Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-07-20

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

Last Updated: Monday, 20-Jul-98 22:34:32

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus:24th anniversary of Turkey's bloody invasion

[02] Pangalos in Tirana

[03] Archbishop Christodoulos

[04] Fires

[05] Track and field club championship

[01] Cyprus:24th anniversary of Turkey's bloody invasion

While Greek-Cypriots commemorated the day in sorrow and determined to continue their struggle for justice, the Turkish prime minister threatened more violence.

Twenty-four years to the day after the bloody invasion of Cyprus, there were very different scenes on the divided island.

In free Cyprus, there were painful memories of July and August 1974. The day began as it does every year: at 5:30 am, the time when the invasion began, the sirens sounded.

Later, there were numerous demonstrations of pain and anger - women who'd lost oved ones in the invasion went to the notorious Green Line dividing the island, telling the Turks to get out.

And Cypriot president Glavcos Clirides, laying a wreath in memory of those who lost their lives in 1974, said free Cyprus will not accept the status quo in occupied Cyprus, but will continue to fight for justice until justice is done, until the Turkish troops get out.

While Cypriots cried out for a just and viable solution, Turkey celebrated its invasion in martial style.

As ten Turkish F-16 fighter planes landed in the occupied territory, and Turkish ships fired shots off the coast, Turkish president Mesout Yilmaz more or less threatened to invade the island again. During a triumphal anniversary visit to the occupied territory, he said menacingly: "Greece and Cyprus haven't learned the lessons of history. Greek and Cypriot policy is similar to that in the period before 1974".

Responding to the provocations, Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said Turkey's continuing military presence in the occupied north is a sign of weakness, not strength. "It proves Turkey can only illegally impose its will on the island".

Reppas added that the Turkish celebration of the invasion proves that Ankara is being dishonest when it says it really wants to find a way to reunite the island in peace.

[02] Pangalos in Tirana

The Greek foreign minister is in Tirana to discuss the Kosovo issue with Albanian leaders.

Over one hundred ethnic Albanians have been killed in fighting in Kosovo since the start of the weekend.

The latest flashpoint in the ongoing struggle between security forces and the Kosovar separatists is the town of Orahovac, not far from Pristina.

With the town apparently back in Serbian hands, ethnic-Albanian sources reported that 25 thousand people in the area had fled their homes, retreating into the mountains of southwest Kosovo Monday.

The Serbian side reports that 16 foreigners - many of them Arabs, who, like the Albanians, are muslims - were fighting with the Albanians who clashed with Yugsoslav border guards over the weekend.

With a diplomatic settlement nowhere in sight, Albania is asking Greece to act as mediator between Belgrade and the secessionists.

Greek foreign minister spoke to Albanian prime minister Fatos Nano and foreign minister Pascal Milo in Tirana Monday.

Diplomatic sources said Pangalos was planning to meet with representatives of Kosovo's ethnic

Albanians Monday night or Tuesday morning. Pangalos said he would be willing to meet with moderate ethnic-Albanians, but not with the militants.

Greece and the West do not support the KLA's call for total independence; but they want Belgrade to restore the autonomy the Serbian province enjoyed until 1989.

While the US has recently said that the KLA must be included in any peace talks, Greece believes that would be dangerous, since the KLA is not willing to compromise on the independence demand.

The moderate Rugova has seen his popularity dwindle over the past five months, when the Serbs began cracking down on militant secessionists. Rugova says the latest attacks make the chances of a negotiated settlement look more remote.

After the fierce fighting over the weekend, many international observers believe that if there is to be a peaceful resolution of the issue, it must happen soon.

Pangalos said in Tirana that the choice for both sides in Kosovo is simple: blood or negotiations. The violence must stop he added.

[03] Archbishop Christodoulos

Archbishop Christodoulos made his point by referring to a staff the parish had given him as a gift.

Saying his thanks, Christodoulos added, "When this staff was given to me, I was told I can use it to hit those who try to do harm to the church - metaphorically speaking, of course".

The archbishop touched on politics during his sermon. "Greece", he said, "has always paid a high price in international affairs because it believes in eternal values, while those who rule the world believe only in their own interests".

[04] Fires

In one village in the Peloponese, residents fled their homes Sunday to escape the approaching flames.

By Monday, firefighters had the fires there and in other parts of the country under control.

It was a nightmare for the people of Kerynia in the northern Pelopones. As the flames menaced houses, they feared they would see everything they've worked for go up in smoke.

Ashes fell on the village like snow late Sunday, and residents were evacuated from their homes.

With daylight, firefighters brought the flames under control. Five planes dropped water on the burning areas.

The destruction wreaked by the fire - which had a perimeter of 30 kilometers, is great.

There was also devastation in Halkididi in northern Greece.

Eight thousand acres of forest and farm land have been laid waste by a fire in the Cassandra area.

Planes helped 160 firemen and 26 engines douse the flames there.

Airplanes were called in to drop water on a fire in Gortiria too.

[05] Track and field club championship

On the bright side, Niki Xanthou won third place for Greece at the goodwill games in New York. In Greece, the track and field club championship ended with both the Panellinios men and women in first place.

The competition ended with some memorable performances.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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