The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-06-12

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

CONTENTS

12/6/2001 3:34:00 μμ

NEWS HEADLINES

Concern over the situation in FYROM Agreement on Social Policy in Luxemburgh Social Security System discussed in Parliament yesterday Strikes in the Health sector Greece asks the lifting of passport-checks to one-day Turkish tourists PASOK &amp; New Democracy accusations for Public projects The Civil Aviation Unions go on strike Nikaia to host weighlifting in 2004 2,85% drop in the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday

[01] Concern over the situation in FYROM

In the meantime yesterday, Albanian extremists launched an attack against a police vehicle, which had been ambushed outside Tetovo.

According to police sources six passengers of the car were wounded. The rebels, which are a stone?s throw from Skopje, anounced that they would suspend their activities for 24 hours, although earlier they had been threatening to attack the town. At the same time, refugees in FYROM are numbering thousands, while the government has anounced a temporary ceasfire, giving priority to the restoration of water supply and the allocation of humatiarian aid to the civilians.

Referring to the escalation of the crisis in FYROM, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterated Greece's fixed position for a solution that would result from negotiations. Replying to questions regarding the possible attacks against targets of Greek interests on behalf of Albanian rebels in FYROM, Mr. Reppas said that the government was in continuous contact with the Greek Embassy in Skopje so as to deal with all eventualities.

[02] Agreement on Social Policy in Luxemburgh

[03] Social Security System discussed in Parliament yesterday

From his side, New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis stated that the Prime Minister was causing damage to the country, while the Greek Communist party Secretary General Aleka Papariga maintained that state and employers contributions were dropping.

Finally, the leader of the Coalition of the Left Wing and Progress party Nikos Constantopoulos said that there was no substancial difference between the policies of PASOK and the New Democracy party.

[04] Strikes in the Health sector

Additionally, the employees of Public Hospitals will go on a 24-hour strike next Wednesday, demanding a rise in salaries, the hiring of more personel and the non-change of the existing Labour Status.

Besides, hospital doctors in Athens and Pireaus will participate in the strike to be staged by the General Confederation of Greek Workers and the Civil Servants Union, protesting to the government's policy on the Social Security System issue.

[05] Greece asks the lifting of passport-checks to one-day Turkish tourists

Mr. Papandreou stated that the issue would be examined by the European Council, which would publisize its proposals later.

However, many European Union countries disagree with the Greek proposal fearing the entry of illegal immigrants in their boundaries. PASOK &amp; New Democracy accusations for Public projects During a discussion held on Public projects in Parliament yesterday, PASOK and the New Democracy party attacks were launched to each other. Specifically, Environment minister Costas Laliotis spoke of scandalous assignments of projects during Mr. Costas Mitsotakis Premiership that led to the waste of money due to high costs and poor quality, while New Democracy party deputy Savvas Tsitourides, who is responsible of issues related to the Environment spoke of an incomplete institutional framework on behalf of the government, to which he attributed poor quality of works and the exceeding of budgets.

[06] The Civil Aviation Unions go on strike

[07] Nikaia to host weighlifting in 2004

[08] 2,85% drop in the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday

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