The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 02-09-26

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

(26/9/2002 11:37:00 рм)

[02] USA & Britain seek support for military action against Iraq

The USA has the information that Iraq helped Al Qaeda organization to develop chemical weapons and gave refuge to some of its members maintained American President George Bush&#8217;s advisor on security issues. Moreover, Mr Bush maintained that Iraq and Al Qaeda are equally dangerous. At the same time, American marines have begun military exercises in Kuwait.

In the meantime, Moscow and Berlin rejected the British report on the Iraqi arsenal, while France, Sweden, China and Canada are strongly reacting to American-British plans for military action against Iraq. Turkish Prime Minister Bouled Ecevit also criticized Washington and London&#8217;s stance.

On the contrary, Italy gave its full support to the American and British positions, while Mr Xavier Solana appeared certain that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction.

From his side, Prime Minister Costas Simitis stated that the majority of the European governments believes that the crisis should be dealt with within the United Nations Security Council framework.

(26/9/2002 11:39:00 рм)

[03] 2003 draft of budget discussed by cabinet

According to the budget, the GDP will grow by 4.1 per cent in 2003, compared to an estimated 3.8 per cent forecast for 2002, while inflation will rise by 2.5 per cent in the 2003 fiscal year.

Nominal growth of GDP will stand at 7.3 per cent compared to 7.1 per cent in 2002, the public deficit will decrease by 99.3 per cent, while state income will grow by 5.3 per cent compared to 2002 and privatizations will bring an additional 1.5 per cent of GDP to the state coffers.

Mr Christodoulakis stated that the course of the budget will be based on the increase of state investments and the invigorating of demand through the reduction of taxes.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis stated that the new budget guaranteed the country&#8217;s course with safety, underlining that the Greek economy can resist to the International crisis.

Additionally, in an interview with NET 105.8 Finance Deputy Minister Apostolos Fotiades stated that the economy would not be seriously affected by a war against Iraq.

At the same time, in an interview with the same radio station, New Democracy party MP Giorgos Alogoskoufis stated that a budget can be judged from its results as to whether it is developmental or social.

Finally, the Greek Communist party and the Synaspismos party spoke of one-sided austerity and the Democratic Socialist Movement of the government&#8217;s failure in its economic policy.

(26/9/2002 11:41:00 рм)

[04] Genimata and Bakoyianni ahead according to two opinion polls

On the basis of the results of "Alko", Mrs Genimata is ahead with 44.4% and Mr Giannis Tzanetakos follows with 19.4%, while according to 'Metron Analysis" Mrs Genimata is ahead with 42% and Mr Tzanetakos follows with 17.3%.

According to "Alko" New Democracy candidate for the Athens Town Hall is first with 44.5% and Pasok candidate Christos Papoutsis second with 22.8%.

Regarding candidates for Piraeus, Mr Christos Agrapides comes first with 47.1% and second Mr Manolis Beteniotis with 25.9%. For the Municipality of Thessaloniki, New Democracy party candidate Vasilis Papageorgopoulos comes first with 48.7% and Pasok candidate Spyros Vougias second with 23.1%.

Meanwhile, New Democracy Honorary President Constantinos Mitsotakis asked for the support of all New Democracy candidates in the Municipal and Prefectural elections despite the mistakes that had been made.

(26/9/2002 11:43:00 рм)

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article