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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-10-23The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTSNEWS IN ENGLISHh ERA-5. THE VOICE OF GREECE 23/10/2001 2:11:00 ìì Weather forecast Government reshuffle today Kostas Laliotis ,new General Secretary of the Pasok party Developments on U.S led attacks in Afganistan Athens tram plan system approved Foreign Minister Papandreou to visit Iran Athens Paraolympics September17-28, 2004 Strong worded attacks during debate in Parliament Civil servant salaries at EU levels Yiaser Arafat, cease fire with Israel Boy-11-year-old convicted [01] Kostas Laliotis new General Secretary of the Pasok partyThe new ruling PASOK party Central Committee on Monday elected Costas Laliotis as its Secretary, gathering 147 votes , 31 blank and 3 invalid. In the new executive bureau ,Vasso Papandreou came first with 147 votes.Also elected are Apostolos Kaklamanis, Evangelos Venizelos, Dimitris Reppas, Costas Skandalidis, Michalis Neonakis , George Papandreou ,Akis Tsohatzopoulos , Milena Apostolaki , Tonia Antoniou and Christos Papoutsis, Thedoros Pangalos and Irine Lambraki, who were also candidates were not elected. In his first statement after his election as General Secretary of the Pasok party Central Committee, Kostas Laliotis underlined that the time for the Pasok party renewal under terms of refoundation has come.[02] Developments on U.S led attacks in AfganistanIn Afganistan, U.S planes pounded Taliban frontline positions north of Kabul today for a third successive day as the Afgan opposition said they wanted to advance to surround the capital. U.S air attacks in the north also came after Washington and the Taliban traded verbal shots over a Taliban accusation that the U.S forces killed more than 100 people in a hospital in the western city of Heart. They also accused Washington of using chemical and biological weapons . Washington quickly denied the charge of using chemical and biological weapons and U.S Defence Secretary Donald Rumdfeld said there was no evidence that U.S warplanes had hit the hospital. It was the first time the Taliban , under severe pressure from U.S air strikes and opposition ground attacks , had made such accusations. The Taliban said mounting civilian Afgan casualties have reached 1000.In the U.S , diplomats and military officers appear divided over the length of the war on terrorism while there are intensive behind the stage diplomatic talks about the government which will succeed the ruling Taliban in Afganistan. In the meantime , in the U,S concern over the antrax scare is rising. In Washington , officials said two postal workers who died after seeking treatment had most likely inhaled antrax spores , though a definite diagnosis had not been made.Two other workers at the same postal station have also developed inhaled antrax infections , the most lethal type . The latest deaths , if confirmed , wuld bring to three the number of Americans who died from inhaled antrax this month. The office buildings for the U.S Senate and House of Representatives were ordered to remain closed today for a sixth day . The lawmakers , however, will go about their business inside the domed Capitol building. [03] Strong worded attacks during debate in ParliamentStrong worded attacks prevailed during yesterday debate in parliament when ND party deputies referred to the National Real Estate Registry and the Stock Market issues. The ND party leader accused the government of attempting to threten justice .In repply Justice Minister accused the ND party of making political exploitation of the capital market and the National Real EstateRegistry.[04] Foreign Minister Papandreou to visit IranThe visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Papandreou to Iran has been set for 2-3 November. Mr. Papandreou will have discussions with the leadership of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while his meeting with Iranian President Hatami has still not been confirmed.[05] Athens Paraolympics September 17-28 2004The Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee Board of Directors announced that the 2004 Paralympics will take place on September 17-28. The goal set by the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee is to host the most successful ever Paralympics, 44 years after the first events were held in the 1960 Rome Olympics.[06] Government reshuffle todayToday, Mr Simitis will announce the members of his new government which wil be reshuffled for the first time after the April 2000 elections.The unity within PASOK was the strong and clear message that was sent by the 6th PASOK party´s newly elected Central Committee. Mr. Simitis spoke of a unity that will be based on the popular mandate, the goals and the expectations of the Greek people, the values and ideals of PASOK. Speaking about the party's new Central Committee, Mr. Simitis underlined that PASOK wants a Central Committee that will be alive characterized by a fighting spirit necessary for the party to meet its goals. The prime minister launched an attack on the opposition New Democracy party ,accusing it of having no proposals and of putting at risk the European prospect and the interests of Greece and the Greek people. [07] Civil servant salaries at EU levelsThe goverment will proceed to readaption of civil servant salaries after the circulation of the european currency and the implementation of the new salary plan in the public sector.Civil servant salaries will range at EU levels as from 2003.[08] Boy-11-year-old convictedIn the U.S a judge convicted an 11-year old boy yesterday of murdering his 8-year old sister, who also had been raped before she died in their basement apartment two months ago. Their 0-year old sister said the boy and his 13-year old cousin repeatedly struck and kicked the girl until she became unconscious.[09] Athens tram plan system approvedNational Economy Deputy Christos Pachtas yesterday announced that the tram system planed for Athens was approved for inclusion to the public investments program. He noted that the total budget for the project would reach at 115.52 billion drachmas, while another 4 billion drachmas was approved for the construction of bicycle paths in cities around the country.[10] Yiaser Arafat, cease fire with IsraelAccording to the Palestinians Israeli forces early today invaded a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip and destroyed many houses. Yesterday, gun battles raged where Israeli forces took up positions in and around six Palestinian cities in the West Bank . killing two Palestinians.The blood shed has raised tensions at a time when Washington has put pressure on both sides to end their conflict and return to peacemaking talks.Palestinian leader Yiaser Arafat said yesterday he was in favour of cease fire during his meeting with EU foreign policy chief Xavie Solana. Diplomats from the U.S, Russia , the E.Unad the U.N held talks with Arafat in Gaza yesterday as part of an international effort to rebuild a shattered ceasefire , urging Arafat to restore calm and Israel to withdraw from Palestinian ruled areas. [11] Weather forecastSunny in most parts of Greece, with a chance of local showers in the northwest. Winds northerly, moderate to strong. Sunny in Athens, with temperatures between 14C and 24C. Same in Thessaloniki, with temperatures from 12C to 21C. Drop in temperatures as of tomorrow with rain and snow on highground.The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |