Antenna News in English 210696

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From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: [email protected]

News in English, of 21/06/1996

TITLES

• Pasok's vice presidential conundrum divides the party.
• Celebrating Greece's independence.
• And, an opera under the Acropolis.

PASOK

CABINET

The two men will likely be the main contenders for the office of Pasok vice president, which will probably be created at Pasok's congress next week.

The vice presidential issue is creating tension within Pasok, for whoever wins the title, if it is created, will probably be in a good position to eventually claim the party leadership.

Some members of the party's executive bureau want Mr Simitis to agree to the creation of the post of vice president, and not to run for it.

Otherwise, they say they may not support his bid to run for prime minister in the next elections.

On their way to Florence, the two men likely to be the main contenders for Pasok's vice presidency, prime minister Kostas Simitis and interior minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos had a long talk.

On the ground back in Greece, it seemed that tension was running higher between their respective supporters within Pasok.

According to supporters of the prime minister, at next week's congress, Mr Simitis will ask that the party not choose a vice president, and that the prime minister instead be given the green light to be the party president's deputy.

That has come as a bomb. Until now, the thinking has been that Mr Simitis would simply claim the vice presidency. And, indeed, his backers say if the congress insists on electing a vice president, Mr Simitis should be a nominee.

Tsochatzopoulos backers responded with tough language. MP Manolis Daskalakis, with close ties to party leader Andreas Papandreou, said the plan to give Mr Simitis all of Mr Papandreou's powers is "hypocritical".

From the Simitis camp, MP Giorgos Paschalides replied, "the congress must give clear and final solutions to leadership issues: that means specific names and responsibilities".

Mr Simitis has long said that there must be one man at the top of the party and government, to prevent confusion.

Tsochatzopoulos says a collective leadership is more democratic.

In the run-up to the congress, which starts June 27th, the two sides continue to plan and manoeuvre. The foreign and development ministers, supporters of Mr Simitis were to meet in a private home Wednesday night. That didn't happen, because the police noticed that there were TV crews and people gathering down the street. It turned out that Tsochatzopoulos was holding a meeting with mayors and friendly MPs, in the run-up to the congress.

ND

Evert said, "It's inconceivable that the internal problems of any party should prevent parliament from working".

Evert added that his party asked for a parliamentary debate on the country's problems three weeks ago, and that under parliamentary regulations, the government was obliged to accept that request.

Evert believes that the government will be forced to call early national elections, and that even within Pasok many think the government should go to the people early.

The opposition leader thinks he'll win the elections, whenever they come.

New Democracy has already formed its election committee, and the party's central committee secretary, Stavros Dimaas says the party conference that starts Friday marks the beinning of New Demcocracy's march toward victory.

JOURNALISTIC CONGRESS

Hundreds of journalists from around the world are taking part in the four-day conference.

Local authorities in northeastern Greece are sponsoring the event. Giorgos Dolios, governor of the border prefecture of Evros, says the aim is to give this year's congress a wider, Balkan and Black Sea dimension. He hopes that broadening out will continue next year.

The reporters at the conference will have the chance to enjoy the natural beauty of Samothraki, and to attend concerts and dances. Among the stars who will be performing on the conference fringe is well-known contemporary music composer Dionysis Savopoulos. There will also be local colour, in the form of folk dance groups from Thrace.

MIAOULIA

This weekend's three-day festival coincides with the death of admiral Miaoulis.

The Miaoulia has been held since 1949. This year's celebrations will include sporting and cultural events.

On Saturday night, a Greek-Turkish naval battle will be re-enacted.

Konstantinos Anastopoulos, Hydra's mayor, says "The Miaoulia celebrations are dedicated to the sea, to Miaoulis, to all the admirals, the fighters of 1821. It's the festival of the Greek sea, of the Aegean".

Given the trouble Greece is once again having with Turkey in the Aegean, Anastopoulos says this year's fest is well-timed.

OPERA

"Tourandot", Puccini's last opera, is based on a fairy tale from the orient.

The exotic atmosphere of Tourandot, the exquisite stage props and costumes, and, not least of all, two famous opera singers made it a production to remember.

In the lead roles, Franceska Patanai and Nikola Martinoutsi held the audience in thrall.

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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