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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-04-23The 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 23/4/2001 11:18:00 рм [01] Reactions for the reform of the Social Security SystemFollowing harsh reactions from Trade Unions and workers, the government now appears willing to make some changes to its controversial proposals regarding reforms in the Social Security System.Specifically, the lower pension for an employee with no other incomes will be 61.000 drachmas, while for women there will be a transitional period of perhaps 10 years before a final decision is taken. Additionally, no change will take place as regards the age for pension for builders, workers etc, while according to information the government is examining the possibility for employees to be getting their pension after 35 years of work at the age of 65. Meanwhile, the General Confederation of Greek Workers and the Civil Servants union have expressed their opposition to the proposals and have announced a 24 hour general strike for next Thursday. On a similar development, High school teachers in the Attica basin have staged a two hour stoppage in the morning and another one in the afternoon today. At the same time, they will demonstrate outside the Education ministry at 1pm today. In a separate development, lawyers throughout the country will abstain from their duties on April 24th and 25th, following a decision made by the Presidents of Bar Associations for industrial actions. [02] Stability in Turkey serves Greek interests says PapantoniouSpeaking in Sweden yesterday, where he attended an informal ECOFIN meeting, National Economy minister Yannos Papantoniou said that economic and political stability in neighbouring Turkey served stability in the region and was to Greece's and to the European Union's interest.Mr. Papantoniou made these statements following the decision of the council to give an additional 10 billion drachmas to Turkey to enable the implementation of the steamlining of the Turkish economy. In relation to European Commission forecasts that the slowing down of the American Economy would not substantially affect the growth rate of the Eurozone in 2001, Mr. Papantoniou noted that Greece was the country on which it would have the least impact. Finally, a dialogue took place in Malme, Sweden regarding the the European Union candidate countries including Cyprus and Turkey. Cyprus was represented by Finance minister Takis Klerides, who stated that Cyprus would be ready to submit its economic convergence programme by the end of April. He also stressed that Cyrpus intended to enter the European Monetary Union immediately after its accession to the European Union. [03] New provisions regarding organized crimeAccording to his interview with the Sunday newspaper "Eleftherotypia" Justice minister M. Stathopoulos states that the Justice ministry will proceed to the change of four basic provisions regarding organized crime. Specifically, the changes are related to the formulating of the term of "criminal organization", to guarantees for the taking of genetical material and the banning of surveillance of private residence or business enterprises.[04] Organisation claims responsibility for explosionThe organization under the name "Anti-domination Struggle" has claimed responsibility for the explosion at the entrance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate's offices in Athens.[05] Memorial services for Jewish victims of NazisA memorial service was held at the Third Athens cemetery by the Israeli Community of Athens for the death of millions of Jewish people in Nazi concentration camps.At the same time, a memorial service was held yesterday by Israeli community of Thessaloniki for 50.000 Jewish people who were exterminated in Nazi concentration camps. Finally, in an event organized in cooperation with the prefectural local government of Thessaloniki, the Armenian committee held an event at the hall of Macedonian Studies regarding the genocide of 1.500.000 Armenians by the Turks in 1915. [06] Event for Yiorgos KaraiskakisThe President of the Hellenic Republic Constantinos Stephanopulos was present at an event held in Mavromati, Karditsa in commemoration of the Greek hero of the 1821 Revolution Yiorgos Karaiskakis, who had died 174 ago. Referring to the Greeks' struggle for liberty, Mr. Stephanopoulos underlined the Greeks' unity and characteristically stressed that the Greeks were now united.The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |