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Athens News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-05-04Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr>NEWS IN ENGLISHAthens, Greece, 04/05/1999 (ANA)MAIN HEADLINES
NEWS IN DETAILAthens welcomes any Balkans conferenceGreece on Tuesday welcomed a proposal by European Commission president- designate Romano Prodi for the convening of an international conference to examine ways of bringing lasting peace to the Balkans. Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said Prime Minister Costas Simitis had been in touch with Prodi on the issue. Prodi intimated in an address to the European Parliament on Tuesday that the EU should take the initiative for convening the conference and take greater responsibility in general for resolving the Yugoslav crisis. Reppas described Prodi's proposal for a conference as "a very positive development", adding that there were a number of "indications and conditions" which were boosting hopes that a political solution might be attained. FM Papandreou 'reserved but optimistic' Foreign Minister George Papandreou said on Tuesday he was "reserved but optimistic" about the outcome of his recent talks with officials in Moscow in search of a political settlement of the Kosovo crisis. "Diplomacy is now in the limelight. Greece's activity as well as Russia's - with the visit to Washington - have left their mark on this attempt," Papandreou told reporters as he arrived for a meeting with President Kostis Stephanopoulos. Papandreou said U.S. President Bill Clinton's visit to Europe would bolster diplomatic efforts for a resolution from the United Nations which would have the agreement of all parties. Greek doctors head to Skopje, Pristina A team of 41 doctors left for Skopje and Pristina on Tuesday to provide medical treatment for children in refugee camps in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the children's hospital in Pristina. Organised by the Athens Medical Centre, the team is led by Maria Carras, a physician and director of Centre for Communicable Diseases (KEEL). Accompanying the medical team are five ambulances, staffed by trained personnel, and a mobile hospital unit. They will provide health services for refugees in camps in Skopje and logistical support to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's health ministry. They will then go on to the children's hospital in Pristina. If any of the children are in need of special treatment they will be brought to the Athens Medical Centre. Athens dismisses Turkish air violations Greece on Tuesday attributed recent violations of Greek air space by Turkish warplanes to the continuation of Ankara's tactic of provocation. Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said in all cases the Turkish fighter jets had been intercepted by Hellenic Air Force aircraft. "This behaviour of Turkey does not help it, because it reveals the face of a troublemaker. Ankara should at long last realize this and cease its provocations," Reppas added. Teenager arrested in bomb hoax Police said on Tuesday they had arrested a 14-year-old high school student for a bomb hoax that caused the evacuation of a local Athens high school. They said the teenager, identified only by his initials K.E., had telephoned a radio station and said he had planted a bomb at the Galatsi 4th Junior High School. He claimed to be a member of ultra-rightist group Chryssi Avghi (Golden Dawn). The telephone call caused the temporary suspension of lessons at the school while police combed the building for any evidence of a bomb. None was found. WEATHERThe weather in the country today is expected to be warm, humid and sunny with cloud in western, central and northern Greece. Winds variable, light to strong. Warm and humid in Athens with temperatures between 16-32C. Same in Thessaloniki with temperatures from 13-30C.FOREIGN EXCHANGETuesday's rates (buying) U.S. dollar 304.544 Pound sterling 490.881 Japanese yen (100) 254.617 French franc 49.219 German mark 165.074 Italian lira (100) 16.675 Irish Punt 409.943 Belgian franc 8.003 Luxembourg franc 8.003 Finnish mark 54.300 Dutch guilder 146.505 Danish kr. 43.438 Austrian sch. 23.463 Spanish peseta 1.940 Swedish kr. 36.218 Norwegian kr. 39.134 Swiss franc 200.260 Port. Escudo 1.610 Aus. dollar 201.604 Can. dollar 208.459 Cyprus pound 559.151 Euro 322.856(M.P.) Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |