Antenna: News in English (AM), 98-05-12

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

Last Updated: Tuesday, 12-May-98 09:05:54

CONTENTS

[01] WEU-Kosovo

[02] WEU meeting in Rhodes

[03] Archbishop Christodoulos

[04] Avramopoulos

[05] Sports

[01] WEU-Kosovo

Akis Tsochatzopoulos told foreign and defence ministers at the Western European Union conference in Rhodes that Kosovo is quote "a hand grenade waiting to go off".

As the tension continues to mount in the standoff between Albanian separatists and the Yugoslav authorities in Kosovo, Greek defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos told the Western European Union foreign and defence ministers that the WEU couldn't play a leading role in helping to defuse the crisis. But it could supplement efforts by the European Union, the OSCE, and Nato, which has proposed a number of things.

Tsochatzopoulos was the first to raise the Kosovo issue at the conference. For years, the WEU has been an organisation without a clear sense of purpose. Some in the EU would like it to evolve into an independent EU defence wing; other agree with the American view that it should remain a pillar of Nato.

The unresolved issue of what the EU needs and wants in terms of collective defence and foreign policy arrangements, will not be resolved in Rhodes.

But Greek foreign minister Theodoros

Pangalos, whose country currently holds the WEU chair, thinks there are things the EU could do regarding Kosovo. It could, he says, respond to the Albanian government's request for help in securing its border with Kosovo against a possible spillover or spread of the problems there.

Tsochatzopoulos says sending troops into Kosovo would be a tricky business; the best solution would be a diplomatic one.

Richard Holbrooke, the American diplomat who brokered the settlement of the war in Bosnia, flew to Serbia from Albania Monday, concerned about the continuing impasse over Kosovo.

Arriving in Belgrade for the second time in three days for talks with Yugoglav leaders Holbrooke called the Kosovo standoff "extremely dangerous" to peace in the Balkans.

The ethnic Albanians of Kosovo - who comprise 90 per cent of the province's population - are agitating for independence. Belgrade's response has been to send in the army and an offer of some autonomy taken away in 1989.

The US wants the troops out and talks to start. But the Albanain side has refused to negotiate unless foregin mediators are present - something Serbia rejects, insisting Kosovo is a domestic matter.

Holbrooke arrived in Belgrade Saturday brandishing western sanctions; but still he failed to get Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic to change his position.

Over the weekend, the US diplomat met with Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano in Tirana; and ethnic Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova in Pristina. The contents of those talks were not revealed. But Nano believes if there isn't some form of foreign intervention, the Kosovo crisis will end in war. Rugova is calling more specifically for Nato intervention. And western alliance sources say there will probably be Nato exercises in northern Albania between May 22nd and 24th.

In Kosovo, security seems more tenuous than at any time in the latest outbreak in this decades-old crisis. Armed Albanian separatists now control large pieces of countryside in southern Kosovo. And there is daily sporadic fighting between the separatists and the army.

In the capital of Pristina, large crowds continue to turn out to protest peacefully.

[02] WEU meeting in Rhodes

In the run-up to the conference, there was talk of a meeting between the Greek and Turkish defence ministers, to discuss Nato's proposed confidence- building measures for the Aegean.

Those proposals centre on military flight moratoriums in the summer.

Athens believes the time is right for the two nations to move forward on the confidence- building proposals. But not Ankara.

Turkish defence minister Sezgin said in Rhodes Monday that he doesn't think there can be any progress in that area at this time; but it would be useful for low-level diplomatic talks between the two countries to continue.

Sezgin also says he'd be prepared to meet with Greek defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

The Cyprus issue was also touched upon by the two sides in Rhodes.

When Greece noted that it favours Cyprus attaining associate status in the WEU - which Turkey already has - Sezgin objected, saying that the Cypriot government doesn't represent the Turkish Cypriots, who occupy the northern part of the island, under Turkish occupation.

[03] Archbishop Christodoulos

Prior to the ceremony, hundreds gathered in Syntagma Square, despite the rain to watch the welcoming of Christodoulos by the municipality of Athens.

Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos warmly welcomed the new archbishop presenting him with the key to the city.

Receiving the key Christodoulos addressed the populace saying, "If you will permit me, this key will symbolize the key to your hearts. I must have a place in your hearts and feel strength from there in order to do my job well. Because after God, the love of the people is the only love which is supportive.

Following the welcoming ceremony, hundreds people walked behind Christodoulos shouting 'worthy' as he progressed toward the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral for the investiture ceremony.

Clearly moved by the reaction of the crowd, Christodoulos was then dressed in the traditional archbishopal cloak by two deacons without their vestments.

Following tradition, the Bishops of Marathonas and Melitton then placed a pectoral cross around the archbishop's neck. A representative of the Ecumenical orthodox patriarche gave Christodoulos the archbishopal staff and the Orthodox archbishop of Albania presented Christodoulos with an icon of Christ's resurrection.

Christodoulos then bowed before the altar, with his robes and stood on the archbishop's throne.

Addressing the archbishop, president of parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis said, "Historically orthodoxy and Hellensism have walked hand in hand, separate yet together. They will surely continue their future journey together in the same manner".

Education minister Gerasimos Arsenis said, "Being as outgoing and charasmatic as you are, surely you will promote the work of the church. The support of the government is behind you, especially in the field of education.

The new archbishop then replied to both men saying, "We pray for the same thing. The righteous leadership of the Greek nation. We must fight together for the good of Greece. May it be blessed. But at the same instance, may every individual has his right to freedom of speech. For Greece is the seat of democracy".

Upon leaving the cathedral, Christodoulos was then showered with flowers.

Following the ceremony, the new archbishop held a reception at a nearby hotel accompanied by members of the Holy Synod, representatives of the foreign orthodox churches as well as representatives of the Greek state.

The Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church held its first meeting with the new archbishop on Monday.

Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Christodoulos asked during their meeting for a closer working relationship to which the Holy Synod members agreed.

They also agreed to meet twice per month. In October of every year it was also decided that the Church's hierarchy will convene with the country's metropolitan bishops.

Tuesday's meeting between the new archbishop and premier Kostas Simitis was also discussed. It was decided that the upcoming visit should be an official one but also include matters of the church.

Plans for Christodoulos's visit to the Ecumencial Patriarchate in Constantinople was also on the agenda. The visit will most probably take place between June 12th and 15th.

Later in the day, Christodoulos then attended the opening of the 21st Greek book fair in Pedio tou areos.

[04] Avramopoulos

Avramopoulos said he wants the candidates to campaign, but wants the campaigning to be environmentally friendly.

That means no posters and no noise pollution.

Avramopoulos said, "Over the past four years I have done my best to improve the city of Athens and believe I have served well far away from party ambitions".

The pre-election campaign is to begin on the first of September. Avramopoulos says, "We have a lot of work cut out for us until then".

[05] Sports

Olympiakos gets its first two against Apollon in the first half, from Giorgos Karapialis and Alexis Alexandris.

It's three-nil in the second half before Apollon comes back with one. But Ilia Ivich makes it 5-1 with two goals, and that's all she wrote for the visitors.

Olympiakos's 85 points are an all-time league record.

Panathinaikos, which can no longer win the title could still tie Olympiakos in the standings - if Pao wins, and Olympiakos loses its final two matches.

As Greek champion, Olympiakos will play in the European Champions' League next year, as will Pao, which beat Ionikos 1-nil over the weekend. Aek and Paok will play in the Uefa Cup. Aek was a 4-2 winner over Kalamata Sunday; while Paok dumped Veria 3-1.

Elsewhere, as we move through the standings, Irakles and Paniliakos ended in a scoreless draw. Ofi knocked off Athinaikos 2-nil. Xanthi fell to Ethnikos 1-nothing.

Panachaiki and Proodevtiki scored a goal apiece in their set-to. And finally, it was Kavala one, Panionios nil.

In pro basketball, Panathinaikos drew first blood at home in its best-of- five championship series with Paok.

Pao gets its biggest boost to victory from former LA Laker Byron Scott.

The man who knows what the playoff pressure-cooker is all about from his days alongside Magic Johnson at the Fabulous Forum shows no nerves Sunday. Scott's hot hand help Pao to a 14-5 lead. And Byron's there again at the end, helping his club stitch up the 63-55 triumph. Scott and Paok's Pedrag Stoyankovich lead all scorers on the night with 22 apiece in the low- scoring opener.

In the consolation series, Olympiakos and Aek are battling for Greece's coveted third and final slot in next year's European championship tournament, the so-called Euroleague.

Their opener in Piraeus went down to the wire Saturday.

Aek can't get a last-second shot to go down, and Olympiakos walks away with the 72-71 victory. Artouras Karnisovas leads the winners with 16 points. He's one of four Olympiakos players to hit in double figures.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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