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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-12-17The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] NEWS IN ENGLISHERA-5. THE VOICE OF GREECE17/12/2001 2:28:00 μμ - Weather forecast - Problems from bad weather conditions - Starter packs of euro-coins - Debate on 2002 state budget begins today amid strike mobilisations - National Defence Minister leaves for Brussels today - Euro-army issue put off for next EU summit - Allegations by former intelligence officer of CIA involvement in 1989 elections - Middle East - U.S led attack on Afganistan developments [02] Weather forecastSnow will fall on high ground and on low lying areas of the centre and north, rain and storms in the rest of the country. Winds variable, very strong to gale force inland, and gale force at sea.Heavy rain and storms in Athens, especially in the morning, with snow on the mountains ringing the city, temperatures between 5C and 7C. Snow in Thessaloniki with temperatures from -2C to 0C. [03] Problems from bad weather conditionsA wave of bad weather has hit the entire country, while the National Weather Service has forecasts further deterioration of the weather today, with very low temperatures, storms and snow even in the center of Athens.The state mechanism is on the alert to deal with any problems arising from the bad weather, which has already caused heavy flooding in the city of Patras where two people are missing since their car was swept away by the water. Thessaloniki's international airport closed due to poor visibility. Due to heavy snowfall many villages -particularly in niorthern Greece -have been cut off. Schools will remain closed in central and western Macedonia today. Traffic scarcely able to circulate in national roads, while snow chains are necessary in most parts of the Athens -Thessaloniki national road. There is a ban on ferry routes from the ports of Peireus and Rafina. [04] Starter packs of euro-coinsStarter-packs of euro coins will be on sale at banks from today to allow the public to get used to the new European single currency that will be officially introduced on January 1st.At a cost of 5,000 drachmas, the pack contains the full range of coins worth 14.67 euros. Packs of up to 300 euros will also go on sale, for businesses. Coins in the pack may not be used in transactions until the official launch on January 1, when the euro will circulate in parallel with the drachma until abolition of the national currency at the end of February [05] Debate on 2002 state budget begins today amid strike mobilisationsIn the mid of mobilisations, a debate on the budget for 2002, the country's first state budget in the euro currency, begins in the parliament today. Party political leaders will address the house on Friday before a vote on the budget late in the evening.The growth-oriented budget forecasts a rise in gross domestic product of 3.8 percent in 2002, double the European average despite an adverse global climate. The Civil Servants union and the Civil Aviation Federation have announced work stoppages from 12-15 hours today. Also elementary and high School teachers have announced a 3 hour work stoppage today and demonstrations outside the Education Ministry at 12 noon protesting against a draft bill providing for assessments to be made by schollmasters. Only emergency cases will be treated at hospitals today due to a 24 hour strikes of state hospital employees. Refuse collectors working under contract to the state are also on a strike today - as part of a 48 hours walkout. [06] National Defence Minister leaves for Brussels todayNational Defence Minister Yiannos Papantoniou leaves for Brussels today to take part in the regular autumn session of NATO Defence Ministers to be held from December 17-19.On Wednesday, Mr. Papantoniou leaves Brussels for Turkey to take part in an annual meeting of Defence Ministers from southeastern European countries to be held from December 19-20. [07] Euro-army issue put off for next EU summitThe leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, Costas Karamanlis, on Sunday sharply criticised the government for its handling of the Euroarmy issue which was postponed for the next EU summit under the Spanish EU presidency.Government spokesman Christos Protopappas said on Sunday that Prime minister Simitis had succesfully defended Greece's interests following announcement by the European Union at the weekend that its rapid reaction force was operational. The dispatch of a multinational force to Afganistan, of a humanitarian character in which Greece would participate- was decided at the EU summit in Laaken. [08] Allegations by former intelligence officer of CIA involvement in 1989 electionsA clash continues between the ruling Pasok party and the main opposition ND party over allegations by former intelligence officer Gryllakis that the CIA had been involved in the 1989 general elctions in Greece, which the ND party had won.The officer categorically denies that his charges are politically motivated as ND party says, while Justice Minister Filippos Petsalnikos has called on the opposition party to respond to the accusations against it, describing it as a major political issue. [09] Middle EastPalestinians yesterday launched mortars against a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip while the Israeli forces led armoured tanks into the southern part of the region.The Arab League holds an extraordinary meeting in Cairo today. In the meantime, Palestinian leader, Yiaser Arafat delivered a speech urging for an end to suicide bombings and armed attacks on Israelis. White House officials said Arafats speech was constructive but concrete sctions were needed to back up the words. Germany and France had a positive reaction to Arafat' s speech, while France said it hoped to see rapid signs that the Palestinian leader was delivering on his pledges. [10] U.S led attack on Afganistan developmentsU.S and Afgan forces are in hot pursuit of Saudi-born Osama bin Landen today after flushing his al Qaeda fighters out of their last bastion in Afganistan.With Bin Laden' s whereabouts a mystery but his options diminishing, troops from neighbouring Pakistan patrolled the Afgan border to prevent the man Washington blames for the September 11 suicide attacks slipping across. In the meantime American Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrived in Kabul, being the first senior U.S official to visit Afganistan since the fall of the Taliban. Speaking to officials he announced the dispatch of a 3000-5000 men international peacekeeping force. The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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