Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-06-01

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

Last Updated: Monday, 01-Jun-98 22:57:15

CONTENTS

[01] Sunday Times-Cyprus

[02] Tsochatzopoulos

[03] �rchbishop-students

[04] Posidonia 98

[05] Soccer

[01] Sunday Times-Cyprus

Theodoros Pangalos says the report is no more than an attempt to put pressure on Cyprus to cancel its missile order.

Greek foreign minister Theodoros Pangalos is calling tendentious a Sunday Times report that the British government already has a plan to evacuate its nationals if Turkey's response to Cypriot deployment of Russian S-300 anti- aircraft missiles is to launch an attack on the Cypriot Republic.

"It's an attempt to put pressure on Cyprus to cancel the order", he says. "It will fail: Cyprus will do what is necessary to defend itself".

The missiles are due to arrive in Cyprus this summer. Resisting considerable foreign pressure to cancel the deal, Cyprus maintains the missiles will provide a defence shield against Turkey.

Turkey, which has threatened to respond with military might to deployment, calls the missiles a threat.

But the Greek defence minister disagrees. "It's naive to assert that the acquisition of an anti- aircraft system by a small country constitutes a threat to Turkey", he says. "The issue has been blown up and a number of countries have gotten involved. They're trying to convince us that the Cyprus problem will be solved if the defensive weapons aren't deployed. That's not true".

Cypriot defence minister Giannakis Omirou calls the Sunday Times story an attempt to blackmail his country into backing out of the sale by threatening to frighten tourists away from Cyprus.

Cypriot orthodox archbishop Chrisostomos, who met with Tsochatzopoulos Monday, says Cyprus is waging a struggle to survive and defend freedom and human rights. Military strength has a fundamental role to play in that.

The British government has distanced itself from the Sunday Times report. Britain says it has not warned travelers that Cyprus could be a risky place to visit.

But Greece's main opposition party insists that the Times report was prompted by the British government. New Democracy wants the Greek government to lodge formal protests over the story with the European Union.

[02] Tsochatzopoulos

Akis Tsochatzopoulos met students from Antenna's journalism school Monday, briefing them on the government's approach to major foreign policy issues.

Tsochatzopoulos told the young people that a strong armed forces are a prerequisite for peace and stability in the Balkans.

He added though, that security is not preserved with arms alone: it will also be enhanced by Greece's participation in closer European Union integration on an equal footing with the larger EU states. Tsochatzopoulos spoke as 4,500 Greek and American military personnel began training exercises in the Aegean.

[03] �rchbishop-students

Christodoulos spoke to a group of high school students in Athens Monday.

Welcomed by a pupil who told the archbishop "I'm sure your frank speech will have bothered some people; as a pole of opposition to the politicians you are unbeatable because you have no political aspiratons".

Christodoulos replied that he's been attacked for speaking his mind and stirring up otherwise calm waters. "But I won't stop talking", he promised, "because I believe that what I say is what the people want and need to hear".

During his speech, Christodoulos had some advice for the youth of today. "I saw some grafitti on the way here", he told them. "It said, 'smash the alarm clocks'. My advice is that you don't smash them. My slogan is 'Wake up'".

After the speech, the students returned to their classes for their year-end exams. They had their school books with them; they also had copies of the New Testament, handed out by the archbishop.

[04] Posidonia 98

Posidonia got underway officially Monday night.

Businessmen and diplomats gathered in a relaxed atmosphere that provides a good setting for the major players in the shipping world to to talk shop. Many of those at Posidonia are showing an interest in the investment climate in Greece.

The event runs for ten days.

[05] Soccer

While Spain lifted the trophy, Greece has no reason to feel inferior.

If the Greeks had been able to capitalise on some golden scoring opportunities and been blessed with a little luck - like on one shot that hit the Spanish goal post, the outcome might have been

different.

It might also have been a different story if the officials had called what was an obvious penalty for the Greek team.

But none of that happened, and Spain's solitary goal in the 67th minute is the only scoring of the match.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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