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Friday, 13 December 2024 | ||
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-05-17The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>CONTENTSNEWS IN ENGLISH (THE VOICE OF GREECE - Translators Dpt.) [01] Political turmoil due to the new identity cardsAccording to reports, the Interior minister Vaso Papandreou will call a meeting with the participation of the Public Order and Justice ministers, to deal with the decision made by the council for the protection of personal data on the planned changes in the new identity cards and the reactions the issue has caused.The Justice minister Michalis Stathopoulos said the decision was binding and would be applied immediately. He added that the decision could only be cancelled by decision of the court and as long as there was recourse. Meanwhile, the government spokesman Dimitris Reppas expressed a similar stand on the issue, clarifying however that the government would make all the relative decisions, following a dialogue with the interested parties. From their part the Greek Communist party and the Coalition of the Left Wing and Progress are in favour of a distinct role between the state and the church, with the Coalition of the Left Wing Progress party leader Nikos Constantopoulos stating that it looked as if the Archibishop was declaring a holy war in 2000, a development which he described as inconceivable. For his part, archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece said after his meeting with Pasok deputy Evangelos Venizelos that the church was willing to hold a dialogue with the state in good faith, while Mr Venizelos expressed the view that the decision of the council for the protection of personal data was not a binding one. [02] Stephanopoulos ends his visit in Israel and meets with ArafatThe President of the Republic Constantinos Stefanopoulos, who concluded his official visit to Israel, is visiting Bethleem where he is meeting with the Palestinian leader Yiasser Arafat.[03] Karamanlis defends his partyAddressing the New Democracy youth at the Law School of Athens, Mr. Costas Karamanlis spoke of organised interests attempting to direct the Greek political life. He also referred to his party's undermining by non-institutional centres.At the same time, the New Democracy spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos, who had been attacked by several of the party's cadres, during an event of the party's youth in Thesssaloniki stated that he would not compromise, referring to a handful of payed mud-slingers. [04] Deliberations within the Coalition of Left WingThe Political Secreteriat of the Coalition of the Left Wing and Progress party dealt with issues related to the preparation of the party's congress. The party President Nikos Constantopoulos'initiative to have contacts in the coming days with all the cadres who expressed different views in the Central Political Committee in the weekend, was approved. The Political Secretetiat also dealt with current issues. That is why Mr. Constantopoulos will have consecutive meetings with the minister of Justice Michalis Stathopoulos and the President responsible for the protection of personal data Mr. Dafermos.[05] Military exercise between Greece and Cyprus continuesThe joint military exercise codemamed "Vergina-Toxotis" of the Greek armed forces and the National Guard of Cyprus is continuing for a second cosecutive day. The exercise is taking place within the framework of the Unified Defence Doctrine, which has as its target the control of the operational capability and readiness of the Athens and Nicosia General Staff. For today, Greek jet fighters will fly above the free parts of Cyprus. The Greek war ships, which are in the area between Rhodes and Cyprus, will also take place in the exercise.[06] COSMOTE & TELENOR buy off 85% of Albanian mobile phone company85% of the Albanian mobile telephone company has been bought by COSMOTE and Norwegian TELENOR for 85 million US dollars following an international competition. The Albnanian company seems to have good prospects for further development since in 1999 it was profitable. 20% of OA to be sold if British Airways' offer is not satisfactory After a meeting with Transport minister Christos Verelis, National Economy minister Yiannos Papantoniou stated that the government would go ahead with an international competition for the selling of 20% of Olympic Airways if the British Airways offer did not prove satisfactory.[07] Agreement signed between RMIT and Crete Universities RMITUniversity of Melbourne has anounced that it reached a cooperation agreement with the University of Crete. The two Universities will be able to exchange staff, students and research programmes as well as to proceed to the recognition of degrees. The anouncement of the agreement was made these days on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, where a lot of Australians lost their lives, in order to underline the ties of blood between the two peoples. In tandem, it was anounced that that cooperation would be boosted morally and materially by the Pan-Cretian Union of Melbourne and Victoria. It is worth mentioning that RMIT signed a similar agreement with the University of Ioannina in 1992 which has proved successful until today.The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |