The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-03-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Spanish radio report points at Muslim militants as perpetrators of Madrid attacks

Spain's intelligence service is "99 percent certain" that Muslim, not Basque, militants perpetrated the Madrid train bombings that killed 200 people, a Spanish radio station reported today. The report flew in the face of government assertions that the armed group, ETA, was the prime suspect in the attacks.

[02] Levy on pensions to be returned

A decision by a regulatory committee will result in the return of approximately 300 million euros to 800,000 pensioners. The decision found illegal the taxing of those pensions by 1-5%. The levy was imposed since 1992, as a social solidarity revenue for categories of pensions over 397 euros.

[03] UN envoy announces resumption of Cyprus proximity talks

Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos is scheduled to arrive in Athens this evening for contacts tomorrow with the Greek state and political leadership. In the meantime, the UNs special envoy for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto yesterday decided on a resumption of proximity talks between the Greek and Turkish-Cypriot sides. He also asked both sides for lists of the changes which they would like to the Annan peace plan for the island

[04] Papandreou pledges more effective, reformed Pasok

Pasok leader George Papandreou, who is participating in regional meetings of the socialist partys officials in Crete, today pledged substantial changes in the party and said it would be a real opposition. His first stop was in Hania, where he said that Pasok would review the recent election results, so that the party could become stronger, in order to win the next elections.

[05] Three-minute silence on Monday for Madrid victims

This morning, Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis expressed the Greek governments condolences to the Spanish ambassador in Athens, following the bomb attacks in Madrid and pledged the countrys undivided support. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, in an announcement, called on civil service staff and personnel in the public sector for 3 minutes silence on Monday, in commemoration of the victims. The initiative will also be observed by all European Union member states.

[06] PM meets with IOC president on Olympic preparations and security

Preparations and security for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens were the focus of a meeting Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis had today with the President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge. The IOC president expressed his confidence in the new governments handling of the games and described as particularly positive that the prime minister has personally undertaken the post of Culture Minister, in charge of preparations.

[07] Weather forecast

A cloudy day is forecast, with galeforce winds in the Aegean. Temperatures in Athens will range from 7 to 14 degrees centigrade, and in Thessaloniki from 5 to 12 degrees.

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