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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-11-26
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] QUESTION OF EARLY PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS STILL OPEN
[02] GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NEW ECONOMIC MEASURES
[03] NO FOREGONE CONCLUSION ON TURKEY'S EU CANDIDACY
[04] PRAISE FOR MERCHANT MARINE
[05] GREEK CHURCH AIDS EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS IN TURKEY
[06] NEW AIRPORT ALMOST READY
[07] PROSECUTIONS OVER BRIDGE COLLAPSE
[08] MORE WEIGHTLIFTING SUCCESSES FOR GREECE
[01] QUESTION OF EARLY PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS STILL OPEN
Speaking at a session of PASOK's executive bureau which met yesterday
to discuss current political developments, the prime minister, Kostas
Simitis, left open the possibility of an early election in March.
[02] GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NEW ECONOMIC MEASURES
The government has announced measures to deal with inflationary trends
following the steep rise in oil prices. The prime minister told a
cabinet meeting yesterday that economic developments were positive and
underlined that the rise in world oil prices was not expected to have
an impact on Greece's course toward European economic and monetary
Union. The national economy minister, Iannos Papantoniou, announced a
7.5% cut in domestic electricity rates and a 50% reduction in the tax
on diesel used in electric power production, effective from December.
The two measures are expected to lower inflation by 0.15%. The national
economy minister and the development minister, Evangelos Venizelos,
both appealed for price restraints and, wherever possible, price cuts.
The interior minister, Vaso Papandreou, also called on local
authorities not to increase municipal rates more than the rate of
inflation. The cabinet also agreed yesterday on a package of measures
to help small- and medium-sized businesses. These include tax
incentives, subsidies and a reduction in insurance contributions.
[03] NO FOREGONE CONCLUSION ON TURKEY'S EU CANDIDACY
The foreign minister, Giorgos Papandreou, said on arrival in Cyprus
yesterday that his visit was taking place in view of the opening of the
intercommunal talks in New York on 3rd December and the EU summit in
Helsinki. He said it was not a foregone conclusion that Greece would
agree at the summit to Turkey's candidacy for EU membership. Speaking
from Brussels yesterday, the Turkish foreign minister, Ismail Cem, said
he was not very optimistic about the outcome of the Helsinki summit.
[04] PRAISE FOR MERCHANT MARINE
Greece's national defence minister, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, has underlined
the role of the Greek merchant marine in the country's economy and its
defence. Speaking at the Piraeus Yacht Club yesterday, he said
shipowners were the first to adjust to a globalized economy, while the
rest of the population realised much later that we were all members of
a world community that demanded a new kind of behaviour and fresh
ideas.
[05] GREEK CHURCH AIDS EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS IN TURKEY
The Greek Church is sending 150 tents to the earthquake-stricken people
of Turkey. The tents will be delivered to the Ecumenical Patriarchate
this weekend for distribution to those in need.
[06] NEW AIRPORT ALMOST READY
Athens' new airport currently under construction at Spata will be ready
to go into operation in March, 2001. The airport's president, Haris
Stamatopoulos, told the first congress on informatics and
telecommunications yesterday that construction work was now in its
final stages and emphasis was being placed on ensuring its smooth
operational ability.
[07] PROSECUTIONS OVER BRIDGE COLLAPSE
Four people face charges of manslaughter and bodily harm due to
negligence and of violating building regulations following the collapse
earlier this week of a bridge under construction at Markopoulo, in
Attica, in which two people died.
[08] MORE WEIGHTLIFTING SUCCESSES FOR GREECE
Greek athlete Viktor Mitrou won two silver medals yesterday at the
World Weightlifting Championships taking place at the Peace and
Friendship Stadium in Athens.
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