THE GREEK AUSTRALIAN The oldest circulating Greek newspaper outside Greece email: VEMA [email protected] APRIL 2004 Tel. (02) 9559 7022 Fax: (02) 9559 7033 In this issue... Our Primate’s View The invisible “terrorism” PAGE 5/23 PRIME MINISTER COSTAS KARAMANLIS: Greeks hope homecoming will bring gold PAGE 20/38 ‘We are doomed to succeed...’ ''I deeply believe that the magnificence of the Olympic spirit lies in the fact that it unites us all in a common, humanity-wide ideal'' FOOD & WINE “The cupboard was bare...” Essential ingredients for the kitchen PAGE 17/35 TRAVEL The Acropolis No. 1 destination A priestess holds the Olympic Flame during the practice session of the Lighting ceremony held in Ancient Olympia, Wednes- day 24 March 2004. © ANA/ORESTIS PANAYIOTOU for tourists to Greece INSERT: Prime Minister Mr Costas Karamanlis. FULL REPORT ON PAGE 18/36 PAGE 16/34 APRIL 2004 2/20 TO BHMA The Greek Australian VEMA ADDRESS OF HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP STYLIANOS FOR GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY delivered at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, March 28, 2004 Sisters and Brothers, our towards certain important events. Allow me first of all to extend However, it is obvious that to each and all of you a most remembrance is not the appro- cordial welcome to this annual priate term to express the full- celebration of the National Day ness of a celebration which tran- of Hellenes in every part of the scends time and historical condi- world, and, at the same time, the tions. Annunciation of the Mother of ‘Rembrance’ is basically an our Lord, concerning the salva- ability of the human soul which, tion of the entire human race. despite emotion and intelli- We gather here every year, not gence, can easily be distorted or only Greek Australians, but even destroyed, as for example rather as fellow citizens of all by an accident or disease. In POPE JOHN PAUL II SHOT possible ethnic, religious and such a case, the opposite of May 13, 1981 other cultural backgrounds, in ‘remembrance’ is of course order to honour liberty, peace, ‘forgetfulness’. Near the start of his weekly general justice and dignity for every The sad phenomenon of the audience in Rome's St. Peter's Square, human person, regardless of illness called ‘Alzheimers’ in space and time. our times is quite eloquent proof His Eminence, during His address for Greek Independence Day Pope John Paul II is shot and seriously at Sydney’s Opera House wounded (photo) while passing Without underestimating in of the fragility of remembrance. through the square in an open car. The the least the sacredness of the For this reason, the most appro- Perhaps this is the right place Taking into consideration assailant, 23-year-old escaped Turkish concrete events which we are priate term expressing a deeper to remind ourselves that the what is happening all over the murderer Mehmet Ali Agca, fired four commemorating on the men- and stronger bond of the human Orthodox Church speaks always world in recent years under the shots, one of which hit the pontiff in tioned double celebration, I conscience with memorable of ‘eternal memory’ for every slogan of ‘globalisation’, we the abdomen, narrowly missing vital would ask you to give me your events is ‘memory’. human being departed from this must state unreservedly that the organs, and another that hit the pope's attention only for a few This term holds together life. This obviously indicates priorities supported by the cen- left hand. moments, to contemplate more moral and spiritual qualities as qualities which transcend the tres of decision-making are quite specifically this year, what well which dictate uncondition- limitations of this world. often morally unacceptable. ‘anniversary’ in general means, al commitment - a lifetime Following this short analysis, To be more precise, we must Ground broken for Suez Canal: for the stability and the well- commitment of individuals and it is obvious how important it is say that humanitarian values April 25, 1859 being of an individual or of a groups. for all of us to contemplate the cannot survive if decision-mak- whole nation. This is why people through- importance of anniversaries ers on the international scene At Port Said, Egypt, ground is broken for the At first glance, one might out the ages have always given like today’s celebrations. today prefer to support econom- Suez Canal, an artificial waterway intended to have thought that ‘anniversary’ the name ‘memorial’ to any After all the above, we should ic and strategic growth and con- stretch 101 miles across the isthmus of Suez is an external repetition of ges- monument which reminds us of acknowledge, once again, the sumerism, rather than ethical, and connect the Mediterranean and the Red tures which should express more sacred sacrifices for the com- fact that sacrifices for ideals – cultural and spiritual develop- seas. Ferdinand de Lesseps, the French diplo- or less remembrance and hon- mon good, or for eternal ideals. such as those held by the heroes ment. mat who organized the colossal undertaking, of Greece and the philhellene Commemorations such as delivered the pickax blow that inaugurated supporters of her Independence today’s will help us to keep the construction. Struggle in 1821 – must be com- necessary balance, for the bene- False hopes memorated today more than fit of all people suffering Mutiny on the HMS Bounty ever. throughout the world. April 28, 1789 By K.I. Angelopoulos candidate country (Turkey)? Were Western European states Three weeks into a journey from Tahiti to the It finally seems that Athens not worried about the prospect West Indies, the HMS Bounty is seized in a and Nicosia were wrong in of inheriting a handicapped mutiny led by Fletcher Christian, the master's expecting that the EU value state with derogations from mate. Captain William Bligh and 18 of his system and political principles the acquis communautaire loyal supporters were set adrift in a small, could guarantee Cyprus’s and, thus, a constant source of open boat, and the Bounty set course membership as a modern problems for the Union? for Tubuai south of Tahiti. European state. There can only be two As early as February, when answers: Either our non- Margaret Thatcher sworn in UN Secretary-General Kofi Atlanticist EU peers lack the May 4, 1979 Annan managed to draw the political leverage to block two sides into a process that Washington’s strategic plans Margaret Thatcher, leader of the has now culminated in the (also backed by London) for a Conservative Party, is sworn in as Britain's Buergenstock talks, the con- new regional order. Or it may first female prime minister. The Oxford- spicuous absence of the EU be that after the new wave of educated chemist and lawyer was sworn in from developments has been a EU expansion - further under- the day after the Conservatives won surprise to experienced politi- mining political cohesion - a 44-seat majority in general cal and diplomatic officials. none of the key member states parliamentary elections. For how could one explain the really cares whether a small fact that UN, American and and divided state at the corner Nelson Mandela inaugurated British officials are hammer- of Europe is able to function May 10, 1994 ing out the shape of a future smoothly within the bloc. The EU member while Brussels is Commission’s stand so far In South Africa, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is essentially absent from the gives ground to such con- sworn in as the first black president of South process? Britain is, of course, cerns. Africa. In his inaugural address, Mandela, who an EU country. However, it Ever since Annan presented spent 27 years of his life as a political prisoner took part because develop- his first draft settlement, the of the South African government, declared that ments directly affect its Greek political leadership - "the time for the healing of the wounds has national interest. Why has the both PASOK and New come." EU authorized the US and Democracy - were wrong to Britain to deal with an issue believe that the EU would that concerns two EU mem- insist on a solution compatible bers (Greece and Britain), a with the acquis communau- newcomer (Cyprus) and a taire. APRIL 2004 The Greek Australian VEMA TO BHMA 3/21 Editorial The power of the country which is preparing to host the Cyprus The only thing they achieved after eight Olympic Games. years in office was to create an entangled web Resurrection This has also been a period in which opti- and the reformers of economic interests and a provincial social mism for an eventual breakthrough on interchange based on exchanging compli- For Greeks, whether they be religious or Cyprus has given way to a serious dilemma, By Costas Iordanidis ments, deploring the primitive nature of not, Easter is the holiday they celebrate even and when our faith in our accomplishments Greek society and then going home feeling more than Christmas, with its message of has been replaced by doubts about what we The statement by Cypriot President Tassos satisfied. hope and redemption. We can see this espe- actually have achieved and in which areas we Papadopoulos on Wednesday evening was Following ND’s electoral victory, they are cially in the Good Friday service, in which we are still woefully behind our European Union striking, not only in how he argued the case trying to put Karamanlis in a corner, raising honor Christ but in which each also remem- counterparts. against the proposed settlement and resisted false dilemmas such as whether the Greek bers and honors his or her lost ones.