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Antenna: News in English (AM), 98-07-15Antenna News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: antenna@compulink.grLast Updated: Wednesday, 15-Jul-98 08:40:31CONTENTS
[01] St. Clair visited AcropolisThe English historian who put the spotlight on the damage done to the Parthenon Marbles at the British Museum met with the Greek culture minister and visited the Acropolis Tuesday.William St Clair's book "Lord Elgin and the Marbles" documents how in the 1920s workers were ordered to scrape and scour the Marbles white with metal brushes and cleaning agents. On the Acropolis, the author of the book said he was impressed by how the ancient ruins there are being cared for. "I think it's very impressive...tremendous care... modern technology...amazing to see it". That comment, like the documentation of the mistreatment of the Elgin Marbles in Clair's book, weakens the British government's argument that the Marbles can be better cared for in London; and supports Greece's argument that the treasures can be well looked after in Athens. [02] Jet skis will be banned from popular beachesJet skis and speedboats are going to be banned from popular beaches, including those belonging to the the Greek Tourist Organisation.The council of state, the nation's highest constitutional court, issued its decision after people on the island of Syros lodged an appeal against plans to float a seasport platform off the coast of their village. While the beaches may be quieter places, not everyone thinks the ban is a good idea. The ruling means that as early as next month the buzzing of jet skis and fast boats may be a thing of the past at Greece's touristic beaches. In its decision the court states that beaches are recreational and relaxation areas, and so the peace and quiet shouldn't be disturbed by the sound of engines. The ban may please some beach-goers who find jet skis annoying. But Christos Stamboltzis, a jet ski champion who sells the speedy vehicles at a shop in Athens, says the ban will be a disaster. "It'll ruin everyone who rents jet skis", he says. It'll ruin those of us who sell them here in Athens. And it'll hurt tourism...we'll lose tourists who want jet skiing and other sea sports to be a part of their summer vacation". While the council of state decision mentions peace and quiet as a consideration in ordering the jet ski users to move on to other beaches, the determining factor was the increase in the number of jet ski accidents. But Stamboltzis says safety is no excuse for the ban. "There was an accident recently, and immediately the ban is imposed at developed beaches" he points out. There are accidents on the roads too, but no car bans. Ironically, many people who make a living off the jet ski business say they don't know anything about the court decision. But if the ruling is to take effect this summer, with consequences as dire as Stamboltzis predicts, then that state of blissful ignorance is unlikely to last very long. [03] PrivatisationsIt'll be a hot August on the Greek stock exchange as the government places shares on a number of state-owned companies on the block.The Commercial Bank got things going Tuesday, publishing a tender for the sale of 51 per cent of its subsidiary, the Ionian Bank. The Ionian is the largest bank to be privatised and is a key element in the government's efforts to meet targets for participation in the European Union's single currency by 2001. Prospective buyers have until August 24th to submit bids. Joining the Ionian in the government's sell-off plans are the Duty Free Shops and the Bank of Central Greece. The national railway company may also find itself in private hands soon. [04] Clerides-S300The president of Cyprus reiterated Tuesday that his government will buy anti-aircraft missiles from Russia.After talks with Russian officials in Moscow, Glavcos Clirides said the S- 300 missile deal could only be cancelled if an agreement were reached to demilitarise all of Cyprus. Turkey has been in military occupation of northern Cyprus since 1974 and maintains in excess of 30 thousand troops there. Clirides did not say when the missiles would be delivered. They were originally expected to arrive this summer, but that date was recently revised to the autumn. Turkey has threatened to take military action if Cyprus gets the missiles. And with many Western nations, particularly the US, repeatedly asking Cyprus to cancel or postpone the deal, there has been uncertainty over when it will be completed. Clirides vows to pay for the missiles whether they are delivered or not. [05] DIKKI is backing Bays' candidacyDimitris Bays, recently thrown out of Pasok for announcing that he would run against his party's candidate for mayor of Athens this autumn, has won the support of another former Pasok member.Dimitris Tsovolas says his Democratic Movement is backing Bays' candi-dacy. Tsovolas left Pasok in 1995, disenchanted with the the government's ever- tighter economic policies and what he saw as a general move to the right. He believes that by throwing his weight behind Bays, he can strengthen the flow of voters from Pasok to his party. Pasok's candidate for mayor is Maria Damanaki, but Pasok members who oppose her candidacy and many of the government's policies were absent from a Damanaki party Monday night. Asked if that's an ill omen, juustice minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos said not at all - he thinks she'll do just fine at the ballot box. [06] SportsMid-fielder Aliosha Asanovich, who helped Croatia to a third-place finish in the World Cup in Paris a few days ago, has signed to play with Panathinaikos.Asanovich was named to the World Cup all-star team, and Pao will be expecting much of its new star next season. Asanovich says he's looking forward to playing with the Athenian club, especially in the European champions' league tournament. The Croatian star leaves Greece again Wednesday for a short vacation before returning to join Pao's training camp. Sports fans will be able to get the latest on their favourite Greek teams and players on the internet. The minister for sports, Andreas Fouras, opened the new sports information centre Tuesday. Fouras said the aim is to get information out to the fans and general public, and help bring fans into contact with each other. Internet users will not only be able to get the latest results and communicate with each other, they'll also be able to delve into the history of sports in Greece. The minister also believes the internet site will have a civilising effect on the unruliest of fans. "It's a way of getting the ideals of sports across to people", says Fouras. "It'll help us turn the most rabid fanatic into a fan". (c) ANT1 Radio 1998Antenna News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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