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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 03-10-23The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] Weather ForecastAll parts of the country will be cloudy, with showers on the mainland and in the Ionian and northern Aegean, turning to storms in the west and north. Winds variable, moderate to very strong. Temperatures in Athens will range between 20-28 C; and in Thessaloniki from 17C to 24C.(23/10/2003 8:30:00 μμ) [02] Bi-Ministerial Committe meets about minorities, repatriatesIssues concerning the Muslim minority, immigrants, repatriated Greeks and special population groups such as, the gypsies, were discussed today in a ministerial meeting under Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.In 10 days the ministerial committee will meet again to examine issues concerning citizenship, special identity cards for the repatriated Greeks, housing and employment programs, education issues, social integration, sports and cultural issues as well as, the issue of the legalization of foreigners. After the meeting it was stated that the introduction of the Turkish language as a secondary language in the nursery schools of the Muslim minority is being considered, as well as its introduction as a foreign language in the Muslim minority high schools curriculum. (23/10/2003 8:34:00 μμ) [03] Greece says no to NATO for mission to Afghanistan[04] Greece turned down a NATO request today to send military helicopters to Afghanistan to beef up the alliance's mission there, saying it was too extended by preparations for the Athens 2004 Olympics. NATO has still not found all the military kit and personnel it needs to run the Afghanistan peacekeeping force, nearly three months after it took command.NATO Secretary-General George Robertson has been lobbying alliance members to help get the current force to full strength before the mission expands beyond the Afghan capital Kabul.Prime Minister Simitis underlined [05] Greece cannot respond this time to this request, because of high economic demands related to the Olympic Games and the need to have forces in the country.(23/10/2003 8:36:00 μμ)[06] Garbage strike taking on dangerous dimensionsThe Ministry of the Interior made an appeal to courts against the strike of employees in local government, while the DA pressed criminal charges against all responsible parties while the Thessaloniki DA ordered an emergency preliminary examination. The government is carrying out a dialogue with the employees but must moves within the real potential of the Greek economy.A decision by the courts is expected by tomorrow morning on whether the strike will be declared illegal and abusive. The union's president stated any decision by the courts would be respected. At the same time, New Democracy Spokesperson Theodoris Roussopoulos blamed the government on the issue of the garbage pile-up and underlined the burdened environment is further being degraded. He also pointed out Greece's image is being hurt irreparably particularly in view of the 2004 Olympics. (23/10/2003 8:38:00 μμ) [07] Economy ministry makes new proposal to univeristiesA crucial meeting by university personnel is underway with respect to a new proposal made by the Economy Ministry for an 8% base pay salary increase. The meeting will determine whether universities will reopen their doors.Meanwhile, a new 48-hour strike began today by hospital doctors and a 24 hour strike by hospital employees. At the same time, 150 thousand pension recipients have been experiencing enormous problems with respect to their pension payments due to a three-day strike by employees at the Postal Bank. There will be no taxis until early Saturday morning due to a 48-hour strike by taxi owners. (23/10/2003 8:40:00 μμ) [08] Health sector changesImportant changes are taking place in the health sector following an announcement by the Ministers of Health and Labor, Kostas Stefanis and Dimtris Reppas. Among others, a new bill foresees personal doctors and home health-care assistants for the insured, while hospital doctors will be authorized to issue prescriptions to individuals insured with the state insurance fund, IKA.Meanwhile, hospital services of IKA and the National Health Care System, ESY, will be unified while primary health care services will be available on a 24-hour basis and include hospital outpatient clinics and IKA polyclinics that will be renamed Health Centers. (23/10/2003 8:42:00 μμ) [09] No citizenship to Tsenai familyThe October 28th parade festivities are in danger of being thrown up in the air following the decision by the second in line honor student not to be a flag-bearer in the parade in Nea Mihaniona, Thessaloniki as a sign of support to Albanian honor student, Odysseas Tsenai.Interior Minister Kostas Skandalidis clarified that he would be unable to accept the proposal made by Theodoros Pangalos to grant Greek citizenship to Tsenai stating that nationality and citizenship are given based on a specific institutional framework. According to the law, individuals must be residents of Greece for at least 10 years before they can request to be given Greek nationality whereas in the case of the Tsenai family, the parents have been residents in Greece for only seven years. (23/10/2003 8:45:00 μμ) [10] Palestinians execute two suspected collaboratorsGunmen executed two Palestinians on a street in a West Bank refugee camp today after the men confessed to collaborating with Israeli intelligence, witnesses said. They said members of militant factions waging an uprising for Palestinian independence played a videotape of the confessions to residents of the Tulkarm camp before shooting dead the men, aged 21 and 25, in the street. Human rights groups have condemned the vigilante killings.(23/10/2003 8:49:00 μμ) [11] U.S. soldier killed, two wounded in IraqOne U.S. soldier was killed and two wounded today when an explosion near Baquba, north of Baghdad, hit their convoy according to a statement issued by the U.S. military. U.S. Central Command said the soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division had been hit by an improvised explosive device in the latest in a series of attacks on U.S. occupying forces.(23/10/2003 8:52:00 μμ) The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |