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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-11-20The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] NEWS IN ENGLISH THE VOICE OF GREECE20/11/2001 11:09:00 рмTobacco and cotton growers react to EU abolition of subsidies Euro-army and Euro-police to be set up Bush signs legislation for more aviation security DEI to enter the Athens Stock Exchange New system for hiring employees in the Civil Service Klerides - Denktash meeting Set 1.22% rise in the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday Favourable predictions for the Greek economy The word "Macedonia" is non-negotiable, stresses the Panmacedonian Organization of Canada [02] Tobacco and cotton growers react to EU abolition of subsidiesThousands of tobacco growers and people working in the tobacco production, from Greece and other EU countries, participated in a protest rally held in Thessaloniki yesterday, while the presence of parliament deputies was impressive as about 30 of them were in the mobilization, representing every political party in parliament.The protesters expressed their opposition to the EU attempted gradual decrease and virtual abolition by 2006 of any subsidy for tobacco. They demanded the personal intervention by Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the other political party leaders so that the subsidies policy will not change. They accused the European Commission of hypocrisy on the subsidy issue as it seeks to abolish it, while at the same time the EU imports from third countries 70% of the tobacco consumed in the EU countries namely, 500,000 tons. The issue of subsidies will be raised during a meeting by the 15 European Union Agriculture ministers in Brussels today. From his side, Mr. Simitis has stated that Greece would opose to any reduction on tobacco subsidies. Meanwhile, cotton growers in Malgara and Chalkidona in the area of Thessaloniki are to stage new mobilisations. According to an interview with NET (New Hellenic Television) Agriculture minister G. Drys stated that the decisions regarding the price of cotton would be taken within the following days after checks on the final production are carried out. Finally, government spokesman Christos Protopapas called on the New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis to protect the farmers ' interests by intervening in the European Popular party at which he is presiding. [03] Euro-army and Euro-police to be set upThe 15 European Union ministers of Public Order and Interior have decided the setting up of a Euro-army and Euro-police in 2003. The Euro-army will be carrying out missions outside the European Union, while the Euro police, in collaboration with other international organisations or independentely will be dealing with the crisis management within the European Union or beyond it.[04] Bush signs legislation for more aviation securityDiplomatic sources at the United Nations say the UN envoy to Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, is planning to convene a meeting of Afghanistan's ethnic groups in Berlin on Saturday. It is the first time a date and venue has been specified for the meeting, which is intended to be the first step towards the establishment of a broad-based transitional government for Afghanistan following the removal of the Taleban from power in Kabul. Additionally, an international conference is to be held on November 27 for the reconstruction of Afganistan. At the same time, the United States is continuing its air raids against Afganistan and hopes that with the aid of commandos it will capture Osama Bin Laden. From their side, the Taleban are ready to give away Kunduz, according to representatives of the Northern Alliance. Moreover, two international organisations in Paris have expressed their anger for the assasination of four journalists in Afganistan. Finally, President George W Bush has signed legislation expanding the federal role in aviation security in the wake of the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington. Under the new rules, all 28,000 airport baggage screeners will become federal employees within a year. After three years, airports may seek permission to return to a private system of monitoring. The legislation, which was the subject of intense political wrangling, is the latest in a series of steps to improve safety in the skies and to reassure passengers that air travel is safe. To finance the extra security measures, passengers willbe charged a fee of up to $5 per trip. "For our airways, there is one supreme priority - security", Mr Bush said during a ceremony at Ronald Reagan National Airport just outside Washington. [05] DEI to enter the Athens Stock ExchangeDevelopment minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos has stated from London that DEI (The Public Power Corporation) will enter the Athens Stock Exchange with 10% in December or the beginning of 2002. Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will meet with Prime minister Costas Simitis today. Meanwhile, New Democracy party Finance sector will hold a meeting at 12:00 today under the chairmanship of its leader Costas Karamanlis.[06] New system for hiring employees in the Civil ServiceIn an interview with the newspaper "To Ethnos", Interior minister Costas Skandalides has stated that the hiring system with ministries is going to change, while additional staff will be sent to decentralized Civil services.[07] Klerides-Denktash meeting setThe response of Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides to the proposal issued by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for a face-to-face meeting in the first 10 days of December, was positive.The above were stated by Cypriot government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou, who said that the response was positive given the fact that the meeting is placed within the framework of the UN secretary-general good services and will be held in the presence of the UN secretary-general representative. [08] 1.22% rise in the Athens Stock Exchange yesterdaySignificant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday. The General Share Price Index rose to +1.22% at 2.796, 96 points, while the volume of transactions was at 257.63 million Euro or 87.79 billion drachmas. Of the stocks traded, 299 recorded gains and 39 had losses, while 26 remained unchanged.[09] Favourable predictions for the Greek economyThe predictions made by the US financial institute Political Risk Services, PRS, on the course of the Greek economy are very favorable both at a medium and a long-term horizon.The basic elements making up the PRS predictions are the high growth rates which are considerably higher than the EU average, the significant benefits enjoyed as a result of the circulation of the single European currency, the speeding-up of the structural changes and the "temperate" business climate. As it is mentioned characteristically in the PRS report, published on the Athens newspaper "Imerisia", Greece is found much higher above the EU average in the past few years especially, in the sector of the "fresh" business capital used to fund state research and development investments. [10] The word ''Macedonia'' is non-negotiable, stresses the Panmacedonian Organization of CanadaThe word "Macedonia" is non-negotiable, stressed the Panmacedonian Organization of Canada, in a resolution it sent to President of the Republic Kostis Stefanopoulos, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and party leaders in relation to negotiations on the name of FYROM."Above all is the struggle", is the message of the Panmacedonian Organization, which underlines in its resolution that: "Now that developments in FYROM prove Greece was right for calling "those" north of the Greek borders extremists and "super"-nationalists, for purposely mongering the historical and Greek name of Macedonia. Now that the civilized world understands that those people still mongering the holy name of Macedonia, are the remnants of propaganda of tyrannical and long left behind regimes. Now that it is proven that those risking the existence of the miniature state of Skopje, are those who are essentially risking peace in the Balkan region. Now, that world public opinion has realized that "Macedon and Hellene" are one and the same. Now is the time for the government of mother Greece, her people, government and all of the Greek parties one body, with one voice, to give the appropriate answer to those who agree with the false claims of Skopje, and to all those trying to undermine the national substance of Hellenism, that the things holy and sacred to the Greek nation are non-negotiable, just as the holy word Macedonia, which has expressed the identity and history of Macedonian Hellenism for 3000 years, is non-negotiable. The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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