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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-12-20
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] Turkish security forces stormed prisons across the country to end
[02] National Economy Minister underlined the develoomental and social
[03] Majors across the country claim part of thenew budget
[04] A number of proposals on the funding of political parties by Interior
[05] Prime-minister Simitis made surprise visits to IKA social security
[06] The drachma interest rate one base point down next week
[07] Tension in Cyprus as Turkish soldiers threatened to shoot journalists
[08] Surprise inspections of Attica markets on a daily basis to curb
[09] Patriarch Diodoros of Jerusalem died on Tuesday
[10] Increased measures for road safety during Christams holidays
NEWS IN ENGLISH ERA 5. THE VOICE OF GREECE
20/12/2000 1:28:09 μμ
[01] Turkish security forces stormed prisons across the country to end
hunger strikes
At least 15 political prisoners and two policemen died when security
forces stormed jails across Turkey yesterday to end a hunger strike.
Hunger strikers were protesting against plans to move them from large
dormitory -style jails to smaller cell prisons -a move they say would
leave them vulnerable to abuse by prisom guards. Amnesty International
has expressed its deep concern over the violent incidents in Turkey
while the Human Rights Organisation has sent a letter to the Turkish
goverment calling it to guarantee that the security forces would not
use excessive violence or torture during the operation . After 15
inmates set fire on themselves ,Amnesty International called the
Turkish goverment to carry out separate investigations on the death of
each prisoner and relieve of their duties those responsible for the
deaths . According to an announcement by the Turkish Justice Minister
security forces will storm two other jails . In Greece under the
initiative of Pasok deputy Theodoros Pagalos ,58 deputies from all
political parties submitted a resolution to the President of the
Parliament calling for the mediation of the European organs . Thousands
of Turkish immigrants staged demonstrations in Swicherland ,France and
Germany to protest against the violent incidents .
[02] National Economy Minister underlined the develoomental and social
character of the new state budget
The new 2001 state budget was analysed in parliament yesterday by
National Economy Minister Yannos Papantoniou - one day after his
presentation of the government's ambitious stability and growth program
for the country. Mr Papantoniou foresees tax cuts after 2003, wage
increases over and above the inflation rate, and a gradual easing of
the general price index to 2.3% in early 2001. Mr Papantoniou said that
the targeted inflation rate would result from a strict fiscal policy,
the implementation of structural reforms and liberalization of the
telecommunications and energy markets. He also underlined the
developmental and social character of the new state budget adding that
for the first time in recent history a 450 billion dr. surplus would be
distributed to low and medium income earners . Commenting , New
Democracy party parliamentary spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos described
the surplus of the new budget as fictitious adding that there is a
deficit of at least 1.5 trillion drs.. The state budget debate - which
began Monday night - will conclude Friday midnight with a roll-call
vote.
[03] Majors across the country claim part of thenew budget
Majors across the country claim part of the new state budget as there
is no provision for the allocation of funds to the local
administration. The contry's majors have threatened with mobilisations
in the event their requests are not met.
[04] A number of proposals on the funding of political parties by Interior
Minister
Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou yesterday submitted to a special
Inter-Party Committee a number of proposals related to the funding of
political parties from both the state budget and private sources in
order to ensure transparency and credibility. Mrs Papandreou suggested
regular annual funding of parties and parliamentary deputies but ruled
out the financing of political parties by state organizations and mass
media owners. The interior minister's proposal also defines the terms,
conditions and advertising time for parties during election campaigns.
[05] Prime-minister Simitis made surprise visits to IKA social security
clinics on Tuesday
Prime minister Kostas Simitis yesterday made surprise visits to
branches of the state manpower organisation, a state-run day care
centre and IKA social security clinics in various parts of Athens.
According to statements made by the prime minister - who was
accompanied by labour minister Anastasios Yannitsis - he wanted to form
a general picture of the way in which the public services functioned on
an everyday basis. After the visits, he said that his impressions were
much better than he had expected. However, he did point out that the
state manpower organization was short of personnel, as were IKA clinics
in Korydallos, while there were insufficient places for more children
at the day care centre in Agia Varvara. Mr Simitis is expected to
continue making similar unannounced visits to other state-run
organizations for the next few days.
[06] The drachma interest rate one base point down next week
The Bank of Greece is scheduled to reduce drachma interest rates by one
base point next week, in order to bring it in line with euro interest
rates. Yesterday morning, prime minister Simitis met with the governor
of the Bank of Greece Loukas Papadimos to discuss monetary policies and
Greece's course towards a united European currency. In the meantime,
the managing director of the Greek Investment Bank Anastasios Tzavellas
said yesterday that interests on loans will also have to drop, within
the framework of economic convergence. Nevertheless, concern has been
expressed about the low interest rates on savings accounts and high
interest rates on loans.
[07] Tension in Cyprus as Turkish soldiers threatened to shoot journalists
observing movements of Turkish soldiers
According to the Voice of America, a United Nations communique
indicates that tensions are rising in Cyprus, following threats made by
Turkish soldiers that they will shoot Greek journalists who observe the
movements of Turkish troops from the zone dividing the Greek and
Turkish communities in Cyprus. However, Reuters news agency has quoted
a Turkish-Cypriot leader as denying any such threats have been made.
Meanwhile, security measures have been stepped up in the Pyla area,
where a Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot were recently arrested on
charges of drug possession.
[08] Surprise inspections of Attica markets on a daily basis to curb
incidents of profiteering
The Financial Crime Squad began spot checks at markets yesterday, in an
effort to curb incidents of profiteering. At a meeting yesterday
between the undersecretaries of finance and development - Apostolos
Fotiadis and Milena Apostolaki - it was decided that 500 personnel from
the special squad would conduct surprise inspections of Attica markets
on a daily basis, during the entire holiday season. Nationwide, the
number of inspectors will exceed 2,000 and checks will cover production
procedures up to retail sales. At the meeting, Mr Fotiadis called on
meat merchants and importers to cooperate in efforts to curb
profiteering, as retail prices during Christmas will have a direct
impact on inflation.
[09] Patriarch Diodoros of Jerusalem died on Tuesday
Patriarch Diodoros of Jerusalem died yesterday of renal insufficiency.
Patriarch Diodoros was born on the island of Chios and went to
Jerusalem in October 1938. He devoted his life to safeguarding the Holy
Land. He became Archbishop in 1962 and Patriarch of Jerusalem in 1981
[10] Increased measures for road safety during Christams holidays
Traffic police plan to take increased measures for road safety, in view
of the upcoming exodus from urban centres for the Christmas and New
Year holidays. Patrol cars will carry out checks daily on all main
highways to monitor speed limits, the use of safety belts, and alcohol
abuse, and heavy fines will be imposed for violations of the traffic
code. Meanwhile, taxi passengers will have to pay a special Xmas bonus
of 250 drs per ride as from December 20 to January 7 next year.
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