had its engines and lights off when the accident occurred.

The bodies of the four men who didn't make it were recovered when the Kostakos was refloated last March.

Government and military officials joined the relatives and friends of the deceased at Tuesday's service.

[07] Basketball

The names were drawn at the Athens Symphony Hall.

Greece, Canada, Italy and Senegal will be competing in Group A in the twelve day tournament.

Group B comprises Yugoslavia, Puerto Rico, Russia, and Japan.

Brazil, Lituania, and South Korea will have the dubious honour of trying conclusions with the USA's dreaded Dream Team.

And finally, Australia, Argentina, Spain, and Nigeria will make up Group D.

Asked to comment on his team's grouping, Greek coach Panayiotis Yiannakis said there are no big differences between the teams at the world championship level. You just have to play well all the time.

[08] Yianna Angelopoulou Daskalaki

At a reception in her honour, Angelopoulou encouraged South Africa to continue toward its goal of hosting the 2008 Olympics.

"The Olympics will come here because you represent everything that is best about the Olympics: freedom, courage, cooperation, peace. Greece, the country that invented democracy and South Africa, the country that renewed humanity's belief in the promise of democracy, have a deep bond".

Angelopoulou thanked the South Africans for their help in Athens' fight to win the 2004 Olympic bid in the final round. When they realised Johannesburg wasn't going to win, the South Africans threw their weight behind Athens.

After meeting with South African president Nelson Mandela Monday, Angelopoulou said South Africa has made great progress since the abolition of the apartheid regime.

When asked by reporters whether or not she'll be the head of the new Athens 2004 Olympics organising committee, Angelopoulou said she has asked not to be made the chair.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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