Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-07-06

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

Last Updated: Monday, 06-Jul-98 21:27:42

CONTENTS

[01] Fires

[02] Athina Onassis

[03] Kofi Annan -Kosovo

[04] N.Burns-4th of July recertion

[01] Fires

Firefighters had put all the blazes out or had them under control Monday.

The government is rushing to the aid of thousands of people whose property was destroyed.

The fires brought tragedy to every part of the country.

67-year-old Evthimia Griparis was burnt to death as she tried to escape a fire on the island of Salamina not far from Athens.

And an 82-year-old shepherd met the same fate in a fire on the island of Evia after trying to save his goats from a forest fire.

Around the country, flames devoured thousands of acres of land.

Having extinguished he blazes, firefighters were on the alert in two areas where the fires scorched forest in Avlona, just outside Athens, and the area at the base of mount Parnitha ringing the capital.

The government is providing all those who've suffered property damage 700 dollars in emergency relief aid.

Free temporary housing is being provided for those who've lost their homes - a total of 70 houses were burnt in the Peleponese, Dilesi, and Evia. 80 more were burnt in Perama.

Nine thousand acres of forestland were engulfed in flames, as were five thousand acres of brushland and four thousand acres of olive trees.

Many of the victims were in shock Monday. Said one woman: "It all happened in a minute. We didn't have any time to react".

Some had a few minutes to grab a few possessions.

One man said he was able to extinguish the flames threatening his house with branches.

But for many other people, the fires are an unmitigated disaster. One man in Avlona said he'd struggled to build his house for twenty years. The flames destroyed his efforts in a few hours.

[02] Athina Onassis

Upon arrival in Athens Athina and the Roussels went to Lagonissi where they will be staying in a villa owned by Onassis's sister.

Accompanied by her father and aunt, Athena met with the new Archbishop of Athensand All Greece, Christodoulos. They discussed Orthodoxy, hellenism, and, sources say, matters relating to the Onassis family.

Archbishop Christodolous gave Athena books on Greek Orthodox divine liturgy and Apostolic cities. He also presented her with a silver replica of a cross from Mt Athos as a momento of their meeting.

Athina Onassis, the sole heir to the Onassis fortune, is considered to be one of the richest teenagers in the world.

[03] Kofi Annan -Kosovo

Kofi Annan says in his report to the Security Council that he favours the sending a diplomatic mission to monitor what's going on in the Serbian province.

Since march, over three hundred people have been killed in Kosovo, where ethnic-Albanian separatists have been pitted against Serbian special forces.

Kofi Annan, like other Western leaders, wants the two sides to sit down and negotiate a settlement.

Annan's report comes as American, European, and Russian diplomats began touring hot spots in Kosovo.

[04] N.Burns-4th of July recertion

US ambassador Nicholas Burns hosted an independence day reception at the embassy Friday.

The reception was attended by many leading politicians and businesspeople.

Archbishop Christodoulou was greeted especially warmly by the ambassador and his wife.

The government was represented by finance minister Yiannis Papantoniou.

All joined in with their American hosts in toasting Democracy in the land of its birthplace.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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