The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-04-30

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

30/4/2001 3:39:00 μμ

[01] Weather forecast

[02] Open invitation to trade unions for dialogue on changes in the social security system

The General Confederation of Greek Workers demands tripartite financing of funds while its president Hristos Polyzogopoulos announced that he will undertake the initiative for a national dialogue with the participation of all interested sides .

In the meantime, on Friday, May ,4th, the plenum of the State Council will examine the possibilty of merging of social security funds ,following a suit filed by employees of the Foreign and Interior Ministries .

Speaking on the sidelines of the Pasok party regional meeting yesterday , the party genral secretary ,Kostas Skandalidis said that substantive dialogue constituted the ruling party's strenght and prospects .

In an interview with the newspaper " Ta Nea " Interior Minister Vaso Papandreou proposed a step by step dialogue and taxation of high incomes and large properties to deal with the social security issue .

Mrs. Papandreou also stressed that the goverment should act on the grounds of the principals of transparency , justice and security as the intransparency of the present system has led to social inequalities .

[03] Draftbill on terrorism and organsed crime to be submitted today

These "improvements " will concern the use of DNA to identify suspected crminals , the abrogation of witnesses'anonimity and the surveillance of suspects .

Meanwhile ,this year's US State Department report on terrorism -which is scheduled for release to press today -is expected to be less critical of Greece than usual .

According to reports , the main negative points will focus on the murder of the British Defence Attachee , Steeven Sanders in Athens ,last year and the fact that no members of the November 17 terrorist group have been arrested , 26 years after its firts attack .

On the opposite side , will be cited the signing of the Greek -American memorandum of police cooperation which also covers combatting of terrorism .

[04] Pope John Paul in Athens on May 4th

According to the French news agency cable , the Vatican has described this trip as of great historical significance, as this is the first visit of a Pope to Greece since the division of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches following the schism in 1054.

Both the state and the Greek Orthodox church are intensifying preparations to receive the Pope . In the meantime loud protests are being organised among Orthodox zealots . The state is to reinforce draconian security mreasures during the Pope's stay in Athens .

In addition to heavy police escort , the Pope will be protected by sharpshooters during his address at Pnyx Hill . During his stay in Athens the Pontiff will meet with the president of the republic Kostis Stefanopoulos prime minister Simitis , the president of the main opposition ND party Kostantinos Karamanlis and Foreign minister Giorge Papandreou .

[05] Successful organisation of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens

[06] Greek culture minister in Konstantinople

Mr.Venizelos met with the Turkish ministers of culture and sports and discussed issues concerning the implementation of the new Greek-Turkish agreement on cultural cooperation and exchange programs , the protection of Byzantine monuments in Turkey and Ottoman ouments in Greece as well as the joint organising of the European Football Championship in 2008 or 2012 by Greece and Turkey .

[07] Cyprus issue

[08] Event on Armenian genocide held in Athens

[09] Basketball- AEK cupwinner

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