|
|
|
The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-05-25
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] PM Simitis says "no" religion on ID cards
[02] Government moves to keep oil rises lower
[03] New organisation committee for Athens 2004 Games
[04] FM Papandreou to meet Cem, Albright in Florence
[05] Tsochatzopoulos satisfied with joint NATO maneuver
[06] Meeting on peace declaration for children in Greece
[07] Tremor rocks Kalamata, Crete
NEWS IN ENGLISH
(THE VOICE OF GREECE - Translators Dpt.)
[01] PM Simitis says "no" religion on ID cards
Prime Minister Costas Simitis announced in parliament that citizen's
religion would not appear on their new identity cards, estimated to be
issued in 2003. In a telephone conversation with the PM, Archbishop
Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece expressed his objection to
scraping religion from ID cards and warned the PM that there would be
reactions which the church could not control. The New Democracy party
deputy, responsible for issues related to public order and justice,
Theodoros Anagnostopoulos, referring to the new ID cards, said that the
government's support to abolition of one's religion from ID cards would
be proof of the government authoritarian character.
[02] Government moves to keep oil rises lower
The new hikes in oil prices will be finally lower than expected, as
refineries and oil companies have agreed to absorb part of the cost
rise following a meeting with Development Minister Nikos
Christodoulakis. The move by the government was aimed at keeping oil
increases as low as possible not to aggravate inflation The price for
gasoline will go up 8.2 to 8.6 drachmas per litre, while diesel will
sell 2.8 drachmas more expensive.
[03] New organisation committee for Athens 2004 Games
The bi-ministerial supreme supervisory committee for the Olympic Games
convened, chaired by prime minister Costas Simitis. The committee
decided to set up a new body, the 2004 Organization Monitoring
Committee, comprising five members, to be presided by Yianna
Angelopoulos-Daskalaki. The Prime minister said he was satisfied with
the speed at which decisions were being taken in relation to
preparations for the 2004 Games to be held in Athens. Meanwhile, a
draft bill to be tabled by culture minister Theodoros Pangalos,
covering the entire organization of the Games, is in its final stages.
[04] FM Papandreou to meet Cem, Albright in Florence
The situation in the Balkans, NATO's relations with the European Union
and Russia, as well as with NATO-candidate countries are included in
the agenda of a two-day summit of the alliance's foreign ministers
which opened in Florence, Italy. On the sidelines of the meeting, Greek
Foreign Minister George Papandreou is expected to hold a private
meeting with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem, today. Reliable
sources indicate that the two foreign ministers will discuss matters
relating to bilateral cooperation agreements, as well as the question
of confidence building measures. Papandreou will present specific
proposals to Mr Cem with the aim of arriving at a jointly acceptable
formula on procedures to promote the measures, as to date, the two
sides have had different approaches. Papandreou is also scheduled to
meet with US Secretary of State Madaleine Albright, with whom he will
discuss issues concerning Kosovo and the overall policy being
implemented in relation to Yugoslavia, which Greece considers
ineffective.
[05] Tsochatzopoulos satisfied with joint NATO maneuver
Following a meeting with the PM, National Defence Minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos said the NATO military exercise "Dynamic Mix" was being
conducted smoothly and according to plan, on all levels, with Greece's
sovereign rights being safeguarded. He also described as positive the
fact that was excellent collaboration between the Greek and Turkish
forces taking part in the maneuver. The meeting also discussed the
priorities for the country's security and defence and Tsohatzopoulos
said the government's national defence council would convene after
June. In response to statements made by a Turkish former chief of
staff, regarding the dissolution of the Aegean force with simultaneous
demilitarization of the islands, the defence minister said that
Greece's position was clear: European Union accession was a unique
opportunity, which, he said Turkey would want to take advantage of.
[06] Meeting on peace declaration for children in Greece
The "Child and Family Foundation", has organized an international
meeting in Athens and Delfi at the beginning of June, to draw up a
draft peace declaration for children. The meeting, says president
Miariana Vardinogiannis, is expected to attract numerous dignitaries
from around the world. Meanwhile, UNICEF has established "National
Vaccine Days" to prevent children across the world from contracting
diseases and survive in hygienic conditions.
[07] Tremor rocks Kalamata, Crete
A strong earthquake measuring 6 degrees on the Richter scale was
recorded at 9.20 Wednesday morning in the NW Peloponnese. The epicenter
of the tremor was in the sea region, 120 km from the town of Kalamata.
No damage has been reported in the area or the island of Crete, where
the earthquake was also felt.
|
