Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-03-02

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Overseas Hellenism secretary signs cooperation memorandum with South

[02] US State Dept. on latest Annan peace plan for Cyprus

[03] Qatari interest in supplying Greece with natural gas

[04] Weather Monday - Chance of rain

[01] Overseas Hellenism secretary signs cooperation memorandum with South Australia

MELBOURNE (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis) - Overseas Hellenism Secretary General Dimitris Dollis and the Prime Minister of South Australia Mike Ran signed a cooperation memorandum between the Overseas Hellenism General Secretariat and the state of South Australia on volunteerism.

The signing was the successful outcome of the two men's efforts to recruit volunteers from South Australia for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

The agreement was signed in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, on Saturday in the presence of many government members, Greek immigrant representatives and thousands of people who enjoyed the two-day Greek festivity.

[02] US State Dept. on latest Annan peace plan for Cyprus

WASHINGTON (ANA) The US State Department on Friday expressed its support for the recently revised Annan peace plan for Cyprus, with a spokesman here noting that the Cypriot people will now have a chance to say ?yes? or ?no? to their future in Europe.

In echoing previous statements by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the plan comprises an unprecedented opportunity.

?Secretary General Annan asked the leaders today to come to their crucial meeting in the Hague prepared to tell him whether or not they will put his revised proposal for a comprehensive Cyprus settlement to referenda in their communities on March 30,? Boucher said, adding:

?The United States strongly supports the initiative by the Secretary General. We believe that the United Nations revised settlement plan presents a just, viable and durable solution to the division of Cyprus.

?Putting the plan to referenda is the most democratic and constructive way to determine the future of the people of Cyprus. We think Cypriots should have a chance to say yes to their future, together, and in Europe. This is an opportunity that may not come again,? he added during his regular press conference, while noting that US Secretary of State Colin Powell is being kept abreast of the latest developments and has had telephone contacts with Annan over the matter.

[03] Qatari interest in supplying Greece with natural gas

DOHA (ANA) Qatari natural gas as well as jump-starting a framework for bilateral economic cooperation dominated Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos talks here with the prosperous Gulf states leadership.

Loverdos initialed a framework pact for economic cooperation, in fact, with Qatari Economy and Commerce Minister Hamad bin Faysal bin Thani Al Thani, an agreement now up for official signing by the two countries.

Loverdos was also received by Qatari Finance Minister Yusif Husayn al-Kamal and Energy Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-Attiyah.

Qatari officials also expressed an interest in supplying Greece with natural gas. Currently, the country receives shipments from Russia and Iran.

Asked about international oil prices, the Qatari energy minister, who is also the current president of the OPEC oil cartel, categorically disputed that there was any oil shortage on the international markets, although he did mention that the ongoing Iraq crisis was causing price fluctuations. He stressed that no one wants a destabilisation of the market and crude oil prices of more than US$40 a barrel, adding that under normal conditions the price of oil per barrel should not exceed $28 to $30.

[04] Weather Monday - Chance of rain

Rain, and possibly snow in the highlands, is forecast for most of Greece on Monday, with a chance of strong thunderstorms in the west and south of the country. North to northeasterly winds, moderate to strong. Temperatures between -2C to 13C in the north; 0C to 16C in the rest of the mainland and 6C to 15C on the islands.

Partly cloudy with a chance of afternoon rain in Athens, 5C to 15C; the same for Thessaloniki, 1C to 12C.

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