Antenna: News in English (AM), 98-01-08

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

Last Updated: Thursday, 08-Jan-98 11:49:43

CONTENTS

[01] Turkey

[02] Aegean

[03] Kurds

[04] World Health Organisation

[05] Tsovīlas

[06] Hotel Pallas

[07] Basketball

[01] Turkey

Akis Tsochatzopoulos spoke to journalists after a long discussion about Greek-Turkish relations and Greece's military procurement plans with the prime minister.

Akis Tsochatzopoulos said after meeting with the prime minister that Turkey would do well to understand that its aggressive behaviour toward Greece only results in Turkey distancing itself from Europe.

Ankara was angered last month when the EU told it to improve relations with Greece, help settle the Cyprus problem, and improve its human rights record if it wants to ever become an EU member.

The meeting came as Turkey prepares to start exercises in the Aegean, and on the heels of more Turkish violations of Greek air space.

On Wednesday, Turkey wrapped up joint exercises with the US and Israel in the eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey is set to start naval-air exercises in the Aegean Thursday. Those three weeks of war games were scheduled to begin last Friday, but so far no Turkish planes or ships have appeared in the Aegean in the context of those games.

Thursday's exercises are scheduled for an area between Ikaria and Myconos. Greece objects to the site, because there is no international air space between the islands, and will be watching for Turkish planes in the area Thursday.

Tsochatzopoulos says any Turkish intruders will be chased away during Thursday's manoeuvres.

In trying to hold its war games in the region, Turkey is directly questioning Greece's right to 10 miles of air space extending from its shores.

Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Netzati Ouktan said Wednesday his country doesn't recognise that right, and that Greece has rights only to six miles. The four mile difference is the substance of the dispute. The two countries disagree over where international air space begins and ends in the Aegean.

This is not the first time Turkey has objected to the 10 miles, but the statements are attracting Greek attention now because they come on the eve of the planned exercises.

Ouktan also stoked some old coals Wednesday. Commenting on Imia, a Greek isle Turkey wants to make its own, the Turkish official said there are small islands and rocks which Greece has never been granted sovereignty over.

Greece maintains that all its sovereign rights in the Aegean are laid out in internationally- recognised treaties and conventions.

Turning the truth on its head, Ouktan also accused Greece of vetoing a direct meeting of the two nations' committees set up to list bi-lateral differences. That, even though Greece agreed to such a meeting before Turkey unilaterally pulled its committee out of the European Union-mediated process, which had been designed to find common ground between the two countries.

Turkey pulled out of the process after the EU issued its directives on Greece, Cyprus, and human rights.

[02] Aegean

Greece's Aegean minister, Elisabet Papa-zoi announced Wednesday that 1998 will be a good year for development of the smaller Aegean islands, thanks in part to the availability of EU development funds.

Ouktan accused Greece of trying to alter the status quo in the Aegean by developing the islands Using the plans as a pretext for restating Ankara's claims on the Greek Aegean, he said, "This problem is related to the fact that the two countries have not yet been able to agree to their borders. The issue", he added, "came to the centre of public attention during the Imia crisis".

In 1996, Turkey staged a military landing on Imia, claiming the Greek isle as its own.

There were reports Wednesday that Turkish trawlers tried to approach Imia twice earlier in the week, but were prevented from doing so by Greek vessels.

[03] Kurds

The EU is calling on Turkey to find a political solution to the Kurdish issue, rather than a destabilising military one.

Greek deputy defence minister Iannos Kranidiotis said Wednesday that Athens has repeatedly raised the issue of the Kurds with the EU, and will continue to do so. Greece wants the EU to press Turkey to find a political solution to the Kurdish problem.

[04] World Health Organisation

Oncologist Andrew Davidson based in Perth has found that in Australia between 1982 and 1992, there was a 50 per cent increase in brain tumours in men, and a 62 per cent rise in women.

A significant increase, he notes, in what is a fairly rare disease. He thinks the increase could be a result of the introduction of mobile phones, which began in the early 80s.

In Cyprus, where she is conducting trials of her revolutionary cancer vaccine, Greek-Australian researcher Vasso Apostolopoulou was asked about the phone-cancer link.

"Everyone says there is one", she replied, "but nothing's been proven". She also believes though that there probably is a danger from mobile phones, since she's noticed that a mobile phone near a TV or radio causes static interference when it rings.

"Just imagine what it does to your brain", she reflects.

[05] Tsovīlas

Tsovolas had a quadruple bypass Tuesday morning.

His doctors says he is breathing without mechanical support, and that there have been no post-op complications.

The Democratic Movement founder has had his wife Rena and their two children at his side constantly.

He has also been visited by many friends and political associates.

On Tuesday, he received get well messages from the president and prime minister.

[06] Hotel Pallas

Kyriakos and Dimitra Filippou chose the grand old building to host their annual Epiphany reception.

The couple welcomed scores of political and business personalities and artists to the PallAs Tuesday. Among the guests were Antenna president Minos Kyriakou and Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos.

There was music to delight the guests, as if the beautiful surroundings weren't enough.

The building may be up and running again, but it won't be a hotel this time around. It is going to house the business offices of the Fillipou family.

Kyriakos Fillipou says that in remodelling the 1930s building they respected its architecture, and made no changes to the exterior.

But there have been alterations inside. The ground and first floors have been preserved - Fillipou points out that they're ideal for holding conferences of up to 400 delegates and all kinds of exhibitions. The building also boasts a 100-seat amphitheatre.

[07] Basketball

Willy Anderson stars for the Athenian team. Anderson nets 16 points and grabs 10 rebounds, as Aek coasts to a 43-33 victory.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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