The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-10-18

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

CONTENTS

18/10/2001 2:08:00 ěě

Israel demands arrest of Zeevi´s assasins US bombing continues EU ministers to forge a joint position on terrorism "Xenocrates" plan to be modernised Replacement of American forces in Balkans with European examined Government reshuffle expected with great interest Karamanlis demands more energetic role on combatting terrorism on behalf of the EU Transition to the Euro examined Greek inflation drops in the Eurozone Report on Olympic Airways privatization to be submitted next week Second Panaustralian Cultural Conference to begin tomorrow 2,03% rise in the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday Exhibition on Foreign Press in Greece

[01] Transition to the Euro examined

Both Mr. Duisenberg and Mr. Papantoniou stressed that strict checks would be carried out for the combat of profiteering especially during the period of the introduction of the Euro, a development that will bring changes to the everyday life of 300 million civilians.

Greek inflation drops in the Eurozone According to the Community´s Statistical Service "Eurostat", inflation in Greece on September remained at 4% in relation to August.

However, in the Eurozone 12 countries, Greece´s annual inflation dropped from 2,7% in August to 2,5% in September.

[02] US bombing continues

A reporter said the sky was blotted out by a huge cloud of dark smoke from the dump, while residents reported another big explosion at a military base east of Kabul.

At the same time, American Secretary of State Colin Powell is trying to bring India and Pakistan at the negotiations table to discuss about the issue of Kasmir for which there is increased friction between the two countries.

Meanwhile, preliminary tests suggest that anthrax sent to a New York television station is the same strain as the bacteria which caused an outbreak in Florida. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that, following preliminary genetic testing, "the strain in New York appears to match the strain in Florida". News of the link came after the US House of Representatives and three Senate office buildings in Washington were closed for tests after at least 31 congressional employees tested positive for anthrax exposure.

US law enforcement officials have said there is no evidence linking the anthrax scares with foreign terrorists. However, the climate of hysteria is being maintained with a series of hoaxes.

Finally, an envelope with a mysterious substance was received by the French ministry of Interior, while in Germany a lot of correspondence sorting out centres closed due to suspicious mail received.

[03] Second Panaustralian Cultural Conference to begin tomorrow

According to the organizers of the Greeks of the Diaspora in Oceania, the participants will examine the future Cultural prospects of Greeks and their coming generations in Australia.

[04] Exhibition on Foreign Press in Greece

Yesterday, European Commissioner responsible for issues related to Culture Vivian Redding congratulated the publishers and journalists of the Greek Foreign Press because as she said they had undertaken the high risk to publish newspapers whose readers are few.

[05] 2,03% rise in the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday

[06] ''Xenocrates'' plan to be modernised

Moreover, the Special Action Unit, that was formed under the orders of the Ministry of Health and deals with issues related to chemical, biological and nuclear incidents, met yesterday with the General Secretariat.

[07] Karamanlis demands more energetic role on combatting terrorism on behalf of the EU

The meeting also focused on the policy to be implemented during the Municipal and Prefectural elections.

[08] EU ministers to forge a joint position on terrorism

They said that the strikes were a self-defence measure and were in line with United Nations resolutions.

Ministers from the 15 member states are meeting in Luxembourg to forge a joint position on terrorism and the future of Afghanistan ahead of the EU summit in Ghent this weekend.

They are also reviewing tough counter-terrorism proposals put forward by Justice and Finance ministers earlier this week.

These include tightening the laws on money laundering and banking secrecy, and plans for a Europe-wide arrest warrant.

[09] Israel demands arrest of Zeevi´s assasins

Meanwhile, Palestinian leader Yiasser Arafat has promised to make every possible effort so that the assasins of the Israeli minister be arrested.

From its side, Israel warned that the Palestinian authorities would face retaliation as a sponsor of terrorism in the case the assasins were not handed in to the Israeli authorities and the Israeli Prime Minister asked from Mr. Arafat to put an end to the activities of Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. On a relative development, Reuters newsagency has reported that according to Israeli diplomatic sources the identity of the ministers´ assasins is known, adding that a list with their names would be handed to the Palestinian authorities so that their arrest could follow.

Besides, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine assumed responsibity for the suicide attack that took place near the Gaza Strip. The suicide attack resulted in the injury of two soldiers in a jeep near Nahal Oz, out the Gaza Strip.

[10] Greek inflation drops in the Eurozone

However, in the Eurozone 12 countries, Greece´s annual inflation drop

[11] Replacement of American forces in Balkans with European examined

The two men also examined ways of replacing the American forces in the Balkans with European forces in the case the former were transferred to the Middle East and Central Asia.

In the meantime, minister of Merchant Marine Christos Papoutsis anounced a series of strict measures at Greece´s ports regarding illegal immigration and the transport of merchantize.

From its side, the Bank of Greece is checking the accounts of those suspected to be involved in terrorism and money laundering. This was stated by the governor of the Bank of Greece Lukas Papadimos, who added that the results of the investigation were classified as top secret. According to the newspaper "To Vima", four accounts in Greece have been described as belonging to suspects.

On a relative development, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas confirmed the existence of Taleban owned accounts, but pointed out that their balance was low and did not allow for the financing of terrorist actions like those in New York and Washington.

[12] Government reshuffle expected with great interest

However, interest is focused on the government reshuffle expected to be anounced by Prime Minister Costas Simitis next week.

[13] Report on Olympic Airways privatization to be submitted next week

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