Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-03-05

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

Last Updated: Thursday, 05-Mar-98 14:30:14

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou-Burns-Kosovo

[02] European Union-Turkey

[03] Halki's Theological school

[04] Archbishop Serafeim

[05] Amnesty International

[06] New Democracy

[07] Sports

[01] Papandreou-Burns-Kosovo

Greece's alternate foreign minister briefed the US ambassador to Athens on diplomatic efforts underway to stave off a crisis.

Nearly thirty Albanians have been killed in attacks by Serb security forces this week, in retaliation for the killing of a Serb policeman.

By day, there is calm throughout Kosovo, which has a large Albanian majority even though it is a province of the rump Yugoslavia. Tuesday afternoon, some 30 thousand people attended the funerals of those slain in the village of Cirez in Drenitsa, where some 25 ethnic Albanians - including 11 members of one family - have been murdered by Serb security forces.

There are still isolated incidents at night, especially in the mountain region of DrEnitsa, where - Serbian sources say - patrols have been organised in the Serb villages. The militant Kosovo Liberation Army has sworn to take revenge for the recent killings by the authorities.

The Serbian response has been to keep a tight grip and sit out the unrest. The police continue to take people suspected of being involved in terrorist attacks in for questioning.

As the Yugoslavs tell the world their police have the situation under control, the international community is urging the two sides to start talks.

US ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns discussed the Kosovo problem with Greek alternate foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou.

"We had a very good meeting this morning. I sought the meeting just to exchange views on the very difficult situation in Kosovo with minister Papandreou. And I'll be looking forward to other discussions this week with the greek government. I would just say that the US remains very concerned by the situation in Kosovo, by the plight of the Kosovo people, we hope very very much that there can be peace and stability in the region".

Kosovo sits at the junction of Serbia, Albania, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and there is concern that the unrest of the Albanian population could spread.

Papandreou says, "A negative turn of events in Kosovo could have an impact on all the countries close by, including Greece.

Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos meets with Serb president Slobodan Milosevich Friday, in an effort to try to mollify the situation. Pangalos will convey the Greek view that the solution is for the Yugoslavs to give on human rights while keeping Kosovo within its borders.

The US is urging Milosevich to end the police crackdown. And the European Union is asking that the autonomy of Kosovo, abolished by Milosevich in 1989, be restored.

Papandreou said Wednesday that Greece is in continual contact with Albania, Fyrom, and Serbia as efforts to find a peaceful solution are intensified.

Greece is ready to expand its mediation efforts, if the Serbs request it. If such a request comes in Belgrade Friday, Pangalos may well visit the Kosovo capital of Pristina on Saturday.

[02] European Union-Turkey

Christos Papoutsis spoke to Antenna radio as the European commission issued a statement expressing its hope that the obstacles to that funding will soon be overcome.

"Greece is Europe and the Greek government has the right to its veto. There are political pre- conditions to that funding".

The pre-conditions are that Turkey respect human rights, improve its relations with Greece, and make a concerted effort to solve the Cyprus problem.

The president of Greece's parliament told the Turkish ambassador to Athens that some goodwill would go a long way. Apostolos Kaklamanis noted that Turkey's perodic provocations of Greece - both a militarily and diplomatically - create a feeling of insecurity in Greece.

[03] Halki's Theological school

The Committee for Security and Cooperation in Europe has sent a letter of request to Turkish prime minister Mesout Yilmaz.

The congressmen call on Turkey to respect its commitment to show respect for human rights.

The letter points out that unacceptable violations of fundamental rights - such as freedom of religion and freedom of expression - are constant occurrences.

[04] Archbishop Serafeim

Waking up in good spirits Wednesday, the archbishop underwent his usual dialysis treatment.

Heeding the advice of his physicians, Serafeim reduced the number of visits, only seeing close friends, family members and the Archbishop of Albania, Anastasios.

Anastasios, who stopped off to see Serafeim after a visit to the patriarchate of Alexandria said Serafeim was lucid, and they discussed a number of things.

[05] Amnesty International

Greece is a staunch supporter of human rights. All of those gathered at the presidential palace were honoured to lend their signature to the universal

human rights charter drawn up by Amnesty International in 1948.

Those in attendance included premier Kostas Simitis, president of parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis and the other parliamentary party leaders.

Stephanopoulos told those gathered, "You are the real representatives of the Greek people, and can best support their belief in human rights".

The international human rights charter was a response to the brutalities witnessed during World War II. Fifty years later many countries still have not made good on their avowed commitment to human rights.

[06] New Democracy

The deputies' meeting will also come on the heels of tense exchanges between party leader Kostas Karamanlis and former party leader Constantinos Mitsotakis.

With both the expulsions and his decision to effectively remove former premier Mitsotakis from party committees, Karamanlis has left himself open to the charge that he is turning the party into his personal fiefdom.

All that will likely be discussed when the MPs meet Monday.

Mitsotakis has put off a trip abroad to attend the session.

Many MPs would like to see peace restored to New Democracy. Anastasios Kara- mArios would like to see everyone working together for the party's good.

Along with his moves to assert his authority, Karamanlis has reiterated that New Democracy is a party of the middle ground.

Commenting on that, one right-wing MP, Apostolos Andreoulakos, said, Karamanlis didn't mean there's no room for the right in the party.

[07] Sports

In its opener, Olympiakos played host to Partizan of Belgrade.

And the defending champions show that they miss injured centre Dragan Tarlach, and injured star forward Artouras Karnisovas. Partizan wins it going away 78-74, stripping Olympiakos of the home court advantage.

In other action, Paok also had its back up against the wall, as it comes up a pair short in Berlin in overtime.

And Aek has no trouble in its best-of-three opener against Split.

Olympic winners and world champions will compete in an international athletics meet being organised by Panellinios at the Athens Olympic stadium on June 17th, in memory of four-time Olympic winner Kostas Tsiklitiras.

Panellinios president Minos Kyriakou says Greece has the right stuff to organise major sporting events.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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