Subject: The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-11-15 From: HR-Net News Distribution Manager CONTENTS CONTENTS --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Prime-minister Simitis expressed satisfaction at the progress of the [02] Mad cow disease. Ban on French beef. [03] International Conference on the Environment in the Hague [04] Turkey does not meet the Copenhagen criteria [05] President Stefanopoulos in the Czech Republic [06] Interbank interest rates reduced by 0,5% [07] The new Syntagma -Dafni Athens metro line inagurated at noon today [08] Anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising [09] National Radio Television Council upgraded [10] Promising prospects for tourism in Greece [11] Journalists of Greek descent visited the Greek Parliament [12] Stock market [13] Weather forecast --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEWS IN ENGLISH ERA 5. THE VOICE OF GREECE 15/11/2000 2:11:57 μμ [01] Prime-minister Simitis expressed satisfaction at the progress of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games works Prime -minister Kostas Simitis expressed satisfaction at the progress of works during yesterday's meeting of the Interministerial Committee for the preparation of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games in view of the visit to Athens of the Vice-president of the International Olympic Committee Zaq Rogue. Goverment spokesman Tilemahos Hitiris announced that the Olympic Village in Thrakomakedones has begun while he belied rumours about resignation of Petros Synadinos, director general of the Athens 2004. [02] Mad cow disease. Ban on French beef. The Greek authorities are monitoring developments regarding the mad cow disease in certain European countries. The EU Health authorities are on the alert, while the French government has banned the selling of bonned beef steaks as well as the selling of beef to shcool canteens. However, the Greek authorities are categorically reassuring consumers that no case of the mad cow disease has been observed in Greece. [03] International Conference on the Environment in the Hague The International conference on the environment continues in the Hague amid appeals to the most industrialised nations to commit themselves regarding the implementation of regulations on the protection of the environment. Greek Environment Minister Kostas Laliotis has described the International Conference in the Hague as the last opportunity for the salvation of the planet Earth. [04] Turkey does not meet the Copenhagen criteria Turkey at present does not meet the Copenhagen criteria for admission to the European Union according to the report of the European Parliament, Foreign Affairs Committtee submitted to the plenum of the body. The report also refers to the division of Cyprus ,describing it as unacceptable. Following his meeting with Cypriot President Glafkos Kliridis in Athens yesterday, Greek Prime-minister Kostas Simitis stated that the resolution of the Cyprus issue was a basis prerequisite for the improvement in Greek- Turkish relations. [05] President Stefanopoulos in the Czech Republic Official talks in Prague yesterday between Greek President Kostis Stefanopoulos and his Czech counterpart Vatslav Havel covered a broad spectrum of subjects. Among others the two sides expressed satisfaction at the fact that there were no problems in the two countries bilateral relations while they declared mutual willingness for the further strenghening of the two countries relations in the economic, trade and cultural sectors. Mr.Stefanopoulos and Mr.Havel also discussed the situation in the Balcans and the EU enlargement as well as Greek national issues since the Czech President had visited Turkey a month ago. The Czech President thanked his Greek counterpart for Greece's support regarding his country's European Union prospects, while Mr. Stephanopulos hailed Pragues' interest in Balkan developments and the two countries' cooperation for stability in the region. [06] Interbank interest rates reduced by 0,5% The Bank of Greece decided 0,5% reduction in interbank interest rates from today. From Skopyie, third stop of his tour of the Balcans within the framework of the Greek plan for the reconstruction of the region, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou expressed hope that interest rates in Greece would have reached the eurozone level by January 1st 2001. [07] The new Syntagma -Dafni Athens metro line inagurated at noon today Prime-minister Kostas Simitis and Public Works Minister Kostas Laliotis will innagurate the new Athens- Metro line Syntagma-Dafni at noon today.the new line will open to the public at 6 o'clock in the afternoon . A research conducted by the National Technical Institute on behalf of the Athens Public Transport organisation indicates that a high percentage of commuters are satisfied with the metro service while on the contrary the percentage of commuters satisfied with the other means of transport is significantly lower. [08] Anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising Three-day events to mark the Polytechnic Institute uprising begin today to culminate on Friday with the customary march to the American Embassy. For the first time this year a roll of honour to those who died during the Polytechnic uprising and during the dictatorship will beread by the sister of one of the victims following a decision of the Festivities Coordinating Committee. [09] National Radio Television Council upgraded The draftbill providing for the upgrading of the National Radio and Televison Council was passed by the parliament last night. Minister for Press, Dimitris Reppas stated that the Press Ministry will have examined the files of all television chanels which have applied for permission and refer them to the National Radio and Television Council. [10] Promising prospects for tourism in Greece Tourist movement from Britain to Greece in 2001 appear most promising as British tourist agents announced that over 2,5 million Britons will visit Greece. [11] Journalists of Greek descent visited the Greek Parliament Thirty-three journalist of Greek descent from Australia ,the US and Europe visited the Greek Parliament yesterday. In his speech, the President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis referred to Greece's national targets, its European prospect and position in the Balcans as well as Greek-Turkish relations . [12] Stock market On the Athens stock market yesterday , the general share index had a slight drop of 0,76% to close at 3532,82 points. [13] Weather forecast For today and tomorrow, the National Metereological Service has forecast fine weather with notherly moderate winds thourough the country. Temperatures in Athens will range between 12-24 degrees centigrade and in Northern Greece between 5-23 and 8-25 degrees centigrade in the rest of Greece.