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Friday, 22 November 2024
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-03-22The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTSNEWS IN ENGLISH ERA 5. THE VOICE OF GREECE 22/3/2001 11:50:02 рм [01] FYROM crisisThe Albanian rebels, shortly before the ultimatum to lay down their arms expired, decided to hold a unilateral ceasefire for an indefinite period to assist - as they maintained - dialogue and resolve the crisis.The government of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) rejected the proposal of the ethnic Albanian guerillas to open dialogue, while the president of FYROM Boris Trajkovski instructed the armed forces to restore order at the borders. The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a decision condemning strongly the ethnic Albanian extremists in FYROM and is urging them to put an end to their attacks. Meanwhile, according to a military source, two Yugoslav officers were captured on Wednesday, by Albanian armed men in southern Serbia, while the Serbs of the region accuse the rebels of constantly violating the ceasefire in force. The Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis who is in London, stated that Greece will act in the framework of the international organisations and will not take up bilateral initiatives as regards the crisis in FYROM. He then urged NATO not to disclaim its responsibilities and not to dissociate its stand on the situation that has been created in the Balkans. Opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Kostas Karamanlis will brief the president of the republic Konstantinos Stefanopoulos today, on his contacts with the leadership of Skopje. Mr Karamanlis appealed to the international community to intervene substantially to settle the crisis in FYROM. [02] The visit of Pope John Paul II to GreeceThe press spokesperson of Pope John Paul II hinted that the pontiff will refer to the mistakes the Catholic church made in the past against Orthodoxy, during his visit to Athens on May 4 and 5.The Archdiocese of Athens announced that archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece will bring up the issue of Unia and the division of Christianity. [03] Foreign undersecretary in WashingtonForeign undersecretary Grigoris Niotis is visiting Washington and will have contacts with leading members of the Greek- American community.Mr Niotis will also pay a visit to the White House on Friday, on the occasion of the signing of the declaration for the Greek Independence by US president George Bush. According to the declaration, March 25th is named as ''Celebration Day of the Greek and American Democracy''. Mr Niotis will visit New York afterwards to attend events for the anniversary of the Greek Independence and he will represent the Greek government at the traditional parade of March 25th in Fifth Street, while tomorrow - Friday - he will attend and will speak at a dinner organized by the Federation of Greek Associations of New York and Astoria. On Saturday, March 24, Mr Niotis will meet with the former archbishop Iakovos of North and South America, while on March 26, he will visit the Archdiocese for a meeting with the Archbishop Dimitrios of America and will then give a press conference to Greek and Greek-American journalists. [04] Greek and American foreign ministers' meetingThe American state department spokesman Richard Bowcher announced on Wednesday that the foreign minister of Greece and the United States - George Papandreou and Colin Powel - will have a formal meeting, including a working dinner in Washington on May 21st.Mr Bowcher said ''the Greek foreign minister George Papandreou accepted Colin Powel's invitation to meet in Washington. [05] Bill on education reformsThe bill on the upgrading of TEIs (Technological Education Institutes) was tabled in parliament on Wednesday, despite the reactions of the University community.The rectors of the Higher Educational Institutes announced that universities will suspend their activities for three days in April. [06] Family allowance back paysThe civil servants union is asking that the family allowance back pays be given immediately to both spouses and warned to take industrial action on the issue, while it is also looking into the possibility of having recourse to the European Community.[07] Revision of the ConstitutionThe debate on the revision of the constitution ended in parliament on Wednesday, while a ballot on the new constitution will take place before Easter, most probably on Thursday April 5.Meanwhile, the ND party honorary president Konstantinos Mitsotakis addressing the parliamentary session on Wednesday made hints against the Authority for the Protection of Personal Data and also against the State Council which ruled that the optional religious affiliation on identity cards is anti-constitutional. [08] Coalition party opening to PASOK supportersIn an attempt to attract PASOK supporters, the leader of the Coalition of the Left Wing and Progress party Nikos Konstantopoulos spoke of new initiatives and the opening of a dialogue with those disappointed with the ruling PASOK party.[09] Awards to winners of Special OlympicsAn event to honor the Olympic winners of the Alaska Special Olympics - placing Greece second, was held in parliament on Wednesday.The speaker of the Greek parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis awarded to all the athletes who distinguished themselves the gold medal of the Greek parliament, together with an honorary papyrus and the edition ''Illustrations of the Parliament House''. Present at the event were the sports undersecretary George Floridis, the president of the committee Yanna Despotopoulou and deputies. [10] Fuel pricesHeating oil will cost less than 100 drachmas this week, while the price of unleaded and super remain unchanged.[11] Athens bourseOn the Athens stock exchange, the general share price index dropped by 1.12% on Wednesday, closing at 3,073.50 points.[12] New summer hourNext Sunday, March 25th summer hours will go in force in all European Union member states and in Greece as well.As the ministry of transports and communications announced, on March 25th at 03:00 clocks must be set 1 hour forward to read 04:00. The summer time will be in force till Sunday October 28. [13] New ''Olympic'' shopThe new international airport Eleftherios Venizelos will open in Spata on March 28 and also the new ''Olympic shop'' with signs and new products of the ''Athens 2004''.The shop is situated in one of the most busy areas of the airport, in the area of the departures, where all travellers and visitors have access. The shop will have sports outfits, daily accessories, clothes, jewelry and will also be promoting the idea of the Athens Olympic Games. The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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