The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-02-01

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

1/2/2001 12:24:40 μμ

[01] Debate on censure motion

Prime minister Kostas Simitis accused the ND of aiming at discrediting the economy, underlining that the criterion of the government's policy is not the profits of the stock exchange, but the country's development and the upgrading of the living standards. He also expressed his discontent over the latest developments around the censure motion.

Referring to a remark by deputies of the ruling PASOK party about changes in the government, prime minister Simitis did not rule out the possibility of a government reshuffle.

On his part, press undersecretary Tilemachos Chytiris stressed that the Greek economy was ''doing well'' and the stock exchange would eventually ''find its way''.

The political secretariat of the Coalition of the Left Wing and Progress decided - with 18 votes in favour and three against - to vote the censure motion tabled by the ND party. However, Coalition deputy Maria Damanaki expressed her opposition to the party's stand but stressed that she will go along with it.

Meanwhile, national economy minister Yannos Papantoniou said that the ND was attempting to make investors loose their confidence to the stock exchange and damage the government. He added that in case of infringements, those responsible would be led to justice.

Finally, the ND parliamentary spokesperson Prokopis Pavlopoulos pointed out that the national economy and finance minister should resign, even if he gets a vote of confidence, while ND deputy Miltiadis Evert spoke of economic and social offenses, and stressed that those responsible should be committed to trial.

[02] Athens bourse

[03] European Commission approves Greek program

[04] Greek plans for the re-construction of the Balkans

Mr Zafeiropoulos said Greece's project for the reconstruction of the Balkans will start first in Albania and then in the other countries of the region.

[05] Constitutional revision

[06] European Commission displeased with Turkey

Circles of the Commission that denied - as incompetent - to comment on the French parliamentary decision, noted that Turkey had no right of taking measures against French businesses, but only in the degree of military supplies, since this sector is the only one exempted from the EU-Turkey agreements on the opening of the Turkish markets.

They also point out that taking measures against EU businesses is contrary, both to the agreement on turkey's customs accession to the EU and the recent partnership relation and recall that it is the second time that Ankara ''commits such an error'', after the embargo against the Italian products, when Italy was hosting the leader of the Kurdish Labour party - known as PKK - Abdullah Ocalan.

[07] Radioactive slabs found in Greece

However, scientists give assurances that there is no danger for public health.

[08] New price increases

Meanwhile, the increase in utility bills of the Greek Telecommunications Organisation - OTE - scheduled for February 4th, has been postponed, as the issue has been referred to the State Legal Council.

As of midnight, the price of super and unleaded gasoline increased while heating oil will be sold by 2.8 drachmas more per litre. On the contrary, the price of diesel is reduced by 2 drachmas per litre.

[09] Hellinikon airport will become a park

[10] ND honorary president speaks about terrorism

''We had the terrorists in jail'', Mr Mitsotakis said, but refused to disclose whom he meant. He then noted that ''the first law PASOK passed as soon it went up in power, was to abolish the law against organized crime and immediately afterwards assisted in all the trials, people who were facing charges for terrorist actions.

Furthermore, Mr Mitsotakis forecast that the government will not last for the entire four year term, and expressed doubts about the holding of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.EW BODY

[11] Rift in Greek Orthodox Church

Archbishop Christodoulos had been invited by the New York- based Federation of Greek Associations as master of ceremonies and through a letter had asked the opinion of the Archbishop of America who in his turn replied that ''special reasons were indicating the need of not effecting the visit to New York.''

[12] American girl found in Greece

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