Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-06-15

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

Last Updated: Monday, 15-Jun-98 22:11:52

CONTENTS

[01] E.U-Carfiff summit

[02] "Determined Falcon"-exercise

[03] Turkey-S300

[04] Vartholomeos-Christodoulos

[05] "Tsiklitiria 98"

[06] Panellinios's summer camp

[01] E.U-Carfiff summit

In Cardiff, Wales, Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis is expected to resist pressure to open the European door to Turkey a little bit wider.

The British chair of the European Union is spearheading attempts to build bridges to Turkey. First, there is the proposal that Turkey be referred to as the EU's 12th candidate member; second, there is the attempt to find a way of bypassing the Greek veto on EU development aid to Turkey.

Turkey's relations with the EU hit a low point last December, when the EU told Ankara to improve its relations with Greece, help solve the Cyprus problem, and clean up its human rights record if it wants closer ties with Europe.

Turkey reacted in anger when the EU refused to give it candidate member status, and said there was no reason to continue its political dialogue with the EU.

Now, some EU members are trying to restore relations with Turkey, and appease Ankara, which objects to the fact that EU membership talks with Cyprus are underway.

Under the threat of a cancelled weaopns order from Turkey, France example, has suggested that the Cyprus talks be shelved until the political problem of a divided Cyprus is solved.

There is no chance that those talks can be scuppered.

And diplomatic sources say Greece is prepared to exercise its veto over any attempts to open the EU door to Turkey before it meets the EU's conditions.

While Greece finds itself alone when it comes to objecting to EU funds for Turkey, some EU members, like Germany and the Scandinavian countries, may also oppose giving Turkey candidate member status at this time.

In Cardiff, EU members will also differ over the Agenda 2000, the framework of EU policy for the first five years of the next century.

The wealthier members, like Britian and Germany, want to cut their funding of the poorer members, like Greece, Portugal, and Spain.

The weaker states argue that if the funding of less developed by more developed countries doesn't continue, then hopes that all the EU economies will one day converge are in vain.

Greek finance minister Giannos Papantoniou says a battle is starting in the EU, and that what we're seeing in Cardiff are only the opening shots.

[02] "Determined Falcon"-exercise

They were taking part in the exercise code-named Determined Falcon, a show of Nato force designed to encourage Yugoslavia from ending its military operations in Kosovo.

Two Greek jets took part in the Nato exercise.

Staging the largest air exercise in the Balkans since the second world war, Nato flexed its muscle in the face of Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic Monday. 84 jets from 13 countries took part in the manoeuvres.

The Western message is: stop the assaults on the ethnic Albanians of Kosovo or face military retribution.

Since late February over 250 people have been killed in fighting in Kosovo, the Albanian majority of which wants independence.

On Sunday four ethnic Albanians and two Serb policemen died in clashes in Decani, which has been at the centre of the conflict in recent weeks.

Nato says the fighting must stop and talks - which made a faltering start a few weeks ago - must begin again.

The planes taking part in Determined Falcon took off from bases in five nations: Britain, France, Germany, Greece, and Italy. Flying into northern

Albania, they cut a course along the border with Kosovo.

From there they entered the air over Fyrom - which also borders on Kosovo - before heading back to Albania.

The exercise was held on the same day that Milosevic visited Moscow for talks with president Boris Yeltsin.

With Yeltsin trying to persuade Milosevic from heeding the Western order to stop his attacks in Kosovo, the Russian military brass frowned on the Nato exercise. Russia'a Nato emissary was recalled in protest.

The Russian defence minister complained that Moscow had not been informed that the Nato manoeuvres were starting.

Russia is opposed to military intervention against Serbia. Moscow argues that the possibilities for finding a diplomatic solution to the Kosovo crisis have not been exhausted.

Meeting in Cardiff, European Union leaders issued a statement directed at both parties to the Kosovo crisis.

They told Milosevic that countries that use violence cannot hope to improve ties with the EU; and they also urged Kosovo's Albanians to forget about independence and stop using terrorism to achieve their ends.

[03] Turkey-S300

The Turks have vociferously opposed the missile deal, but Cyprus says the ground-to-air missiles will enhance its ability to stop an incoming Turkish air atack.

The missiles are scheduled to arrive in Cyprus in July or August. But the Turks say they found parts of the launching platform on board the Natasha I which was inspected as it sailed through the Dardanelles.

The Russians maintain that the ship was carrying tractor parts.

[04] Vartholomeos-Christodoulos

Details of what was an emotional meeting for archbishop Christodoulos and patriarch Vartholomeos, in this report.

A divine liturgy the Fanari church of Agios Georgos marked the first visit of the archbishop of Greece to the ecumenical patriarchate in 24 years.

After the liturgy, archbishop Christodoulos presented ecumenical patriarch Vartholomeos with pontificals made by nuns in Athens.

Christodoulos also invited Vartholomeos to Greece.

Talks on improving relations between the two churches began Monday, the first talks since 1974, when then Greek archbishop Serafeim visited the Fanari.

Christodoulos consents to the opening of a patriarchate office in Athens; he also requests that the Greek church open an an office in Brussels, an office which will have an independent status.

Both sides are full of goodwill. On Sunday, Vartholomeos and Christodoulos planted a small tree at the Theological School of Halki, probably to symbolise their mutual desire for relations of complete cooperation.

[05] "Tsiklitiria 98"

The event is being sponsored by Panellinios Athletic Society.

Three of the world track greats in town were at a press conference with Panellinios management Monday.

There will be plenty of speed at Tsiklitiria 98.

Briton Colin Jackson holds the world record in the 110 meter hurdles; Trinidad's Ato Bolton is was the 1997 world championship gold winner in the 200 meters; and Namibia's Frank Fredericks finished 2nd in the same event in the 1996 Olympics.

Bolton says his goal in Athens is to break the world record in the 100 meters. Jackson and Fredericks say they've arrived in the Greek capital in great shape - they're glad to be back 10 months after the World Track and Field championships that were held in Athens.

Kostas Spyropoulos of the Panellinios board of administrators says this is an emotional time for his club, which decided to organise the Tsiklitiria as a world-class meet just over two months ago.

He promised that Tsiklitiria will be an annual showcase event.

Bolton says he took his invitation to participate as a sign that he should return to Athens to fulfill his dreams.

Jackson says he's always glad to come to Athens, where he had his first international success. In 1986 he won gold at the world junior championships.

Fredericks thanks the organisers for inviting someone from Africa to attend the Tsiklitiria, because it's tough for Africans to get into top meets.

The athletes' promise to put on a good show for everyone Wednesday night.

"Hi, I'm Colin Jackson. I'm a world record holder for 110 meter hurdles and I'm waiting for you Wednesday night, 6.30 at the Olympic Stadium. Be there".

"This is Frank Fredericks from the continent of

Africa, country of Namibia. Come out and watch us, 6.30 on Wednesday. It will be a good show".

[06] Panellinios's summer camp

This camp for youngsters funs until the 20th of June. A second six-day camp starts on the 22nd.

Youngsters can try their hand at whatever their hearts desire, from basketball, to track and field, to swimming.

Forer NBA player Ruel Robinson was on the court with the young cagers Monday. The former Laker thinks it's a great way for kids to learn about sports from the experts while having a good time.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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