Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-06-11

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

Last Updated: Thursday, 11-Jun-98 21:21:30

CONTENTS

[01] Papantoniou-Economy

[02] Miller-S300

[03] NATO-Kosovo

[04] Expo 98 conference

[05] "Fight for the Future" conference

[01] Papantoniou-Economy

Papantoniou preceded the optimistic assessment of the future with a tough reminder: there will be small pay raises this year.

In its effort to curb inflation, the government is also placing a near- freeze public utility charges.

With lower inflation, the government expects to see lower interest rates.

Papantoniou says taht the economy will by a satisfactory 3.5 per cent this year.

[02] Miller-S300

State Department Cyprus coordinator Thomas Miller told a group of Greek- Americans in Washington that an attack would have severe consequences for Turkish-American relations.

Turkey has threatened to do whatever necessary to stop the missiles from being deployed.

In Washington, Miller called the threats of an attack "unacceptable". The US, he added, favours a withdrawal of all military forces from Cyprus.

He doesn't see that happening right away, but within the framework of an agreement by both sides in Cyprus.

Speaking at the same Greek-American congress, US senate minority leader John Byden said the Russian missile issue has raised the temperature over the Cyprus issue. That, he added, is also placing strain on Greek-Turkish relations.

Cyprus wants the S-300 missiles as a defensive shield agianst an air attack from Turkey.

Byden is appealing for a postponement in delivery of the missiles in exchange for a temporary ban on military flights over the island.

[03] NATO-Kosovo

Yugoslavia's response has been to warn the Western alliance it will not tolerate any Nato actions on

its territory.

A spokesman from Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic's ruling Socialist Party says Yugoslavia is a sovereign state. No actions, he explained, can be carried out on Yugoslav territory - including in Kosovo - without Belgrade's consent.

Prominent ethnic-Albanian politician Adem Demaci welcomed the Nato decision to flex its muscle in the air though, calling it the best way of teaching the Serbs a lesson.

Since March over 250 people have been killed in Serbian policing operations in Kosovo, the Albanian majority of which wants independence.

The West has never accepted the independence demand, but it opposes the heavy policing by Serbia, and fears upheaval could spread to other countries.

The Yugoslav government replies that domestic issues post no threat to regional stability.

[04] Expo 98 conference

The European Union took the opportunity to present its organisational plans for the city of tomorrow.

A Lisbon industrial zone that had fallen on hard times was transformed into an ultra-modern convention site for the Expo, complete with accommodation units.

It's a model for Europe.

Christos Papoutsis, a native of Greece, is the EU's energy commissioner.

He told Antenna that the EU needs to take steps to encourage decentralisation in some countries, like Greece, where it is expected that half the population will live in the

Athens area within two decades.

Another issue for the future is energy. With competition for the world's energy sources intensifying, renewable sources of power will become increasingly important.

Clean energy sources: solar, wind, geothermal, and even ocean wave power can all provide clean alternatives to oil; alternatives which can be cheaper.

[05] "Fight for the Future" conference

Current tendencies in business markets and mapping out strategies for their respective businesses pre- occupied those in attendance.

Those at the conference stressed that the nation's top executives have an important role to play in making sure Greece succeeds in meeting the criteria for joining the single European currency.

CEOs' chairman Michalis Pagidas believes that Greece is a better position now than most of the other countries in the world. Greece, in improving its economic efficiency is aiming to be one o the global leaders, not a follower.

Xenia Kourtoglou of the research company "Focus" concluded that the global uncertainty and demanding market conditions hold more opportunities than perils for Greece. Opportunities unexploited though, can become threats, warns one young executive.

The two-day conference was sponsored by Antenna.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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