|
|
The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-10-04
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] PATHENIANS REASSURED BY SEISMOLOGISTS AFTER NEW TREMOR
[02] GREEK-TURKISH PROBLEMS STILL EXIST SAYS PAPANDREOU
[03] GERMAN CHANCELLOR ON ATHENS VISIT
[04] COMBINED MILITARY FORCE SEEN AS DETERRENCE TO THREATS
[05] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS TO VISIT BELGRADE
[06] POTENTIAL AMERICAN INVESTMENTS IN GREECE
[07] ENERGY MINISTERS IN THESSALONIKI MEETING
[08] GREEK RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS TEAM BRINGS HOME GOLD AND SILVER
[09] COACH AND TRUCK IN DEADLY COLLISION
[01] PATHENIANS REASSURED BY SEISMOLOGISTS AFTER NEW TREMOR
Seismologists have given reassurances that after-shock activity in
Attika is developing normally, following the most recent tremor,
measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale, recorded last night just after 8
o'clock. The epicentre was at Parnitha. The director of the Athens
Geodynamic Institute advised people to remain calm and stressed that
the tremor was in no way connected with a recent controversial
prediction by the VAN group of a major earthquake on the weekend.
Today seismologists from the institute will begin new research in the
region of Lamia, in order to locate the origins of electrical signals
which the VAN group announced they had recorded in the past few days.
The Environment Undersecretary, Christos Verelis, said the signals may
have come from tests conducted by an Italian company, installing a
natural gas line in the region. Meanwhile, schools, whose opening was
delayed due to damage stemming from the September 7 quake in Athens,
will begin classes today.
[02] GREEK-TURKISH PROBLEMS STILL EXIST SAYS PAPANDREOU
Foreign Minister George Papandreou, who is currently on a visit to
Constantinople, Turkey, will today meet with his Turkish counterpart,
Ismail Cem. Yesterday, the Greek foreign minister stated that
humanitarian aid and solidarity were helping Greece and Turkey to deal
-- each in a different way -- with the existing problems between them.
He made the comments while visiting a town where the Greek government
has sent prefabricated housing as aid to the homeless quake-stricken
people.
Despite the good climate created between the two countries during the
past few weeks, Mr. Papandreou pointed out -- in reply to journalists'
questions -- that problems still exist, particularly the long-standing
Cyprus dispute. Addressing Turkish intellectuals and businessmen last
night, the Greek foreign minister pointed out that the only "wall"
remaining in Europe was in Cyprus.
Concerning Turkey's relations with the European Union, he emphasized
that they were not controlled by Greece, which was in favour of
Ankara's real EU candidacy, with all the obligations and rights that
this would entail. For the solution of other Greek-Turkish problems, he
said that a prerequisite was the implementation of rules and
regulations laid down by international laws and treaties.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the prestigious Greek daily newspaper,
To Vima, former Greek foreign minister Thodoros Pangalos said that if
Athens gives the green light in Helsinki for Turkey's EU accession,
numerous problems will emerge. He added that the period of public
relations was now over.
[03] GERMAN CHANCELLOR ON ATHENS VISIT
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will arrive in Greece today, on the
occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Greek-German
Chamber of Commerce in Athens. He will be accompanied by his
diplomatic adviser, Ambassador Michael Steiner, an expert on
southeastern Europe. Mr. Schroeder is scheduled to discuss Greek-German
relations with Prime Minister Costas Simitis. Turkish relations with
the European Union and the Cyprus problem will also be on the agenda.
This evening, the German Chancellor will address a gathering organised
by the chamber at the Hilton Hotel, followed by a dinner hosted by
Prime Minister Simitis.
[04] COMBINED MILITARY FORCE SEEN AS DETERRENCE TO THREATS
National Defence minister Akis Tschohatzopoulos stated yesterday upon
his departure from Cyprus -- where he observed the "Nikiforos" military
exercise -- that Cyprus and Greece's combined military force was the
basic prerequisite to deter any threat from other countries. Earlier,
at a joint press conference, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos and his Cypriot
counterpart, Socratis Hasikos, had reiterated their countries' common
defence policy, which is related to Cyprus' accession to the European
Union and the strengthening of the military force within the framework
of the joint Greek-Cypriot defence pact.
Regarding the Cyprus issue, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that the latest
international activity in relation to the long- standing dispute was
the result of a national strategy, stressing that the Cypriot Republic
was undergoing a critical phase as regards its future course.
[05] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS TO VISIT BELGRADE
Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and all Greece is to pay an official
visit to Belgrade soon. Preparations for his trip are already under
way. Meanwhile the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church will convene
today to discuss the thorny issue of a proposed visit to Greece by Pope
John Paul II.
[06] POTENTIAL AMERICAN INVESTMENTS IN GREECE
Returning last night from the United States, where he participated in a
meeting of the International Monetary Fund, National Economy and
Finance minister Yiannos Papantoniou expressed his satisfaction about
interest exhibited by American businessmen for investments in Greece.
In a separate development, the government is determined to safeguard
the normal course of the Athens Stock Exchange with the implementation
of six new institutional measures. At the same time, it will enable
employees, through legislation, to buy shares, in order to participate
in businesses they are employed at.
[07] ENERGY MINISTERS IN THESSALONIKI MEETING
Energy ministers from five Balkan countries -- Greece, Bulgaria,
Bosnia-Hercegovina, Romania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia - are to meet in Thessaloniki on October 10. The purpose of
the meeting is the signing of a declaration on the setting-up of a
competitive electrical energy market in south-eastern Europe and the
promotion of investments in the energy sector.
[08] GREEK RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS TEAM BRINGS HOME GOLD AND SILVER
In its best-ever performance, the Greek national rhythmic gymnastics
team is returning to Athens with two gold medals and one silver medal,
won at the 23rd World Championships in Osaka, Japan. The outstanding
performance secured for the 5-member, all- girl team participation in
the 2000 Olympic Games to be held in Sydney, Australia. In the
meantime, an Olympic athletes' group said yesterday in Athens that
athletes should be ineligible to compete in future Olympics unless they
carry a "doping passport," proving they have undergone regular drug
tests. If approved, passports would start to be issued before next
year's Sydney Games, but the project would only be implemented fully in
time for the 2004 Games in Athens.
[09] COACH AND TRUCK IN DEADLY COLLISION
At least 10 people have been reported dead and 30 injured, after a bus
and a truck collided head-on early this morning in the Tembi valley in
central Greece. The coach was carrying supporters of the PAOK football
team. Police expect the death toll to rise, as some people are still
trapped under the wreckage of the two vehicles.
|