The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-01-22

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

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

CONTENTS

22/1/2001 9:21:05 рм

[01] Bomb attack against New Democracy party deputy

His brother, as well as two or three more residents of the building, were also slightly injured, while serious damage was caused in neighboring buildings.

Eye witnesses say that before the explosion, someone was heard saying"fire now!" and right afterwards two young men left hurriedly on a motorcylcle. Three of the eye witnesses are currently being questioned by the anti-terrorist service.

No warning had been given before the explosion and so far no organisation has claimed responsibility for the attack, although the police estimate that it should be the November 17th organization.

Mr. Michaloliakos might leave hospital today.

The Public Order minister Michalis Chrysohoidis ,as well as the president and members of the New Democracy party, visited Mr. Mihaloliakos at the hospital.

Mr. Chrysohoidis expressed his abhorence for the bomb attack against the deputy, which he described as an insulting provocation against Democracy, and confirmed that the culprits would soon be taken before justice.

The government underlined it would soon confront the mechanisms seeking the destabilization of the country. Democracy is not afraid of terrorists, however we should all undertake our responsibilities and do our duty, said New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, adding that once again the target of terrorism was a member of the New Democracy party.

In the meantime, in an interview published in newspaper "Kathimerini Tis Kyriakis" yesterday, Justice minister Michalis Stathopoulos announced the setting up of special courts for cases of terrorism and organised crime.

[02] Tests for repurcussions from depleted uranium ammunition continues

In the meantime, the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece, Christodoulos, was reassurng on the issue yesterday in his sermon, following his visit to Greek peacekeepers in the region on Saturday.

However, the German Defence minister Rudolph Sharping has strongly criticized the US for not having notified its nato allies that missiles with depleted uranium, contained traces of radioactive plutonium.

Mr. Shapring is accompanied by a scientist of the Munich Environment and Health Research Centre, who will examine samples of water and soil to detect any plutonium.

Measurements carried out by the Greek Atomic Energy Committee and Dimocritos Institute in military installations throughout Greece, have shown normal radiation levels.

Finally, the Australian government anounced that the Australian soldiers who served in the Balkans will undergo medical tests to find out if they had been exposed to depleted uranium.

The competent Australian minister Bruce Scot said that personel and soldiers' health would be monitored for the next five years. 216 Australian soldiers have served in Yugoslavia from 1993 and stayed there for more than 30 days.

However, Mr. Scot underlined that there was no final medical proof that depleted uranium is a health hazard.

[03] According to Kapa Research poll PASOK will be the winner in the next elections

According to the poll, the new political party which Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos plans to set up, would gain 14,7% of the votes, while the main opposition New Democracy -- to which mr Avramopoulos formerly belonged -- may suffer losses of up to 7,4%. 45% of those asked believe that Mr. Costas Simitis may deal with country's problems more effectively while 34,4% consider Mr. Karamanlis as the most suitable person.

46,2% believe that PASOK has more chances to wind the elections while 33,9% believe that New Democracy will prevail.

[04] Cyprus issue

In his interview with the Cypriot newspaper "Fileleptheros" published yesterday, Mr. Papandreou estimates that contrary to Turkey, Cyprus will not face any dilemas The Greek Foreign minister points out that the Cyprus issue is always being discussed in the European Union, adding that this development must be utilized.

Referring to the new American government's policy, he says that it will be different to that of the previous government's, adding however that Turkey's European course is imoportant for the United States stategic interests.

Finally, as regards Greece's relations with Turkey, he underlines that if the Cyprus issue is not resolved, then this will serve as an obstacle to the two countries' cooperation.

In the meantime, the Turkish-Cypriot representative Rauf Denktash now maintains that the UN Secretary General Koffi Anan will not send invitations for participation by both sides in the talks if his consent is not obtained first. And for this --he claims -- the talks should aim at creating a bridge between the two states -- as he put it.

From his side, the Cypriot Foreign minister Yiannakis Kassoulides lodged a protest to the Belgian government, demanding further clarifications as regards to what the Belgian Foreign undersecretary Mrs. Neits said about some sort of recognition of Denktash's pseudostate.

However, Mrs. Neits representative stated to the Cypriot news agency that Belgium supports the United Nations procedure and the European Union principles.

[05] Biministerial committee for Olympics meets today

The committee and the government will examine the latest developments and provisions of the draft-bill for the 2004 Olympics.

[06] Strikes in the Health sector

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