Voice of America - Transmitting Stations in Greece
 

-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2006 8:20 AM
To: IBB Staff
Subject: Greece Transmitting Stations

The history of U.S. international broadcast transmitting stations in
Greece stretches back to the early 1950's and is deeply rooted in the
atmosphere of mutual cooperation and respect between our countries.
During the Cold War, the shortwave broadcasting stations in Greece
served as the central focus for our network operations to key regions.
These important broadcast transmitting stations clearly helped end the
Cold War and to shape the world that we live in today.

Over the past decades there have been tremendous changes in
communications, broadcast media and technology. Our transmitting
stations in Kavala and Rhodes rely primarily on shortwave and medium
wave radio transmission, formats that are expensive to operate.
Although shortwave was the focus of international broadcasting for many
decades, shortwave broadcasting stations have declined in importance as
traditional audiences have shifted to more popular local media such as
FM radio, the Internet and television.

The realities of funding, technology and audience preferences have made
it impossible to continue our shortwave and medium wave radio
transmissions from the facilities in Greece. We have informed the
Government of the Hellenic Republic that we plan to terminate our
Agreement for the operation of the transmitting stations in Greece.

With deep regret, the BBG will lose the services of many valued and
skilled employees as a result of this action. All affected BBG employees
will be treated with respect and dignity in accordance with existing
U.S. Embassy compensation agreements.

This is a very difficult time for each of us, and we are taking these
actions with the greatest reluctance. The employees and staff of the
IBB transmitting stations in Greece have provided outstanding service to
international broadcasting and the BBG is deeply indebted to them.

George Moore
Director,
Office of Engineering and Technical Services