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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-08-06
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] INTERIOR MINISTER PAYS VISIT TO PRIME MINISTER IN SIPHNOS
[02] INFLATION RATE IN JULY AT 2.1%
[03] PARLIAMENT TO SET UP COMMITTEE ON TABLED AMENDMENTS
[04] GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER COMMENTS ON TURKEY'S EU ACCESSION
[05] GREEK AIR FORCE TO GET 45 US-MADE TRAINING AIRCRAFT
[06] ARCHAEOLOGISTS DISCOVER MAJOR FINDS IN ATHYTOS, CHALKIDIKI
[07] PERSONAL LETTERS TO DEBTORS FROM TAX AUTHORITIES
[08] US CALLS ON TURKEY TO ACCEPT KURDISH OFFER TO END CONFLICT
[09] MONTENEGRO ADOPTS PLAN FOR LOOSE CONFEDERATION WITH SERBIA
[10] ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERS MEET IN PRISTINA
[01] INTERIOR MINISTER PAYS VISIT TO PRIME MINISTER IN SIPHNOS
A sudden brief visit by the interior minister, Vasso Papandreou, to
Siphnos yesterday for a meeting with the prime minister, Kostas
Simitis, who is holidaying on the island, has provoked rumours of an
early election or a government reshuffle. Ms Papandreou has
categorically denied the reports, saying she discussed current issues
of concern to her ministry with the prime minister.
[02] INFLATION RATE IN JULY AT 2.1%
The inflation rate for July closed at 2.1%, according to an
announcement issued yesterday by the National Statistics Bureau. This
stabilisation is due primarily to a reduction in the price of clothing
and foodstuffs, despite the continuing rises in fuel and home rentals.
In the meantime, the government has decided to reduce the special
consumer tax on fuel in an effort to peg fuel prices and keep the
inflation rate down. The results should be evident from next month. The
New Democracy party deputy responsible for financial policy, Giorgos
Alogoskoufis, expressed the view that the goal of economic and monetary
union could be achieved, but he warned that the economy should not
become the arena for pre-election political confrontations.
[03] PARLIAMENT TO SET UP COMMITTEE ON TABLED AMENDMENTS
The summer session of parliament has passed a bill on free collective
bargaining in the public sector. It also decided that an inter-party
committee should be set up to examine the 100 amendments which have
been tabled by deputies from all the political parties. Meanwhile
parliament's scientific council has issued a new ruling insisting on
the view that the regulations concerning the transfer of public
servants are unconstitutional. Interior minister Vasso Papandreou had
hinted the council was biased, pointing out that a similar regulation
had been ruled constitutional in the past.
[04] GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER COMMENTS ON TURKEY'S EU ACCESSION
German foreign minister Joschka Fischer made a statement in Salzburg,
Austria, last night, concerning the prerequisites of Turkey's entry
into the EU. He said it was obvious Turkey would have to fulfill the
obligations deriving both from the Copenhagen declaration and the
Amsterdam treaty.
[05] GREEK AIR FORCE TO GET 45 US-MADE TRAINING AIRCRAFT
The Greek Air Force is to be supplied with 45 super-modern training
aircraft built in the United States. The first planes will be delivered
in eight months' time, while the training of Greek instructors will
begin immediately.
[06] ARCHAEOLOGISTS DISCOVER MAJOR FINDS IN ATHYTOS, CHALKIDIKI
Archaeologists have discovered invaluable finds dating from the 6th
century BC in Athytos, Chalkidiki. A rare bowl, 5 vases and jewelry
parts were found initially in 4 graves. Further pottery items found at
the site are also considered very important as to the conclusions that
can be drawn; they come from Chios, Chalkis and Crete and testify to
the extensive trade activities of ancient Athytos.
[07] PERSONAL LETTERS TO DEBTORS FROM TAX AUTHORITIES
1 million 200 thousand people who owe money to the state have received
personal letters from the tax authorities calling on them to settle
their debts promptly, otherwise measures will be implemented to recoup
the money owed.
[08] US CALLS ON TURKEY TO ACCEPT KURDISH OFFER TO END CONFLICT
In response to the appeal for an end to the armed conflict by its
imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, the Kurdistan Workers Party, the
PKK, has announced it will begin to withdraw its forces from Turkish
territory from September 1st. The US called on Turkey to take advantage
of the unexpected development to resolve the Kurdish issue through
dialogue. State department spokesman James Rubin said the Kurdish
rebels should act on their declaration that they would give up the
armed struggle against Turkey. He said the US would welcome an end to
PKK terrorist activities, adding Washington did not believe a purely
military solution could be found to the Kurdish problem in Turkey.
Furthermore American undersecretary of state Harold Koch, who visited
the south-eastern part of Turkey with a predominantly Kurdish
population, called on Ankara to allow the Kurds to use their language
freely, preserve their culture and form political parties representing
their interests. Meanwhile Turkey's prosecutor general has called on
the Supreme Court to ratify the death sentence passed on Kurdish leader
Abdullah Ocalan.
[09] MONTENEGRO ADOPTS PLAN FOR LOOSE CONFEDERATION WITH SERBIA
The government of Montenegro has adopted a plan providing for a loose
confederation with Serbia, a different currency and an independent
foreign policy. Nevertheless Washington has called on Montenegro to
remain in the Yugoslav federation. Meanwhile the American state
department announced yesterday it would be absurd to expect Nato to
offer complete protection to the Serbs in Kosovo from Albanian
reprisals.
[10] ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERS MEET IN PRISTINA
Reports from Pristina said the leader of the KLA Hasim Thaci met
yesterday with moderate ethnic Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova to
discuss the composition of an interim council, Mr Thaci said. The
meeting, which has not been confirmed by Mr Rugova, was the first
between the two Kosovar leaders after the negotiations in Rambouillet,
France.
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