Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-09-29

Antenna News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: antenna@compulink.gr

Last Updated: Tuesday, 29-Sep-98 22:41:40

CONTENTS

[01] US-Demirels' statement

[02] Albania

[03] Tsochatzopoulos

[04] Prices on 250 products will be lower from October 1st

[05] Simitis

[06] Local Elections

[01] US-Demirels' statement

Suleiman Demirel made the statement questioning Greece's rights in an interview on August 26th.

Assistant US secretary of state for European affairs Mark Grossman says the American government considers such public comments "unhelpful".

Grossman's written remarks are in reply to a question from the Greek- American organisation called the "National Coordinating Effort".

In his response, Grossman also says that unilateral statements pertaining to sovereignty issues do not advance the prospects of a peaceful resolution of Greek-Turkish differences.

Grossman says the US feeling is that the establishment of a process under the auspices of the international court or other international bodies for peaceful resolution of issues is vital.

He adds that the basis for any settlements should be the principles of international law.

[02] Albania

Nano resigned Monday, two weeks after rioting by Democratic Party supporters rioted in Tirana.

The rioting had been sparked by the murder of a leading DP official - which the DP said was perpetrated by the government. In the disturbances, government offices were occupied, and Nano's office was burnt, as the protesters demanded the government resign.

[03] Tsochatzopoulos

The centrepiece is the October 1st military parade.

During his stay, Tsochatzopoulos will meet with Cypriot president Glavcos Clirides and other political leaders, and archbishop Chrisostomos.

[04] Prices on 250 products will be lower from October 1st

The reductions, which follow on the heels of cuts in gas and heating fuel taxes, are a further move by the government to drive inflation down.

The October reductions are the result of an agreement worked out between the government and producers.

What it means is that over the two-month period starting October first, prices on 250 supermarket items will be significantly lower.

Up to a third lower says deputy commerce minister Michalis Chrysochoides.

He adds that prices on other products may fall next year.

[05] Simitis

Kostas Simitis spoke to a group of retirees at the Centre for the Provision of Elderly People in an Athens suburb. He told them they are not alone.

"The social face of the government exists", said Simitis, promising to extend the services provided by the centre.

The government is setting up a programme that will allow many elderly people continue to live in their own homes - and stay out of retirement homes - even though they can't take care of themselves.

Under the programme, helpers will visit elderly people in their homes - cooking and cleaning for them, and running errands.

Simitis visited one residence where an elderly couple is in need of outside assistance.

The prime minister told the disabled retiree Panagiotis that the local council's job will be to send him and his wife helpers to make their lives easier.

[06] Local Elections

New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis discussed the code of campaign conduct with the interior

minister and the mayor of Athens Tuesday.

Karamanlis said the government should have already worked out ways of minimising the amount of election debris - posters, leaflets, and all the other election parphernalia so important before balloting day, but an eyesore and rubbish after the votes are in.

Karamanlis also says it's up to the government to guarantee that candidates show respect for each other.

That shouldn't be a problem: interior minister

Alekos Papadopoulos says all the candidates have already agreed to respect the election code of conduct.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

Antenna News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article