The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-02-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN Cyprus talks resume after first-round deadlock

Talks to unify Cyprus before its May 1 entry into the European Union hung by a thread today after both Greek and Turkish Cypriots balked at U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annans conditions.

The negotiations were due to enter their second day at 11 p.m. Greek time after an initial round of meetings broke off on Tuesday evening without the quick agreement Annan wanted on a work program and ground rules for later technical talks in Cyprus on the line-by-line details of a reunification deal.

The talks in New York on the Cyprus issue were the topic of discussion at the meeting today at Maximos Mansion, presided over by Prime Minister Costas Simitis. Participants in the meeting include Foreign Minister and PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou and alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis. Mr. Papandreou stated the developments in New York are being monitored closely and underlined the Greek governments complete support of Cypriot president Tasos Papadopoulos.

[02] Communist, Coalition and DIKKI leaders campaign

Communist party president, Aleka Papariga accused Pasok today of promoting supposed left-wing perceptions.

Coalition leader, Nikos Konstantopoulos invited political party leaders to a public dialogue with respect to genetically modified foods and presented his partys positions concerning the environment and characterised the countrys policies as ineffective in comparison to the other EU countries.

DIKKI president, Dimitris Tsovolas called on voters to vote against Pasok and New Democracy and reiterated his proposal for pre-election cooperations with the Coalition and Communist parties.

[03] New Democracy leader presents Charter of Daily Life in Peristeri

New Democracy president, Kostas Karamanlis kicked off the official pre-election period today in Peristeri, western Attica, where he presented New Democracys Charter for Daily Life. Mr. Karamanlis presented proposals concerning mass transportation, traffic problems, parking spaces, green areas, air and noise pollution, people with disabilities, policing, security and new technologies.

[04] Caretaker ministers to be sworn in on Friday

In view of the elections, Interior Minister, Kostas Scandalides handed in his resignation to Prime Minister Simitis whom he informed about the course of preparations for the elections and reassured that the state mechanism is completely prepared for a smooth electoral process.

On Friday in the presence of the President of the Republic, Professor Nikos Alivizatos will be sworn in as functional Minister of the Interior while journalist Giorgos Romeos will assume the role of functional Minister of the Press.

[05] Pre-election period officially gets underway

The countrys pre-election period officially began today with Parliaments dissolution and the replacement of press and interior ministers with caretaker ministers.

The Presidential Decree issued by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Kostis Stefanopoulos being signed by the entire ministerial council states that the new Parliaments formation will take place following the outcome of the March 7th elections. Parliament's first new session will convene for the first session on Thursday March 18th.

[06] Weather Forecast

Rain, storms and snow are forecast in most parts of the country, starting from the west, centre and north and spreading south. Snow is expected on high ground and some low-lying areas with storms at sea. Winds northerly, strong to gale force. Temperatures in Athens will rnage between 2-10 C and in Thessaloniki from -3C-1 C. Rain and storms are forecast in Attica with snow falling on high ground, and later in low-lying areas.

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