The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 02-12-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

The temperature in Athens will range from 12 to 18 C and in Thessaloniki from 11 to 16.

(6/12/2002 10:27:00 ðì)

[02] Annan receives both parties' answers

The Turkish-Cypriot representative Rauf Denktash gave his answer yesterday afternoon accompanied by a statement according to which he could not be forced for an agreement, while Nicosia gave its answer later in the evening after it had been assured in black and white that the other side had given its answer.

Foreign Minister George Papandreou asked for the 15 EU member-states' political will and a statement by Ankara on its intentions if a solution of the Cyprus issue was not reached by the Copenhagen Summit meeting.

At the same time, the Turkish Foreign Minister Yiassar Yakis stated that Turkey would be more flexible if a date for beginning of negotiations for its entry to the EU was fixed.

Meanwhile, French President Jacques Shirac assured that Paris and Berlin would propose the beginning of accession negotiations with Turkey in July 2005 if that country met the European criteria until then. However, Britain differentiated its position, with the British Minister of Foreign Affairs Jack Straw asking for a fixed date for the commencing of Turkey's accession negotiations with the EU.

(6/12/2002 10:28:00 ðì)

[03] Simitis asks of absorption of Third Community Support Framework

''The effectiveness in implementing the Third Community Support Framework funds will judge the totality of our efforts, since the progress of projects has very significant effects on the income of citizens,'' Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Thursday at the cabinet meeting he chaired, according to government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

''The third community support framework funds is the base for the increase in the prosperity of the Greek people and the preconditions for that are very good,'' he added, following the proposals tabled by Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis, and Deputy Economy Minister Christos Pachtas.

The premier underlined that there should be a full equalization of the central urban areas with those of the regions, adding that this should become apparent not only in indexes but also in the public feeling of citizens.

Speaking on the problems of bureaucracy, an issue tabled by several ministers, the premier said bureaucracy should be confronted and so there should be predetermined quantitative targets, deadlines and flexibility in the ability to issue tenders for projects in other agents when there are delays.

The premier also noted that the ministries should submit the detailed programs of advertising to the press and media ministry so as to achieve cohesiveness in messages that are broadcast and so to have a better result.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Costas Scandalides will present his proposal on part time employment in the Public Sector in 2003 within 15 days in the government's effort to tackle unemployment.

Mr Simitis also spoke of the government's program, which includes the taxation system and social insurance system reforms, the country's entry to the Eurozone and the high rates of the GDP's increase, stressing, however, that the upcoming months would be difficult and great care is necessary.

Special emphasis will be given tot eh sectors of Education, Agriculture, fisheries and small and medium size enterprises.

Finally, the New Democracy party announced that the government could not escape mediocrity and meet the needs of civilians.

(6/12/2002 10:30:00 ðì)

[04] ND party ahead of PASOK says MRB

Analytically, 38.5 percent of respondents said they would vote for ND in the next elections, 32.4 percent for PASOK, 5.3 percent for the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), 3.5 percent for the Coalition of the Left and Progress, 2.2 percent for the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) and 2.3 for the newly formed party LA.O.S. headed by Parliament deputy George Karatzaferis, while 15.8 percent answered don't know/won't say.

In the question on who was most suitable for prime minister, Karamanlis came first with 39.5 percent and Simitis second with 39.1 percent.

Finally, Prime Minister Costas Simitis commented that the government has the time to make use of the work it has done so as to be judged from its overall work in 2004, while New Democracy party MP George Souflias spoke of New Democracy's dominant position in the political arena.

(6/12/2002 10:31:00 ðì)

[05] Ex-King Constantine to found Welfare Institution

The ex King described the government's decision to take his house barbaric and announced that he would create a welfare institution by the name Anna-Maria with the money compensated to him

Commenting on his interview, Deputy Press Minister Tilemachos Chytiris told our station that Constantine lacks knowledge of history, describing as political acts his decision to return to Greece and to create the welfare institution. He also explained that his decision not accept the verdict of the European Court of Human Rights to which he himself had recourse proves that he worries that he will be forgotten.

(6/12/2002 10:33:00 ðì)

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