Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-11-23

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

Last Updated: Sunday, 23-Nov-97 11:18:51

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis-EU Review

[02] Patriarch Reviewv

[03] Quakes Review

[04] November 17th Review

[01] Simitis-EU

Kostas Simitis exercised the veto despite pressure from his EU colleagues in Luxembourg Friday.

Prime minister Kostas Simitis came under heavy pressure at the EU summit in Luxembourg to accept the establishment of a European Conference of candidate EU members, and for Turkey to be allowed to take part in it.

Simitis announced late Thursday night that he disagreed with his 14 other EU colleagues, and the Conference idea was shelved.

In explaining his veto, Simitis told reporters that a basic condition for any nation to be included in any move toward EU admission is that nation accepting the jurisdiction of the international court in the Hague to settle differences between states.

Simitis was referring to the fact that Turkey has refused to take its claim to the Greek isle of Imia to the court. Last year, Turkey nearly sparked a war when it staged a military landing on the Imia rocks.

Afterward, the EU told Ankara that if it wants to move closer to Europe, it has to drop its claim or go to the court; it has got to put an end to its threats of violence against Greece; and respect international law and Greece's sovereign rights in the Aegean.

But Turkey has ignored the EU, and continued to make claims on Greek isles in the Aegean.

This year, Ankara has also tried to get the EU to exclude free Cyprus from its next round of expansion.

"Our position is clear", said Simitis. "Turkish objections to Cyprus joining the EU cannot be given a hearing.

The Greek leader added that it's time Turkey implemented United Nations resolutions calling on it to remove its troops from occupied Cyprus.

Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos did not accompany Simitis to Luxembourg, a fact which caused renewed speculation that there has been a rift between the two men.

Pangalos told reporters Friday "I read in the press that I have serious disagreements with the prime minister. My absence from Luxembourg means nothing. Deputy foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, who is with the prime minister, is responsible for European affairs".

Speculation that Simitis and Pangalos aren't getting along started during the recent meeting between the Greek and Turkish prime ministers in Crete. Both Pangalos and the Turkish foreign minister were excluded from that one- on-one discussion. Some in the media said Simitis had excluded Pangalos at the request of Mesout Yilmaz, who was angered by tough comments Pangalos had made about Turkey.

The Greek government denies there is any truth to the reports.

[02] Patriarch

As Greeks living in the US came to say goodbye, wishing him well, Vartholomeos said he was completely satisfied with the way his trip went.

While in Pittsburgh, Vartholomeos took part in a patriarchal divine liturgy.

As he had done so often during his US tour, the patriarch dwelt on the importance of youth.

"God bless your children", he told the faithful, "the young generation, to which we entrust the future of the Church in America and the Greek- American community. They will continue the beautiful tradition you started. With love and always united around our church, around the archbishop, who is devoted to you".

Upon leaving Pittsburgh for the Fanari, Vartholomeos said he was pleased with the way his US journey had gone. It was a trip that included a White House visit, and an appearance at an ecology conference in California; a Congressional tribute, and a visit with homeless kids.

Vartholomeos said that everywhere he went, and no matter who he talked to, he found understanding and goodwill.

In a written departing message, Vartholomeos asked all Greeks in the US to avoid disputes, to resolve their differences in a democratic manner. He encouraged them to join together and cooperate with one another, and not waste their energy in conflicts which in the past have troubled the Greek nation.

Orthodox Archbishop of America Spyridon called Vartholomeos's visit "a blessing from God... for all orthodox people in the US, whether they be Greek or not. The Patriarch's visit," he added, "contributed greatly to the development of orthodoxy in the US".

Methodios, Bishop of Boston agreed. "Greeks living in the US had the rare opportunity to meet with the Patriarch", he said. "Vartholomeos is an extremely educated man, who has great visions for orthodoxy in the US". Methodios is certain the Patriarch is proud of the growth and strength of hellensim in the US and the progress of the church there.

Public relations commissioner Father Alexandros Karloutsos said, "Given that we have a religious leader, a true father of 300 million Orthodox people worldwide, our next step is to stand by and strongly support him".

Karloutsos notes that during his US visit the Patriarch was awarded the Crown of Glory on behalf of the Archdiocese and the congressional Gold Medal of Honour. "What does that mean?", he asks.

"That the US government, President Clinton the vice- president, the Congress and the Senate, the American people all support the Patriarch and his work".

[03] Quakes

The 6.6 Richter quake occurred just after 3 pm.

There were no injuries, but there was damage to buildings in many places.

Two strong aftershocks from Tuesday's 6.6 earthquake shook the west coast of the Peloponese Thursday evening and early Friday morning.

The tremblors registered 4.6 and 4.4 on the richter scale. Tuesday's quake was enough to spur people into preparing themselves for future quakes.

At an elementary school in Pireaus, teacher and pupils went through earthquake drills, preparing themselves for future shakers.

Experts from the Anti-Seismic Protection Organization accompanied by members of the Pireaus prefecture visited the school, teaching pupils and teachers exactly to do in the event of an earthquake.

At the blow of a whistle, signifying the start of an earthquake, students and teachers were told to get down under their desks and wait for the quake to pass. They were then told to remain calm and to leave the classroom single file out into the school yard where they would wait for their parents to pick them up.

Commenting on the drills, one girl said, "It was very useful". Another added, 'When a quake occurs, we are to remain calm, otherwise we risk getting hurt'.

Which is exactly what seismologists say.

[04] November 17th

Later, the annual march from the engineering school to the US embassy took place.

Holding a Greek flag bearing the blood of students who took part in the November 17th, 1973 rising, the protestors shouted, "The Polytechnio lives".

And they sang the Greek national anthem.

24 years ago to the day, Greece's military dictators sent tanks and troops into the Polytechnio to break up a student occupation that had been going on for days, and taking on ever- stronger anti-dictatorship tones.

The military dictators handed power over to the civilians less than a year later, and free

elections were held on November 17th, 1974.

Over the weekend prime minister Kostas Simitis and other government officials paid tribute to the heroes of the Polytechnio.

On Monday, New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis headed a party delegation to the Polytechnio monument, and parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis, justice minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos and other government and military officials laid wreathes at the Polytechnio.

In Thessaloniki, people also celebrated the Polytechnio anniversary with laying wreaths and a march.

The anniversary was marked by Aristotle University in Thessaloniki and political youth organisations.

"I hope such struggles won't be necessary in the future" said Macedonia and Thrace minister Filippos Petsalnikos.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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