Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-06-30

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

Last Updated: Tuesday, 30-Jun-98 21:33:52

CONTENTS

[01] European Central Bank

[02] Prince Philip viséted Acropolis

[03] Papantoniou-Privatisations

[04] Karamanlis' tour in Macedonia

[05] Åcumenical nature of Hellenism-conference

[01] European Central Bank

British prime minister Tony Blair, the outgoing EU chair, said the successful launch of a single Europea currency will be a test of the EU's ability to make its vision a reality.

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis was among the heads of state in Frankfurt for the event, which provided EU leaders with a a chance to discuss the burning political and economic issues of the day.

[02] Prince Philip viséted Acropolis

Before returning home Tuesday, the successor to the Spanish throne said his desire to see the Acropolis had been kindled by his Greek mother.

It's been called the best in the Mediterranean. The sunset at Sounion Monday left the prince in awe as he looked westward past the ancient columns of Poseidon's temple: overwhelmed, Philip advised the cameramen to stop shooting him and train their sights on the western evening sky.

On his last day in his mother's homeland, prince Philip viséted the Acropolis. His guide was impressed by his knowledge and interest in the ancient monuments - in part due to the prince's Greek lineage: his mother, the Spanish queen Sophia, was born and raised a Greek princess.

[03] Papantoniou-Privatisations

Pleased with an offer to purchase the state-owned Bank of Crete for 300 million dollars, Papantoniou said the bid will enhance the market value of two other state banks on the block: the Ionian and Central Greece.

As the government forges ahead with its sell offs, the workers unions aren't so happy.

Ionian Bank employees have vociferously voiced their opposition to their bank being privatised - they fear that it will cost jobs.

Transport minister Tasos Mandelis, who conferred with Papantoniou about public transport sell offs Tuesday, said that no jobs will be shed in sell offs in his area.

Whether or not the reassurances sooth angry workers, Papantoniou says the government isn't turning back. A minority of people, he argues - meaning the unions - can't block the determination of Greek society to move forward.

Papantoniou says the privatisation policy is the only one that can guarantee the success of the government's economic policies overall.

[04] Karamanlis's tour in Macedonia

Karamanlis said that the electricity company must make itself better able to compete in the Balkans as the right to supply power is opened up to private companies.

Tuesday was the end of Karamanlis's tour of Macedonia, a tour during which he has repeatedly attacked the government. In Kozani, he said Pasok is so divided that it's parliamentary majority has been rendered artificial. Pasok, he added, is too divided to rule the country.

[05] Åcumenical nature of Hellenism-conference

Akis Tsochatzopoulos was one of the speakers at a conference on the ecumenical nature of Hellenism in Athens.

Tsochatzopoulos said the international community has the power to impose dialogue on the Serbs and the ethnic-Albanian Kosovars, and it should do so.

The defence minister added that Kosovo should be given greater autonomy within the borders of Yugoslavia, but not the independence the ethnic Albanians are demanding.

At the same conference, the orthodox archbishop of Athens and all Greece said the Macedonia issue was a necessary wake up call to Greeks around the world.

At issue is what the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's permanent name should be. Greece objects to Fyrom's attempt to win recognition as "Macedonia". The name is an important part of Greece's cultural and historical heritage; and Athens fears that use of the name of the Greek province by a neighboring state would open the door to questioning Greece's northern borders.

Christodoulos says that before the name issue blew up in the early 90s, most Greeks were complacent, and had left the fate of their nation exposed to the propaganda of its enemies.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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