Antenna: News in English, 96-11-05

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

News in English, of 05/11/1996

TITLES

• Former archbishop Iakovos talks about US foreign policy AFTER the US elections.
• Constantinos Mitsotakis says the crisis in New Democracy could be fatal.
• And, Aek shows it belongs with the big boys

IAKOVOS

Former archbishop of the Americas Iakovos talked about what Greece can expect from the US after the presidential election.

ND

The political council talked about ways of resolving the issue, which has divided leading members since Pasok won the September general election.

One of the ideas the council looked at was the suggestion that party vice president Iannis Varvitsiotis be made interim PRESIDENT until the party convention next June can elect a permanent leader. That would need Evert's approval. Another idea discussed was expelling members who go to far in opposing Evert.

No decisions were made at the meeting, but the council is expected to meet again and rule on the issue over the next few days.

On the one side in the leadership debate are those who say the election defeat is proof that Evert has got to go. On the other side are those behind Evert, who says he is the elected leader of the party. He adds that while he can be challenged at the convention, members owe him some respect in the meantime.

The man Evert took over from in 1993, Constantinos Mitsotakis, appears ready to make a dynamic intervention on the issue.

He said Monday that the party's crisis could prove fatal if it isn't ended. "I've never shunned battles in my life," he added, "and I won't do so now".

MP Panagiotis Psomiadis thinks a Mitsotakis initiative would be a bad idea. "I respect him", he says. "But the world is going forward, not backward".

Everyone expects things to come to a head at the congress. But even getting there is no easy matter: Evert's opponents, like Giorgos Souflias, want new local party officials elected - they believe that will make the convention representative. Evert says "no", the existing officials were elected in accordance with the party charter.

Many MPs would like to see the top members get together and map out a mutually acceptable course to the convention. And a petition is being circulated demanding that they do just that. But Mitsotakis OPPOSES that idea.

Whatever the formula eventually arrived at, most party members agree with Christos Markoyiannakis, who says that the leadership issue has got to be seettled once and for all at the congress.

SIMITIS

What everyone expects to see, is an 8 per cent tax on state bonds, until now tax-free, and taxes on large properties.

To go with the new taxes, there will be an end to 282 tax BREAKS for people declaring an annual income of 29 thousand dollars a year or more.

The premier also talked about key foreign policy issues in a meeting with Pasok's Eurodeputies, the foreign minister and other government officials.

Discussion focussed on coordinating the efforts of Pasok's elected officials in promoting Greek foreign policy positions in European capitals.

ECONOMY

That's only one per cent above inflation, and could discourage people from banking on the banks.

One investor said, "People will start looking for other places to put their money, like into state bonds".

The blues could end up following investors there, if the government slaps a tax on bonds, as expected.

COMPUTERS

Now, two computer whizzes have ADDED to the glory, winning medals at the 4th Balkan Informatics Olympics.

There were four Greeks among the 28 young people from six countries who participated in the event in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Fourteen-year-old Athinodoros Panagiotides won a silver medal in the computing contest. One of his teammates picked up a bronze.

Panagiotides started working with computers at home when he was eleven, and has won several medals in a number competitions. His professional dreams include using his computer skills in connection with another science.

SOCCER

Panathinaikos and Aek are closing in on the top spot. Pao just a point out of first after topping Ionikos 1-nil. Aek is also a point shy of first, after pounding Athinaikos 7-nil.

Elsewhere, Ofi gives Paniliakos a cold shower, knocking the new first-division arrival OUT of first, and into fourth place.

Apollon, Iraklis, and Kalamata are all victorious on their home turf.

And Veria and Paok play to draws before their home crowds.

BASKETBALL

Aek is 5 and 1 after ripping Pao up on its own court. A week after Pao LOSES its starting centre John Sally, Aek centre Victor Alexander moves in for the kill. He leads the offensive strike, hitting for 23 points over Pao's big men.

That's Pao's first home loss in league play since it moved into the new Olympic stadium last year. The European champs are now in third place in the Greek pro ranks with a 5 and 2 record.

Running through the other weekend results, all the other home teams are winners. Olympiakos is tied for first after drubbing Vao.

Surprising Peristeri is tied with Panathinaikos for second. Peristeri beats off a late rally Saturday, hanging on for the victory over Panionios.

Apollon picks up the win against Aris.

Paok KOs Piraikos.

And finally, down at the bottom of the standings, Iraklis and Papagou both pick up their second victories of the season.

©ANT1-Radio 1996

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