The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-12-07

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS END MEETING IN BRUSSELS

Nevertheless, Mr Papandreou clarified that negotiations would continue till the last moment. Meanwhile Washington is in favour of Turkey's EU candidacy and also supports Cyprus' entry procedure. For his part, Turkish president Suleyman Demirel has warned that Greece's vetoing of the Turkish candidacy at the Helsinki summit would mean that tension would return in Greek-Turkish relations.

EU commissioner for foreign affairs Chris Patten has told the German magazine "Der Spiegel" that many political changes are needed in Turkey before admission negotiations can start. He also estimated that Ankara would never be able to become a full member of the EU, because 63 million Turks would jeopardize the Union's balance.

[02] GREECE CONTINUES CONTACTS WITH EUROPEAN PARTNERS

On Wednesday, the inner cabinet will meet to discuss the Greek stand at the Helsinki EU summit. Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas has said that Greece's European partners appear to have reacted favourably to the Greek stands on Turkey's EU candidacy and he called on Turkey again to make some positive moves. Referring to the Cyprus proximity talks in New York between Cypriot president Glafkos Kliridis and Turkish Cypriot representative Rauf Denktash, Mr Reppas said it was a positive thing that UN secretary general Kofi Annan had dismissed demands by Mr Denktash for recognition of the self-styled Turkish Cypriot state and for a confederation on the island. Mr Reppas reiterated that the talks should touch upon the substance of the Cyprus issue.

[03] WORLD COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD MEETS IN THESSALONIKI

Addressing the opening session, Mr Simitis referred to the fact that Hellenism has spread to the four corners of the world and to the difficult times Greeks abroad went through in the first years of emigration. He stressed however that expatriate Greeks managed to prosper and adapt to local societies, keeping alive the conscience of their origins. The Greek prime minister also said that the state recognised the contribution and support of Greeks abroad to the promotion of Greek foreign policy issues.

Finally, foreign undersecretary responsible for matters of Greeks abroad Grigoris Niotis said in a press conference that winning over the most active group of Greeks living abroad, forging permanent relations of cooperation among businessmen and setting up a coordinating body were the goals of the Forum of Greek businessmen living abroad.

[04] PUPILS POISED TO CONTINUE PROTEST ACTION

Speaking in Thessaloniki, prime minister Kostas Simitis said that the sector of education was a place for dialogue to resolve problems and not a place for confrontation. He added that whoever persisted in creating problems in that sector was doing so because of the forthcoming elections. Education minister Gerassimos Arsenis said that the Greek Communist party was instigating the students' protest action. According to data collected by the High-school Teachers Federation, the number of schools under occupation nationwide stands at 150, while the education ministry has set the number at 100.

The Athens prosecutor's office has said that out of 120 schools in the region of Attica only 25 are under occupation. Today, the Teachers Federation is expected to see justice minister Evangelos Yannopoulos and call for the freezing of the controversial legislative act. Yesterday, two parents, members of the parents' association of a school in Kallithea, Athens, were arrested after the school principal accused them of preventing her from entering the premises.

[05] INFLATION SLIGHTLY UP IN NOVEMBER

[06] GREEK AUSTRALIAN TENNIS PLAYER HERO OF THE DAY

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