The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 03-03-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

(13/3/2003 10:49:00 ðì)

[02] Government takes measures in case of war against Iraq

Additionally, the government will speed up the absorption of the Third Community Support Framework funds.

Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis is likely to recommend stepping up checks in the market by the financial crimes squad and development ministry authorities in order to clamp down on profiteering, the sources said on Wednesday.

Moreover, Mr Christodoulakis is to order ministries to keep spending within limits set in the budget; and ask public utility firms to restrain charges.

Meanwhile, in an interview with NET radio, the Secretetary General of the Development Ministry George Agrafiotis stated that Greek fuel reserves can last up to 90 days, adding that that Greece's main oil supplier is Russia and not OPEC countries.

Finally, he said that he believed that the government would not have to implement the extraordinary plans it had presented.

(13/3/2003 10:52:00 ðì)

[03] War against Iraq can be still averted

However, disagreement arose between the USA and Britain, with the British ambassador to the UN Jeremy Greenstock stating that the 17 March ultimatum would be replaced with a British six-point proposal to the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

At the same time, the US ambassador to the UN, John Negroponte stated that the ultimatum for Iraq's disarmament by 17 March still stood.

Meanwhile, it is doubtful whether according to the White House speculations, the draft resolution can secure at least eight votes in its present form, while at the same time it is not certain when the voting will take place.

On a relative development, the New York City Committee called on the American government not to declare a 'preventive' war against Iraq.

From his side, the Greek Deputy Press Minister Tilemachos Chytiris stated yesterday that war could still averted, stressing that the Greek EU Presidency would raise the issue of Iraq at the Brussels summit meeting on March 21.

Finally, Foreign Minister George Papandreou stated at the Euro Parliament yesterday, that it was up to Iraq to put an end to the crisis by complying fully with the United Nations resolutions

(13/3/2003 10:54:00 ðì)

[04] Organised crime blamed for Djindjic's assasination

It is has been speculated that responsible for the assassination is the former commander of the police special forces Milorad Lukovic.

From its side, the Greek government through its spokesman Christos Protopapas condemned the assassination of Serb Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.

The Greek government extended its condolences to his family and the Serb people.

(13/3/2003 10:55:00 ðì)

[05] EU mediation necessary for face-to-face talks says the Cypriot President

From its side, reacting to commissioner Gunter Verhoygen's statements, according to which the latest developments on the Cyprus issue have made it difficult for Turkey to begin accession negotiations with the EU, Ankara stressed that the European Union did not have the right to take unilateral decisions for Cyprus's future and create international problems.

(13/3/2003 10:58:00 ðì)

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