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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-04-13
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] New PASOK government swears in
[02] ND to hold congress in fall, new opposition tactic to be decided
[03] GCP content with election results, Left Coalition wants autonomous
[04] Clerides ascertains agreement on upgrading talks on Cyprus dispute
[05] Alfred Moses for discussions on Cyprus in Ankara
[06] Greek journalists visit Turkey
[07] European Parliament rejects amendments against genetically mutated
NEWS IN ENGLISH
(THE VOICE OF GREECE - Translators Dpt.)
[01] New PASOK government swears in
The country's new government under Prime Minister Costas Simitis was
sworn in before President of the Greek Republic Constantinos
Stephanopoulos. The new government, which held a meeting chaired by PM
Simitis includes a number of newcomers, mainly form the younger
generation, and with six ministers of the old government retaining
their portfolios. Mr. Evangelos Venizelos, a former Development
Minister, will not be participating in the new government since he was
not willing to become justice minister, while Mr. Costas Scandalides
will remain Secretary of the PASOK's Central committee. Former Justice
Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos does not participate in the new
government.
[02] ND to hold congress in fall, new opposition tactic to be decided
Main opposition New Democracy party denied to comment on the new
government's composition, stating that it would wait to see the policy
to be followed. ND party leader Costas Karamanlis is most probably is
considering to hold the party's conference in autumn. However,
Karamanlis continued his contacts yesterday with senior members of the
conservative party, including former leader Miltiades Evert, to discuss
opposition tactics. In statements made to the press, ND spokesman Aris
Spiliotopoulos said he hoped that PASOK would seek a fruitful
collaboration with the main opposition party.
[03] GCP content with election results, Left Coalition wants autonomous
political presence
The Greek Communist party's Central Committee expressed satisfaction
over the outcome of last Sunday's national election, noting that the
party had shown it was able to withstand bipolarism. In contrast, in
the coalition of the left, complaints were heard about the party's
considerably reduced numbers in parliament and there have been calls
for a change in leadership. Present leader Nikos Konstantopoulos
proposed for an autonomous political presence of his party's in
Parliament. The political office of the Democratic Social Movement
party, which is no more represented in parliament, is to meet to assess
the results of the elections.
[04] Clerides ascertains agreement on upgrading talks on Cyprus dispute
During his return from New York and London, President Glafkos Clerides
of Cyprus underlined that there was agreement by all responsible
officials that talks between the two sides on the Cyprus dispute should
be upgraded and that the fundamental issues involved should be
discussed. In tandem, he stated that there was no possibility for the
recognition of the so called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,
adding that this stand has been made clear to the Turkish-Cypriot
representative Rauf Denktash as well to Ankara. Additionally, Mr.
Clerides did not rule out the possibility for face-to-face talks with
Rauf Denktash during the third round of proximity talks, stating that
the Greek side was ready for a substantial discussion on the main
aspects of the Cyprus question. Finally, in a conversation with the
Greek PM Costas Simitis yesterday, Mr. Clerides agreed that cooperation
between Greece and Cyprus should continue and that both men should
meet, without however setting a date.
[05] Alfred Moses for discussions on Cyprus in Ankara
In the meantime, the special American representative for the Cyprus
issue Alfred Moses is in Ankara to discuss the latest developments on
the Cyprus issue. The Anadolu news agency has reported that Mr. Mozes
met with the Turkish minister responsible for the Cyprus issue Sukru
Sina Giourel and is also expected to meet with the Foreign
undersecretary Faruk Logoglou.
[06] Greek journalists visit Turkey
Following an invitation of the Union of modern journalists of Turkey, a
delegation of the Greek journalists visited Turkey. Participating were
the secretary general of the administration committee Manolis
Mathioudakis and Sophia Voultepsi, member of the administration
committee. The delegation will participate in an event at the
University of Ankara which will be dedicated on the role of the mass
media in the relations between Turkey and Greece.
[07] European Parliament rejects amendments against genetically mutated
products
The European Parliament has finally rejected the amendments tabled by
the Eurodeputies of the Greens which demanded a stricter control of
genetically mutated agricultural products. However, mutated products
already are being sold in Greece and very few of them carry on their
package the indication that they are mutated, violating thus the
relevant EU legislation which has been implemented in Greece since
January.
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