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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-07-02
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] PARLIAMENT RATIFIES CHANGE IN OLYMPIC AIRWAYS LEADERSHIP
[02] US PLEASED WITH GREEK-TURKISH TALKS IN NEW YORK
[03] GREEK PRESIDENT ENDS VISIT TO LITHUANIA
[04] EDUCATION REFORM MEASURES TO REMAIN IN PLACE
[05] EUROPEAN SOCIALISTS PREPARE FOR BALKAN SUMMIT
[06] FINLAND'S ASPIRATIONS DURING EU PRESIDENCY
[07] PRIME MINISTER BACK FROM LATIN AMERICAN SUMMIT
[01] PARLIAMENT RATIFIES CHANGE IN OLYMPIC AIRWAYS LEADERSHIP
The hearings committee of the Greek parliament last night approved by 8
votes to 4 the appointment of the British executive, Rod Lynch, to
replace the managing director of Greece's ailing national air carrier,
Olympic Airways. The New Democracy party voted against the appointment
while the Greek Communist party, the Democratic Social Movement and the
Coalition walked out of the proceedings. Mr Lynch, who appears
confident that he will succeed in turning Olympic Airways around,
described the case as a major professional challenge and pointed out
that a thriving airline created new jobs. Olympic Airways' employees,
meanwhile, have called a 24-hour strike for next Tuesday in protest at
the move.
[02] US PLEASED WITH GREEK-TURKISH TALKS IN NEW YORK
The American State Department spokesman, James Foley, has expressed the
United States' satisfaction with Wednesday's meeting in New York
between the Greek foreign minister, Giorgos Papandreou, and his Turkish
counterpart, Ismail Cem. The two ministers agreed that a joint
Greek-Turkish committee should be set up to promote cooperation between
the two countries. Mr Papandreou said after the meeting that discussion
also focused on multilateral cooperation for the reconstruction of the
Balkans after the war in Yugoslavia, as well as the development of the
Black Sea region. The acting government spokesman, Iannis Nikolaou,
said the issue of terrorism had not been discussed, nor did the Turkish
side express its usual claims during the meeting. The New Democracy
party said it was in favour of dialogue with Turkey but under certain
conditions. The Coalition spoke of a substantial dialogue within the
framework of international law, while the Democratic Social Movement
expressed its opposition to the talks. In the meantime, the
Turkish-Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, has expressed regret regarding
the latest American initiative aimed at reviving the Cyprus peace
talks, and reiterated his refusal to attend the talks unless he was
first recognised as a legitimate head of state. The Cypriot foreign
minister, Iannis Kassoulidis, has made it clear that Nicosia would
attend the talks with the aim of finding a political solution, provided
Mr Denktash also came to the negotiating table with the same political
will.
[03] GREEK PRESIDENT ENDS VISIT TO LITHUANIA
The Greek president, Kostis Stefanopoulos, ends his 3-day official
visit to Lithuania today. He was accompanied on the trip by the foreign
undersecretary, Grigoris Niotis, and a delegation of Greek businessmen
interested in investing in the region. Apart from a short address to
the Lithuanian parliament yesterday, Mr Stefanopoulos also had a
meeting with the country's president, Valdas Adamkus, at which they
discussed bilateral cooperation, especially in the economy and
investments, and international issues with emphasis on the situation in
the Balkans and on Lithuania's relations with neighbouring countries,
specifically Russia and Belaruss. Mr Stefanopoulos said there were no
political problems in the relationship between Athens and Vilnius, and
pointed out that the presence of the Greek businessmen in the
Lithuanian capital would encourage the further strengthening of
bilateral relations in the economic sector. Today Mr Stefanopoulos is
to meet the Lithuanian prime minister, Rolandas Paksas, and
representatives of the country's Greek community. Before leaving for
Athens, the Greek president will give a joint press conference with his
Lithuanian counterpart.
[04] EDUCATION REFORM MEASURES TO REMAIN IN PLACE
The education minister, Gerasimos Arsenis, has made it clear that there
will be no going back on the government's education reform measures
introduced earlier this year. As a result roughly 12.5% of high school
pupils will have to repeat the school year. He attributed poor
examination results to inadequate teaching at both primary school and
junior high school level and left open the possibility of further
improvements to the education reform programme.
[05] EUROPEAN SOCIALISTS PREPARE FOR BALKAN SUMMIT
The national defence minister, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, is going to Vienna
tomorrow to take part in a meeting of leading members of parties
belonging to the European Socialist Party, along with delegates from
other Balkan countries, to prepare for the forthcoming Balkan summit.
[06] FINLAND'S ASPIRATIONS DURING EU PRESIDENCY
Finland, which yesterday assumed the EU presidency for the second half
of this year, has said its priorities include expansion of the European
Union towards the east, stability in the Balkans, the effective
operation of EU organs and the formulation of a common strategy to
combat unemployment.
[07] PRIME MINISTER BACK FROM LATIN AMERICAN SUMMIT
The Greek prime minister, Kostas Simitis, returned to Athens yesterday
after a week-long visit to Latin America. Today he will chair a meeting
of the cabinet at which current political developments and issues
related to consumer protection will be discussed.
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