The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 03-02-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

(19/2/2003 12:28:00 μμ)

[02] International press positive comments on Greece s EU Presidency

The statement adopted by the 15 EU member state leaders and the leaders of the 13 candidate countries smoothed over differences between Britain &#8211;Washington s closest ally- and France and Germany and placed the UN Security Council at the center of decision-making.

Greek Prime-minister, Kostas Simitis and EU President stated that the EU resolve on a common stance sends a message to Iraqui President Sadam Housein that it risks war as a last resort if it does not fully cooperate with U.N disarmament efforts and to Washington to put off plans for the use of military force .

American President , George Bush welcomed the unified EU resolution

In the meantime, Washington and its close ally Britain are working on a new UN resolution seeking backing for the use of force against Sadam but face opposition in the Security Council. UN endorsement for the use of force against Iraq in a new resolution will allow Washington s key allies to go a log way toward overcoming grave reservations in public opinion at home about the use of preemptive military action. The American President insisted that mass peace protests around the world last weekend had not blunted his determination to disarm Iraq by force if necessary either with or without a new UN resolution.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said he did not believe there was a need at this point for the UN Security Council to take up the issue of a second resolution seeking authority to attack Iraq.

French Prime-minister Pierre Raffarin called for more time for inspections and said Paris was seeking support for its views on the Security Council to avoid having to use its veto power.

The ND party described a s positive the outcome of the EU emergency summit, however adding that time would prove whether it is a common stance or a compromise agreement.

The Greeek Communist party and the Coalition of the Left and Progress said that the 15EU leaders left the prospect of war open.

(19/2/2003 12:32:00 μμ)

[03] New wave of extreme weather

Snow chains are necessary in the largest part of the mountain road network while over 150 villages in central and northern Greece are cut off. Meteorologists predict an improvement of the weather from Saturday.

(19/2/2003 12:34:00 μμ)

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