Antenna: News in English (AM), 98-01-27

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From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: antenna@compulink.gr

Last Updated: Tuesday, 27-Jan-98 11:45:32

CONTENTS

[01] Pangalos

[02] Simitis

[03] Poll

[04] Damanaki

[05] Weather

[06] Writes

[07] Minos Kyriakou-Leros

[08] Sports

[01] Pangalos

Turkish vice president Bulent Ecevit responded, saying there should be bilateral dialogue first.

Thedoros Pangalos tells Millyiet that the international court in the Hague is competent to settle all differences between Greece and Turkey.

"Differences should be worked out the legal way", he says. "and the court is one channel for doing that".

In his interview, Pangalos mentions a number of issues, including Turkey's claims on Greek water and air space in the Aegean; the Aegean continental shelf, and who has rights to it; and the military fortification of the Greek islands in the Aegean.

Turkish vice president Bulent Ecevit responded to Pangalos's appeal for Turkey to use the court, by renewing an old Turkish call for bilateral dialogue on all issues first.

Ankara's aim is to cajole Athens into agreeing to negotiate over Greece's soil and sovereign sea and air space in the Aegean.

Something Athens rejects out of hand.

Rebuking Pangalos for quote altering Greek foreign policy unquote with his interview, New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis told party members Monday that the foreign minister's line in the paper - that Turkey should take all its differences to court - is dangerous.

The only Aegean issue Greece recognises is that of the continental shelf. The other territorial issues are a problem for Turkey, which wants to make inroads into the Greek Aegean.

Explained New Democracy spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos, "Pangalos's statements are a slippery slope where Greece's territorial integrity is concerned. We want the prime minister to go on record, and tell us whether or not

Pangalos's interview is a clear reflection of government policy".

Following the appearance of the Pangalos interview, former New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert asked that an emergency meeting of the parliamentary defence and foreign affairs committee be convened.

In his request letter, Evert asks that both Pangalos and defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos be present at that meeting.

"The foreign minister's normal tactic", says Evert, "is to use tough language, but then retreat when it comes to defending our sovereign rights".

[02] Simitis

Kostas Simitis answered reporters' questions as he arrived at the Commercial and Industrial Chamber of Commerce Monday.

Trying to win support from workers for changes in the way public sector issues like overtime and staff deployment are handled, Kostas Simitis made the case once again for firmer government control - and less trade union involvement - in making restructuring decisions.

Said Simitis, "Changes are needed. We have to see if we can save money in these enterprises, and how. The workers there must understand that what is in the nation's interest is in their interest. Stability and development benefit all".

Finance minister Iannos Papantoniou said Monday that if Greece wants to be competitive in the tough global market without workers paying a price, then employees at the state's problem industries should cooperate in making changes.

"If changes aren't made", warned Papantoniou, "companies can't survive, and employees will be the first to pay".

The minister invites the workers to put aside their anger, and join in a productive dialogue to solve the problems at debt-ridden companies like Olympic airways, the post office, and in public transport.

Calling it a half-measure, New Democracy opposes the government bill rider that will give collective bargaining territory in some public sector companies over to government legislators.

But some New Democracy MPs think the government initiative should be supported.

Stephanos Manos, for example, says it's time the government brought the troubled public sector companies to account, and put a magnifying glass up to their account books.

[03] Poll

The PRC poll published in the daily "Nea" over the weekend shows that the main opposition leader's popularity rating is also falling off.

A thousand people responded to PRC's January questionaire.

Just 36 per cent of the respondents feel positive about prime minister Kostas Simitis, a big drop on

earlier ratings.

That could be considered good news for New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis. Despite the fact that he's also taken a dip in the ratings, he's picked up ground relative to Simitis.

The prime minister has fallen off by 23 per cent in a year-and-a-half; Karamanlis by 11 per cent in the last seven months.

The government's popularity has also dropped, though it appears to be better than New Democracy's.

Since November 1996, Pasok's approval rating has climbed six points in two months, and a further two per cent by the end of 1997, before plummeting to 16 per cent in the latest poll.

New Democracy's approval ratings have risen overall since the end of 1996, though they dropped between last autumn and January.

[04] Damanaki

Damanaki and Kostas Skandalides discussed the autumn election, in which Damanaki will be pitted against incumbent Dimitris Avramopoulos, backed by New Democracy.

Damanaki expects a tough fight, but believes the outcome will be good. "My experience in Athens is that Pasok is not happy with the current city leadership", she says, "and is waiting for something better".

Damanaki has the support not only of Pasok, but the smaller Left Coalition.

And not everyone in the ruling party thinks she's the right choice for Pasok.

Opposing the candidacy, former Athens mayor Dimitris

Bays, currently a Pasok MP, hinted last week that he might run for mayor again.

Asked if Pasok would expel Bays if he decided to run against Damanaki, Skandalides said no. "Dimiris Bays was an outstanding mayor. I also believe he's party-conscious, and will make the necessary decision".

Skandalides adds he trusts Bays will not run for mayor.

[05] Weather

Those venturing outside made sure to bundle up warmly as the mercury continued to drop.

Northern and central Greece, markedly in the mountain region of Pelio were covered with up to 15 centimeters of snowfall. Snow chains are necessary on most roads in the surrounding areas.

In the city of Alexandroupoli in north-eastern Greece, the mercury hovered at 4 degrees Celsius below zero.

And all ships remained in port at the Rio- An-dirio crossing in the Gulf of Corinth due to strong winds hitting 7-8 on the Beaufort scale.

[06] Writers

Greek author Despina Pantazi's book, "I Saw You, City, from the Sea", and Turkish writer Ferinte Tsitsekoglou's "The Other Side of the Water", both relate what it's like to become a refugee.

Explains Pantazi: "We share a common fate. Our parents were refugees, hers left Thessaloniki for Constantinople; mine abandoned Constantinople and went to Thessaloniki".

Tsitsekoglou says both writers, and both nations, have much in common, but believes outside powers sometimes try to set them against each other.

"I think the temperaments of the countries are similar in that we are too emotional and ...in our feelings...in conflict".

The women were brought together by their publisher, who was impressed by the similarities in their backgrounds.

Says Pantazi, "One of us is looking out from one side of the sea, and one from the other side".

[07] Minos Kyriakou-Leros

Residents of the eastern Aegean island of Leros held a ceremony in Kyriakou's honour at the City Theatre of Piraeus.

Zoi Kyriakou, who chairs Antenna radio's board of directors, was also honoured.

When Leros mayor Giannis Antartis told the audience the island was paying tribute to Minos Kyriakou for promoting their island, there was ringing applause.

Accepting the award, Kyriakou said "This certificate will have a special place on the wall of my office, where I spend so much of my day. We'll always be close to you".

Minos Kyriakou and Zoi Kyriakou were both made honorary citizens of Leros.

Said Zoi Kyriakou, "This honour really surprised me. I'm very grateful".

Eva Gasparaki, who also works for Antenna radio, was also honoured at the event.

The islanders treated their guests to traditional folk dances.

[08] Sports

Olympiakos's Ivan Ivich posts a 7th minute goal for the home team Sunday, and things only get worse for Athinaikos, which finds itself down three-nil at the half. Predrag George-a-vich adds another in the second half for a personal hat trick, as Olympiakos romps, 4-nil.

The Piraeus team now leads Aek by two points in the table.

Panathinaikos is a point behind loser Aek. Pao gets two goals from Christoff Vazec-ha in that contest - the Pole's second goal, by the way, makes him Pao's all-time leading scorer.

And, continuing to run through the standings in order:

Paok is followed by Ionikos, and Iraklis.

Xanthis is in a two-way tie for seventh with Ofi.

Cellar-dweller Kavala posts its third victory of the season, against Ethnikos. And finally, Panionios stays in tenth place with its win.

Olympiakos is at the top of the pro basketball ranks too. The Piraeus club extended its record to 15 and 2 as it walloped 4 and 13 Daphne over the weekend.

Artouras Karnisovas paces the defending European champs to an 89-68 victory, scoring 24 points.

The good news in that contest for Olympiakos is the return of centre Panayiotis FassOUlas to the line-up.

Front court star Dragan Tarlach is still on the injured roster though.

Number two Pao is a game behind the league leaders. Pao uses 27 points from guard Frankiscos Al-vaer-tis to get by Aris. He hits nine of eleven field goal attempts in that one.

Paok is in third place and Aek in fourth after the former wins their weekend battle, in which Aek is held to just 39 points.

Panionios and Iraklio are in fifth and sixth place respectively after their weekend court battles.

Peristeri and Aris are tied for seventh.

In the only other weekend game, Sporting gets the better of Irakles.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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