The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-02-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] No Turkish patrol boats during Olympic Games says Defence Ministry

The Greek Defence Ministry today categorically ruled out the possibility of Turkish patrol boats in the Aegean during the Olympic Games in August. The issue was raised in the British newspaper, The Financial Times, which attributed a quote on the matter to the Defence Minister Yannos Papantoniou.

[02] Chances of a Cyprus settlement increased says US envoy

In Nicosia, the Cypriot National Council is discussing developments in the Cyprus issue. The American envoy for Cyprus, Thomas Weston who arrived in Cyprus today said that a settlement of the long-standing dispute was more possible with the new negotiating framework. However, he expressed the view that the results of the subsequent referendums remained uncertain.

[03] Opposition party leaders tour the provinces

The smaller opposition parties are also doing their best to obtain enough votes for seats in parliament. Communist Party General Secretary Aleka Papariga will tour the Achaia province tomorrow, speaking in Patras in the afternoon, while Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos is currently on a tour of the Ioannina province. The leader of the DIKKI party, Dimitris Tsovolas is in Kavala and Xanthi, and will address a rally in Komotini tonight.

[04] ND sends peace message to Turkey

Speaking this afternoon in Mytilini, main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis sent a message of peace and cooperation to neighbouring Turkey. Karamanlis also charged the government with lack of transparency in distribution funds from the 3rd European Union support framework package, and said Pasok was doomed to failed in its efforts to cultivate a climate of political acrimony.

[05] PM slams ND's "superficiality"

Only Pasok can guarantee the countrys political stability said Prime Minister Costas Simitis, on a tour of the Evrytania province today. The Prime Minister strongly criticized the New Democracy party, accusing it of superficiality and makeshift tactics in its handling of economic issues.

[06] Papandreou pledges wide-ranging reforms

Pasok leader George Papandreou is currently in Cephalonia, on his way from Zakynthos, where he addressed an open-air gathering of the socialist partys supporters. According to Papandreou, the dilemma of the elections is between democracy and the re-manning of the right-wings party state. Yesterday, in Patras, he pledged that after the elections, he would proceed with reforms in the ruling party, as well as in economic and social policies.

[07] Weather forecast

A cloudy and cool day is forecast, with local showers in western Greece and possible storms in the northwest of the country. Temperatures in Athens will range from 9 to 16 degrees centigrade, and in Thessaloniki from 6 to 13 degrees.

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