Antenna News in English 141096

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

News in English, of 14/10/09/1996

TITLES

• The prime minister combines economic austerity with a human face.
• A Turkish air force pilot's gratitude to his Greek rescuers.
• And, the ecumenical orthodox patriarch talks to Antenna.

SIMITIS/ECONOMY

He said Pasok will strike a balance between the need for economic austerity and the need to help those who have the most trouble making ends meet in society.

And, as Daniel McCormac tells us, he expressed the hope that the opposition will accept his economic policies in a spirit of consensus.

SIMITIS/FOR POL

Greece sees itself as a mediating link between the EU and the Balkans; it relies on EU diplomatic support against Turkish threats; and believes Cypriot into the EU would be a step forward for the island.

But the prime minister made it clear in his speech that Greece can defend itself when the need arises.

Mr Simitis said Greece's armed forces can deter any threat. Warning Turkey not to try to advance its claims over Greek islands by force, he said that the status quo in the Aegean if clear. If Turkey wants to claim Greek soil, like it did in Imia in January, then it should go to the international court.

Turkey wants Greece to negotiate over the Aegean, but Mr Simitis repeated in his address that Greece's internationally-recognised rights are not up for discussion.

The premier called Turkey a de-stabilising force in the region. His antidote is a security and friendship pact between Balkan nations. Greece, he said, can assist in the economic development and democratisation of its Balkan neighbours.

REACTION

There was little indication after his speech ended that his words went down well.

OSMAN

His co-pilot was not found.

Osman suffered second degree burns, but was released from a hospital in Chios with a clean bill of health, and flown home Wednesday.

Both Osman and the Turkish government expressed their gratitude to Greece for its rescue efforts and the hospital treatment.

But Greece was upset with Turkey's numerous violations of Greek airspace, and of airspace over free Cyprus this week. In Cyprus, the numerous Turkish air provocations coincided with the joint Greek-Cypriot military exercises "Victorious".

Greek defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos said Greece's humane treatment of Osman shouldn't be taken as a sign of weakness before Turkey's bullying behaviour. "We just did our duty, rescuing a pilot and returning him to his country".

Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos said the only way to avoid similar incidents in the future is for Turkish fighters to stop violating Greek airspace and attracting the attention of Greek jets, which are sent to push them back.

Turkey has repeatedly called on Greece to enter broad dialogue over Aegean rights. But the Greek government says before a political dialogue can be started between the two countries, Turkey must prove that it respects Greece's territorial integrity and human rights.

N.D.

On Wednesday, Miltiades Evert, re-elected party leader last week, met with his only opponent in that leadership contest, Giorgos Souflias.

Evert said he's going to be party president for a while. Souflias said Evert's re-election was only a temporary solution. Later in the week, he was more direct. He announced that he will be the candidate for the party leadership at New Democracy's next convention.

SPYRIDON

Spyridon, who replaced retired archbishop Iakovos in September, talked to reporters about his upcoming visit with US president Bill Clinton.

Archbishop Spiridon said he will raise a number of issues of importance to Greeks and Greek-Americans in his first visit with US president Bill Clinton.

The archbishop also called on Greeks living in the US to coordinate their efforts to promote Greek interests with the church.

"A religious leader also tends to his flock's political worries", he said.

PATRIARCH

Patriarch Vartholomeos talked to Antenna a week after an illegal islamic group bombed the patriarchate.

The Islamic Great East Raiders Front claimed responsibility for the the attack on the compound, which caused damage to the church there.

Vartholomeos says, "We aren't afraid because we have God and history on our side".

Fotis Xydas, the Greek consul general in Constantinople, says that the Turkish police haven't released the findings of their investigations. But Greeks in the city consider the attack the work of religious fanatics.

There were no casualties in the bombing. But Vartholomeos says the night watchman at the church was lucky - it was a matter of chance that he wasn't near the explosion site: he'd forgotten something inside the building and gone to get it.

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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