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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-10-01
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] Weather forecast
[02] Developments on US attacks Greek
[03] Foreign Minister to visit, Moscow, Berlin and Washington
[04] Archibishop Hristodoulos must not allow hatred for the entir Moslem
[05] Defence Minister in Cyprus to attend celebrations for the island´s
[06] Day ND party leader-news conference in Thessaloniki
[07] New budget to be tabled today
NEWS IN ENGLISH ERA-5. THE VOICE OF GREECE
1/10/2001 1:55:00 ìì
Weather forecast Developments on US attacks Greek Foreign Minister to
visit, Moscow, Berlin and Washington Archibishop Hristodoulos must not
allow hatred for the entir Moslem world Greek Defence Minister in
Cyprus to attend celebrations for the island´s independence Day ND
party leader-news conference in Thessaloniki New budget to be tabled
today
[01] Weather forecast
The weather will be sunny on Monday in the east and the south. The west
and the north can expect some scattered cloud, turning to showers or
storms in the northern Ionian, Epirus, the western mainland, and
western Macedonia. Winds variable, light to moderate. Sunshine in
Athens, with temperatures between 17C and 30C. Cloudy in Thessaloniki,
with temperatures from 14C to 27C.
[02] Developments on US attacks Greek
Representatives of the UN member states meet in NY today to discuss
means to enforce the fight against terrorism. According to the British
daily newspaper "Observer" US led military strikes on Afganistan would
come in a matter of hours following a possible overtrow of the ruling
Taliban. The former-king of Afganistan, Mohamad Zahir Shah met with
members of the American Congress on Sunday and a delegation from
Afganistans main anti-Taliban force, the Northern Alliance in Rome to
see if it can strike a cooperation deal with the royalist faction. The
spiritual leader of the Taliban Mullah Mohammad Omar warned the ex-king
not to meddle in Afganistan´s affairs . In the meantime , the US added
to its gathering storm of military might in the region on Sunday when
the US aircraft carrier , Kitty Hawk sailed from its home port in Tokyo
, assigned to duty in Operation Enduring Freedom, the code name for the
US war on terrorism, declared by President Bush after the September
11th devastating attacks on NY and Washington. An article in todays
issue of the " N.Y Times" says that American President George Bush has
approved secret funding to Afganistan opposition forces. According to
reports , the brother of Afganistan former opposition leader Ahmed Sah
Masud-murdered at the beginning of September-confirmed that the US has
begun talks with the opposition Northern Alliance aimed to coordinate
actions to overtrow the Taliban and arrest bin Landen. In Kabul ,
talks between the Pakistani delegation and the Taliban to hand over bin
Landen continue. For the first time , the Taliban admitted that they
have the top suspect in the attacks , Saudi-born fugitive bin Landen in
their hands. The White House stepped up pressure on Sunday by warning
the Taliban it would work to replace them unless they accede to
America´s demands to turn over bin Landen. Should military strikes be
necessary, US Attorney General John Ashcroft warned of escalation of
terrorist attacks in an interview with th e CBS television channel. A
poll conducted by the Times magazine indicates that 81% of America´s
population support a military action on Afganistan but also fear new
terrorist attacks on the US. On the contrary , a poll conducted in
Greece indicates that 9 out of 10 are against military action. Anti-war
activists held a peaceful weekend demonstration in central Athens that
was timed to coincide with similar action in US universities to protest
against an anticipated military attack on Afghanistan in Washington's
drive against terrorism. Also condemning terrorism, the demonstration
and concert on Saturday evening in central Syntagma Square was
organised by Citizens of the World working with the Coalition of the
Left and Progress and other groups.
[03] Foreign Minister to visit, Moscow, Berlin and Washington
Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to visit Moscow, Berlin and
Washington this week for talks with senior government officials. In a
trip beginning on Monday, Papandreou is scheduled to meet his Russian
and German counterparts to discuss the global political situation in
the wake of terrorist attacks in the US on September 11. On Tuesday,
the minister leaves for Washington for talks with the US Secretary of
State, Colin Powell.
[04] Archibishop Hristodoulos must not allow hatred for the entir Moslem
world Greek
Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece said on Sunday that
terrorists claiming to represent Islam were not typical of the faith.
"This is not the (true) picture of Islam, the one that appears on the
face of a terrorist," Christodoulos told churchgoers in the Athens
suburb of Aghii Anargyri. "We must not allow ourselves to harbour
hatred or even suspicion for the entire Moslem world, the overwhelming
majority of which is moderate," the archbishop said.
[05] Defence Minister in Cyprus to attend celebrations for the island´s
independence
Greece´s Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos arrived in Cyprus on
Sunday afternoon to represent the Greek government at Monday´s
celebrations on the island for the Independence Day of the Republic of
Cyprus. The Greek official was met at Larnaca Airport by his
counterpart Socratis Hasikos, Greek Ambassador to Cyprus Christos
Panagopoulos and Chief of the Cyprus National Guard Evangelos
Florakis. No statements were made. Tsohatzopoulos afterwards departed
for Nicosia where he met with Hasikos at the General Headquarters of
the National Guard. The Greek minister later had separate meetings
with the Parliamentary Defence Committee and Foreign Minister Ioannis
Kasoulides.
[06] Day ND party leader-news conference in Thessaloniki
The leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, Kostas
Karamanlis said on Sunday that his party was ready if the government
were to call early national elections. In a news conference in the
northern port city of Thessaloniki, Karamanlis also criticised the
government for the way it had handled the economy, and reform of the
social insurance system. In addition, he underlined the need for
transparency in public life and sound management of public money.
Finally, Karamanlis complained of delays in carrying out projects
linked to the 2004 Athens Olympics and skyrocking costs. He also urged
the government to adopt any measures proposed by international
organisations to ensure security at the Games.
[07] New budget to be tabled today
The inner cabinet meets this morning to discuss next year´s budget
which will be tabled in the parliament tonight.The 2002 budget provides
for 3,1% increases. According to a poll conducted by VPRC , the ND
party is slightly ahead of Pasok in vote preference .Similar is the
figure on the popularity of the two major party leaders with
prime-minister Simitis slightly ahead in voters preference.
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