Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-08-12

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

News in English, 12/08/97

TITLES

• Talks at reuniting Cyprus set to resume this week, with both sides discouraging optimism
• A complete wrap-up of the Greek performances at the world track and field championships
• Antenna secures the rights to broadcast the Greek championships First Division.

CYPRUS

The talks set in Montreaux Switzerland are beginning with both sides trying to discourage expectations of much progress despite mounting pressure for a solution that has eluded mediators for decades.

The talks brokered by the UN seem to be starting with both sides discouraging optimism. Greek Cypriots are showing mounting frustration over recent provocative statement's made by Turkish- Cypriot leader Denktash. And the recent signing of the association agreement between Turkey and the self-proclaimed Turkish-Cypriot state only signals closer integration with Turkey on an economically, militarily and political level.

UN secretary Koffi Anan in Stockholm said of the recent signing, "The association agreement doesn't help direct talks in Switzerland, but I hope it won't be an obstacle for them". Adding that he hopes for more progress in the second round of talks.

Turkey fears the Cypriot government's drive to join the European Union with Turkish-Cypriot leader Denktash saying last week, "that if Cyprus's EU membership talks start, then he may NOT meet with Cliredis in Switzerland.

Denktash and his officials are steadfast, saying that if Cyprus's membership into the EU continues, the bilateral talks between the two divided sides will stop. He is also requesting that the Russian S-300 anti- aircraft missile system not be deployed at all in Cyprus.

It's considered certain that ClirEEdis WON'T accept these pre-conditions, so the second round's best possible outcome would be just a common statement made by both sides, agreeing to continue the talks. ClirEEdis is requesting the withdrawal of Turkish troops and settlers from the northern part of the island and the return of refugees to their homes.

Diego Cordovez, the UN special advisor on Cyprus said the meeting would focus on legal and institutional texts rather than actual problems such as the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the

Turkish northern part of the island. Saying that, "Were not expecting them to solve the problem now."

CYPRUS/MEMORIAL SERVICE

Services were held at the Saint George orthodox church in Paralimni, Cyprus.

One year ago on August 11th, 1996 during a peaceful anti-occupation protest in Cyprus' neutral zone. Tassos Isaac lost his life. While trying to escape a Turkish mob, including members of the Turkish occupation authorities, Isaac became entangled in the barbed wire where he was clubbed and stoned to death by his assailants just a few feet away from free Cyprus.

Three days later, at another peaceful demonstration condemning the murder of Isaac, Solomos Solomou, Isaac's second cousin was shot dead by Turkish troops as he tried to lower the Turkish flag just inside occupied territory.

The memorial service was attended by family members, political leaders from Greece and Cyprus and well as hundreds of Cypriots come to pay tribute to two young men who sacraficed their lives in an effort to see their country free once again.

CYPRUS/TRIBUTE

For free Cyprus, the tragedy began on August llth, with the untimely violent death of both Tassos Isaac and his cousin Solomos Solomou during a peaceful protest over the 22 year long Turkish occupation.

In this story, we recall the most tragic display of violence on the island since the Turkish occupation of 1974. Witnessing the brutal murders of these two Greek-Cypriots by Turkish who have never been brought to trial. And remembering that these young men sacrificed their lives for a higher ideal: that of seeing their country free once again.

During the peaceful anti-occupation protest a Turkish mob, which included members of the right- wing Turkish paramilitary organization, the 'grey wolves' descended on the peaceful protestors, who tried to run to safety in the free zone. 24 year old Tassos Isaacs never made it. He became tangled in the barbed wire that separates free Cyprus from the neutral zone.

There as United Nations peacekeepers looked on, Tassos Isaac was beaten to death: clubbed and stoned. Video also showed that the death blow came from an axe held by a member of the "Grey Wolves".

Three days later after Isaac's funeral, Greek cypriots gathered at the place were he was murdered, wanting to lay a wreathe in remembrance. It was another peaceful demonstration now condemning the murder of Isaac.

In anger against the senseless murder Isaac's second cousin, Solomos Solomou, slipped behind the barbed wire, just inside occupied territory. There in front of the Turkish guard post, he climbed the flag pole in an attempt to lower the Turkish flag. He was shot to death by Turkish soldiers - hit three times.

Exactly one year after the two young men were senselessly and brutally murdered, their assailants are still free. Cypriot authorities identified two of the people involved in the murder of Solomou. One of them is Turkish- Cypriot Kenanakin. The other murderer is identified as Eltan Emanet.

After knowing their identities last year through photographs and video tapes recording the murders, both Turkish occupied Northern Cyprus and Turkey have as yet to prosecute the murders. Instead, two days after the shooting, Akin was given the agriculture portfolio of the self-proclaimed Turkish-Cypriot state in Northern Cyprus. And the other murderer, EltAn EmanEt is commander of the Turkish-Cypriot special military forces.

The Cypriot government has issued eleven arrest warrants in total for the murderers of the two Greek-Cypriots.

Out of the cycle of death springs forth life, and in this instance it was followed by the cry of a baby. One month after Isaac was murdered, his brave widow gave birth to a girl. The Greek state became her godparent. She was named AnastasEEa, "Resurrection", in memory of her father, who died for his country's resurrection.

ANTENNA/EXCLUSIVE

Securing the rights for two years to the exclusive direct broadcast of soccer games in Greek Championship's first division is sure to make overseas sport fans happy.

Antenna Satellite and Antenna Pacific will broadcast 102 soccer games in total for each game period in the United States and Australia.

Antenna remains the only live electronic bridge between Greece and Greeks living abroad. Linking Hellenism by bringing important national, political, cultural and athletic issues closer to viewers living in the US and Australia on a daily basis.

WORLD TRACK

At the 6th World Track and Field championships ending this weekend in Athens, the young athletes soared, improving their own person best, breaking national records with Greece securing two proud medals. Kostis Gatsioudis won the bronze medal in the men's javelin and Niki XAnthou secured the silver medal in the women's long jump.

Olga Vasdeki broke the panhellenic record in the triple jump at 14.62 meters, just narrowly missing the bronze to Ukraine's YielEna GkovOrova with only a 5 centimeter lead over Vasdeki.

Over 50 thousand people cheered Kostas Gatsioudis on during his javelin throw on August 5th. Gatsioudis made Greeks all over the world proud with his steadfast javelin throw of 86.64 meters, winning the bronze medal.

Lambros Papakostas surpassed his own personal best with a high jump final of 2.32 meters, placing sixth in the world at the men's high jump final.

Stella Tsikouna surprised everyone in the finals with her female discus throw of 61.92 meters, placing seventh in the world.

Christos Meletoglou broke the panhellenic record held for sixteen years by Dimitris Michas in the triple jump final. Michas record of 17.04 was broken by the 25 year old Meletoglou at 17.12 meters, securing 7th place in the world for Meletoglou.

Giorgos Panagiotopoulos, competing against legendary runners in the men's 200 meter final secured 5th place with a time of 20.32 seconds. His own personal best.

A day just before the Games ended, could be considered by some as the most important for Greece's track-and-field athletism. Niki Xanthou secured the silver medal in the women's long jump final at 6.94 meters. After winning, the 24 year old athlete exclaimed, "It was a medal I've been trying to win for quite some time. Fortunately, I won it in Greece. I received a lot of encouragement by Greeks attending the Championships. They helped me and encouraged me with their presence and enthusiasm. I'd like to warmly thank them".

Mirella Tzelili made it to the finals of the javelin, placing llth with her own personal best of 63.5 meters.

Even though they didn't make it to the finals, many Greek athletes broke national records showing that they are spirited, up and coming contenders.

Angelos Pavlakakis broke the panhellenic record in the men's 100 meter race with 10.11 seconds. The Greek men's team in the 4 to 100 meter relay broke the national record in the preliminaries with 38.74 seconds. And, the men's 4 to 400 meter relay also broke the national record by 3 minutes and 5.43 seconds.

WORLD TRACK/LAST DAY

The celebration atomsphere combined with the gathering of athletes who had participated in the Games, was followed by the ceremonial lowering of the International Amateur Athletic Federation's flag.

After Greece's flag was lowered, Greece's silver medalist in the high jump, Niki Xanthou had the honour of delivering the IAAF's flag to Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos.

The IAAF flag was then passed in a procession to top ranking Greek officials finally being delivered to the mayor of Seville, the Spanish city where the next World Track and Field Championships will be held in two years.

The closing ceremony ended in a rapture of colorful fireworks lighting up the Athenian sky. The stadium boards were alight with the phrase, "good- bye Athens, to the accompaniment of three characteristically Greek songs which were cheered along by ceremonial attendants clapping in unison to the rhythm of the songs.

SEGAS