The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 03-05-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

(16/5/2003 12:02:00 μμ)

[02] Simitis' intentions on government reshuffle remain unknown

Yesterday, Mr Simitis gave the green light to the Ministry of Interior to take transparency measures in the public administration.

(16/5/2003 12:03:00 μμ)

[03] ND party proposes changes on Educational system

Specifically the main opposition party proposes a 12-year long obligatory education, the abolishing of the panhellenic exams at second class Lyceum, the replacement of Technological Vocational Institutes with vocational Lyceums, as well as the establishment of private Universities.

The party's President Costas Karamanlis stated that the programme aims to reform the educational system, accusing at the same time the government of introducing a series of reforms in Education that had failed.

From its side, the Greek Communist party announced that the New Democracy party is ready to continue the government policy, so as education fully complies with the interests of the market.

Finally, in an interview with NET 105.8, University of Athens rector George Babiniotis expressed his opposition to the establishment of private Universities.

(16/5/2003 12:05:00 μμ)

[04] Greek economy continues to develop says Eurostat

The growth rate in Greece rose by 2.9%, while in comparison to the first trimester last year development in the Euro zone has remained the same during this year's trimester.

During the same period, the growth rate has remained the same in the Euro zone and the European Union as well. Besides, the growth rate in Greece rose by 4.3% of the Gross National Product in comparison to the first trimester in 2002.

At the same period, the growth rate of the European Union rose by 1% of the Gross National Product and of the Euro zone by 0.8% in relation to the respective percentages of the first trimester of 2002.

Commenting on the data of Eurostat, Press Committee spokesman Gerasimos Thomas stated that the data regarding the growth rate in the Euro zone and the European Union is discouraging and surprising since a 0.1% increase of the growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product was expected. However, he added that this development does not in any way revise our forecasts for the second half of 2003, during which a 1% increase of the growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product is expected.

(16/5/2003 12:06:00 μμ)

[05] First SARS case detected in the UK

Meanwhile, Britain verified its first SARS case, while the authorities reported that the patient recovered and no further measures were demanded for the protection of the public health. Britain has three more possible SARS cases, while the number of the SARS victims all over the world has reached 600.

At the same time, China is taking special measures to prevent the spread of the SARS virus. The authorities have warned that anyone endangering public security or causing death or injury by deliberately spreading a contagious disease could face execution or imprisonment. In Taiwan, one more person died of SARS, while ten more cases were detected.

On a relative development, Ireland asked Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines not to send any of their athletes to the Special Olympics, scheduled to take place on June 21 because it fears the spread of the disease.

Finally, International Olympic Commission President Jacques Rogge advised calm and compliance with the rules for the prevention of the illness, so as no discrimination is made to Asian athletes who will take part in the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Games.

(16/5/2003 12:07:00 μμ)

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