Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-02-26

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

News in English, 26/02/97

TITLES

• Greece angered by an EU attempt to put Turkish and Greek Cypriots on an equal footing.
• Keeping the secret of a 76-year marriage a secret
• And, hats off in Patra.

CYPRUS

Athens was dismayed when EU ministers in Brussels called for Turkish- Cypriot participation in the scheduled talks on Cypriot admission into the EU.

At a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels, Britain and Germany tried to give the Turkish regime in occupied Cyprus offical negotiating credentials with the EU.

The two EU members tried to introduce a document calling for the Turkish- Cypriots to be allowed to participate in the scheduled talks on Cyprus's entry into the EU, on equal terms with the Greek- Cypriots.

Greece rejected the document, which for the time being, has been withdrawn.

Greek foreign minister didn't hide his displeasure over his colleagues' move though.

Theodoros Pangalos said Britain and Germany are "charting a hostile course as far as Cyprus is concerned". Greece condemns it and will continue to resist it.

This is the first time that EU members have tried to introduce Turkish-held Cyprus into the talks as an equal player with free Cyprus.

Pangalos warns that if Britain and Germany don't give up their attempt to change EU plans regarding the Cyprus talks, then Greece will veto plans to bring eastern European nations into the EU.

Diplomatic circles in Brussels say the British- German move over Cyprus is just one more indication of a changing climate in the EU, a change that began, they add, when Greece lifted its veto over the EU's customs union with Turkey.

And, following Monday's icy run-in, Britain, at least, seems to be sticking to its position. In an interview with an Athens daily published Tuesday, the British foreign secretary repeats the view his government expressed in Brussels Monday.

"The admission of a divided island into the EU would create significant problems for the EU", says Malcolm Rifkind in Ta Nea. "And that's not a course we or our partners would be willing to follow".

But Greece is not prepared to follow a course which effectively overturns EU policy and recognises the Turkish-Cypriot regime as an honest and equal broker when it comes to Cyprus's relations with the EU.

Says Pangalos: "We won't tolerate violation of earlier agreements by anyone", he says. "The EU doesn't belong to any one member. It belongs to all members".

HOLBROOKE

In Athens, Richard Holbrooke urged Greece and Turkey to open up direct lines of communication to resolve their probelms.

The former US undersecretary of state said a war between Greece and Turkey would be irrational.

Holbrooke, whose name is so closely associated with the Bosnia peace plan, said he'd like to help defuse Greek-Turkish tensions, but can't right now, because of other commitments.

"I don't think a war makes any sense at all", said Holbrooke, "even though some like to talk about one, and though we nearly had one over Imia".

MRS HOLBROOKE

Katie Holbrooke is the chairwoman of the Committee for the Protection of Journalists. At the award ceremony in Athens, she said her committee has been very tough on Turkey.

"I had a meeting with the Turkish ambassador to the US a few weeks ago", she added. "I presented him with a list of 78 Turkish journalists in prison in Turkey. They're only crime is making reference to the Kurdish issue".

The Kyriazis International Centre also awarded the European newspaper and the Greek section of the BBC.

ND

Current party leader Miltiades Evert says his position dictates that he not campaign. There will be time for that at the congress on March 21st he explains.

Nonetheless, Evert has stepped up the number of contacts he's having with leading party members.

And, in an interview with the magazine Nitro, Evert says that New Democracy is a non-class party, and will retain its ideological character if he's reelected leader. He also says that he will support whoever was elected, and that the vote at the congress must put an end to the tendency to question the party leader.

MP Kostas Karamanlis, nephew of the party founder, hasn't declared his candidacy, but has also stepped up his contacts with other MPs, especially those said to support Evert and Giorgos Souflias. There has been speculation either Karmanlis or Evert run for the top post, but NOT BOTH of them. There are also reports that some of his supporters are urging him to declare his candidacy now. And reliable sources say he will do so by Thursday.

MP Giorgos Souflias HAS already thrown his hat into the ring. And he thinks Karmanlis should say what he intends to do. Souflias says he doesn't like the idea of Karmanalis and Evert bargaining over the leadership issue.

Launching his platform at a rally Monday, attended by 17 New Democracy MPs, including Dora Bakoyianni and Stephanos Manos, Souflias said if he's elected party leader, there will be four changes in the party. There will be unity; a collective style of work; the party will regain what he calls its seriousness and credibility; and a climate of victory will be created.

TEACHERS

With a 6-5 vote, the national teachers' union secretariat recommended continuation of the strike over pay.

The final decision will be taken Wednesday.

The strike is now threatening to ruin the school year, as the lost classroom hours may be impossible to make up. That has students and their parents wondering whether the year will have to be repeated.

The teachers say it's in everyone interests to end the strike. They want a meeting with the education minister to discuss all their demands.

The government says it's already worked out the teachers' economic problems, and they should get back to work.

SIKIARIDIOU

There was dance, and art exhibits - all the products of the work of the young people who've been helped by the Foundation.

Chaiman Manolis Sigourakos said, "Our aim is to help these students develop their abilities at school and in their workshops now, so they can integrate into society later".

The evening, entitled 'Dancing With Hope', was introduced by Antenna anchorman Terence Quick.

It was sponsored by British airways.

RED HAIR

The novel by Kostas Mourselas has been translated into French.

At the launch of the French edition in Athens, the author said he always likes to see culture as something that unites the planet, so he's excited to think his book might move the French the way it has moved the Greeks.

"Died Red Hair" invites French readers into the Greece of the 1950s and 1960s, and to get to know its hero Louis, who's been called a contempoary Zorbas.

Actors from the Antenna series read from the Greek version of the book at the launch. Kariofyilia Karabeti was choked by tears as she read. Apologising, she said she can't help but get emotional over a text she feels so close to personally.

ELDERLY

And didn't get much of an answer.

"He's younger", says Vassiliki, without giving too much away.

But what were all those years together like? "I don't remember anymore", she answers.

Kostas is a bit more enlightening. He says they just stuck with it through the hard times. "Sure, we had our arguments, but it was never anything serious".

Married in 1921, when he was 16 and she was 21, the couple has had five kids, 13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

They're impressive not only by their long marriage, but also by their long lives. Asked if having Kostas with her has been the secret to longevity, Vassiliki replies, "No, God's given me that".

PATRA

It's also hats off to a hat happening on the sidelines of the Patra carnival.

It's not all about revelry, there's also something to be learned at this hat exhibition, where you can see just about any kind of head wear you like: tall hats, short hats, flowery and plain, old and post- modern, severe and decorative.

Anyone visiting the exhibition with their own hat in tow, needn't worry: it won't be confiscated and turned into a display say organisers.

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© ANT1 Radio 1997

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