|
|
The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-10-12
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] Olympic Games in Athens. The best organised Games
[02] The inner cabinet decided immediate economic aid to Yiougoslavia.
[03] Russian Foreign minister, Igor Ivanof arrives in Athens today
[04] Greek-Albanian relations
[05] Greek- President Kostis Stefanopoulos on a tour of the Baltic countries
[06] Greek commissioner, Anna Diamantopoulou proposal for a viable Euroepan
[07] The four High -Speed ships of the Minoan Lines seized
[08] Events marking the aniversary of the liberation of the city of Athens
[09] Greek-Turkish relations.
[10] Greek painting exhibition ''Classic Memories in Modern Greek Art '',
[11] Athens stock market
NEWS IN ENGLISH ERA-5 THE VOICE OF GREECE
12/10/2000 1:09:51 ''
[01] Olympic Games in Athens. The best organised Games
New hints by the International Olympics Committee about delays in the
organisation of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens , gave rise to strong
reactions by the Greek goverment In repply, Greek goverment spokesman
Dimitris Reppas said that Athens would organise the best games in the
history of the Olympic Games. He also stressed that the goverment has
made the final decisions on the organisational group,the means and the
people but it could not put a halt to statements by international
athletic factors. Environment and Public Works Minister Kostas
Laliotis also called for a halt to ultimatums while the Athens major
Dimitris Avramopoulos asked for changes of the organisational group.
In the meantime, in a special session ,the plenum of the parliament,
presented Olympic winners with gold and silver medals , traditionally
awarded to state leaders. Political leaders congratulated the Greek
Olympic winners while Prime- minister Simitis stated that the victories
of our athletes have taught us that nothing can be won without hard
effort and sacrificies .
[02] The inner cabinet decided immediate economic aid to Yiougoslavia.
The inner cabinet yesterday decided on the immediate granting of
economic aid to Yiougoslavia. According to goverment spokesman
Dimitris Reppas ,Greece will allocate to Yiougoslavia, 50% of the funds
for the reconstruction of the Balcans. Within this framework, National
Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou will visit Belgrade next month
while Defence and Public Order Ministers, Akis Tsohatzopoulos and
Mihalis Hrisohoidis respectively will also pay a visit to
Yiougoslavia. Despite his comments on the efforts of Milosevits allies
to get involved in the formation of the new goverment , the new
Yiougoslav President Voislav Kostunica expressed optimism about the
future of the country.
[03] Russian Foreign minister, Igor Ivanof arrives in Athens today
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanof arrives in Athens today for talks
with his Greek counterpart Giorge Papandreou and the President of the
ND party Kostas Karamanlis. Mr. Ivanof will be aslo received by Prime-
minister Simitis. It is believed that talks will focus on developments
in Yiougoslavia.
[04] Greek-Albanian relations
Greek deputies have expressed interest in observing the second round of
municipal elections to be held next Sunday in Albania. In reference to
the minority and some phenomena of violence which had a limited
influence on the results of the first round of municipal elections in
Albania, Greek goverment spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that Greek
Foreign minister Giorge Papandreou has had a telephone contact with the
Albanian Prime -minister to prevent similar phenomena. Commenting on
aggressive statements by the president of the Socialist party Fato
Nano, Mr.Reppas stressed that those who believed that could harm
Greek-Albanian relations should know that they mainly harmed
themselves.
[05] Greek- President Kostis Stefanopoulos on a tour of the Baltic countries
From the city Talin ,in Esthonia ,second stop of his tour to the Baltic
countries, Greek President Kostis Stefanopoulos stated that the
consolidation of peace and stability in Southeast Europe was the
cornerstone of Greece's foreign policy.
Mr.Stefanopoulos met with his Esthonian counterpart Lenard Meri and
assured him that Greece supported his country's European course.
Their talks focused on the issue of the EU's enlargement, development
of trade and economic relations between Athens and Talin and cultural
exchanges between the two countries
[06] Greek commissioner, Anna Diamantopoulou proposal for a viable Euroepan
pension system
The European Commission has adopted, Greek Commissioner's Anna
Diamantopoulou proposal which provides for a cooperation framework
between EU member states in order to find solutions for viable European
pension systems. Otherwise,as the European Commission announcement
stresses ,not only the pension institution is threatened but also the
European social model. Mrs. Diamantopoulou proposal includes the
increase in age limits andits harmonisation in all EU member countries,
re-adoption of social security contributions as well as immediate
modernisation of social security systems.
[07] The four High -Speed ships of the Minoan Lines seized
The four High -Speed ships of the Minoan Lines Shipping Company- owner
of the Samina Express which recently sank off the coast of paros -have
been seized, as a result of law- suits filed against the shipping
company demanding for compensations amounting over 3 billion dr. In
the meantime, reacting to the way the incident was presented by the
mass media, all shipping companies have agreed to immobilise their
ships on October, 27. The Holy Synod continues with the collection of
signatures on the inclusion of religious affiliation on the new ID
cards. During yesterda's session of the Holy Synod Archibishop
Hristodoulos speech was specially critical regarding the crisis in
state-church relations. Mr.Hristodoulos strongly criticised goverment
circles and glergymen who have openly voiced their objections aimed at
the separation of the church from the state The Holy Synod decided to
continue with the collection f signatures on the inclusion of religious
affiliation on the new ID cards. The Metropolitan of Ioannina was
against the collection of signatures.
[08] Events marking the aniversary of the liberation of the city of Athens
from occupation troops.
The anniversary of the liberation of the city of Athens from the
occupation troops will be held on the Holy Hill of Acropolis today at
the presence of the Athens major Dimitris Avramopoulos. During the
event ,a monument in memory of euzone Konstantinos Koukidis- who fell
wrapped in the Greek flag refusing to hand it to the invaders- will ne
unveiled. The laying of wreaths at the monument of the Unknown Soldier
will follow and events will conclude with the unveiling of amarble
monument in front of the Supreme Court in memory of the those imprisned
and executed at the Averof prison.
[09] Greek-Turkish relations.
In his speech at the University of the Aegean ,in Smirna ,Turkish state
deputy Sucru Giurel said that problems in Grek-Turkish relations could
be solved through dialogue within a few months after the very positive
atmosphere created after the earthquakes which hit both countries. In
reference to the document on EU-Turkey partnership relations, Mr.Giurel
maintained that the Turkish goverment would not agree that the
settlement of differences in the Aegean Sea and the resolution of the
Cyprus issue should be the preconditions for Turkey's admission to the
EU. Mr.Giurel repeated Ancar's firm stand about two separate and equal
states in Cyprus and maintained that the Cyprus ssue would only be
solved when both sides admitted this reality.
[10] Greek painting exhibition ''Classic Memories in Modern Greek Art '',
opens in NY.
"Classic Memories in Modern Greek Art" is the title of the exhibition
which opens on October 23, in NY. The exhibition is organised by the
Onassis Foundation and depicts the link of classical antiquity with the
creativity of modern Grek artists.
[11] Athens stock market
On the Athens stock exchange, the general share index yesterday dropped
by 1,01 % to close at 388,20 points
|