The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-01-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Bush backs away from Iraq WMD certainty

In the wake of a top experts conclusion that Iraq had no large stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, US President George W. Bush today dropped his previous certainty that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, the reason given for the US-led invasion of that country.

[02] Mayor says security will not stifle Athens Olympics

Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyanni vowed today that unprecedented security against potential terror attacks at the Olympic Games in August would not mean the worlds biggest sporting event would be held behind closed doors. She clarified that while security would be a top priority, a balance would be struck between safety and ensuring that protection was not so intrusive that spectators were kept away.

[03] National Education Council holds first meeting

In the presence of Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the leadership of the Education Ministry, the first meeting of the National Education Council was held today. Simitis noted that the education policy had a clear national character and could not be identified with any particular party, but should comprise the common aims of a society

[04] Cypriots ready for UN talks, want more from Turkey

Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos indicated today that he was ready to engage in talks on a UN reunification plan for the island, but said calls by Turkey for a swift deal had sown confusion. Defending a 3-day silence from the Greek-Cypriot side, after Turkey said it wanted a quick settlement of the long-standing dispute, Papadopoulos maintained that the Turkish prime minister had sent contradictory signals.

[05] Skandalidis and Mitsotakis clash over parliamentary function

The way in which parliament has functioned recently was the focus of a clash between the Honorary President of the New Democracy party Constantine Mitsotakis and the Interior Minister, Costas Skandalidis, during todays debate on the electoral law. Mitsotakis accused the government of trying to pass too many laws in the short period left before the dissolution of parliament for the March 7 elections, while Skandalidis charged that ND was attempting to conceal its refusal for a dialogue.

[06] ND President on pre-election campaign in Thrace

Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis is in Thrace today, where he attended a ceremony, honouring Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juger as honorary lecturer at the Law faculty of the Dimocritiou University.

Immediately after the ceremony, Juger and Karamanlis had a private meeting, while this evening, the ND president will address business people in Komotini, as part of his pre-election campaign.

[07] Pasok expels deputy Anthopoulos over controversial amendment

Rapid developments are underway in the ruling Pasok party, after the alleged signing of a controversial amendment on forest land by several Pasok and New Democracy deputies. The partys ethics committee decided this afternoon to expel Pasok deputy Yannis Anthopoulos from the party, after he admitted that he had signed the names of his colleagues on the4 amendment for tourist construction on protected forest land at Porto Carras.

[08] Weather forecast

A cool and rainy day is forecast, with storms and snowfalls in some parts of the country. Temperatures in Athens will range from 8 to 17 degrees centigrade, and in Thessaloniki from 5 to 10 degrees.

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