Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-03-08

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

News in English, 08/03/97

TITLES

• As, the count down begins for Albania's rebels.
• In Washington, Greek and American leaders call for a peaceful solution.
• And, Athens is among the five finalists for the 2004 Olympics.

ALBANIA

The government, in agreement with the country's opposition parties, gave armed rebels 48 hours to hand over the weapons they've taken from army stores.

In return, president Sali Berisha has agreed to grant the rebels an amnesty - unless they've committed crimes - and come up with a new prime minister all the opposition parties agree to.

But, as Antenna's Argyris Dinopoulos reports from Agiou Saranta, the rebels say that offer isn't good enough.

The government ultimatum is in place, but the rebels in southern Albania weren't budging Friday from their roadblocks outside key towns under their control.

In Agiou Saranta, the main port city in southern Albania, president Sali Berisha's amnesty for guns offer was rejected. Berisha is also offering to set up a special all-party committee to investigate the collapse of shady investment schemes that cost nearly every Albanian family money, and sparked the first anti-government protests nearly two months ago. But the rebels, and the residents of many cities and villages in southern Albania know what they want: Berisha out and their money back.

Their minimum demand for turning over their weapons, which include tanks and cannons, is a Berisha resignation and elections.

"We want peace, but Berisha must go", said one man, expressing a widespread sentiment.

The rebels have been organised militarily under the aegis of retired army officers. But as yet, they have no political representatives, just their determination to defend their towns until their demands are met.

"I'm 30 years old", said one man. "I don't even know how to use this rifle. We're ordinary citizens forced into this by Berisha".

Bracing themselves for a government attack when the ultimatum runs out, rebels at the key roadblock outside Agiou Saranta stepped up preparations for conflict. A second tank has been brought in to help stop a government advance.

The spirit of defiance runs through the population. Schools are closed, so many youngsters accompany their parents to the roadblocks. Even primary school children can be seen toting Kalashnikov rifles.

But even the children say their message is peace. One boy with a gun also had a flower, to show Berisha and the world that the rebels do not want a military engagement.

The spontaneous expressions of anger early in the week have been replaced by discipline and order. A new police chief is in place in the city. One of the first things he's done is to prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from bearing arms. But he also said people 18 and over will continue to carry guns. He says he wants political dialogue to start to find a peaceful soltution to the crisis. When a solution is found, he adds, the guns will be turned over to the government.

The move toward organisation was evident in nearby Delvino, another rebel stronghold. There, a committee has been chosen to exercise authority in the town.

In Agiou Saranta, the first minor food shortages appeared Friday. The orthodox church is among those trying to drum up food and other aid for the people in the rebel areas. One priest said eveyone's angry and wants their back. Most of all, he added, they want freedom. Many rebels say they're getting their first taste of freedom from Berisha's repressive regime. And they don't want to go back.

ALBANIA REACTION

The Greek foreign minister discussed Albania with the American secretary of state.

Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos and US secretary of state Madeleine Albright said after their meeting that they are both concerned about the situation in Albania.

Alright said she shares Pangalos's worry that upheaval in Albania could result in a wave of refugees heading for Greece. The only satisfactory solution to the problems of Albania, she concluded, must be a peaceful, political one.

Pangalos said Greece is in close contact with political leaders in Albania, and is coordinating its diplomatic efforts to help achieve a settlement with the US.

Pangalos also said the fate of the minority is a priority for the government. He added that Greece has considerable interests in Albania. He also said that Greece has been urging the European Union for some time to lend assistance to Albania, Europe's poorest country, but the advice was unfortunately unheeded.

EU chair Holland has sent its foreign minister to Tirane. Dutch foreign minister Hans von Milo stopped off in Athens, for talks with the Greek prime minister Thursday night.

Afterwards, von Milos said the EU must help find a solution to the Albania crisis. Kostas Simitis said violence could only have negative consequences for Albania, and that only a political solution will work. Simitis added that Albania has a duty to protect the Greek minority and see that human rights are respected.

Also expressing concern for the Greek minority, Greek public order minister Giorgos Romaios said achieving social and political stability in the neighbouring country should be everyone's aim.

PANGALOS-ALBRIGHT

Madeleine Albright said the US want to see an improvement in Greek-Turkish relations. The two nations are Nato allies, she added, and should discuss the issues separating them.

"We're worried about tension in the Aegean", said Albright. "We think dialogue is the best way to solve problems between them".

Greece has repeatedly said it will not negotiate over its Aegean rights with Turkey.

But after meeting with Albright, Theodoros Pangalos said the US isn't necessarily talking about negotiations when it talks about dialogue. Greece still rejects Turkey's calls for negotiations, he added, but has never ruled out the possibility of bilateral political contacts.

ALEXANDER

Vuk Drazgovich adds that the solution to Serbia's troubles lies in the restoration of the crown.

2004 OLYMPICS

The International Olympic Committee named the finalists in Laussane, Switzerland.

Joining the Greek capital are Buenos Aires, Capetown, Rome, and Stockholm.

The IOC will announce winning city on September 5th.

PARIS RUN

Harris Papadias did it, finishing first in the 60 metre dash, clocking a time of 6 and a half seconds. That's a new Greek record.

Greece's first-ever championship medal came two years ago in Barcelona, when Lambros Papakostas placed second in the high jump.

SOCCER

Aek took a solid first step toward the tournament semi-finals, playing to a scoreless draw against St Germain in Paris.

With a victory in the second match in Athens, Aek goes through to the semis.

BASKETBALL

Panathinaikos won its best-of-three opener at home against France's Limoge. The final score there, 68- 67. The winner of that series goes on to the quarter-final round.

Olympiakos also has its eyes set on a spot in the quarters, after its road win against Partizan of Belgrade. Olympiakos takes the home court advantage away from Partizan with an easy 81-71 triumph.

© ANT1 Radio 1997

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