Antenna: News in English (AM), 97-12-09

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

Last Updated: Tuesday, 09-Dec-97 10:57:33

CONTENTS

[01] Tcohatzopoulos

[02] Stefanopoulos

[03] UNESCO

[04] Weather

[05] Sports

[06] Panellinios

[01] Tcohatzopoulos

Last week, the issue caused discord in Pasok, as education minister Gerasimos Arsenis opposed it.

The government spokesman said Monday that the dispute between the government and education secretary Gerasimos Arsenis over the Nato agreement has not shaken the cabinet, and there's no question of a reshuffle.

Dimitris Reppas said Gerasimos Arsenis supports the government, and is allowed to express differences, but sometimes creates image problems for Pasok with his public remarks. He should express his divergent views through government channels.

Other Pasok MPs commented on Arsenis's public disagreement with Simitis and Tsochatzopoulos.

Christos Smirlis also says disagreements from cabinet members should be taken up through government and party channels. Leading members of the cabinet shouldn't publicise their views first. Arsenis, he added, has made that error repeatedly.

Fivos Ioannides believes that if a minister disagrees with government policy he should resign.

At a press conference Monday, defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos repeated that the Nato agreement poses no threat to Greek sovereignty over the Aegean.

Greece has the same rights as other Nato members, and can object to anything it doesn't like, at any time. Greece will not have to tolerate Turkish air space violations.

Arsenis believes that Greece should oppose the Nato plan, which also includes reopening its regional command in Larisa, and reducing Turkey's commands from three to one. In six months, argues Arsenis, Greece could renegotiate with Nato.

Tsochatzopoulos says Arsenis's proposal regarding the issue, which fits in to Nato's plan to restructure the way it operates, is a non-starter: Greece would find itself backing down in six months if it rejected the agreement now, or find itself out of the western alliance.

Critics fear the agreement will give Turkey equal rights with Greece in the Aegean. Tsochatzopoulos says the critics don't know what they're talking about.

Commenting on the furor, New Democracy's spokesman said the dispute in Pasok shows the government is falling apart, and that conflict within the cabinet is getting worse, and on a number of issues.

[02] Stefanopoulos

But journalists didn't get much out of the nation's political leaders.

President Stefanopoulos wouldn't comment, and prime minister Kostas Simitis sidestepped the question as to whether or not tension is lower in

the government after last week's blow up. "You know", Simitis told the press cryptically.

A number of leading cabinet members were at the reception, as were the leaders of New Democracy, the Left Coalition, and the communist party.

[03] UNESCO

The focus of the conference is "Education and Public awareness for sustainability" and is being attended by representatives from 82 countries.

The message is clear. Day to day changes of our world create not only new needs and capabilities but also new problems, making it necessary for every citizen to be educated on the importance of creating a better environment.

Kostas Laliotis environment minister said, "Ecology is important for society, economy, and education, our everyday lives". Adding that, "To secure the future of our planet it is necessary to adopt new approaches to secure a viable, sustainable development. A Development that respects nature, man and culture".

Education minister Gerasimos Arsenis said, "Dangers threating the environment are perhaps the most difficult challenge to humanity. Why? Because society today is not prepared to face these dangers".

The five day international Conference will also examine matters to help improve the ecosystem of the planet.

[04] Weather

Conditions were the most severe in northern Greece and on the island of Xios.

Giorgos Bizas a hotel owner on Xios said, "The rain was so intense, the hotel was filled with 2 centimeters of water within a span of 15 minutes". Adding that, "Everything was destroyed..television sets, refrigerators".

Streets quickly filled with water and mud, flooding several stores. One shopkeeper said, "We estimate damages of over 21 thousand dollars".

Crews were busy cleaning up the streets from the mud and water, while local officials assessed damages.

Throughout the rest of the country, five villages in the region of Trikala, located in central Greece and 11 communities in the northern part of the country were cut-off due to heavy snowfall this past week-end.

Snow chains were manditory for cars travelling in northern Greece especially in the area of GrevenA.

While boats were not allowed to depart from Pireaus and Rafina due to gale force winds reaching 9 on the beaufort scale.

Meteorologists predict a slight improvement in weather conditions throughout the western part of the country.

[05] Sports

The league leaders get two goals in the first half. Ethnikos picks up a face-saver after the intermission.

With the victory, Aek has 34 points.

Olympiakos is a full game behind, with 31 points, after playing to a weekend draw. Panathinaikos and Ionikos both weigh in with 30 points after their triumphs.

In the other matches, the home sides were all victorious, with the exception of Xanthi, which drops one on its own turf to Panachaiki.

The soccer league voted Christos Kostis and Christof Vazeha as the top soccer players for last season.

Kostis was voted best Greek player and Vazeha, best foreign player respectively.

Olympiakos's Dimitris Eleftheropoulos was awarded as best new player, while Giorgos Parashos and Giorgos Bikas were distinguished as top soccer players by the league's coaches and referees.

On the hard-wood floor, Pao and Olympiakos are 9 and 1.

Olympiakos staves off its second defeat of the season, hanging on at home against Paok, by a final score of 57-51.

Pao has no trouble against Iraklio, as Dino Radja nets 27 points in a winning effort.

Running through the rest of the pack, Aek nudges Aris. Peristeri and Apollon win on the road. As does Sporting, which posts its first win of the season. And Panionios gets the victory over Irakles.

[06] Panellinios

Panellinios's objective in holding the open-house competitions, is to get young people to turn to sports in their free time, and stay away from dangerous habits.

For the fifth straight Sunday, Panellinios staged a sports fiesta.

And hundreds of kids from the central Athens area showed up in their sneakers to take part in the track and field competitions.

Panellinios assistant track and field trustee Kostas Vardalis says, "We've shown the myth that there are no kids in central Athens to be a myth. They're all here".

The best performers in the one-day meets will be taken under the wing of professional trainers, and given the kind of coaching that could be the start of a brilliant career.

But there's more to the Panellinios events than that.

After watching Sunday's competitions, Panellinios president Minos Kyriakou said, "Based on what I've seen, explains, "Panellinios is returning to its glory days. It's a great joy just to see these kids here, where they have air to breathe".

Over Christmas, Panellinios is holding a week- long camp for aspiring athletes. They'll be able to take part in basketball, track and field, swimming, karate, and gymnastics tournaments. All their athletic outfits and food will be provided free of charge.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1997

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