Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-04-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] DM on Iran, Souda, local gov't elections

[02] Gov't steps up fire prevention ahead of summer season

[03] Alavanos at tobacco growers' road block

[01] DM on Iran, Souda, local gov't elections

On the issue of Iran, Meimarakis said that a military intervention in the near future is difficult and reiterated Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis who on Tuesday, in talks with US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice stressed the need to exhaust all diplomatic means.

Asked whether Souda's military base on the island of Crete would be used, Meimarakis replied that Greece has long-standing contractual obligations towards its allies which it fulfills.

As for the local government elections in October, the defence minister noted that governments are judged during general elections, but added that political messages will be extracted from the results of the upcoming mayoral and prefectural elections.

Regarding the prefectural candidates that ruling New Democracy will back, Meimarakis said an announcement will soon be made by ND Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis.

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[02] Gov't steps up fire prevention ahead of summer season

The Civil Protection Agency's Central Coordinating Committee convened on Wednesday to discuss preventive measures against forest fires ahead of the 2006 summer season.

The aim is to ensure that the state mechanism is fully prepared, Minister of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation Prokopis Pavlopoulos, who presided over the meeting, said.

The 2006 summer season is expected to be difficult because of increased vegetation due to substantial rainfall this past winter and because of expected high temperatures and strong winds, he said.

Pavlopoulos urged citizens to cooperate with the state and relevant authorities.

Secretary General for Civil Protection Panagiotis Fourlas said that a relevant circular has been sent to all responsible agencies and authorities.

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[03] Alavanos at tobacco growers' road block

The tobacco growers, who are protesting over the failure of two companies to submit letters of guarantee after signing contracts for 3,300 tons and because they are still unpaid for the 860 tons of tobacco they delivered to the Agrinion Association of Agricultural Cooperatives, warned that mobilizations will continue until their demands are met.

Alavanos noted in comments to ANA-MPA that tobacco growers in Thrace are in desperate straits. He said that manufacturers refuse to meet obligations arising from signed contracts and basically engage in an all-out extortion targeting small producers to get the lowest market prices possible.

The government should ensure the immediate sale of tobacco production while producers should be paid immediately receiving prices higher than last yearâs, said Alavanos, adding that sanctions should be imposed on tobacco industries that fail to comply.

Photo: ANA/MPA file photo

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