The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-08-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Like a Torpedo Grigoriadis Swims to Glory

By Ilias Papaioannou

The Greek swimmers outdid themselves in Canada. 19-year-old Aristeidis Gregoriadis clocked 24.95 and won the gold medal in the mens 50m backstroke in Montreal.

For the first time in the history of Greek swimming, a swimmer conquered the throne of world swimming and spread doubts whether Poseidon or Aris is the God ruling the water element. This years best performance by Grigoriadis was a few minutes outside the world record 24.80 set by Thomas Rupprath, but he crashed the Greek record he himself had set in Athens in 2005.

The Greek "torpedo" dashed the dreams of his rivals. The famous Australian champion Matt Welsh finished second with 24.99 and Britains Liam Tancock won the bronze medal clocking 25.02. German world record holder Thomas Rupprath finished sixth. The President of the Greek Swimming Federation Dimitris Diathesopoulos will crown the Greek world champion today, last day of the World Swimming Championships.

Drymonakos Did His Best

Giannis Drymonakos of Greece was far from his best at the mens 400m Individual Medley Final, and he finished eighth with 4.19.12. Drymonakos also finished eighth at the 200m butterly final. Nevertheless, his participation in two finals coupled with the gold medal won by Grigoriadis will definitely pave the way for more successes to come in the future.

Drymonakos could have clocked a better time, unless he did his best in the semis. Hungarian Laszlo Csech won the fold medal in 4.09.63, Italian Luca Marin was second clocking 4.11.67 and Tunisian Oussama Meloudi won the bronze medal in a time of 4.13.47.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Economy at the Focus Property VAT Reforms Ready

By Anna Kourti

The meeting held between the Greek PM Costas Karamanlis and Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis focused on the course of the countrys economy as well as the planning of the new economy policy on the occasion of the International Trade Fair in Thessaloniki (DETH). Exiting the meeting, Mr Alogoskoufis said, "The government remains loyal to the enhancement of the economic growth, the rise in employment and social tolerance. The reform policy will be continued based on a mild fiscal policy, which is the governments major strategy." He further added that despite the grave problems NDs government found, the situation is getting better and any existing problems can be dealt with. Finally, the Economy Minister announced that as of tomorrow or on Wednesday the latest, the Bill regarding the introduction of 19% VAT on property will be made public.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] IAAF Favours Athens

By Ilias Papaioannou

Greece is most likely to host another sports Cup. As per information, the IAAF Council is on the verge of assigning to Greece to hold the 2006 World Cup in September 2006. SEGAS (Hellenic Association of Amateur Athletics) and the President of HOC (Hellenic Olympic Committee) worked towards this end. Unless something comes up, the Olympic Stadium of Athens (OAKA) will host the Cup, while the International Association of Athletics Federations has requested a ninth lane in OAKAs truck be placed.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] King Fahd Dies

By Tina Valaoura

King Fahd of Saudi Arabia died after suffering an illness. Saudi state-run television confirmed the Kings death as well as that Crown Prince Abdullah had been named successor, citing an announcement issued by the royal court

The news, which ran through international Mass Media, sparked upset to the world stock markets and oil prices saw a minor increase. However, Riyadh rushed to confirm that Saudi Arabia, OPECs biggest oil-producing country, will stay loyal to its long-lasting policy that dictates the smooth supply of the markets with the view to stabilizing prices.

Abdullah crown ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, while Defence Minister Prince Sultan is next in line to the throne.

Fahd ascended the Saudi throne in 1982. However, the stroke he suffered a decade ago, resulting in his health constant deterioration, made him retire and assign the state affairs to Prince Abdullah.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Lorry Driver Was Killed Train-Lorry Collision

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

The collision between a lorry and a train at 7.15 this morning resulted in the death of the lorry driver. The accident occurred when the lorry violated the level crossing at the Thessaloniki-Kilkis old national highway. The driver of the rain 360, which was on the Thessaloniki-Sofia route, suffered minor injuries. None of the 12 passengers of the train were injured. OSE (Hellenic Railways Organisation) provided buses to facilitate the passengers as part of the train derailed.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Serious Problems Long-Term Strike

By Anna Kourti

The long-term strike that has been called by the owners of refrigerated lorries and tankers and commences as of today, is expected to trigger serious problems to the supply of the market with fuels and goods. The strikers accuse the Development Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos of failing to meet their institutional and social security demands.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Pacifist John Garang Killed Violent Incidents in Khartoum

By Anna Kourti

Sudanese Vice President and former rebel leader John Garang was killed while returning from Uganda. A UN rescue team located the wreckage of the helicopter as well as the bodies in a remote region near the borders with Uganda and Kenya. As per government sources, the Sudanese Vice President along with 13 more people have been missing since Saturday when the helicopter he was traveling in lost contact with the airport of the Ugandan capital of Kampala. Meanwhile, violent clashed broke out in Khartoum following the announcement of Garangs death. Witnesses speak of many victims.

Garangs loss is great, since it was the man who succeeded in restoring peace in the southern Sudan regions and uniting the population. He was considered a pacifist, and he had been appointed as a Vice President in Sudan following the pact to terminate the civil war that had been troubling the country for decades.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Drowned Due to Heart Attack "Mr Euro" Found Dead

By

Former head of the European Central Bank (ECB) Wim Duisenberg was found dead on Sunday morning in a pool at his villa south east of France. 70-year-old former Dutch Economy Minister and ECBs first president, whose name has been closely linked to the introduction of the common European currency into 12 European countries thus earning him the name Mr Euro, died of natural causes. As per French prosecutor, Duisenberg drowned following a heart attack while swimming. Despite first aid, he succumbed.

Founding Father of the Single European Currency

French PM Dominique de Villepin voiced his deep sorrow and underlined the instrumental role Duisenberg played in the introduction of the single European currency.

The European Commission expressed its most profound sorrow and praised Duisenbergs devotion that secured the reliability of the institution. Being ECBs first president, Wim Duisenberg played a pivotal role in constructing the monetary union and succeeding in introducing the euro. His devotion and determination allowed the quick establishment of the institutions independence, reliability and sufficiency," it is added.

Dutch PM Jan Peter Balkenende said, "The Netherlands lost a personality of international status."

Willem Frederik Duisenberg was born in the Dutch town of Heerenven on July 9, 1935. He studied economics and worked as University professor prior to his being involved in politics international economic bodies. From 1973 to 1977, Duisenberg was Minister of Finance. Two years later, he was appointed director of the Nederlandsche Bank, serving as its president from 1982 to 1997. He was appointed as the first president of the new European Central Bank in May, 1998. Duisenberg remained in office until the fall of 2003. During his term, the interest rates in the EU countries reached the lowest levels since WWII. French Jean-Claude Trichet succeeded him.

Translated by Areti Christou

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