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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-10-12
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS CALL FOR AID TO QUAKE-HIT ATTICA
[02] PRIME MINISTER PROMISES HOUSING FOR HOMELESS
[03] AMERICAN PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO GREECE MOVED UP
[04] GREEK PRIME MINISTER SENDS MESSAGE TO TURKISH COUNTERPART
[05] DEFENCE MINISTER TO SIGN AGREEMENTS WITH ISRAEL
[06] NEW DEMOCRACY PARTY ESTABLISHES ELECTION CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
[01] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS CALL FOR AID TO QUAKE-HIT ATTICA
The EU foreign ministers, meeting in Luxembourg yesterday, called on
the European Commission to provide assistance to Greece for facing the
consequences of the recent devastating earthquake in Attica.
[02] PRIME MINISTER PROMISES HOUSING FOR HOMELESS
During a visit to quake-hit areas in Athens yesterday, prime minister
Kostas Simitis said that despite the fact that the total cost of the
damage caused by the earthquake on 7th September has not yet been fully
estimated, the government will meet its obligations towards those made
homeless by the temblor, regardless of time, effort or cost. He added
that those who were unable to secure prefabricated housing provided by
the government would receive rent subsidies or would be assisted to
stay in hotels. He also promised that one person in each family which
lost a member in the quake would be given employment. In addition, he
re-confirmed that by the end of this month, 5,000 prefabricated homes
would be made available, and that all secondary inspections of damaged
houses would have been completed. Meanwhile 50,000 homeless families
were registered in the first census of the quake-stricken population in
33 municipalities in Attica, while a census will be held in 22 more
municipalities in Attica and 4 in Viotia next weekend. Furthermore 22
special offices will start operating tomorrow to receive applications
for rent subsidies or house sharing and grant loans for rebuilding and
repairs.
[03] AMERICAN PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO GREECE MOVED UP
American president Bill Clinton's planned visit to Greece will be held
on 13th November, a week earlier than scheduled, at the American side's
request. After his visit to Greece, president Clinton will go to Ankara
and then Constantinople to take part in the summit of the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
[04] GREEK PRIME MINISTER SENDS MESSAGE TO TURKISH COUNTERPART
Greek ambassador in Ankara Ioannis Korantis has conveyed a message from
prime minister Kostas Simitis to his Turkish counterpart Bulent Ecevit
for a continuation of dialogue between the two countries. Mr Simitis
said in his message Greece expected Ankara's actual positive response,
both concerning Greek-Turkish disputes and the Cyprus issue, in the
wake of the steps Greece made to create a positive climate in
Greek-Turkish relations. For his part, Mr Ecevit said that whenever
Turkey and Greece turned to bilateral dialogue, they achieved progress,
also pointing out that Greek-Turkish disputes should be differentiated
from the Cyprus issue.
[05] DEFENCE MINISTER TO SIGN AGREEMENTS WITH ISRAEL
National defence minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos is to sign in Tel Aviv
tomorrow cooperation agreements in the defence industry sector and the
conducting of joint military exercises with the Israeli navy.
[06] NEW DEMOCRACY PARTY ESTABLISHES ELECTION CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
The opposition New Democracy party yesterday established a central
election campaign committee to be headed by the deputy secretary of the
party's parliamentary group Mr Simaioforidis. For its part, the
government once more denied rumours of early elections.
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