The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 03-02-20

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

Winds northerly, moderate to gale force. The temperature in Athens will range from 1 to 5C and in Thessaloniki from -1 to 2C.

(20/2/2003 10:54:00 рм)

[02] Deterioration of weather conditions

Meanwhile, a lot of villages in Western Macedonia, Thessaly eastern mainland and the Peloponnese have been cut off, while anti skid chains are required for all cars using the road network in the province.

On a relative development, the government decided to deal immediately with the damages caused to the road network and cultivations.

Meanwhile, Minister of Interior Costas Scandalides, who visited the areas hit by the bad weather, stated that the Local Administrations of northeastern Greece would be given economic aid amounting to 900,000 euros so that the damages are dealt with in the first phase.

(20/2/2003 10:56:00 рм)

[03] Greece with more initiatives for a peaceful solution of the crisis with Iraq

Meanwhile, the USA and Britain are expected to table a resolution for Iraq at the United Nations headquarters in the coming days, while the American Secretary of State Colin Powell accused the countries that are objecting to war for avoiding their responsibilities, adding that resolution 1441 of the Security Council is giving the authority for the use of violence against Baghdad.

On a relative development, following USA and Turkey's disagreement on the economic aid asked by Turkey so as to allow the USA to use its soil in the case of military intervention against Iraq, Washington announced that Turkey's facilities are not necessary for the American military operations.

Besides, according United Nations diplomatic sources, the head of the UN inspectors Hans Blix has decided to ask from Baghdad to destroy the Iraqi missiles Al Samoud &#8211;2 and according to the same sources Washington will judge from this development whether Baghdad wishes to disarm itself.

At the same time, the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein stated that although the Iraqi people wish to avoid war, they do not wish to do so on at any cost. From its side, London called on its nationals to leave Iraq and Kuwait immediately.

On a relative development, Prime minister Costas Simitis on Wednesday briefed President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos on the latest developments in the Iraq crisis and the outcome of an emergency EU summit on the issue held earlier in the week in Brussels, called by the Greek EU Presidency.

Mr Simitis further assured that the Greek government's efforts for a peaceful solution were continuing ''because everyone must realise the misfortune that war brings''.

Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Mr Stephanopoulos praised the prime minister for his initiative and the summit result, as the leaders of the 15 EU member states reached a common position on the Iraq issue.

Finally, New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis described the summit meeting a positive step, while New Democracy party Honorary President Constantinos Mitsotakis described it right.

(20/2/2003 11:02:00 рм)

[04] Valerie Giscard D' Estaing visits Greece

Mr D' Estaing will meet with President of the Republic Costis Stefanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, and the Mayor of Athens, Dora Bakoyanni.

In the afternoon he will speak at the EVEA Conference and will present the first findings of the Assembly to the participants representing 25 countries.

(20/2/2003 11:03:00 рм)

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article