|
|
|
The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-10-14
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] GREEK PRIME MINISTER TO ATTEND EU SUMMIT IN FINLAND
[02] OPPOSITION PARTIES CRITICIZE REOPENING OF CYPRUS TALKS
[03] EFFORTS TO RELEASE HOSTAGES IN ABKHAZIA
[04] GREEK PRESIDENT CONTINUES VISIT TO IRAN
[05] NEW DEMOCRACY ADVISOR RESIGNS
[06] AMENDMENT ON RELATIVES OF QUAKE VICTIMS
[07] GREEK DEFENCE MINISTER TO MEET ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER
[08] PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD VISITS ALBANIA
[09] PROJECTS FOR 2004 ATHENS OLYMPICS TO BE COMPLETED IN TIME
[10] PRICE OF PETROL DOWN
[11] ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE UP 0.45% YESTERDAY
[01] GREEK PRIME MINISTER TO ATTEND EU SUMMIT IN FINLAND
The prime minister, Kostas Simitis, leaves for Finland today to attend
the extraordinary EU summit at Tampere, on the sidelines of which the
issue of Turkey's relations with Europe is expected to be raised. The
European Commission proposes that while Turkey may be considered as a
candidate for entry to the EU, there should be no question at the
present stage of the opening of entry talks. Cyprus also ranks among
the candidates for EU accession. The Commission's proposal will have to
be approved at the EU summit in December; the foreign minister, Giorgos
Papandreou, said after a meeting with his Cypriot counterpart, Ioannis
Kassoulidis, that a Greek vote in favour could not be taken for
granted. For his part Mr Kassoulidis commented that the Cyprus dispute,
Greek-Turkish relations and the question of Turkey's relations with the
EU were issues which required balanced progress. The Turkish foreign
minister, Ismail Cem, said he was satisfied with the European
Commission proposal.
[02] OPPOSITION PARTIES CRITICIZE REOPENING OF CYPRUS TALKS
The New Democracy party said yesterday that the reopening of
intercommunal talks on Cyprus could not be considered as an act of good
will on the part of Turkey that would justify further Greek
concessions. The president of the Democratic Social Movement, Dimitris
Tsovolas, accused the government of having made premature decisions
regarding Greek-Turkish relations.
[03] EFFORTS TO RELEASE HOSTAGES IN ABKHAZIA
Efforts are continuing to secure the release of the Greek army officer,
Giorgos Kopanos, six other UN military observers and an interpreter who
were kidnapped in Abkhazia, Georgia, yesterday, by armed men demanding
a ransom of 200,000 dollars. The Georgian foreign minister has said the
gunmen have been identified. Furthermore the Georgian defence minister,
David Tevzazde, returned to Tbilisi urgently from the Ukraine and is to
go to the region where the hostages are being held. The UN demanded
the immediate release of the hostages and the UN security council
described the abduction as an act of international terrorism.
[04] GREEK PRESIDENT CONTINUES VISIT TO IRAN
The Greek president, Kostis Stefanopoulos, who is on a 4-day official
visit to Iran, has had a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad
Hatami, which served to confirm the historical bonds of friendship that
link the two countries. Mr Stefanopoulos underlined that Greece has
always been a firm supporter of a substantial dialogue between the EU
and Iran which could clear misunderstandings and establish a basis for
cooperation between the two sides. Iranian state television reported
yesterday that the Iranian president had met with his Greek counterpart
for a second round of talks, and also mentioned that Iranian foreign
policy was based on detente, respect and a desire for peace. The Greek
president is the second EU leader to visit Iran after the Austrian
president, Thomas Klestil. The trip is aimed at promoting relations
between Athens and Tehran as well as between Iran and the EU.
[05] NEW DEMOCRACY ADVISOR RESIGNS
Yannis Loulis yesterday resigned from his post as advisor to the New
Democracy party president, Kostas Karamanlis, after strong criticism
was leveled against him following statements he made that the party was
a "worn-out product, with great burdens, but with a capable leader". Mr
Loulis also resigned from his post as general director of the
"Institute of Democracy - Konstantinos Karamanlis". Meanwhile the New
Democracy party leader, Kostas Karamanlis, yesterday addressed a
session of his party's executive committee and announced the party
would launch an unrelenting struggle against corruption and vested
interests. He also called on other opposition parties to follow suit.
"We are not after scandal-mongering", Mr Karamanlis said, "but the
government should answer for corruption". He also described the Olympic
Lottery as a great fraud and said the relative contract was full of
holes.
[06] AMENDMENT ON RELATIVES OF QUAKE VICTIMS
An amendment was tabled in parliament yesterday enabling the husband,
wife or child of a person killed in the recent earthquake to be given
employment in the public sector if their name is already on the waiting
list of prospective employees.
[07] GREEK DEFENCE MINISTER TO MEET ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER
The national defence minister, Akis Tsochatzopoulos, began a three-day
official visit to Israel yesterday during which he is expected to sign
agreements in the defence sector. The minister said he believed
Greek-Israeli relations were now entering a new phase. He is to meet
today with Israeli prime minister and defence minister Ehud Barak.
[08] PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD VISITS ALBANIA
The president of the Council of Hellenes Abroad, Andrew Athens, is
paying a two-day visit to Albania. He is to meet today with Albanian
president Rexhep Mejdani, prime minister Pandeli Majko, Archbishop
Anastasios of Albania and the president of the ethnic Greek Omonia
party, Vangelis Doules. Yesterday, Mr Athens met Albanian health
minister Leonard Solis, education undersecretary Andrea Marto, finance
minister Anastas Angeli and the president of the Human Rights party
Vassilis Melos.
[09] PROJECTS FOR 2004 ATHENS OLYMPICS TO BE COMPLETED IN TIME
Members of the administrative council of the Organising Committee for
the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens have told a one-day briefing
conference on the progress of the works involved that all the essential
projects will have been completed by June 2003 at the latest, a whole
year before the events are due to be staged.
[10] PRICE OF PETROL DOWN
As from midnight last night, the price of petrol went down by 4.5
drachmas a litre, diesel by 3.5 drachmas and heating oil by 4
drachmas.
[11] ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE UP 0.45% YESTERDAY
On the Athens Stock Exchange, the general share price index went up by
0.45% yesterday to close at 6,155.21 points.
|
