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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-08-27
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] PRIME MINISTER TO ANNOUNCE NEW TAXATION MEASURES
[02] CONTINUED GREEK SUPPORT FOR TURKEY'S EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
[03] NO AUTONOMY FOR ORTHODOXY IN AMERICA
[04] GREEK AND BULGARIAN PRESIDENTS MEET
[05] ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE YESTERDAY
[06] CYPRUS COMMENTS ON HOLBROOKE'S REMARKS
[07] NO CHANGE IN CYPRIOT DEFENCE POLICY
[08] CURB ON FUEL PRICES TO BE ENFORCED
[09] PROTEST AT DESECRATION OF ALBANIA'S ORTHODOX CHURCHES
[10] GREEK BUSINESSMAN FREED
[01] PRIME MINISTER TO ANNOUNCE NEW TAXATION MEASURES
A package of measures concerning tax breaks and inflation will be
finalised at a cabinet meeting today and announced by the prime
minister, Kostas Simitis, at the International Fair in Thessaloniki,
due to open next Saturday. The government's goal this year is to
increase the income of low wage-earners and pensioners with small
pensions. The national economy undersecretary, Giorgos Drys, said the
rises would be higher than the expected inflation and tax reductions
and that the measures would demonstrate the government's social
sensitivity. Although he did not give details of the measures to be
announced, Mr Drys said the government had taken proposals made within
the framework of the social dialogue into consideration and that they
would be adopted according to the current state of the Greek economy.
However, at yesterday's meeting between the prime minister and the
board of the Federation of Northern Greek Industries, broad agreement
was reached on eight main points, including the boosting of Northern
Greece and Thessaloniki as the economic centre of the Balkans and
increased efforts to attract international investment in the region.
The members of the Federation also had a meeting yesterday morning with
the opposition New Democracy party leader, Kostas Karamanlis, to whom
they restated their positions regarding a speeding-up of
infrastructural projects in Northern Greece.
[02] CONTINUED GREEK SUPPORT FOR TURKEY'S EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
The Greek foreign minister, Giorgos Papandreou, has briefed his
counterpart in Finland - the current holder of the EU presidency -
regarding Greece's proposal for emergency EU funding to Turkey to be
approved. The proposal will be the subject of an all-party discussion
in Athens by political party leaders. The government spokesman,
Dimitris Repas, pointed out that the granting of EU funding to Turkey
should be made on the basis of specific programmes and not, as he said,
by issuing "blank cheques". He said the Greek proposal would be
discussed at an informal meeting of the EU foreign ministers' council
at the beginning of September
. Meanwhile
a second package of humanitarian aid to Turkey, worth two million euro,
was released by the European Union yesterday. Greek support for the
victims of the earthquake is continuing unabated. In a telephone call
to his Turkish counterpart, the national defence minister, Akis
Tsohadzopoulos, yesterday announced the dispatch of additional aid to
Turkey. Two military planes carrying 200 large tents, chemical toilets,
water storage equipment and other materials left Elefsina airport
yesterday, while another 100 tents will be sent to Turkey today,
providing shelter for a total of over 2,000 people. Greek Radio and the
Prefecture of Xanthi, in northern Greece, are organising a concert with
the popular singer, Giorgos Dalaras, in Xanthi next Monday. The
proceeds from the event will be sent to the earthquake victims in
Nicomedeia.
[03] NO AUTONOMY FOR ORTHODOXY IN AMERICA
At a press conference yesterday, the newly-elected Greek Orthodox
Archbishop of America, Dimitrios, categorically denied any prospect of
autonomy for the Orthodox Church of America. He said his priorities
were the creation of an atmosphere of peace and harmony amongst the
congregation of the Church of America, the proper functioning of the
Theological School in Boston and cooperation with his predecessors,
Spyridon and Iakovos. The enthronement of the new Archbishop will take
place on 18th September.
[04] GREEK AND BULGARIAN PRESIDENTS MEET
The Greek president, Kostis Stefanopoulos, had a meeting in Athens
yesterday with his Bulgarian counterpart, Petar Stoyanov, who is on an
official visit to Greece. The two presidents discussed issues of
concern to the Balkans generally and matters of bilateral interest in
particular.
[05] ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE YESTERDAY
Following Wednesday's 43rd record closing for this year, the general
share price index on the Athens Stock Exchange fell slightly yesterday
to close 1.94% down at 5,122.57 points. In the parities, the price of
the $US was fixed at 312.22 drachmas, the German Mark at 167.043
drachmas and the euro at 326.69 drachmas.
[06] CYPRUS COMMENTS ON HOLBROOKE'S REMARKS
Commenting on American troubleshooter Richard Holbrooke's statements
during the congress of Cypriots Abroad, the new Cypriot government
spokesman, Michalis Papapetrou, said the Cypriot government believed Mr
Holbrooke had clearly indicated which side was the intransigent one in
the Cyprus issue, and which direction American diplomacy should follow.
Mr Papapetrou also said the Greek side expected the United States to
put pressure on the Turkish side to participate in discussions and
cooperate in the search for a solution.
[07] NO CHANGE IN CYPRIOT DEFENCE POLICY
The new Cypriot defence minister, Sokratis Hasikos, has said the
Cypriot government's position remains unchanged regarding a
strengthening of the country's defence within the framework of the
joint Greek-Cypriot defence pact. He added that defence issues could
not be discussed publicly, but revealed that he would shortly be
visiting his Greek counterpart, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, in Athens for a
mutual briefing session.
[08] CURB ON FUEL PRICES TO BE ENFORCED
The development minister, Evangelos Venizelos, has given oil companies,
refineries and fuel retailers until Monday to implement last week's
"gentlemen's agreement" curbing increased petrol prices in Athens,
Thessaloniki and another 15 prefectures. On Wednesday Mr Venizelos
tabled an amendment in parliament, giving the ministry the power to
enforce a ceiling on the retail prices of fuel and, where necessary,
impose sanctions for violations. The sanctions will take the form of
steep fines ranging from 10 to 100 million drachmas for refineries and
oil companies, which will be collected by the tax office.
[09] PROTEST AT DESECRATION OF ALBANIA'S ORTHODOX CHURCHES
Albania's Human Rights Committee has complained about the damage and
desecration sustained by the country's Orthodox churches and
monasteries. The protest concerns a total of 10 churches, mainly in the
south of Albania. The Helsinki Committee in Albania has expressed its
support for the Orthodox community but at the same time points out that
the looting and destruction of Orthodox churches is detrimental to the
culture of the country.
[10] GREEK BUSINESSMAN FREED
Albanian police mounted a huge operation yesterday to free 25-year old
Greek businessman, Giorgos Laliotis, who was abducted by the Albanian
mafia in Aghii Saranda three months ago. The intervention of the police
resulted in the arrest of 12 people, including an associate of the
victim's father.
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