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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-01-05
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] RESULTS OF POLITICAL GALLOP RELEASED
[02] PRESIDENT CLINTON REPORTS TO CONGRESS
[03] ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT ATHENS NEXT WEEK
[04] ORTHODOX CELEBRATIONS IN JERUSALEM
[05] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER CONFERS WITH EU COMMISSIONER
[06] ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED ON JOB TENURE IN PUBLIC SECTOR
[07] DEATH ANNOUNCED OF SPYROS MARKEZINIS
[08] NEW RED CROSS HOSPITAL IN ATHENS TO OPEN IN FEBRUARY
[09] MORE ICY WEATHER EXPECTED
[01] RESULTS OF POLITICAL GALLOP RELEASED
In a poll conducted by VPRC, published in the newspaper Ta Nea, 43.8%
of those questioned considered Kostas Simitis as the most appropriate
person for prime minister, while 33.1% favoured Kostas Karamanlis. As
for who they deemed the most experienced politician, Mr Simitis left Mr
Karamanlis far behind, with 71.6% in favour of Mr Simitis and 11.9% in
favour of Mr Karamanlis. According to a Kapa Research gallop in Athens,
published in the newspaper Apoyevmatini, New Democracy is 4% ahead of
PASOK with 35.7% of stated preferences, as opposed to PASOK's 31.7%.
[02] PRESIDENT CLINTON REPORTS TO CONGRESS
The American president, Bill Clinton, has described the proximity talks
on the Cyprus dispute as a positive step towards a just and viable
solution for all Cypriots and an improvement in Greek-Turkish
relations. He added that the purpose of the talks was to prepare the
ground for a substantial dialogue that would lead to an overall Cyprus
settlement. President Clinton's views are set out in his latest report
to Congress on the Cyprus issue, covering the period from October 1st
to 30th November. The American president said he would endeavour to
capitalise on the hopeful developments in relations between Greece and
Turkey in order to achieve progress in the Aegean but especially in
Cyprus. He also referred to promotion of the construction of new
energy pipelines from the Caspian Sea which would bring prosperity to
the new Caucasus states. Peace and stability in the Balkans represent
another goal set by American diplomacy for the coming year, as are the
consolidation of peace in the Middle East and Northern Ireland, support
for the Russian economy and the combatting of corruption in Russia.
[03] ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT ATHENS NEXT WEEK
The Italian prime minister, Massimo D'Alema, is to pay a two-day visit
to Athens on 10th and 11th January, at the invitation of his Greek
counterpart, Kostas Simitis. During his stay in the Greek capital, Mr
D'Alema will be received by the Greek president, Kostis Stefanopoulos,
and will have talks with Mr Simitis on bilateral issues as well as
issues of European and international interest.
[04] ORTHODOX CELEBRATIONS IN JERUSALEM
The Assembly of Orthodox Patriarchs and the leaders of Autocephalous
Churches opened in Jerusalem yesterday to celebrate the 2,000th
anniversary of the birth of Christ. The celebrations are being led by
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos who arrived in Jerusalem accompanied
by the head of the newest Orthodox Church, Archbishop Anastasios of
Albania. The Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Christodoulos, will
also attend the celebrations.
[05] GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER CONFERS WITH EU COMMISSIONER
The Greek foreign minister, Giorgos Papandreou, had a meeting yesterday
with Greece's EU commissioner, Anna Diamantopoulou, in the presence of
the deputy foreign minister, Christos Rokofyllos. The meeting took
place in the framework of the regular cooperation between the foreign
ministry and the Greek commissioner. Mr Papandreou said the issues
discussed included relations between Turkey and the EU, the course of
Cyprus' admission to the EU, economic and monetary union and European
Union enlargement.
[06] ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED ON JOB TENURE IN PUBLIC SECTOR
After her meeting yesterday with the prime minister, Kostas Simitis,
and the national economy minister, Iannos Papantoniou, the interior
minister, Vaso Papandreou, stated that a decision would be taken next
week on making public sector jobs at present on a contractual basis
into permanent positions. In response to a query on the various opinion
polls that have appeared in the press in the past few days, Ms
Papandreou underlined that the government's priority was Greece's
admission to European economic and monetary union. On the same issue,
the national economy minister pointed out that now was not the right
time for elections.
[07] DEATH ANNOUNCED OF SPYROS MARKEZINIS
Spyros Markezinis, a politician who figured largely in Greece's
post-war political scene, died yesterday at the age of 90. He served as
minister of coordination in the government of Giorgos Papandreou in
1952 and was prime minister during the colonels' dictatorship. Mr
Markezinis' funeral takes place this morning.
[08] NEW RED CROSS HOSPITAL IN ATHENS TO OPEN IN FEBRUARY
The new Red Cross Hospital in Athens named after Henri Dunan will be
officially opened by the Greek president, Kostis Stefanopoulos, on
February 9. The hospital, which will have a capacity for 430 beds, will
go into operation in stages, starting with the out-clinics.
[09] MORE ICY WEATHER EXPECTED
The spate of icy weather which hit Greece in the past few days is now
abating but the meteorological office has warned of a further cold
spell starting from tomorrow. Temperatures in many places in the north
of the country are still well below zero and vehicles require anti-skid
chains on many roads.
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