The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 03-01-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

(15/1/2003 12:38:00 μμ)

[02] Turkish- Cypriots demand deal

U.N Secretary General, Kofi Annan yesterday urged Dektash to heed to his people s calls for peace and expressed the belief that time was close for the reunification of the island.

American special coordinator for the Cyprus issue, Tomas Weston, who will visit Nicosia on Thursday, is expected to urge both sides to intensify efforts for the solution of the Cyprus political problem, sticking to the firm deadline, February 28. Dektash yesterday expressed doubts that a settlement could be reached by next month s deadline.

In the meantime, up to 70,000 of the 200,000 people in the north occupied part of the island staged a rally, demanding an end to the division of the island , many calling on Dektash to sign a deal or to resign.

Domestic pressure on Dektash has been compounded by calls by the new government in Turkey to revise Ancara s decades-old policy on Cyprus and international appeals mounted.

U.S State Department spokesman and Greek Foreign Minister, George Papandreou &#8211;who is on a tour of the west Balcans within his capacity of president of the E.U Foreign Ministers Council hailed the large demonstration saying it indicated Turkish Cypriots understand the significance of achieving a comprehensive settlement and achieving it now.

Failure to meet the deadline would set back U.N efforts to avert a crisis that could develop as the E.U prepares to admit Cyprus in 2004 with or without reunification.

(15/1/2003 12:39:00 μμ)

[03] Greece s EU Presidency priorities

In reference to Turkey s &#8211;E.U pre-admission course, Simitis supported Turkey should have a place in the EU block but after having achieved reforms. The Greek Prime-minister also supported strenghtening of relations with Russia and the U.S and the E.U presence in the Balcans underling that the future of Europe will be the focus of the EU Council in Thessaloniki .

Referring to the Cyprus issue , Mr. Simitis backed the admission to the EU of a reunified island describing the UN peace plan as a unique opportunity for the solution of the Cyprus political problem.

E.U President Greece appealed for European unity over Iraq saying only this would ensure that the 15 nation block had influence in helping end the crisis peacefully, promising that Greece would work to avert military action . Simitis said Greece wants the U.N Security Council to stay firmly in charge of efforts to disram Iraq of weapons of mass destruction.

(15/1/2003 12:40:00 μμ)

[04] IOC President satisfied at progress of works

In the meantime, Athens mayor, Dora Bakoyianni expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that the IOC President did not respond to her invitation to visit the Athens municipality.

(15/1/2003 12:41:00 μμ)

[05] Police Department issue passports

(15/1/2003 12:42:00 μμ)

[06] France , Germany propose dual EU leadership

(15/1/2003 12:43:00 μμ)

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