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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 03-09-18The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] Weather ForecastWarm and sunny in all parts of the country with some scattered clouds in the south. Winds variable, light to moderate, turning very strong in the Aegean. Temperatures in Athens will range between 16C and 28C; and in Thessaloniki from 14C to 27C.(18/9/2003 8:34:00 μμ) [02] Incorporation of unlicensed structures approved by cabinetA plan concerning the incorporation of all unlicensed homes was approved today by the ministrial council and will be submitted to Parliament to be voted on by years end. The bill foresees solutions for water and electricity to be supplied to the unlicensed constructs and includes the incorporation of 57 areas outside the city plan. The properties must be the primary residence of the owners and measure up to 120 square meters.PM Simitis underlined the governments goal is to simplify the procedure for further transparency. The Ministry of the Environment, Physical Planning and Public works outlined the plan will put an end to illegal construction, clear up the scenery in the real estate market and settle cases concerning approximately 1 million illegal property owners throughout Greece. (18/9/2003 8:36:00 μμ) [03] Market bill causes controversyThe Ministry of Developments' bill concerning the high retail prices being discussed in Parliament today has caused much opposition. Pasok MP, Giannis Kapsis maintained that the government either does not wish or does not know how to confront the illegal market rings while from his end the Deputy Minster of Development, Kimonas Koulouris stated the government is determined to confront all illegal market rings.Opposition parties also expressed their complete opposition over the bill characterizing it as temporary, ineffective and sketchy. (18/9/2003 8:39:00 μμ) [04] Air corridor agreement causes stirThe foreign, defense and transport ministries gave immediate responses to the leading opposition party of New Democracy with respect to Greece and Turkey's agreement to create five new air corridors.Defense Minister Giannos Papantoniou appeared reassuring today concerning the agreement clarifying it exclusively concerns passenger planes and not military aircraft. He also added that the issue concerns the improvement of air transportation in view of the 2004 Olympic Games. The agreement does not concern military aircraft neither Greek nor Turkish but passenger planes and affects only tourism. The defense minister stated the military activities of Greece and Turkey are still within the existing framework with no changes involved. Alternate foreign minister, Tasos Giannitsis committed to brief the Committee of Foreign and Defense issues in Parliament with respect to the new agreement. (18/9/2003 8:41:00 μμ) [05] G. Angelopoulou briefs President StefanopoulosThe president of the Athens 2004 Olympics Organizing Committee, Gianna Angelopoulou briefed the President of the Hellenic Republic about the course of the Olympic Games preparations today.(18/9/2003 8:42:00 μμ) [06] IMF forecast growth rate at 4% for this yearThe International Monetary Fund forecast a growth rate for Greece at 4% for this year and 3.9% for next year according to its report published today. Inflation is estimated to close at 3.8% and will decrease to 3% by 2004.(18/9/2003 8:43:00 μμ) [07] Arafat scolds Israel on death wishPalestinian President Yasser Arafat told Israelis today they should be ashamed of themselves for wanting him dead and appealed to them to help restore a shattered ceasefire. Israeli cabinet minister Danny Naveh dismissed Arafat's comments in Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel's largest-circulation daily, as part of a "campaign of lies".In Washington, U.S. President George W. Bush said Arafat's failed leadership was responsible for the stalling of his Middle East peace plan in remarks a Palestinian minister said were "not constructive." Arafat has launched a media offensive to respond to Israel's decision to "remove" him after suicide bombings killed 15 people last week. The threat has touched off an international outcry and boosted his grass-roots support. (18/9/2003 8:47:00 μμ) [08] India slams Pakistan as 25 die in Kashmir violenceIndia accused Pakistan today of refusing to cooperate in the fight against terrorism in Kashmir as 25 people were killed in the disputed Himalayan region. India said it had killed at least 16 suspected Muslim guerrillas in a string of gunbattles as they tried to slip into disputed Kashmir from Pakistan. Today's deaths follow the violent death of 28 people in Kashmir on Saturday, the highest day's toll in two months.(18/9/2003 8:53:00 μμ) [09] UN pact on Iraq unlikely before next weekPresident George W. Bush said today he doubted the United States would reach agreement on a new United Nations resolution for Iraq by the time he attends the General Assembly next week. The United States is seeking to persuade the U.N. Security Council to adopt a new resolution that would encourage other countries to contribute cash and troops to help stabilize Iraq and ease the strain on U.S. forces under daily guerrilla attacks.Bush will attend the annual meeting of world leaders in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday. He is to deliver a speech to the assembly urging nations to help with Iraq reconstruction, a year after he urged the United Nations to join in the anti-Iraq effort, only to go to war without U.N. backing. Bush also will meet other leaders of the Security Council to discuss a new resolution. A draft U.S. resolution has been rejected by France and Germany, both who opposed the war to topple Saddam Hussein, and top U.S. officials have been trying to recast it. Diplomats at the United Nations doubted very much there would be a vote on the resolution for at least another week, if not longer. (18/9/2003 8:53:00 μμ) The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |