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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-07-14
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] AMERICAN DEFENCE SECRETARY VISITS THESSALONIKI
[02] PRIME MINISTER'S WORKING SESSIONS WITH CABINET MEMBERS
[03] PRIME MINISTER AND DEFENCE MINISTER TO ATTEND SUMMIT IN BONN
[04] GREEK, ALBANIAN AND FYROM FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN GREECE
[05] FUEL PRICES AFFECT INFLATION, BANK OF GREECE GOVERNOR SAYS
[06] TURKEY LACKS PREREQUISITES FOR EU CANDIDATE COUNTRY
[07] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE ANNOUNCEMENT
[08] ONE DEAD, THREE MISSING IN SEA TRAGEDY
[09] ERGOBANK TAKEOVER EXTENDED
[10] G7 FINANCE MINISTERS DISCUSS COST OF BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION
[01] AMERICAN DEFENCE SECRETARY VISITS THESSALONIKI
Thessaloniki's important role in the reconstruction of the Balkans was
referred to in statements made yesterday by Greek national defence
minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and visiting US defence secretary William
Cohen. Mr Tsohatzopoulos confirmed that the headquarters of the
Organization for the Reconstruction of the Balkans would be in
Thessaloniki. For his part, Mr Cohen described Thessaloniki as "a port
of hope" and announced the setting up of a US commercial office in
Thessaloniki, through which Washington would participate in the effort
for the reconstruction of the Balkans. Referring to the issue of
terrorism, the US defence secretary stressed that more efforts should
be made to face the problem in Greece and other countries. Mr Cohen
will meet with prime minister Kostas Simitis in Athens, today.
[02] PRIME MINISTER'S WORKING SESSIONS WITH CABINET MEMBERS
Prime minister Kostas Simitis yesterday had working sessions with the
ministers of justice, Evangelos Yannopoulos, and culture, Elisavet
Papazoi, as well as the ruling PASOK party's secretary Kostas
Skandalidis. Following the meeting, Mrs Papazoi said that there were no
plans for the setting up of a ministry for the 2004 Olympics to be held
in Athens. Mr Yannopoulos said that the investigation into charges of
corruption in the public sector by deputy Yannis Kapsis would go ahead.
Mr Skandalidis said that PASOK members would have to work hard this
summer for the party's reconstruction.
[03] PRIME MINISTER AND DEFENCE MINISTER TO ATTEND SUMMIT IN BONN
Prime minister Kostas Simitis and national defence minister Akis
Tsohatzopoulos will take part in the summit for the Balkans due to take
place in Bonn, on July 22 and 23. The summit is organized by the
European Socialist Party. Issues to be discussed are economic and
social development, democracy, human rights and security in the
region.
[04] GREEK, ALBANIAN AND FYROM FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN GREECE
A tripartite meeting of Greece, Albania and the FYROM is to be held in
the region of Prespes, northern Greece, today, at foreign ministers'
level. From Tirana, Albanian foreign minister Paskal Milo said that the
three countries had agreed to cooperate on a number of regional plans
for the improvement of stability in the southeastern Balkans. Albania
and Greece have also agreed on the construction of a natural gas
pipeline from Algeria, which would end up in Albania and Greece through
Italy, and of a highway passing through northern Greece, which would
end up in Croatia through Albania and Montenegro.
[05] FUEL PRICES AFFECT INFLATION, BANK OF GREECE GOVERNOR SAYS
The governor of the Bank of Greece, Loukas Papadimos, has said that
high fuel prices abroad have affected the inflation rate in Greece. In
statements he made after a meeting with national economy minister
Yannos Papantoniou, Mr Papadimos also said the finance ministry might
take additional measures to curb inflation down to the level required
for Greece's entry into European economic and monetary union. He added
there could be no further drop in interest rates before next autumn.
[06] TURKEY LACKS PREREQUISITES FOR EU CANDIDATE COUNTRY
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday it was impossible
for Turkey to be nominated as an EU candidate country, unless the
prerequisites set by the Union were met. He added that Greece's
position on the issue was well known.
[07] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE ANNOUNCEMENT
In an announcement issued late last night, the Ecumenical Patriarchate
in Constantinople left open all possibilities as regards the Archbishop
of North and South America, Spyridon. The announcement said that the
Patriarchate would evaluate all facts and views made known during the
meetings between the Archbishop of America and Ecumenical Patriarch
Vartholomeos.
[08] ONE DEAD, THREE MISSING IN SEA TRAGEDY
The tourist boat "Jason" with 26 passengers aboard and two crewmembers
sank yesterday in the sea region of Aghios Andreas, Zakynthos. One
person was found dead and three people, including a four year old girl,
are missing. Scuba divers, helicopters, coast guard vessels and fishing
boats are continuing the search for the missing passengers.
[09] ERGOBANK TAKEOVER EXTENDED
The board of the Athens Stock Exchange has decided to extend till July
29th the deadline for the submission of tenders for the Ergobank
takeover. The whole process will have been completed by August 4th.
[10] G7 FINANCE MINISTERS DISCUSS COST OF BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION
The finance ministers of the seven most industrialized countries of the
world, the G7, met in Brussels yesterday in order to estimate the cost
for the reconstruction of the southern Serb province of Kosovo and
economic aid to be granted to the Balkans. Attending the meeting were
also representatives from the EU, the World Bank, the International
Monetary Fund, the European Investment Bank and the European
Reconstruction and Development Bank. The EU is considering the
allocation of 500 million euro for the reconstruction of the Balkans,
while the World Bank is expected to offer 60 million dollars for
Kosovo. In another development, the supreme allied commander in Europe,
general Wesley Clark, has said that the men of the Kosovo Liberation
Army (KLA) might not surrender all their weapons, as long as Yugoslav
president Slobodan Milosevic stayed in power. In Jagodina, south of
Belgrade, an anti-government demonstration was staged yesterday.
Protesters were shouting slogans for the resignation of president
Milosevic. Meanwhile American state department spokesman James Rubin
has said the US would offer humanitarian aid to cities in Yugoslavia
which are controlled by the opposition.
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