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Tuesday, 26 November 2024
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-05-06The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>CONTENTS[01] G7 and Russia meet in Bonn to discuss Kosovo crisisThe foreign ministers of the world's seven most industrialised countries plus Russia are meeting in Bonn today to discuss ways of finding a diplomatic solution to the Yugoslav crisis.The French foreign minister, Hubert Vedrine, stated late last night that he expected the meeting to endorse an agreement which would pave the way for a UN Security Council resolution on Yugoslavia. Germany's alternate foreign minister warned that no spectacular results should be expected, while NATO is still sceptical about the outcome of the increased diplomatic activity of the last few days. Speaking at an American base in Germany, the American president, Bill Clinton, announced an intensification of the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. The leader of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian population, Ibrahim Rugova, had talks in Rome yesterday with the Italian prime minister, Massimo D'Alema, on ways of finding a political solution to the problem. The American State Department described the Albanian leader's arrival from Yugoslavia as positive, claiming that by allowing Mr Rugova to travel to Italy the Yugoslav president, Slobodan Milosevic, was using him as an official interlocutor. [02] NATO bombing continuesAt least 4 explosions were heard shortly after midnight in the industrial zone of the city of Nis, where NATO planes struck fuel depots. Targets in Kraljevo and the river port of Prahovo, 180 km south-east of Belgrade, were also bombed during the night and one person was injured.The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia closed its border with Kosovo yesterday, claiming the country's authorities could not cope with any more refugees. The UN High Commission for Refugees has said that refugees will not return to their homes unless they are guaranteed protection by an armed international force. [03] Greece differs on oil embargo imposed on YugoslaviaThe EU permanent representatives' committee meeting in Brussels yesterday did not achieve a common stand on the inspection of ships sailing to ports in Yugoslavia. Greece adopted a different position concerning the oil embargo imposed on Yugoslavia.[04] Greek government and parties condemn NATO attack on convoyThe Greek government and the opposition have harshly condemned the attack on a convoy of Greek representatives of the organisation Doctors of the World which was taking humanitarian aid to Pristina.The head of the mission, doctor and former president of the AEK football team, Lakis Nikolaou, communicated with the Greek embassy in Belgrade and said that all the mission members were safe but in a state of shock, since the bomb fell only 100 metres away from the convoy. Mr Nikolaou claimed that NATO had been informed about the mission four days in advance. The Greek foreign minister, Giorgos Papandreou, has asked the NATO secretary general, Javier Solana, for explanations, but he gave assurances that Greece's initiative in providing humanitarian aid would continue. The New Democracy party expressed outrage at the attack, while the Greek Communist party said it was a deliberate murderous attack and only by chance were there no victims. The Coalition of the Left Wing and Progress stressed the new criminal mistake was proof that the instigators of the NATO attacks had no shame. NATO denied having attacked the convoy. [05] Former Greek foreign minister in BelgradeFormer Greek foreign minister Karolos Papoulias, who arrived in Belgrade for talks with Yugoslav leaders, said he was not carrying any concrete proposals from the Greek government, but would discuss all problems with Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic and then brief the Greek prime minister and the defence and foreign ministers on the outcome of his talks.Mr Papoulias is to meet with president Milosevic tomorrow. He will also have talks with Serbian president Milan Milutinovic, Yugoslav foreign minister Zivadin Jovanovic and the chairman of the federal parliament's foreign affairs committee. [06] No increased radiation levels in GreeceThe president of the Greek Atomic Energy Commission and three other scientists have told the relevant parliamentary committee that there are no signs of increased radiation levels in Greece as a result of the NATO operations in Yugoslavia.[07] American marine sends letter to Serbian jailersAmerican marine Christopher Stone, one of the three captive American soldiers to be released by the Serbs thanks to the mediation of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, has sent a letter to his Serbian jailers expressing gratitude for their humane behaviour. He also said he was praying for an end to the war.[08] Rocket attacks on banks in PiraeusBanks in Piraeus were the target of terrorist attacks during the night. Three rockets were launched against the Chandris building on Akti Miaouli Street shortly after midnight, one of them causing major damage to the Chase Manhattan Bank. Two others which failed to explode were found at the Banque Nationale de Paris and the Midland Bank. Police say the rockets were similar to those stolen by the 17th November terrorist organisation from an army camp outside Larissa.[09] Inflation rate in Greece down to 2.8%The inflation rate in Greece dropped to 2.8% in April, the lowest in the past 28 years. It was 3.4% in April last year.The Statistics Service has said the inflation rate will keep dropping in the next few months, but in order to achieve the EU convergence criteria the consumer price index will have to drop under 2% and remain that low until the date when Greece will pass the test for entry into European Economic and Monetary Union. [10] Athens Stock Exchange up 0.61% yesterdayOn the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday the general share price index went up by 0.61 percent, closing at 3,799.36 units. Transactions reached 169 billion drachmas.In the parities the fixing price for the US dollar was 304.900 drachmas, for the Deutschmark 166.221 drachmas and for the euro 325.100 drachmas. [11] Draft bill on political advertisingThe New Democracy party has submitted a draft bill on the radio and TV advertisements of political parties during the election campaign.The opposition party has proposed that the state buy radio and TV time and distribute it to the parties. The amount the state will pay will be subtracted from state subsidies to parties. Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas has said the proposal was faulty, unrehearsed, hypocritical and recalled older political practices. [12] Famous Greek actor diesThe great actor and drama teacher, Vassilis Diamantopoulos, died of a heart attack early yesterday. He was 79. His funeral will be held today at the Athens First Cemetery.[13] Olympiakos wins cupOlympiakos of Piraeus beat Panathinaikos of Athens 2 nil in the final match of the Greek Soccer Cup yesterday. Thousands of spectators watched the match at the Olympic Stadium in Athens and Greek president Kostis Stefanopoulos handed the cup to the winners.The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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