The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 02-11-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

(29/11/2002 12:08:00 μμ)

[02] U.N plan for Cyprus, opportunity for constructive negotiations

Addressing the ruling Pasok party s Central Committee and parliamentary group yesterday, Prime-minister Simitis stated categorically that the European Union enlargement begins with Cyprus and that Greece will ensure that a clear solution to the issue will emerge from the upcoming E.U summit in Copenhagen next month.

Mr. Simitis stressed that the U.N peace plan was not a solution but an opportunity for the beginning of constructive negotiations and made an appeal for unanimity. Mr. Simitis reiterated the goverment s backing for the U.N plan for a Cyprus settlement, stressing that an outright rejection would weaken the Greek side s strategy and change the international community s certainty that the present stalemate is due to the other

side s inflexibility.

Pasok party deputies, Yiannis Kapsis and Stelios Papathemelis expressed reservations on the U.N plan.

The congress of the Pasok party Central Committee concludes today while the speeches of Foreign Minister, George Papandreou and Pasok party deputies, Gerasimos Arsenis and Theodoros Pangalos are expected with great interest.

During his meeting in Brussels with European Commission President Romano Prodi , the leader of the N.D party, Kostas Karamanlis expressd his party s support for Cyprus admission to the E.U as well as Turkey s european prospect.

(29/11/2002 12:12:00 μμ)

[03] European court put a final end to former Greek-king irrational claims

Goverment officials were more than satisfied by the European Human Rights Court ruling - which instead of the hugely overfloated sum of 500 million euros demanded by the ex- Greek monarch, his sister and their aunt &#8211; settled on only 12 million which must be paid within the next few months.

Commenting on the court-ruling, ex-king Konstantine spoke of great injustice against him.

Prime-minister Simitis said that the European Human Rights Court put a final end to the irrational claims made by Constantine Glyxbourg and concluded the country s last outstanding issue with the former royal family. He added that ex-king was morally and legally responsible for the legalisation of the military coup in 1967 and he should appreciate the irreparable damage caused. Mr. Simitis also said that the payout ordered by the Stransbourg based court was only a fraction of Constantine s arrogant demands- the sum of 500 million euros he had hoped for, belying all those who maintained that the goverment s procedures would harm the Greek people.

Just prior to the court s ruling, the leader of the Coalition of the Left and Progress, Nikos Konstantopoulos said the Greek people owed nothing to Glyxbourg &#8211;on the contrary, he owed a great deal to them.

(29/11/2002 12:09:00 μμ)

[04] E.U Agriculture Council approves special compensation to Greek cotton farmers

In the meantime, the N.D party submitted an amendment in the parliament yesterday for tax reliefs for farmers .

(29/11/2002 12:13:00 μμ)

[05] Industrial action

Athenians will remain without taxis next Monday due to a new 24 hour strike by taxi owners demanding higher fares and circulation in the bus lanes.

Air travellers will also suffer the impact of industrial action, as Greek air traffick controllers announced 4-hour work stoppages on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4 pm.

(29/11/2002 12:14:00 μμ)

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