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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 02-06-13The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] Weather forecastSunshine is forecast in all parts of the country, with scattered cloud from early afternoon on the mainland that may bring isolated storms, mainly on high ground. Winds northerly, strong, turning very strong in the central and southern Aegean. Sunny in Athens, with temperatures between 19C and 30C same in Thessaloniki, with temperatures from 18C to 29C.(13/6/2002 1:26:00 μμ) [02] Debate on social security draftbill begins in ParliamentA debate on the social security draftbill begins in the parliament today. In the meantime , in its report sent to the political parties, the State Council cites that some regulations related to the difference of pension age limits between men and women and the difference in the amount of pension among the different categories of civil servants could be ruled unconstitutional according to the constitution article 4 on the equality of citizens.(13/6/2002 1:27:00 μμ) [03] Euro-army issue- Greece sticks to its positionGreek Prime-minister Costas Simitis and his Spanish counterpart Jose Maria Aznar had talks on the euro-army issue in Athens .Despite urging by the Spanish Prime-minister and current European Union President, government spokesman , Hristos Protoppapas said that there had been no new developments to indicate that the dispute over a European rapid reaction force could be resolved soon. Greece objects to Turkey having a say in the force s operations and has repeatedly insisted that it will stick to its position , in the face of pressure from other E.U members. Meanwhile, National Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou reiterated that negotiations within the E.U framework were continuing in view of the upcoming summit meeting in Seville on June 20. (13/6/2002 1:28:00 μμ) [04] Radical reforms in the Greek policeIn the wake of last shooting incident outside Prime-minister Costas Simitis residence, Public Order Minister Mihalis Hrisohoidis yesterday announced radical reforms in the Greek police force , based on more efficient organisation and increased protection for the public.Mr. Hrisohoidis noted that priority would be given to ensuring that police officers would be close to citizens , safeguarding their rights and offering a sense of security. He also pledged that specific areas in Attica , where the crime rate was high would have a greatly increased police presence . (13/6/2002 1:29:00 μμ) [05] Pasok party conference in July to prove the party s dynamicPrime-minister Costas Simitis described the Pasok party conference in July as a major political event which would prove the party s dynamic in the wake of the forthcoming municipal elections.In his speech at the Pasok party Executive Office meeting, Mr. Simitis noted an escalation of insecurity feelings and introversion which as he stressed could be bring about annulment of the strong efforts made in the economic and foreign policy sectors . The General Secretary of the Pasok party, Kostas Laliotis spoke of a party open to society and the citizen stressing that the coming conference should spread the slogan - counterattack now- .Mr. Laliotis also underlined the need for the indication of the division lines between the two major political parties policies accusing the N.D party of insolvency. (13/6/2002 1:30:00 μμ) [06] President of the dissolved Free Citizens movement has not disclosed his moves yetAthens major , Dimities Avramopoulos has disolved his newly formed party, the Free Citizens movement, citing financial difficulties while the coordinator of the party s development secretariate has accused him of ignoring the party s organs and violating its chart . Mr. Avramopoulos has not disclosuded his next moves yet . However, some political analysts have viewed the move as an attempt by Mr. Avramopoulos to return to the conservative N.D party to which he formerly belonged.Commenting N.D deputy, Giorgos Suflias said that there should be a general evaluation of all facts prior to a final decision for the return of Mr. Avramopoulos to the N.D party . On the same issue, Development Minister, Akis Tsohatzopoulos said that there was still a long wait for the N.D party if it expected that the disolution of a party would improve its prospects . (13/6/2002 1:31:00 μμ) [07] Measures to combat use of drugs in the armyNational Defnece Minister, Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday signed a cooperation memorandum with the President of the OKANA rehabilitation center.To combat the drug problem in the army, the National Defense Minister announced a series of measures including obligatory blood tests among permanent officers and those serving their military service in special units to detect drug users. (13/6/2002 1:32:00 μμ) [08] Biministerial meeting on the environment policy for the 2004 OlympicsThe environment policy for the 2004 Athens Olympics as well as pending projects for the games were examined yesterday at a biministerial meeting chaired by Prime-minister Simitis with only 2 weeks left to go before the next inspection visit by an international Olympic committee delegation. Measures to upgrade the city s appearance were also discussed. The ministerial committee agreed to tax exemptions for those who are willing to lease their house during the Olympic Games.After the meeting , Culture Minister, Evangelos Venizelos clarified that volunteers would attend special seminars but would not receive preference if they wished later to join the civil service. (13/6/2002 1:33:00 μμ) [09] Reinforcement of Turkish troops in northern CyprusAthens and Nicosia describe the reinforcement of the Turkish occupation troops in the northern part of Cyprus as a misorientation move which by no means changes the strategy for the resolution of the Cyprus question and Cyprus admission to the E.U.During his meeting with Greek Foreign Minister, Giorgos Papandreou, the American State Department special coordinator on the Cyprus issue, Tomas Weston said that the U.S administration objects to the reinforcement of the Turkish military forces in Cyprus. Cyprus has completed more procedures compared to other candidates for admission to the E.U said the representative of the Spanish E.U presidenship bringing the E.U enlargement issue to the plenum of the europarliament. Following his meeting with the U.N secretary General, Kofi Annan in NY. , the President of the N.D party Costs Karamanlis said that Cyprus will be admitted in the E.U in the spring of 2003 regardless of the resolution or not of the Cyprus issue. According to reports, Mr. Annan has said that the Cyprus was close to a solution more than ever. (13/6/2002 1:34:00 μμ) [10] Industrial mobilizationsBanks underfunction today due to a 24 hour strike announced by the union of Greek banks .IKA doctors will only treat emergency cases due to a 24 hour rotating strike while hospital doctors in Athens and Pireus begin a 48 hour strike today. In the meantime, Education Minister, petros Efthimiou will today meet again with university professors in an effort to lift the deadlock in tertiary education and reach an agreement for the holding of exams even with a delay. Mr. Efthimiou expressed hope that university professors will respond to the government s appeal as well as to the call of the Greek society and adherence to their duty to serve the common interest of the Greek people. (13/6/2002 1:35:00 μμ) The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |