Antenna: News in English, 96-10-30

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

News in English, of 30/10/1996

TITLES

• Iakovos says he's pessimistic about the Cyprus issue.
• Greek troops return from a tour in Bosnia.
• Human help for a dolphin in distress.

IAKOVOS

Turkey has been in occupation of part of Cyprus since 1974. It has ignored repeated UN calls for it to get its troops out.

Iakovos says that despite the Clinton administration's expressed desire to actively seek some solution to the Cyprus problem, he doesn't expect much.

"I don't see any solution for Cyprus", he says. "I don't see any the will in the free democracies to impose the rule of law on the island. It's a situation where there hasn't been any progress, just words and promises".

Iakovos feels that the US has shown indifference over the Turks trodding all over human rights in Cyprus.

The former archbishop's pessimism extends to other Greek foreign policy issues.

Greece has objected to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Maceonia trying to win international recognition under the name of "Macedonia". That name has roots in ancient Greek history. Furthermore, Greece worries that in adopting the name as its own, Fyrom would be paving the way for future claims on the neighbouring Greek province of Macedonia.

The US and the UN are trying to work out a compromise on the name issue. But Iakovos says that's not enough.

"The problem isn't finding a name both Greece and Fyrom can accept", he explains. "The issue is that all nations should be bound to observe each others' history. Especially in the Balkans".

Even though he resigned as archbishop this year after nearly four decades in the post, Iakovos isn't thinking of retiring from serving the church.

He told Antenna's he'd be willing to work toward the goal of achieving understanding between the churches, if ecumenical patriarch Vartholomeos asked him to.

"I'll do whateve I can to unite the forces of Christianity", he says, adding that they should have the same dream for a peaceful new millennium.

BOSNIA

Some of the troops who've been helping oversee implementation of the Dayton accord, completed their tour and flew back to Greece. 45 Greek volunteers landed at Thessaloniki airport over the weekend. 65 were dispatched to replace them at the mission near Sarajevo.

The returning soldiers had good words to say about their experiences. One man said, "Things were calm over the last six months".

A second added that things were a lot better in Bosnia than he'd expected.

Another seemed satisfied with the pay. They got around 4 thousand German marks a month, the same amount their American counterparts received.

But however good the conditions were in Bosnia, there's no place like home.

One soldier said, "We missed our family and friends, and we were on duty 24 hours a day".

UNESCO

The message was that all nations should live together as good neighbours.

UNESCO's Dodecanese chapter, and the island of Kalymnos organised the toast to peace.

Led by the Olympios Apollon, the fifty fishing boats sailed to within 6.5 miles of the rocks of Imia in the Dodecanese. Like so many other Greek islands, Imia sits a stone throw from the Turkish coast.

In January, Turkey tried to claim Imia, and landed troops on one of its rocks.

But on the 50th anniversary of UNESCO's foundation, the boats stayed in the area for about an hour, making a different message clear: that nations should co-exist peacefully.

Later, they sent the same message out in a different form, releasing 50 pigeons into the air.

ECONOMY

Iannos Papantoniou discussed hirings and Pasok's new pay policies with interior minister Alekos Papadopoulos.

Pasok intends to reduce the size of the state payroll by hiring one new person for every five that leave the civil service.

ND

Despite that, his opponents want him out. They want the congress next June to choose his successor.

The next chapter in the drama could come this Thursday, when the parties MPs meet.

Sources say that in his opening speech Evert will urge party members to stop being introverted politically. In other words, to stop dealing with internal issues, and start dealing with being members of an opposition party.

Sources also say that if provoked, Evert may also tell anyone who wants to speak against him to do so at the parliamentary group meeting, or else hold their peace until the party congress next June.

Soulias, Dora Bakoyianni, and Stephanos Manos are in the front line of those opposed to the Evert leadership.

But the issue is on the minds of all the party's top members. Many MPs expressed their belief that all will end well, and that a solution will be found between now and the end of the congress.

There were reports over the weekend that Evert opponent Constantinos Mitsotakis had proposed that party vice president Iannis Varvitsiotis be made interim party leader.

Varvitsiotis denied the reports.

OLYMPIC FARES

Starting November 1st, there will be cheaper tickets on a number of domestic and international routes. Passengers will be able to save up to 50 per cent on some flights from Greece to the US, Europe, and Asia.

Olympic is also starting new flights to Budapest, Prague, and Moscow.

SHOP HOURS

Department stores and large clothing and shoe chains announced that they'll be staying open till 8 o'clock Saturday night from now on.

The new hours will hold for the chic Athenian shopping districts of Kolonaki, Kifissia and Glyfada at first.

Merchants' and employees' associations are opposed to the longer hour plan. They asked for the large stores to meet to discuss it, but the big store owners say their minds are made up. The open for business sign will stay in the windows later on Saturday.

DOLPHIN

Residents of Igoumenitsa, which looks across to the island of Corfu, rushed to the rescue of a wounded dolphin.

The dolphin had been shot. Residents and fishermen did what they could to take care of the injured animal, even cuddling it.

With the help of the local port authority, the dolphin was finally taken to the open sea. Local residents only hope that the animal manages to survive.

SOCCER

Paniliakos drops into second place after playing to a 1-1 draw with Ionikos. Paniliakos now has four wins and two draws.

Panathinaikos is in third place. It plays a scoreless match against Aris.

Running through the other weekend scores:

Aek and Panachaiki stay tied for fourth place following their home victories.

Ofi also a winner, and is in seventh place in the division standings.

Xanthi and Klamata end all even.

And Edessaikos and Kavala both come out ahead at home.

BASKETBALL

Aek is now in a three-way tie for first with Panathinaikos and Olympiakos.

Pao hangs on to beat Sporting 78-75.

Olympiakos comes through against a tough opponent on the road.

Playing Aris without injured centre Panayiotis Fassoulas and the explosive Dimitris Papanikolaou, Olympiakos relies on David Rivers.

He's the only visiting player to score in double figures, but his 22 points prove to be enough, as Olympiakos beats Aris 60-52.

Elsewhere, Panionios downs slumping Iraklis. Larisa upsets Paok. Apollon runs past Piraikos. And Papagou outlasts Vao.

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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