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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-05-04The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTSNEWS IN ENGLISH ERA.5 THE VOICE OF GREECE 4/5/2001 1:23:00 μμ NEWS HEADLINES Pope John Paul II arrives in Greece Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos visits Thrace PASOK Executive Bureau to deal with with the Social Security Issue Klerides meets with Greek leadership and political party leaders Rogge expresses satisfaction over course of works for 2004 Olympics Papantoniou meets with officials in the USA Optimism as regards the Greek economy 1,19% drop at the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday [01] Pope John Paul II arrives in GreecePope John Paul II, who arived in Greece today, is going to meet with the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos and will try to begin a dialogue with the Archbishop in an attempt to settle any differences between the Greek Orthodox Church and the Vatican.This was stated by the Pope' s representative Joaquin Navarro Valls. From his side, during his address to the Pope, Archbishop Christodoulos will raise the existing problems between the two Churches. In the meantime, the demand of the Greek Orthodox Church for a reference to Cyprus' accession to the European Union has not been satisfied and instead there will be a General Wish for Europe' s expansion. On the contrary, Rome agreed with Archbishop Christodoulos' demand for a reference that would be expressing the concern of the two Churches for the tendency in transforming the Christian states to secular states. Additionally, reference will be made to the 2004 Olympics. During his address to the Pontiff, Archbishop Christodoulos will raise a number of issues among which the continuing partition of Cyprus for which Pope has not made not even a statement of sympathy. Moreover, the Archbishop will justify the reactions of a big part of believers, since they feel hurt due to the issues of the Crusaders and Unia. Mr. Christodoulos will say that no word of forgiveness has been heard until now, urging thus the Pontiff to make the "Big Step". In the meantime, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas disapproved the protests made by para-ecclesiastical organisations regarding the Pope?s arrival to Greece, stressing that the Greek people would welcome him and host him with great joy. He also said that he would be honored as the leader of hundreds of millions of Catholics around the world. During his stay in Greece, the Pope will meet with the President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos, Prime minister Costas Simitis, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis and the Speaker of the Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis. The Pontiff will leave for Damascus on Saturday morning. [02] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos visits ThraceEcumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, who is paying a three-day visit to Thrace, was warmly welcomed by worshipers there. Yesterday afternoon Mr. Vartholomeos visited the community of Stavroupolis. Earlier, the Ecumenical Patriarch officiated and canonized neo-martyr Theofanis,who had been Metropolitan of Xanthi in the 17th century.[03] PASOK Executive Bureau to deal with with the Social Security IssueThe PASOK party Executive Bureau under the coordination of the Secretary of the Movement Costas Scandalides will deal with the Social Security issue. This was decided during the party' s meeting yesterday, while Prime Minister Costas Simitis had proposed the setting up of a group consisting of Messers Yiannos Papantoniou, Tasos Yiannitsis, Akis Tsochatzopoulos, Apostolos Kaklamanis, Costas Laliotis Costas Scandalides and Vaso Papandreou. However, since certain government cadres disagreed with this proposal the Prime Minister withdrew it. Finally, Mr. Simitis committed himself that the issue of the state financing of the Social Security System would be discussed with the Trade Unions.[04] Klerides meets with Greek leadership and political party leadersFollowing his meeting with the President of the Cyrpus Republic Glafkos Klerides yesterday, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said the solution of the Cyrpus issue consisted a national priority. Mr. Simitis also asked for special attention to be given to the Single Defence Doctrine, adding that it would be a mistake for the Greek government to be influenced by the Turkish provocativeness. From his side, Mr. Klerides expressed the Cypriot's gratitude for Greece's support. The President of the Cyprus Republic discussed the course of the Cyrpus issue also with the Speaker of the Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis. Mr. Klerides had successive meetings with New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, the Secretary General of the Greek Communist party Aleka Papariga and the President of the Coalition of the Left Wing and Progress party Nikos Konstandopoulos.In the meantime, during his address to the Senate, the American Secretary of State Colin Powell blamed the Turkish-Cypriot representative Rauf Denktash for immobility in the Cyprus issue, explaining that Washington supports the United Nations' efforts regarding the return of the Turkish-Cypriots to the Cyprus proximity talks. [05] Rogge expresses satisfaction over course of works for 2004 OlympicsFollowing his meeting with Environment minister Costas Laliotis yesterday, the President of the Coordinating Committee for the Olympics, Zacques Rogge expressed his satisfaction over the course of the works for the 2004 Olympics. In tandem, he said that if the works continued in the same pace, then there would be no problem with for Games. The President of the Coordinating Committee, who has been visiting Greece since last Wednesday, met also with Sports Undersecretary Yiorgos Florides to whom he expressed the conviction that everything would go according to plan.[06] Papantoniou meets with officials in the USANational Economy minister Yiannos Papantoniou, who is continuing his contacts with with businessmen and government officials in the United States, had the opportunity to exchange views with his American counterpart Mr. O' Neil. Mr. Papantoniou, who also met with investors and with the leadership of the NewYork Stock Exchange, will be present at a special event of the Greek-American Chamber of Commerce and will address the Greeks living abroad during another event. The National Economy minister will also give a lecture on "Globalization and the future of Democracy" at the MIT University in Boston. In Washington, he will meet with Senators Snow and Paul Sarbanis and will brief American deputies on the course of Economic Developments and prospects of the economy in Greece, the Balkans and Europe during a luncheon offered to his honor at the Capitol. Finally, during his interview with the TV network CNN International, Mr. Papantoniou described Greece?s participation in the Eurozone as especially important. Mr. Papantoniou also referred to Greece's role in the development of the Balkans, to the 2004 Olympics and the imminent upgrading of the Athens Stock Exchange.[07] Optimism as regards the Greek economyThe report of the Organisation for the Development and Cooperation in Europe publisized in Paris yesterday appears to be optimistic as regards the course of the Greek economy. According to the report, the Greek economy can continue its high growth rates, while the low interest rates, the tax cuts and the 2004 Olympics are expected to contribute to the boosting of consumption and ivnestments in the private sector. It is expected that inflation in 2001 will be 3,1% and 2,8% in 2002 mainly due to the drop of oil prices internationally. Regarding unemployment in Greece, the report forsees a downward trend. Specifically, it will be 10,8% in 2001 and 10% in 2002.[08] 1,19% drop at the Athens Stock Exchange yesterdayThe General Share Price Index of the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday dropped by 1,19%, closing at 3.282,30%.The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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