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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-04-25
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] The Greek government got a vote of confidence
[02] Plans for the 2004 Olympic Games
[03] Developments in Greek economy
[04] Developments in the Cyprus issue
[05] Optimistic views on Greek-Turkish Cooperation Conference
[06] Kosovo Serbs satisfied from their visit to Greece
[07] Events marking the Armenian genocide
NEWS IN ENGLISH
(THE VOICE OF GREECE - Translators Dpt.)
[01] The Greek government got a vote of confidence
In parliament, the government got a vote of confidence with 157 votes
in favour and 141 against. The deputies of Pasok Anastasios Choremis
and of the Greek communist party Orestis Kolozof abstained from the
ballot due to illness. The prime minister Kostas Simitis stated
afterwards that the government was setting out under the most
favourable auspices. Mr Simitis added that it was a long-term
government and would use this time to fulfill its work.
Closing the three-day debate, the prime minister accused the ND party
of its constantly negative stand and of cultivating exaggeration
consciously. The opposition New Democracy party leader Kostas
Karamanlis stressed that the government majority voted the policy
statements which were merely a patch-work of pre-election pledges and
old promises. He also said that his party would insist on the
principle of consensus on the basis of institutions and would keep
checking the government's work, strictly, responsibly and effectively.
The honorary president of the New Democracy party Konstantinos
Mitsotakis said the meaning of consensus in the new parliament was the
mandate the Greek people gave to the two major parties.
The interior minister Vaso Papandreou said that a national dialogue
would take place on the electoral system.
[02] Plans for the 2004 Olympic Games
Taking the floor in parliament yesterday, the culture minister
Theodoros Pangalos announced that an informal interparty committee
would be set up to monitor the course of the works for the 2004 Olympic
Games, stressing that in the next few days a letter would be sent to
the parties regarding the appointment of their representatives. Mr
Pangalos said he was certain that the organization of the 2004 Olympic
Games would be excellent, while after his meeting with the prime
minister yesterday he announced that he will have meetings with the
representatives of the International Olympic Committee.
[03] Developments in Greek economy
The governor of the Bank of Greece Loukas Papadimos, during today's
general assembly, asked for the speeding up of infrastructure changes
in the economy, as well as the economic policy's re-orientation with
the aim to obtain stabilization of prices and maintain the incomes on
the same level. Meanwhile, the European Central Bank is expected to
release its report regarding Greece's application for admission to
European Economic and Monetary Union.
[04] Developments in the Cyprus issue
Intense activity is taking place around the Cyprus issue, as the
Cypriot foreign minister Yannakis Kasoulidis is expected in Athens for
talks with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou. According to
reports, the visit was believed necessary, in view of Mr Papandreou's
trip to the United States next week, where he will have contacts with
his counterparts of the US Madeleine Albright and Turkey Ismail Cem.
In his statements, the Cypriot minister underlined that Cyprus would
never accept Turkey's stands about the recognition of two states, or an
acceptance of two state entities and a confederation. Meanwhile, the
Cypriot president Glafkos Kliridis will have talks in Athens on May
19th, with the prime minister Kostas Simitis, in view of the third
round of proximity talks on Cyprus, scheduled to open in New York on
May 23rd.
[05] Optimistic views on Greek-Turkish Cooperation Conference
The messages of the Turkish press on the report of the Greek- Turkish
Cooperation conference held in Athens on April 21st and 22nd, are
positive. Jumhuryiet writes that the business world is satisfied from
the recent trip to Athens and points out that the Turkish businessmen
are optimistic about the contacts they had with their Greek
fellow-businessmen. Who said we are enemies, writes the Turkish
newspaper Sabah, underlining that the report played an important role
in the improvement of the two countries' relations.
[06] Kosovo Serbs satisfied from their visit to Greece
The Serbs of Kosovo returned satisfied from the contacts they had in
Athens recently with the Greek foreign minister George Papandreou.
Bishop Artemios who is the president of the Serb National Council of
Kosovo stated that Mr Papandreou expressed on behalf of the Greek
government, Greece's support for a peaceful settlement of the Kosovo
issue in framework of the Security Council resolution 1244.
[07] Events marking the Armenian genocide
Incidents occurred in Athens and Thessaloniki, during the protest
marches of the Armenian Youth of Greece to the Turkish embassies, held
on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the genocide of the
Armenians by the Turks, when 1,5 million people lost their life.
Certain demonstrators burnt a Turkish flag. Following this incident,
the Greek ambassador in Turkey Ioannis Korandis was summoned to the
Turkish foreign ministry, while the ministry spokesman said Ankara
would lodge an official protest with Athens on the incident through the
Greek ambassador. In Nicosia, the Armenians honoured the memory of the
victims of the genocide against the Armenian nation by the Turkish
state. A memorial service was held in the Armenian church yesterday
morning, while a special ceremony for the anniversary of the genocide
took place in the School for the Blind last night. Also, the Cypriot
political parties issued announcements condemning the genocide.
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