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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-04-06The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>CONTENTS[01] NATO jets raid Yugoslavia for the 13th night, Serbian air defence downs two allied bombersNATO bombing on Yugoslavia continued for the 13th consecutive night last night, while Serbian media reported that the Serbian air defence shot down two NATO planes in Novi Sad, 70 km north of Belgrade. An operation is underway to locate the wreckage and arrest the pilots.An aerospace plant and an oil refinery were hit by NATO planes early this morning in Pancevo, while about 15 explosions were heard in Pristina. Additionally, reports said a bridge on the Danube river was destroyed in Stombor. Also hit by NATO fire were the cities of Nis, Loznica and Alexinac. US president Bill Clinton said yesterday that NATO was ready to continue its attacks on Yugoslavia for a long period, while he again accused Serb president Slobodan Milosevic of destroying Kosovo. US secretary of state Madeilene Albright said yesterday that the US will bring the war criminals of Kosovo before justice. Meanwhile, US pentagon spokesman Keneth Bacon said that the first signs of the air strikes' effectiveness have now become apparent. [02] Jovanovic warns Annan of undermining the UNYugoslav foreign minister Zivadin Jovanovic warned the UN Sec.-Gen. Kofi Annan yesterday that he would be held an accomplice to undermining the UN as he has done nothing to stop NATO's military operation against his country.[03] NATO chief Solana ready to meet RugovaNATO secretary general Javier Solana said yesterday he was ready to meet the leader of the Albanian-speaking population in Kosovo Imbrahim Rugova, to set out a new process for a peaceful settlement of the problem.[04] The EU to decide on reception of refugees this weekAs thousands of Kosovar refugees are fleeing to the Albanian-FYROM borders, the EU is expected to decide within the week the numbers of refugees to be received by each member country.According to US president Bill Clinton, Washington will temporarily take in 20 thousand Kosovo refugees. In Athens the serious problem of refugees was the focus of a inter- ministerial meeting yesterday, chaired by interior minister Vaso Papandreou. Ms Papandreou and participating foreign minister George Papandreou said afterwards that Greece will undertake to provide hospitality to its share of refugees, as long as all the EU member-states do the same. Two camps for refugees have been prepared by the Greek peacekeeping force stationed in Albania. [05] Greece will not get involved in war, Simitis saysPrime minister Costas Simitis last night addressed a message to the Greek people, stressing that Greece will not become part of the Kosovo problem and will not get involved in a war conflict in the Balkans.Mr Simitis reiterated that Greece is opposed to any action which could lead to a change in borders in the Balkans and in favour of the maintenance of the present borders of Yugoslavia. He also stressed that Greece should remain a factor of stability in the region. "We are in favour of a political solution to the problem", said the prime minister, adding that "Yugoslavia should concede broad autonomy to the population of Kosovo". Mr Simitis also condemned the policy of ethnic cleansing adopted by the Serbs. Referring to the refugees, he said that all EU countries should contribute to the settlement of this problem. The Greek Communist Party and the Coalition of the left issued announcements strongly criticising the prime minister's message. [06] Simitis meets political leaders over YugoslaviaPrime minister Costas Simitis begins a series of meetings with political party leaders today, starting with the main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis and the secretary general of the Greek Communist Party Aleka Papariga.On Wednesday, premier Simitis will meet with the president of the Coalition of the left wing Nikos Konstantopoulos and the president of the Democratic Social Movement Dimitris Tsovolas, as well as with the former prime ministers Konstantinos Mitsotakis and Georgios Rallis. [07] Divergence of views in Papandreou-Talbott meetingAt a meeting held in Athens yesterday between foreign minister George Papandreou and the US deputy secretary of state Strobe Talbott, there was divergence of views on how to deal with the Kosovo crisis.Mr Papandreou reiterated the firm Greek stand, stressing that Greece will not participate in military operations and is in favor of a peaceful settlement of the Kosovo crisis that will respect Yugoslavia's territorial integrity. [08] Registration begins for the national cadastreOne and a half billion landed property owners in 276 municipalities and communities around the country will be required to register their properties with the national cadastre.Property owners in the regions under land registration will have three months to submit a property declaration, while those living abroad will be given six months. [09] Share price index drops 2.59%On the Athens Stock Exchange, the general price index dropped 2,59 percent, closing at 3,218.06 points. Transactions were down to 80.2 billion drachmas.[10] 4th package of OTE shares to be ready by JulyThe fourth package concerning the Greek Telecommunications Organization (OTE) shares will have been completed by late July, according to a decision taken during a broad meeting held yesterday at the National Economy Ministry.At the meeting it was clarified that 14% of the shares will be disposed, so that 51% stays at the Greek state. From the package, 2,5% will be disposed for covering the deficit of the empoloyees' insurance fund. The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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