Antenna: News in English (PM), 98-11-25

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

Last Updated: Wednesday, 25-Nov-98 21:13:19

CONTENTS

[01] Economy-Inflation

[02] S-300

[03] Minoan Lines

[04] Archbishop Christodoulos

[01] Economy-Inflation

Many supermarket items are on the list, as are electrical appliances and mobile phones.

The government's goal is getting inflation down to two per cent by the end of 1999.

It dropped to 4.7 per cent in October, and Papandreou is confident that the government will meet its target.

Inflation of 2.5 per cent a year is one of the criteria for entering Europe's single currency league. Greece is scheduled to join in the year 2001, but the inflation target has got to be met by the end of next year.

Papandreou said a series of reductions in indirect taxes recently have helped whittle away at the rate of price increases.

Tax cuts at the gas pump and on heating fuel have put downward pressure on inflation, as has a reduction in the sales tax on cars; and the government is looking at more tax breaks in the months ahead.

[02] S-300

Cyprus's decision to buy and deploy Russian S-300 surface-to-air missiles to defend itself against future Turkish aggression has stirred controversy.

Turkey has threatened to attack the missile sites if the S-300s are deployed. And the US would like Cyprus to cancel its order.

Greece has supported Cyprus's right to defend itself in any way it sees fit.

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis discussed the issue with his foreign and defence ministers - in preparation for a meeting between Simitis and the Cypriot president on Friday.

There were no statements made after Wednesday's meeting.

In recent weeks there have been reports that Greece and Cyprus - which have a joint defence pact - are considering sending the missiles to Crete rather than Cyprus.

But those reports have been denied in both Athens and Nicosia.

[03] Minoan Lines

The South Korean company Samsung Heavy Industries Company Limited says it has won a contract to sell four cruise ships to Greece.

Meaning there will be even more luxury available for people wanting to cruise around the Aegean in the summer.

Samsung is building four 28 thousand metric tonne ships for Minoan Line Shipping of Greece

The boats will be delivered by July 2002.

Each ship will have a one-thousand passenger capacity and will also be able to carry 400 cars. Each ship will also have a pool, gym, and movie theatre.

[04] Archbishop Christodoulos

On the saint's nameday, the faithful crowded into the church that bears her name to hear Christodoulos.

Calling St Catherine's life an example of devotion, the archbishop warned that godless men are dangerous - they do not behave well toward others in exercising their unrestrained freedom.

Christodoulos also said that people should be wary of technology, which as it develops is distancing mankind further and further from its faith in God.

(c) ANT1 Radio 1998

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