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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 03-07-05The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] Weather forecastA fine day is forecast with rain and storms developing later in the afternoon in the central, west and north parts of the country.Temperatures in Athens will range between 26 C to 39 C and in Thessaloniki between 23 C to 34 C. (5/7/2003 1:47:00 μμ) [02] Key ministers in their posts-reshuffle aimed at effective performanceThe composition of the new government with key ministers retaining their posts was announced yesterday. The new cabinet will be sworn in before the President of the Republic, Kostis Stefanopoulos on Monday.Prime-minister Simitis close associates, George Papandreou, Nikos Hristodoulakis and Yiannos Papantoniou remained in their ministries. There were also nochanges in the Culture and Public Works ministries closely involved in preparations for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Government spokesman, Hristos Protopappas stressed that the motto of the reshuffle was effective performance, rapid deal with pending issues and materialisation of the government s task . Two new ministers have been included in the government, Haris Kastanidis, and Alexandros Akrivakis,in the Macedonia-Thrace and State Ministries respectively while former deputy finance minister, Giorgos Floridis has taken over the post of Public Order minister after the election of Mihalis Hrisohoidis to the post of the ruling Pasok party general secretary and Giorgos Pashalidis the Merchant Marine Ministry replacing Giorgos Anomeritis. Among the changes at deputy ministers level are the inclusion of Nikos Farmakis, Vasilis Kontogianopoulos, Kimon Koulouris , Theodoros Kotsonis and Giorgos Thomas . A surprise announcement was the inclusion in the new government of Pasok deputy Nikos Bistis and his appointment to the post of Public Administration undersecretary. George Papandreou said that united we will materialise our targets in all sectors while the leader of the Renewal Modernisation Movement of the Left, Nikos Bistis assured that he would work hard to promote the govermnet s work and the organisation of the center left while Vasilis Kontogianopoulos underlined that his positions fully coincide with the government s policies. Commenting on the government reshuffle, N.D spokesman, Theodoros Roussopoulos said that after a long two- month waiting , people have come to realise that the so much advertised reshuffle to herald renewal was literally about nothing. In response Government spokesman, Hristos Protopappas said that ND party s rising concern in view of the obvious Pasok party victory, was natural. The General Secretary of the Greek Communist party Aleca Papariga called Pasok voters to realise that the ruling party was unable to take progressive initiatives and support peoples struggles. (5/7/2003 1:49:00 μμ) [03] American ambassador to Athens responds to Laliotis allegationsDevelopments in the ruling party and the government are interior-party issues said American ambassador to Athens Tomas Miller describing as ridiculous allegations by former Pasok party General Secretary, Kostas Laliotis that he was closely involved in procedures for the election of Mihalis Hrisohoidis to the post of the Pasok party general secretary. In response, Laliotis said that the American ambassador s comments were very characteristic of him.Taking a stand on the issue , Foreign Minister, George Papandreou said that all these reminded of another Greece in the past, stressing that Greece has always proved its proud foreign policy from the era of late Andreas Papandreou to the present with the initiatives of the government. (5/7/2003 1:50:00 μμ) [04] N.D leader criticises government from PellaSpeaking to his party supporters in Pella , in northern Greece, ND leader, Kostas Karamanlis blamed the government for a dramatic drop in farmers income and called it to immediately compensate farmers victims of the winter floods.Referring to the stock market, he said that the government sacrificied public funds and peoples savings for political party expediencies. (5/7/2003 1:50:00 μμ) [05] Positive course of economy-unemployment highThe quarterly report of the Economics and Industrial Research Institute sees a positive course in the economy this year but maintenance of the high rate of unemployment . On the grounds of this report, ND deputy, Alogoskoufis blamed the government for its economic policy.(5/7/2003 1:51:00 μμ) [06] Turkey wants Cyprus settlementTurkish Foreign Minister Abdulah Gul said that Turkey wanted any political settlement between the Turkish and Greek sides of the island under the U.N auspices to be final this year adding that the Turkish government would focus on confidence building measures.(5/7/2003 1:52:00 μμ) [07] New Saddam tapeArabic Al Jazeera television channel yesterday aired a new taped purpoting to be Saddam Hussein voice urging Iraquis to support resistance against U.S forces and warning of more bloodshed to come.In alonger version of the tape , the voice mocked the U.S for failing to find weapons of mass destruction which Washington gave as the main justification for its invasion on Iraq. (5/7/2003 1:53:00 μμ) [08] Militants urge Israelis to free Palestinian prisonersAn explosive device planted near an Israeli army checkpoint in the Gaza Strip today killed at least one Palestinian but caused no Israeli casualties There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.In the meantime, militants yesterday urged Israel to free all Palestinian prisoners or risk the collapse of the truce declared six days ago. However, after confidence building talks with prime-minister, Mahmoud Abbas, Islamic Jihad and other militant groups would prioritize prisoners they want released. Israeli officials have hinted at early release for long-term inmates and those accused of minor offences, but insist Palestinians with blood on their hands involved in lethal attacks on Israelis will stay locked up. (5/7/2003 1:54:00 μμ) [09] Barry White diedSoul singer Barry White , whose rich bass crooning stirred romance in the hearts of a generation of fans, died yesterday at the age of 58(5/7/2003 1:54:00 μμ) The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |