Athens News Agency: News in English, 04-03-31

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek PM meets UN chief to discuss Cyprus plan

[02] Strike-Media three-hour work stoppage

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates: Wednesday

[04] Weather Forecast: Mostly sunny on Wednesday

[05] FM Molyviatis rings Powell on Cyprus negotiations in Burgenstock

[01] Greek PM meets UN chief to discuss Cyprus plan

BURGENSTOCK (ANA - A. Panagopoulos) Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday met United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in the Swiss Alpine resort of Burgenstock where ongoing talks for a Cyprus peace plan are taking place.

This is the last day of the UN-sponsored negotiations and a final version of the plan is to be presented by Annan later in the day.

The meeting was sought by the Greek premier and comes after a round of repeated contacts between the UN and the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot negotiating teams regarding modifications to the fourth revised plan presented to the parties on Monday.

According to statements by a top diplomatic source around dawn when this round of contacts ended, however, the chances of an agreed solution are slim.

[02] Strike-Media three-hour work stoppage

The Athens News Agency will not be broadcasting for the three-hour period from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, in line with the Athens Union of Journalists' (ESHEA) call for a three-hour work stoppage during those hours in the context of a 24-hour nationwide strike called by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE).

During the three-hour stoppage, ANA and all media in Greece will be broadcasting only strike-related items, and any urgent news that may arise.

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates: Wednesday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 1.228

Pound sterling 0.673

Danish kroner 7.504

Swedish kroner 9.333

Japanese yen 130.0

Swiss franc 1.571

Norwegian kroner 8.475

Cyprus pound 0.590

Canadian dollar 1.604

Australian dollar 1.630

[04] Weather Forecast: Mostly sunny on Wednesday

Mostly sunny weather is forecast in all parts of the country, with scattered cloud from early evening and rain in the southwest. Winds variable, moderate to very strong. Temperatures in Athens 11C to 18C and in Thessaloniki from 8C to 14C.

[05] FM Molyviatis rings Powell on Cyprus negotiations in Burgenstock

BURGENSTOCK (ANA/F. Karaviti) - Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis rang his U.S. counterpart Colin Powell from Burgenstock, Switzerland, where the negotiations on the Cyprus issue are continuing.

Molyviatis discussed the developments to date and made particular mention to the problematic points of the new plan by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

''Up to now there is not very much progress,'' said Molyviatis, referring to the negotiations.

Meanwhile, UN envoy for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto is continuing his contacts with all the sides.

At press time, de Soto had a meeting with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and with the ''prime minister'' of the Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state in the Turkish occupied northern Cyprus, Mehmet Ali Talat.

Papadopoulos is in constant communication and coordination with the Greek delegation and is constantly speaking with Foreign Minister Molyviatis.

Molyviatis met with de Soto, while Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis met with U.S. coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston and discussed the procedures of the talks.

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