Athens News Agency: News in English, 01-12-03

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't on 'Euro-force' prospects

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[03] Weather Forecast: Cloudy on Tuesday

[01] Gov't on 'Euro-force' prospects

The Greek government emphasised on Monday that its standing demand remains for Nice summit commitments and decisions to be duly observed regarding the ever-looming prospect of an ?Euro-force?.

The comments follow a weekend visit to Athens by Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt -- whose country holds the EU rotating presidency and his talks with Greek PM Costas Simitis on the complex issue.

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas responded to a question at his daily press briefing regarding recent statements by Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, and following the latter's talks with US and British officials in Ankara.

According to wire reports, Ecevit said on Sunday that most of Turkey's 'rightful expectations' had been met after British and US diplomats negotiated with the Turks last week.

On his part, Protopapas said it wasnt only important what the United States and Turkey agreed to with an European member, but what decisions the entire EU will take.

On Saturday, the Belgian premier denied claims that Turkey has been assured of the Aegean Sea and Cyprus exclusion from any future European Union forces operational responsibility.

[02] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

Indicative tourist buying rates

U.S. dollar 378.737

German mark 172.829

French franc 051.531

Pound sterling 538.684

Irish punt 429.202

Belgian franc 008.379

Luxembourg franc 008.379

Dutch guilder 153.389

Italian lira (100) 017.457

Austrian schilling 024.565

Danish kroner 045.401

Swedish kroner 035.307

Finnish mark 056.852

Spanish peseta 002.032

Portuguese escudo 001.686

Japanese yen (100) 306.705

Swiss franc 229.445

Norwegian kroner 042.245

Cyprus pound 588.667

Canadian dollar 240.523

Australian dollar 196.488

[03] Weather Forecast: Cloudy on Tuesday

Cloud is forecast in all parts of the country on Tuesday, with showers likely in parts of the east, the Cyclades and northern Crete. Winds northerly, moderate to strong, turning gale force in east and in the Aegean. In the north, temperatures will range from -4C to 10C; in the west from -2C to 16C; and in the rest of the country from 0C to 15C. Light cloud in Athens, with temperatures between 5C and 13C. Same expected in Thessaloniki with temperatures from 1C to 9C

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