Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-11-12

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

Last Updated: Wednesday, 12-Nov-97 10:27:41

CONTENTS

[01] Holbrooke

[02] Economy

[03] Drugs

[04] November 17th

[05] Medical

[06] Organs offer

[07] Pelicans

[08] Soccer

[01] Holbrooke

The three men met at the Ledra Palace hotel, in the "green zone" that splits the island's capital Nicosia, into the Turkish-occupied sector and the Cypriot sector.

Holbrooke did reveal that any early breakthroughs were not expected in the dispute splitting the island. Declining to reveal more he said Clerides and Denktash had agreed that the contents of

Tuesday's meeting should remain confidentia

Holbrooke on his first visit to the island since being appointed US presidential emissary on the Cyprus dispute earlier this year, stressed the importance of the willingness of the two leaders to meet.

He said, "I don't expect any breakthroughs while we're here butI think the fact that we are meeting speaks of two things: that both men are willing to continue talking about issues of immense complexity which have defied solution for many decades." Adding, "Secondly, the United States is committed to using whatever influence it has to assist the two communities in reaching a just and honourable settlement of the issues that have caused so much pain and tragedy for the communities of the island."

Focused on keeping the lines of communication open Holbrooke said, "We want to keep talking and create opportunities. Stressing that, "The fact that we've now met for over 4 and a half hours face to face, most of it just the three of us and the fact that the conversation was candid and confidential is very positive."

Commenting on the two leaders he said, "They've known each other for 47 years, understand each

other, but their disagreements are profound". Adding that, "Their public positions on the sovereignty issue are incompatible".

Speaking candidly about the Cyprus problem Holbrooke said, "What makes me sad...is that when I'm trying to talk about the future, the two leaders keep bringing up the past. "I understand why. The past puts a very heavy legacy on the future, but we can't be imprisoned by the past".

Adding that, "The Cyprus issue is the core issue for Greek and Turkish problems".

The US has a strong interest in mediating between Cyprus and Turkey. The US strongly believes that all of Southeastern Europe is critical to stability for the US's national security and Europe's as well.

Taking everyone by surprise, Holbrooke negatively referred to the US administration during the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island.

"By the way, the American history in this area is not entirely clean. There are some things that previous American administrations did in this area, particularly between the mid-1960s and 1974, which I think we're shamed for. I don't need to go into details, because then I begin fighting history. There are certain things that happened that the US should not have done. I publicly spoke out and wrote about them at the time. This administration is committed to close relations and support of democracy in all the countries in the area. It was not so clear in the sixties and the early seventies".

Holbrooke then reaffirmed that the spirit of Tuesday's meeting was positive and with the help of time, there could be some progress. Referring to the Cyprus issue he said he did not see a specific crisis, but a problem. Adding that both sides have stated they are ready to contribute to finding a solution to the issue.

Western diplomats say Holbrooke's main goal is to to try to get both sides to join negotiations next year on Cyprus' entry to the EU.

On December 13th the EU will send and invitation to Cyprus to join the EU. Talks are set to begin

early next year. Holbrooke reaffirmed the invitation.

"I think one thing is clear. The EU will make its announcements in December 13th and I don't think you should expect any change in that announcement".

Turkey has repeatedly threatened that if the EU doesn't withdraw the invitation, then talks on Cypriot reunification can't go ahead. Turkey opposes Cyprus joining the EU before they do, a development unlikely for many years. Denktash has been refusing to meet with Clirides because of the EU dispute.

[02] Economy

Prime minister Kostas Simitis met with his finance ministers Tuesday to discuss the new measures one day before the 1998 budget is set to be passed by the parliament.

A social solidarity bonus will be given to pensioners over 62 years of age, replacing the 65 year old age limit.

Special bonuses corresponding to age will be provided to those who are unemployed. Youths up to the age of 29 and those over 55 years of age.

A fourth measure refers to special bonuses given to employers that hire unemployed youths.

The Athens Stock Market closed down 5.85 on Tuesday, due to the incoming flow of money from the Stock Market into banks. More people preferred to put their money into banks as interests rates on deposits raised up by as much as 15 or 20 percent in some banks.

Banks are giving high interest rates to those who deposit large sums of money in an effort face the recent assault imposed on the drachma over the last couple of days.

[03] Drugs

Yiannopoulos argued with the committee for the revision of the constitution on Tuesday. Sixty one MPs from the ruling and main opposition parties are pushing to re-instate the death sentence.

Saying, Greece has taught civilization, Yiannopoulos called the proposal "anti-constitutional" and not compatible with the EU legality.

Stressing the importance of applying the existing law, the Justice minister said, "The only thing we can assure is for the life-sentence to be a real life-sentence. Bringing back the death sentence would be a political and constitutional mistake."

The death sentence for drug pushers was abolished by by the Pasok government in 1993.

[04] November 17th

In vue of the celebration, Giorgos Romeos, Public order minister is taking all the necessary precautions to make sure that the celebration events scheduled are handled with the utmost security.

Romeos said metallic plaques, as a means of protection are being installed in the windows of the Polytechnic School, the location of the initial uprising.

On November 17th 1973, students barricaded themselves behind the university walls, calling for a return to democracy.

The military rulers responded by sending in tanks.

At least 12 students are said to have been killed during the skirmish.

The 1973 protest shook the authority of the dictatorship, which ended the following year.

[05] Medical

The new form of contraception was presented at the International Obstretrics and Gynaecology Congress in Thessaloniki Friday.

Willen Burgin, professor of pharmacology, explained that the ring, once fitted into the vagina locally secretes hormones preventing conception.

The rubber ring contains the same hormones found in the pill. Doctors say the ring is user friendly, staying in the vagina for a period of one month before needing to be changed. They also say it does not have many side- effects.

Sergios Mandalenakis, Professor of Obstetrics at the University of Thessaloniki says that tests carried out on the rubber ring have been successful. Adding that the more experimentation that's done on the ring the sooner it will reach the market.

[06] Organs offer

Andreas Fotopoulos' organs were quickly transferred to several hospitals in Greece and Italy.

The transfer of his organs for transplant operations was carried out by airplane and ambulance.

His heart and lungs were sent to Italy. His liver transferred to Thessaloniki, while one kidney was sent to Evangelismos hospital in Athens. The other kidney as well as his eyes remained in Patra.

[07] Pelicans

Fishermen and members of the Protection Society for Wild birds took the Silver Pelicans to Lake KerKeenie in Serres, located in Northern Greece.

Arriving at the lake, the pelicans flew shyly at the beginning. Once they felt secure and regained their balance they began to play in the water. They also managed to score some neighborly friends, namely with the herons and 'rose pelicans'.

Yiannis Poulopoulos, representative of the Protection Society for Wild Birds, says, "This is the first rescue operation ever held in Greece for birds. We successfully transferred the animals from one area to another of better quality, meeting the ecological needs of the birds".

The pelicans were transported by carton, after first being given an identity ring attached to each bird's leg.

[08] Soccer

Demis Nikolaidis scored first in the 8th minute of the game, while Tony Savefski brought in the final goal at the 18th minute.

In second division soccer, Aris crushed home team Doxa Dramas at 2 - nil.

That mean good news for Aek...getting two points closer to Panathinaikos and Ionikos, still holding the first two positions.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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