Antenna: News in English (AM), 98-07-31

Antenna News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

Last Updated: Friday, 31-Jul-98 08:46:50

CONTENTS

[01] Pangalos met Burns

[02] Greek-Turkish borderline incident

[03] Greek-Cypriot woman-European Court for Human Rights

[04] Arsenis

[05] 13th World Basketball Championship

[01] Pangalos met Burns

Neither of them made any statements before or after their meeting, but sources say the meeting was focused on the Cyprus issue and Greek- Turkish relations.

The meeting between Pangalos and Burns lasted for over an hour. It was obvious that both sides tried to keep low key, after the recent tension in the two countries'relations.

There were no statements made, but sources say the US brought up the matter of Pangalos's strong statements regarding American president Bill Clinton.

Last week-end, Pangalos said that the failure of president Bill Clinton to keep the promises made before his presidential election campaigns that the Cyprus problem would be finally resolved, was prompting Greek-Americans to consider donating money to the Greek armed forces Fund rather than to American presidential campaigns.

Sources say that during Thursday's meeting between Burns and Pangalos, the US was given the explanation that Clinton's statements made during a pre- election period were not absolutely consistent with the developments of the last days. Pangalos said that Clinton's pre-election promises differ from the US State Department statements.

Last week, Greece responded angrily to White House spokesman Mike McCurry's claim that the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 was part of a "conflict".

Same sources also say that Pangalos said that Greece considers the Greek- American relations are traditionally good and can be better. He also made clear that his statements were not a personal attack against Bill Clinton.

Sources say that the minister for foreign affairs explained that any US initiative is welcomed by Greece regarding the Cyprus problem, under the condition that it complies with the UN decisions on the issue.

Nicholas Burns also brought up for discussion a proposal for the replacement of the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles which are planned to be deployed in Cyprus this autumn, with the SA-15 missiles, of a smaller range. These missiles, Burns said, would not be considered as "aggressive" by Turkey.

Turkey has threatened to take military action if Cyprus gets the missiles.

[02] Greek-Turkish borderline incident

Greek and Turkish soldiers exchanged fire for about fifteen minutes, but no injuries were reported.

The Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos said that it was an isolated incident.

The shots were exchanged when a Turkish border patrol began shooting in the direction of Greek soldiers from a distance of about 150 meters, and the Greek soldiers returned fire.

The incident ended with the intervention of officers from both sides.

Akis Tsochatzopoulos told reporters that shots had been fired by the Turks, he hoped not intentionally. The Greek soldiers had replied in kind but it was an isolated incident and it was over.

The Greek General Army Staff conducted an investigation on the incident and the Greek government is expected to protest against Turkey through diplomatic channels.

[03] Greek-Cypriot woman-European Court for Human Rights

Titina Loizidou has been fighting for the case since 1989. The European Court for Human Rights awarded Loizidou about five hundred thousand dollars as damages for loss of use of property and moral harm.

The court said the Turkish occupation forces should allow Loizidou to return to the occupied territory and undertake the managment of her land. Loizidou told Antenna that this decision is important not just for her, but to all the refugees who cannot enjoy their property in Turkish occupied Cyprus.

One day later, the Turkish foreign ministry announced that Turkey would not follow the Court's decision, saying they were unable to implement or execute the ruling.

It is not clear though whether Turkey can really refuse to execute the decision as long as it is a member of the European judiciary system. The alternate minister for foreign affairs, Giorgos Papandreou said that the European court for human rights has the jurisdiction to condemn any member of the European council not complying to it's rulings. In the past, any country not complying with the courts decision has been expelled from the European Council.

[04] Arsenis

The committee, which was formed under a decision from the premier, is presided over by the minister of education, Gerasimos Arsenis.

Arsenis told reporters Thursday that the committee was a body which was determined to really deal with the problems of youth such as unemployment, quality of life, education and training.

The committee will re-form early September to draft specific proposals for the government's cabinet.

Arsenis added that the committee's ambition is to sesitise the government to the needs of youth.

The government's plans on the youth issues will be completed in November.

[05] 13th World Basketball Championship

Greece beat Canada 78 to 72 in the indoor Olympic Stadium Wednesday night.

Eleven thousand Greeks filled the stadium. Amongst the spectators were the prime minister Kostas Simitis, his wife Daphne and several government ministers.

And Greece's greatest basketball legend, Nikos Gallis, was also there. Gallis put basketball on the map in Greece, leading the national team to the European championship in 1987.

Frankiskos Alvertis, Panagiotis Fasoulas, Nikos Ikonomou and Giorgos Baloyiannis were among the highest Greek scorers in Wednesday's game.

There were no surprising results in the rest of the games which were played the same day : Argentina beat Australia 66-62, Spain won against Nigeria 80- 68, the US beat Brazil 83-59, Lithuania played against Corea and won with 97-59, Italy beat Senegal 76-66, Yugoslavia beat Puerto Rico 80-66, and Russia beat Japan with 83-58.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

Antenna News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article