The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-02-14

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] FISHER URGES DENKTASH FOR A CYPRUS ISSUE SOLUTION

Such a solution would re-unite Cyprus and would allow settlers and the occupation forces to leave the island. It would also safeguard the human rights of all its inhabitants and would guarantee its security.

Referring to the Cyprus issue the Cypriot Interior minister Christodoulos Christodoulou stated that the conflict within the Holy Synod as regards the way the Cyprus issue would be solved, would rise concern to the government if it spread more than now.

However, Mr. Christodoulou stated that if such a problem arose, then the maturity of the political and ecclesiastical leadership would find a solution to the problem as it had done in the past so as to maintain unity which was necessary.

According to journalists' information the German Foreign minister Yoshka Fisher briefed his Greek and Cypriot counterparts Messers Pandreou and Kasoulides on the content of the meeting he had in Hamburgh with the Turkish-Cypriot representative Raouf Denktash. After that Mr. Papandreou spoke on the phone with Mr. Kasoulides.

Based on German Foreign ministry sources, the German foreign minister Joshka Fisher has made it clear to the Turkish- Cypriot representative Rauf Denktash that the Turkish- Cypriots should not be looking forward to any sort of recognition of the self-styled Turkish-Cypriot state of Northern Cyprus, and at the same time urged him to promote ways for a Cyprus settlement.

Following his operation two days ago at "Saint Mary's" clinic, where he will stay for two weeks, the Speaker of the Cyprus Parliament Spyros Kyprianou's health has been described as stable.

[02] THIRD INTER-BALKAN CONFERENCE WINDS UP IN BUCHAREST

In his speech, Mr. Simitis stressed the need for the promotion of political cooperation of the Balkan countries with the European Union, while referring to Yugoslavia, which was not participating in the summit meeting, he said that the policy for its isolation was not bearing fruits, asking thus for the re-examination of the embargo implemented on Yugoslavia

Prime minister Costas Simitis and Foreign minister Yiorgos Papandreou stated yesterday that Greece intended to raise the issue of limiting and even abolishing measures related to flights which had been implemented within the framework of the embargo imposed on Yugoslavia to the European Union General Affairs Committee which is to meet in Brussels today.

In his speech, the Greek Prime minister Costas Simitis stressed the need for promotion of political cooperation between the Balkan countries and the European Union, while referring to Kossovo, he underlined that the the resolutions of the Security Council must be implemented otherwise problems would rise in the area. According to Mr. Simitis Kossovo must be autonomous but within the Yugoslav borders.

Finally, regarding the Stability Pact, various ideas were discussed by the participants related to development and the promotion of political and social stability in the area.

The special coordinator of the Stability Pact for South- Eastern Europe Bodo Hobah pointed out that any economic commitment or other of the West to strengthen the Balkans should be connected with substancial reforms in the sectors of democracy, human rights and minorities, economy and security.

[03] SIMITIS MEETS WITH ETCEVIT ON THE SIDELINES OF THE CONFERNCE

For his part, the Turkish Prime minister Bulent Ecevit said he was pleased with the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations.

Replying to reporters questions, Mr. Simitis pointed out that Ankara should stop violating the Greek airspace, while he assessed that the issue of FYROM's name was an issue that should be closed.

Mr. Etcevit from his side thanked the Greek Foreign minister Yiorgos Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem for their contribution in the improvement of the Greek-Turkish relations.

At the same time, Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Cem had short conversations, during which the Greek Foreign minister referred to the continuation of the violation of the Greek airspace by Turkish jet fighters.

Mr. Simitis also met with his FYROM, Rumanian and Bulgarian counteparts.

[04] GREEK POLITICAL PARTIES PREOCCUPIED WITH ELECTIONS

Premier Costas Simitis presided a meeting of PASOK cadres at Maximos Manion yesterday during which the participants discussed the party's communications policy.

Opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis presented at a pre-congress meeting, held in Patras yesterday, his party's proposals on dealing with unemployment.

After critizing the government's policy on the employment sector, he anounced that when his party wins the elections will subsidize those wishing to acquire houses and will increase the unemloyment benefits.

In the meantime, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, who stated that New Democracy party lacked a programme and a stance, wondered where would Mr. Karamanlis would find the funds for the expences he was promising.

From her side, the General Secretary of the Greek Communist party has asked from the mass media to treat all political parties equally.

Social and Democratic movement leader Dimitris Tsovolas in a speech at a central Athenian cinema critized the government for its policy, calling at the same time the Greeks not to vote for the two major political parties.

Coalition of the Left and Progress party Nikos Konstantopoulos, from Serres, accused the government of spending enormous ammounts of money for its pre-election campaign.

Today, the President Costantinos Stephanopoulos will meet with the Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos at Maximos mansion.

[05] 2004 OLYMPICS DELEGATION VISITS AUSTRALIA AND BRACKS SUPPORTS THE RETURN OF PARTHENON MARBLES

In addition, a multi-member delegation, consisting of the board of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organization Committee and 50 Greek businessmen, are also expected to visit Sydney in the next few days.

Aim of this visit is the briefing of the Greek side on the achievements of the responsible Australian bodies, in view of the Sydney Olympiad and a cooperation between the businessmen of the two countries, as well as the attraction of Australian investors in the Athens Olympic Games.

In another development, the premier of the Australian State of Victoria Steve Bracks has stated that he will submit a petition to the British House, urging for the return of the Parthenon marbles to Greece.

The anouncement was made by Mr Bracks himself, who stated that he was pleased to accept the proposal to become a member of the Australian Committee responsible for the return of the Parthenon marbles, in which several top Australian politicians were already participating.

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article