The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-03-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Shi'ites warn new Iraq law will lead to problems

Shiite leaders warned today that Iraqs new constitution could cause problems in the long term, with one senior cleric saying a clause on federalism had the potential to provoke civil war. The U.S. appointed Governing Council signed the transitional law on Monday after long negotiations and two postponements, in a ceremony hailed by Washington as a diplomatic victory and an important step towards a democratic and sovereign government.

[02] U.S. Democrats vote in four Southern states

Democrats in four Southern states, including the November battleground of Florida, cast ballots today in contests that will put John Kerry close to formally clinching the partys nomination to face President George W. Bush.

[03] Olympic Games security exercises begin with US participation

The first security exercises for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games will begin tomorrow with the participation of American Special Forces. The Hercules Shield exercises will be conducted in Attica and the Aegean and will be completed on March 23rd.

[04] New government's contacts for Cyprus dispute

Cypriot President, Tasos Papadopoulos arrives in Athens at the end of the week in order to have contacts with the new government for the Cyprus dispute. President Papadopoulos underlined that the change of governance in Greece would not affect the course of negotiations for the Cyprus dispute.

U.N. special envoy for the Cyprus dispute, Alvaro DeSoto has also requested to meet with the new Prime Minister which will probably take place on Thursday, while Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Erdogan is also expected in Athens by the end of the month.

[05] New goverment's top economic priorities

The economys fiscal stability, promoting structural reforms and absorbing the 3rd Community Framework of Support Funds comprise the new governments priorities in the economy sector.

[06] Pasok president, G. Papandreou congratulates new government

Pasok president, George Papandreou wished much success to the new government today. Top party officials however commented that the new governments make up is not small and flexible as initially promised by Mr. Karamanlis.

This afternoon, Mr. Papandreou held consecutive meetings with top Pasok officials in order to analyse the electoral defeat and discuss the partys upcoming moves and initiatives.

[07] New cabinet announced

The new 46-member Greek Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, announced today will be sworn in Wednesday in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Kostis Stefanopoulos. There are two women within its ranks, while ND has also proposed Anna Psarouda-Benaki for Parliament speaker - the first time a woman has ever held this post in the Hellenic Parliament.

The new Cabinet is as follows: Prime Minister: Costas Karamanlis Minister of Internal Affairs, Public Administration and Decentralisation: Prokopis Pavlopoulos Deputy Minister: Apostolos Andreoulakos Deputy Minister: Athanasios Nakos Minister of Foreign Affairs: Petros Molyviatis Deputy Minister: Evripidis Stylianidis Deputy Minister: Takis Skandalakis Deputy Minister: Yiannis Valinakis Minister of National Economy and Finance: George Alogoskoufis Deputy Minister: Christos Folias Deputy Minister: Adam Regouzas Deputy Minister: Petros Doukas Minister of National Defence: Spilios Spiliotopoulos Deputy Minister: Vassilis Mihaloliakos Deputy Minister: Ioannis Lambropoulos Minister of Development: Dimitris Sioufas Deputy Minister: George Salagoudis Deputy Minister: Yiannis Papathanasiou Minister of the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works: George Souflias Deputy Minister: Stavros Kaloyiannis Deputy Minister: Themistoklis Xanthopoulos Minister of Education and Religious Affairs: Marietta Yiannakou Deputy Minister: George Kalos Deputy Minister: Spyros Taliadouros Minister of Labour and Social Protection: Panos Panayiotopoulos Deputy Minister: Gerassimos Yiakoumatos Deputy Minister: Nikos Aggelopoulos Minister of Health and Social Solidarity: Nikitas Kaklamanis Deputy Minister: Athanasios Yiannopoulos Deputy Minister: George Constantopoulos Minister of Agricultural Development and Foods: Savvas Tsitouridis Deputy Minister: Evangelos Basiakos Deputy Minister: Alexandros Kontos Minister of Justice: Anastasios Papaligouras Minister of Culture: Costas Karamanlis Alternate Minister: Fani Pali-Petralia Deputy Minister: George Orfanos Deputy Minister: Petros Tatoulis Minister of Transport and Communications: Michalis Liapis Deputy Minister: Anastasios Neratzis Minister of Public Order: George Voulgarakis Deputy Minister: Christos Markoyiannakis Minister of Merchant Marine: Manolis Kefaloyannis Minister of Tourism: Dimitris Avramopoulos Deputy Minister: Anastasios Liaskos Minister of Macedonia-Thrace: Nikos Tsatsionis Minister of the Aegean and Island Policy: Aristotelis Pavlides Minister of State in charge of government and communications issues and Government Spokesman: Theodoros Roussopoulos The Press and Media ministry is being abolished and its services will be attached to the prime ministers office. New ministers Avramopoulos, Petralia and Stylianides will not be sworn in on Wednesday with the rest of the government because the necessary presidential decrees have not yet been prepared, since they occupy new government posts. It was also announced that Stavros Dimas will be taking over as the Greek European Commissioner. After the new government is sworn in, the new premier will go to Maximou Hall, where the prime ministers office will be formally handed over by outgoing premier Costas Simitis, after which the new Cabinet will hold its first meeting.

After the new government is sworn in, the new premier will go to Maximos Hall, where the prime ministers office will be formally handed over by outgoing premier Costas Simitis, after which the new Cabinet will hold its first meeting.

[08] Weather Forecast

Partly cloudy in most parts of the country, with local rain and showers in Thrace, the Dodekanese and eastern Aegean islands. Temperatures in Athens will range between 8-15 C and in Thessaloniki from 6-10 C.

[09] Weather Forecast

Partly cloudy in most parts of the country, with local rain and showers in Thrace, the Dodekanese and eastern Aegean islands. Temperatures in Athens will range between 8-15 C and in Thessaloniki from 6-10 C.

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