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 Preshow #1Return to index of stories... |
Concerns about the possible closure of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. We'll talk to some of the people working to keep Portsmouth OFF the Pentagon's list. And later. |
| Preshow #2 Return to index of stories... |
The ambassador from Cyprus comes home to - New Hampshire and talks about changes in his country and the world. |
| Intro Shipyard Return to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. The Military's Base closure list is still more than a year away from being released. But, the battle to preserve the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is moving full steam ahead. Every base in the country is at risk. While the shipyard has dodged a bullet in the past, those fighting to keep the facility alive say.nothing should be taken for granted. |
| Shipyard Setup Return to index of stories... |
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard -- is one of only 4 remaining publicly owned shipyards in the country. Located in the Piscataqua River Estuary between New Hampshire and Maine -- its the oldest naval shipyard in the country. For more than 2 centures the yard has built and serviced naval vessels. Today, with the help of more than 4-thousand employees the shipyard specializes in the overhaul, repair and refueling of nuclear powered submarines. It's a major economic engine for the region. With Military Base closings slated to begin next year -- there is justifiable apprehension in those states with military facilities. New Hampshire is no stranger to the Base Realignment and Closure process -- Pease Air Force Base was closed back in 19-91. The Blue Angels performed their usual show of military might -- and the public wondered and worried about what might come next. There was talk of a commerical air strip, an industrial office park even an amusement park to fill the space. Its closure spelled the end to 500 civilian jobs -- and there was an economic ripple effect in the Seacoast region that took years to recover from. There is a silver lining to that dark cloud. The former base is now home to the Pease International tradeport-- an economic hub -- attracting more than 150 businesses. It's been a healthy transition for the region. Can we strike up the band when it comes to economic development? That piece of land - say officials has generated a lot more jobs -- and has become even more important to the local economy than the base once was. |
| Shipyard Discussion Return to index of stories... |
HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT ARE GEORGE BALD, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND RETIRED CAPTAIN WILLIAM McDONOUGH THE FORMER SHIPYARD COMMANDER AND SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SEACOAST SHIPYARD ASSOCIATION. CAPTAIN McDONOUGH, LET'S BEGIN WITH YOU. HOW LIKELY IS IT THAT THE PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD WOULD MAKE THE BASE REALIGNMENT ENCLOSURE LIST, BACK AS EVERYONE CALLS IT. WELL IT'S HARD TO SAY LIKELIHOOD. HOWEVER, THE SITUATION NOW IS THERE'S SOME 425 MAJOR BASES IN THE DEFENSE INFRASTRUCTURE. THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAS STATED THAT HE CONSIDERS THERE TO BE 25% EXCESS CAPACITY AND THAT HE IS GOING TO USE BRAC AS A MEANS OF REDUCING THIS EXCESS CAPACITY. WE ARE ONE OF THOSE 425 BASES AND 24%, 25% IS ABOUT 100 SO THERE'S NO ASSURANCE THAT WE WILL NOT BE ON IT. HOWEVER, THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY WE SHOULD NOT BE ON IT. THAT'S OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS ARE AWARE OF THAT AND RECOGNIZE THAT. Reporter: LET ME INTERJECT AT THIS MOMENT AND ASK YOU WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT CRITERIA IN THIS PROCESS AND IF YOU COULD GIVE US A BRIEF IDEA WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING AT WHEN THEY MAKE A DECISION TO CLOSE OR REALIGN A BASE OR MILITARY INSTALLATION. UNDER THE LAW, THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAD TO COME UP WITH A SET OF CRITERIA UPON WHICH TO MAKE HIS DECISIONS. AND THIS WAS DONE. HE CAME OUT WITH PRELIMINARY ONES IN DECEMBER AND HAD A COMMENT PERIOD AND THEY WERE FINALIZED IN FEBRUARY AS WAS REQUIRED BY THE LAW. THEY ARE VIRTUALLY THE SAME AS THE CRITERIA THAT EXISTED FOR THE BRACs OF '91, '93 AND '95, ALMOST IDENTICAL. VERY, VERY LITTLE DIFFERENCE, JUST A FEW WORDS TO EMPHASIZE MORE ON THE SUBJECT OF JOINTNESS, MEANING ARMY-NAVY-AIR FORCE SERVING EACH OTHER. THE CRITERIA ARE SO GENERAL AND SO NICE AND FIT THAT ALMOST ANY DECISION CAN BE MADE TO FIT THEM. YOU WOULD MAKE A DECISION, GEORGE COULD MAKE A DECISION, I WOULD MAKE A DECISION NONE OF WHICH WOULD BE THE SAME BUT THEY WOULD ALL FIT A CERTAIN CRITERIA. THEY EMPHASIZE MILITARY VALUE WHICH IS A GIVEN OF COURSE. AND OF THE EIGHT CRITERIA THE FIRST FOUR ARE VERY. ALL ORIENTED TOWARDS MILITARY VALUE. THEN YOU GET INTO A LITTLE BIT OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON AREAS AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND THINGS LIKE THAT. Reporter: GEORGE BALD YOU'RE NO STRANGER TO PEAS. YOU WERE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SHORTLY IT WAS CLOSED IN THE EARLY '9s. NOW YOU'LL BE RETURNAL. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE EARLY CHALLENGES YOU FACED AT PEASE AFTER THE CLOSURE. WHAT'S INTERESTING IS I THINK THAT EVERYBODY THOUGHT THAT THIS WOULD BE ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE YOU TURNED THE KEY OVER AND THEN YOU START TO USE IT FOR CIVILIAN PURPOSES. ONE OF THE THINGS WE LEARNED IS A MILITARY FACILITY IS BUILT TO BE A MILITARY FACILITY. CIVILIAN USES DON'T ALWAYS DOVE TAIL. THEY MAKE SUB SUBMARINES OR OVERHAUL SUBMARINES BUT MADE SUBMARINES AT THIS FACILITY. IT'S NOT THAT YOU CAN START TO MAKE PLEASURE CRAFT OR OTHER TYPES OF ACTIVITIES. IT REALLY IS VERY DIFFICULT AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE NAVY AND IN THE CASE OF PEASE THE AIR FORCE HAS A VERY SPECIFIC WAY OF DOING THINGS. HAD THEIR BUILDINGS FOR THOSE SPECIFIC USES SO IT REALLY TAKES A WHILE AND IT'S A GRINDING CHANGE TO GO FROM, YOU KNOW, CLOSING A FACILITY AND THEN USING IT FOR CIVILIAN PURPOSES. Reporter: SO IT WAS DIFFICULT IN THOSE VERY EARLY DAYS TO BRING BUSINESSS IN BECAUSE OF THAT? ABSOLUTELY. THERE'S A LOT OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THAT ARE DIFFERENT FOR CIVILIAN USE VERSUS THE MILITARY. SO IT DOESN'T ALWAYS MAKE A NICE, EASY FIT. AND AS I SAID IT'S A GRINDING CHANGE. IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME. Reporter: NOT THE BEST FIGHT AS FAR AS DEVELOPMENT IS CONCERNED. AND THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS PEASE IS. HAS GOT LOCATION GOING FOR IT RIGHT AT 9 5 AND THE NAVY YARD WHILE I'M SURE IT HAS A LOT OF STRENGTHS IT'S NOT BLESSED WITH LOCATION. IT'S NOT AN EASY PLACE TO GET TO. Reporter: ONE OF THE CRITERIA IN THE BRAC PROCESS WAS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT TO SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. YOU'RE FROM THE SEACOAST, FORMER MAYOR. YOU LIVED THROUGH THAT CLOSURE AT PEASE. WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT OF THE SHIPYARD CLOSE SOMETHING. IT WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT. AS GOVERNOR BALDACCI OUTLINED YOU CAN'T TAKE THE $250 MILLION OF WAGES OUT OF THIS AREA AND NOT EXPECT THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS. I THINK THAT YOU WOULD SEE IT OBVIOUSLY IMMEDIATELY TO THE 4,000 EMPLOYEES THAT WOULD. PLUS THAT WOULD LOSE THEIR JOBS BUT IT'S ALSO ALL THE SPENDING THAT THEY DO AND ALL THE SPENDING THAT THE NAVY YARD DOES. THAT RIPPLE EFFECT THROUGH THE ECONOMY, YOU CAN DRAW A CIRCLE 50 MILES AROUND THE NAVY YARD. IT WOULD HAVE A VERY STRONG IMPACT. IT WOULD BE MEASURABLE. Reporter: CAPTAIN McDONOUGH, WHEN YOU HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT PRIVATIZATION AND THEY MENTION THE SHIPYARD, WHAT DOZE THROUGH YOUR MIND? THEY'RE DREAMING. PRIVATE SHIPYARDS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE STRUGGLING ALL THE TIME. WE HAVE SEVERAL PRIVATE SHIPYARDS THAT HAVE GONE UNDER IN THE YEARS. THE SHIPYARD OVER THERE IS DESIGNED FOR A PURPOSE. THAT'S HEAVY METALS, SUBMARINES AND ALL. AS GEORGE SAID, TO CONVERT TO OTHER SOME KIND OF OTHER SHIPBUILDING ACTIVITY WHILE THEORETICALLY FEASIBLE NOT VERY LIKELY BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMICS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. Reporter: THE CAMPAIGN IS UNDERWAY TO KEEP THE PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD OPEN. AMONG THOSE BUILDING A CASE FOR THAT ARE SENATOR JUDD GREGG. HERE'S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE YARD. THE NAVY YARD IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE AND EXTRAORDINARY RESOURCE IN MY OPINION TO THE NATIONAL DEFENSE STRUCTURE. IT IS FIRST OFF A NUCLEAR FACILITY. THERE ARE ONLY TWO NAVY YARDS, PUBLIC NAVY YARDS, ON THE EAST COAST AND TWO ON THE WEST COAST ALSO. IT COULD NOT BE REPLICATED IF IT WERE CLOSED. IT'S NOT LIKE AN AIR BASE. YOU CAN'T GO BUY THE LAND AND REBILL IT. YOU COULD NEVER REBUILD THE NAVY YARD. THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED THERE ARE VERY UNIQUE AND THE SKILL SETS THAT THEY HAVE HAVE TAKEN GENERATIONS TO DEVELOP AND LITERALLY GENERATIONS. AND IF THEY WERE LOST THEY WOULD NEVER-RECOVERED. AND IT IS A YARD WHICH DOES ITS BUSINESS ON TIME AND UNDER BUDGET. IT REFUELS 688s BETTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE IN THE CUP TREE. WE THINK WE HAVE STRONG ARGUMENTS BUT WE ALSO KNOW WE HAVE ISSUES SPECIFICALLY WORKLOAD AFTER THE YEAR 2009. Reporter: SENATOR GREG TALKING ABOUT THE WORKLOAD. HIS COMMENTS CAME BEFORE WE HEARD ABOUT THE $120 MILLION OVERHAUL OF THE U.S.S. MONTPELIER THAT IS GOING TO PROCEED. THAT WILL LIKELY MEAN STEADIER WORKLOAD FOR THE YARD. HOW BIG A PLU IS THE TIMING OF THAT? WILL HAVE THAT HAVE ANY IMPACT ON THAT 2009 DATE THAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT? NO. THE MONTPELIER HAD BEEN SCHEDULED FOR HERE AND DUE TO SHORTAGES OF MONEY IN WASHINGTON THE NAVY WAS SAYING THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO FUND IT UNTIL NEXT FISCAL YEAR. THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION THEY GOT THE NAVY TO FUND A WAY TO FUND IT ON SCHEDULE SO IT DIDN'T HAVE A FOUR-MONTH GAP WAITING FOR NEXT YEAR. BUT THE REAL PROBLEM IS THE 2009 TIME FRAME. SHIPYARD BASICALLY HAS PRETTY GOOD WORKLOAD FOR THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS BUT WHEN YOU GET OUT INTO THE 2008-2009- 2010 TAME FRAME, WORKLOAD WORKLOAD, WORKLOAD IS THE KEY BECAUSE THE DECISION-MAKERS THAT WE'RE PLANNING ON CLOSING FACILITY S ARE LOOKING AT WHAT'S GOING TO HAVE TO COME IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS NOT WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. Reporter: IS THE PRESENCE OF A MILITARY AS IF ILL LIKE THE SHIPYARD IS PLUS FOR THE TRADE PORT IN ATTRACTING BUSINESS. I THINK CERTAINLY THERE ARE A LOT OF VERY HIGHLY SKILLED EMPLOYEES AND OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE LOOK AT THAT. I THINK AGAIN IT'S. WHAT I'M GREATLY CONCERNED WITH IS THERE ARE SKILLED EMPLOYEES BUT THEY'RE SKILLED IN SOME VERY IMPORTANT TRADE. AS THE CAPTAIN SAID, YOU KNOW, IT'S BIG METAL ITEMS SO IT'S NOT LIKE WE COULD SAY, WELL THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER MACHINE SHOPS IN THE AREA AND SO THEY'LL ABSORB SOME OF THOSE. IT WOULD BE REALLY BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THOSE 4,000 PEOPLE TO FIND JOBS IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. SO IF THEY WERE LEAVING, THAT WOULD FURTHER MAKE IT A DIFFICULT SITUATION FOR THE HOUSING AND A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE A GIVEN AREA AS THEY DID WHEN PEASE CLOSED AND ALL THE AIR FORCE BASE EMPLOYEES LEFT, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY AFFECTED OUR HOUSING STOCK AT A TIME WHEN, YOU KNOW, WE WERE RUNNING THROUGH DIFFICULTY S WITH THE BANK. SO IT CONCERNS ME GREATLY THAT WE'VE GOT TO MOUNT A TREMENDOUS EFFORT BECAUSE IT REALLY WOULD BE VERY, VERY PAINFUL TO THIS AREA IF THAT NAVY YARD CLOSES. Heather: ALSO BUILDING THE CASE GOVERNOR BENSON HAD THIS TO SAY ABOUT EFFICIENCY AT THE SHIPYARD. IN 1993 THE STAY OF A SHIP IN THE NAVAL SHIPYARD WAS ON THE ORDER OF ALMOST 30 MONTHS. IT'S NOW DROPPED TOWN TO 20 MONTHS. THAT IS BY FAR THE MOST EFFECTIVE TURN-AROUND IN THE ENTIRE RESERVOIR OF PLACES THAT RETROFIT SHIPS IN THE CLASS THAT OUR SERVICE AT THE PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD. Reporter: CAPTAIN McDONOUGH, IS EFFICIENCY A FACTOR? ABSOLUTELY. WE'RE VERY, VERY FORTUNATE IN THAT THE SHIPYARD IS WELL RECOGNIZED, IT'S A LEADER IN TIME, COST AND WHICH IS EFFICIENCY. WE HAVE BEEN VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN ASSISTING OUR OTHER NUCLEAR CAPABLE SHIPYARDS OF WHICH THERE ARE THREE NAVY SHIPYARDS BESIDES US AND TWO PRIVATE. WE HAVE BEEN ASSISTING THEM IN TRANSPORTING TO THEM THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE LEARNED THAT HAVE HELPED US IMPROVE. IT'S BEEN GOOD FOR THE NAVY. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GEORGE MENTIONED ABOUT THE CLOSURE ASPECT WAS THE PEASE. WE THINK THE PEASE IS A GREAT ASSET FOR THE SHIPYARD BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S STRESSED IN THE CRITERIA IS JOINTNESS. AS THEY CLOSE OTHER BASES THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT CAN BE IMPORTED TO THE SHIPYARD. NOT SHIPS. YOU CAN'T BRING IN MORE SHIPS THAN WE HAVE SPACE FOR. JUST THE SAME AS YOU CAN'T SHIP OUR SHIP TO AN ARMY BASE IN KANSAS. BUT WE CAN TAKE ON ADDITIONAL MACHINE SHOP WORK, ALL KINDS OF ON SITE WORK BECAUSE WE USED TO BE CONSIDERABLY LARGER. SO WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO GROW AND WE LOOK AT THAT AS A PLUS. AND PEASE IS A VERY, VERY GOOD, CONVENIENT WAY TO GET THINGS HERE. Reporter: WHEN DO WE LEARN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER WHETHER THE SHIPYARD WAS ON THAT LIST? THE LIST WILL BE COMING OUT ON THE 16th OF MAY 2005. 13-AND-A-HALF MONTHS FROM NOW IS THE DEADLINE. Reporter: GEORGE BALD YOU KEEP ON SAYING IT WOULD BE PAINFUL TIMES IF WE FIND OUT THAT THE SHIPYARD SO THAT LIST. IT WOULD BE. I THINK IT WOULD HAVE AN IMMEDIATE DRAMATIC EFFECT. AGAIN, I'M SURE THAT THERE WOULD BE AN EFFORT AS IT WAS FOR THE NAVY FOR PEASE TO DO SOME TYPE OF REDEVELOPMENT EFFORT. BUT THERE'S ALWAYS A LAG BETWEEN WHEN THE FACILITY CLOSES AND THAT OTHER EFFORT KICKS IN. AND PEOPLE IN THE PORTSMOUTH AREA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES WILL TELL YOU THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PAIN THAT WE WENT THROUGH BEFORE WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE NOW WITH THE WONDERFUL DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS OCCURRED AT PEASE AND PEASE HAD A LOT OF AREA WHICH WE DON'T HAVE IN THE SHIPYARD. WE'RE COMPRESSED. WE'VE GOT BIG OLD BUILDINGS THERE THAT ARE IN GOOD SHAPE AND ALL BUT THERE'S NOT A LOT OF AREA TO BUILD NEW LIKE WE'VE SEEN SO MUCH OF AT PEASE WHICH HAS BEEN VERY, VERY GRATIFYING. Reporter: AND QUICKLY CAPTAIN McDONOUGH, IS ENOUGH BEING DONE TO SAVE THE PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD AND ARE PEOPLE CONCERNED ENOUGH TO KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING? I'LL LET YOU KNOW ON THE 16th OF MAY 2005. WE'RE CERTAINLY TRYING. WE'LL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO CONVEY THE PROPER MESSAGE SO THAT THE DECISION DOES NOT INCLUDE US FOR A CLOSURE. Reporter: WE KNOW YOU'LL KEEP US POSTED. CAPTAIN, GEORGE BALD, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING HERE AND DISCUSSING IT WITH US. GEORGE BALD BY THE WAY IS SLATED TO TAKE OVER AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PEASE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NEXT MONTH. YOU MAY RECALL THAT ON FRIDAY'S SHOW GEORGE BALD'S NAME WAS MENTIONED AS A POTENTIAL GUBERNATORIAL CANNED DACHLT I ASKED HIM. BALD SAYS HE HAS NO INTENTION OF RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR. |
| Bald/Governor Return to index of stories... |
George Bald is slated to take over as executive director of the Pease Development Authority next month. You may recall that On Friday's show --George Bald's name was mentioned as a potential gubernatorial candidate. I asked him! Bald says. he has no intention of running for Governor. |
| Intro Cyprus Return to index of stories... |
We turn now to a story of international significance: the fate of the island of Cyprus. A new peace plan to reunite the island will be voted on later this month. If accepted it could end 4-decades of division. The Cypriot ambassador to the U-S visited New Hampshire last week -- and spoke to Richard Ager about the new hopes for his country-- and a special connection he has with this state. |
| Cyprus Return to index of stories... |
The President underscored our readiness to do anything we can to support the Cypriot people as they move to take advantage of this historic opportunity. Track: The opportunity hailed by world leaders is a 10,000 page agreement that Cypriots will vote on later this month. Brokered by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and the Greek and Turkish prime ministers, it could end Cyprus's long and troubled history of outside intervention. In 1964, the UN first sent troops when fighting broke out between the majority Greek Cypriots and minority Turkish Cypriots. Standup: Ten years later, a Greek military junta overthrew the elected government of Cyprus. Turkey responded by invading, eventually occupying the northern third of the island, and expelling Greek Cypriots from their land. Turkish Cypriots later declared a separate Republic of Northern Cyprus, which to this day is only recognized by Turkey. Track: UN forces now separate the two sides, in the longest running peacekeeping operation in UN history. That may soon end if both sides ratify the agreement and unify the island. THESE HAVE BEEN INTRESTING TIMES FOR CYPRUS HAVE THEY NOT? Very much so. Like the real Euripides, not the fake that is speaking before you. In the Trojan women he once remarked that one has to wait till the evening to see how splendid the day has been. Track: Like his namesake, Euripides Evriviades has an intriguing way with words. speaking Greek with old professor Track: He speaks Greek, English, Hebrew, French, German and a little Russian. He has represented Cyprus in Israel, Russia, Germany, Libya, the Netherlands - and now the United States. He is comfortable in many cultures, but feels especially at home in New Hampshire. "Oh my god - Professor Larsen! Good to see you." "I'm so impressed with your vitae." "And it's because of you, because of you." "I'll take all the credit." Track: Did I mention Ambassador Euripides Evriviades is a member of the UNH class of '76? We studied international law and the law of the sea. And the whole class went down to the UN - and I could see he was a fish in water. This was his element. GO WILDCATS. Go Wildcats. I didn't need much persuasion to come. Track: In January, Evriviades made his first visit in 28 years to NH to get a closeup look at the presidential primary. Track: Along with four other diplomats, he took in candidates' events and had brief encounters with well-known figures… Track: Last week, the ambassador returned again, this time to UNH to give a talk on the Middle East - the view from Cyprus. NOW DOES THIS LOOK LIKE A PLAN THAT CAN PERHAPS BRING THESE DECADES OF STRIFE AND DIVISION ON THE ISLAND TO A CLOSE? I certainly hope so. Like they say the devil is in the details. You really have to study the plan carefully. Even though the problem has been, going on a long period of time but it's no longer a philosophical or conceptual discussion. Now your down to the nitty gritty, no now as one of your great presidents once said " your trust but you have to verify". In god you trust so everyone has to pay cash, so you have to look at the text. The philosophical aspect of the agreement - a bizonal, bicomunnal republic - that has been accepted by both sides. Track: So why is there an agreement now? One reason is Cyprus is scheduled to join the European Union in May - a club Turkey also wants to join. It is a truly historic occasion and it shows once again how the possibilities of European Union membership can make such a tremendous difference to the resolution of age-old conflicts. GIVEN THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS THAT YOU REPRESENT WILL BE THE RECOGNIZED MEMBER, DO YOU THINK THIS PUTS SOME EXTRA PRESSURE ON THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS TO ASSENT TO THE PEACE PLAN? It is Turkey that is calling the shots. DO YOU GIVE CREDIT TO THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER? Of course. I would be stupid not to. And in the end it is not in our interest to have a country like Turkey our closest biggest giant. We don't want that giant to be uneasy. And we are supporting Turkey's entry into the European union and if if Turkey is coming closer to joining the European Union, something that it has not yet admitted, I don't hear it said in public, it is on account of Cyprus. The negotiations in Brussels for turkey and Cyprus bear this out. I am not passing propaganda to you. So it is in our interest but at the same time what is good for the goose is good for the gander. The European union is not a geographical definition; it is a set of values, human rights for all citizens and you cannot have discounts on human rights. And Cyprus cannot be a second-class member of the European union. That's what the whole thing is about right now. Has nothing to do with clash of civilizations - Christians vs. Muslims. Nothing of that sort in Cyprus. Bite: YOU KNOW WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS. GIVEN TURKEY IS A SECULAR STATE, ALBEIT AN ISLAMIC STATE. DO YOU THINK IT'S A COUNTRY WE IN THE WEST SHOULD EMBRACE MORE AS BEING A POSITIVE EXAMPLE OF AN ISLAMIC COUNTRY? Absolutely, but the proof is in the pudding. Turkey has to move more forcefully on greater respect for human rights. What we call Copenhagen criteria, is a set of values. That have been agreed, respect for human rights, free economy. all that. GIVEN YOU EXPERIENCE DO YOU SEE PARALELS WITH CYPRUS AND THE MIDDLE EAST? SO WHAT KIND OF LESSONS CAN BE DRAWEN FROM CYRPRUS HAS BEEN DONE TO TRY TO REACH PEACE? Lessons of reconciliation, lesson of examining the root causes, lessons of tolerance and understanding someone else's point of view and above all, the realization that there is no military solution at all in this. We have excellent relations with Israel since 1960, diplomatic relations, and excellent relations with the Palestinians. We know what's its like to be a militarily weak, vulnerable state. And we can understand the predicament that Israel is in. At the same time we are also victims of invasion and occupation, and violation of human rights, and I can certainly identify with the human suffering of the Palestinian people. So in the end there has to be a greater recognition that there is no military solution to this thing. On the contrary, the situation, as it is, is unsustainable and gets worse by the day. It poisons people, it poisons visions, it poisons even the small groups that want to go forward. CYPRUS FOR 40 YEARS HAS HAD UN PEACEKEEPING FORCES. THE LONGEST PEACEKEEPING OPERATION IN UN HISTORY. DO YOU SEE THIS AS A SUCCESS OR FALURE OF UN INVOLVEMENT? THERE IS MUCH CRITICISM OF THE UN IN THIS COUNTRY AND I'M WONDERING HOW YOU REGARD THE UN INVOLVEMENT. I suppose it's like beauty. It's always in the eyes of the beholder. I think overall it's a successful story. And the United Nations itself - we have to remember, it is an reflection of the international community and the member states, and it is as powerful or as weak as the member states allow it to be. I often compare the UN with an iceberg. We often just see the tip of it which is usually the political, the most visible, the most controversial, while not thinking that underneath it there is so much work that is done by the UN, with children's United Nations development program, UNICEF, and politically, the fact that countries are held accountable. Countries have to explain their positions in front of the world conscience. That in itself is a deterrent. DO AMERICANS KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT WHAT GOES ON AROUND THE WORLD OR ARE WE A LITTLE TOO IGNORANT? That's a good question for you to ask, but not so wise for me to answer. But let me say it is a huge country and there are a lot of things happening so I can understand why people don't have the time to read and to follow international events. The days of faraway conflicts are over. Conflicts in today's globalized world mean that no one and nowhere is immune from the spillover of unresolved or unattended disputes. This is the dark side of globalization. The global network of terrorism moving across borders largely unseen and largely unchecked. The challenge today is to engage, but there must be much more than a military focus. Track: Euripides Evriviades, Ambassador, Citizen of the world, Wildcat fan. If anyone dissects my DNA, you will find UNH. Because my years here were very formative years. Years that have shaped my future and my worldview. Track: For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. Soundup: Steve tape 2 01;26:34 Indeed, it is a homecoming. |
| Cyprus tag Return to index of stories... |
Greek and Turkish Cypriots will vote on the unification agreement in separate referendums on April 24th. |
| Web Pointer Return to index of stories... |
That is it for this edition of our program. For information and links to our guests and interviews, connect with us on-line at nhptv.org. Join our online discussion and tell us what's on your mind. You can also find streaming video of all our broadcasts. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - The House Judiciary committee is set to hold its hearing on SB-427. The bill defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman -- and refuses to recognize same-sex marriages here or in other states. It's already passed the Senate. We'll have highlights and analysis of the debate. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
We'll see you next time. Thanks for watching. |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. The debate over same-sex marriage returns to reps hall. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Hello Return to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. |
| key: State Politics/ Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 04/06/04 22:00 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 13:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, Concerns about the possible closure of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. We'll talk to some of the people working to keep Portsmouth OFF the Pentagon's list. The ambassador from Cyprus comes home to - New Hampshire and talks about changes in his country and the world. The Military's Base closure list is still more than a year away from being released. But, the battle to preserve the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is moving full steam ahead. Every base in the country is at risk. While the shipyard has dodged a bullet in the past, those fighting to keep the facility alive say.nothing should be taken for granted. But would the shipyard's future look as bright if they found themselves on the Base-Closing List. Here to talk about that are: George Bald -the commissioner of the NH Dept of Resources and Economic Development. And, Retired Captain William McDonough - the former shipyard commander and spokesperson for the Seacoast Shipyard Association. PRODUCER/REPORTER: NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: John Baldacci\Maine Governor\March 16, Capt William McDonough \Seacoast Shipyard Association, George Bald\Dept of Resources & Economic Development |
| key: National Politics/ Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 04/06/04 22:00 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 11:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, Concerns about the possible closure of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. We'll talk to some of the people working to keep Portsmouth OFF the Pentagon's list. The ambassador from Cyprus comes home to - New Hampshire and talks about changes in his country and the world. We turn now to a story of international significance: the fate of the island of Cyprus. A new peace plan to reunite the island will be voted on later this month. If accepted it could end 4-decades of division. The Cypriot ambassador to the U-S visited New Hampshire last week -- and spoke to Richard Ager about the new hopes for his country-- and a special connection he has with this state. PRODUCER/REPORTER: NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Scott McClellan\White House Press Secretary\April 1, 2004, Richard Ager\NH Outlook, Euripides Evriviades\Cyprus Ambassador to U.S., Prof. David Larson\UNH Political Science Prof Emeritus |
| WEB PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. . Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| website Return to index of stories... |
For information on our program, and links to our guests and interviews, visit our web site at nhptv.org. You can see and hear streaming video of our broadcasts. We want to know what's on your mind. Join our discussion forum and tell us what you're thinking. If you have a story idea or comment on our program, click the feedback button. Or, call us at 800-639-2721. |