The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Dora Bakoyannis in Cyprus in the Afternoon Cypriot Issue at Focus

By Athina Saloustrou

The immediate and short-term prospects for solving the Cypriot issue will be the focus of Dora Bakoyannis' contacts in Nicosia. The Foreign Minister, which leaves in an hour for Cyprus, informed the Parliament's Standing Committee on Defence and Foreign Affairs in the morning, underlining the importance of the wide consensus which has been achieved on the main principles of the Greek foreign policy. Dora Bakoyannis sent Ankara a clear message that its obsession to practices of tension and questioning, as well as violent threats, are a dead-end in the European environment. As she stressed, Ankara needs to understand that keeping a constructive stance is to its benefit. As for the Cypriot issue, the Greek FM said the rejection of the Annan Plan by such an overwhelming majority cannot be ignored. In statements after briefing the Standing Committee, Dora Bakoyannis spoke of the strong ties with the USA, which are based on understanding and respect, of Turkey's European prospect with specific criteria and preconditions and of the effort to reach a fair and viable solution for the Cypriot issue. The Greek FM is expected to arrived in Cyprus at 15:00 CET and will remain on the island until Thursday. Her counterpart, Giorgos Iakovou, will welcome her, while she will be meeting with the President of the Cypriot Republic, Tassos Papadopoulos, at 17:00 CET. What is more, on Wednesday morning the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Cyprus will hold talks, while Dora Bakoyannis will also meet with Cypriot Parliament Speaker Dimitris Christofias and political leaders. During her stay on Cyprus, the Greek FM will meet with Nicosia Mayor Michalakis Zabelas, she will visit the ceasefire line, the old Nicosia city and the military camp of the Hellenic Forces Regiment on Cyprus (ELDYK) in Malounta.

RIK Opinion Poll on the Annan Plan

Two years after the referendum for the Annan Plan, which was rejected by 75.6% of the Greek-Cypriots, RIK conducted an opinion poll to record Greek-Cypriot views in case of new talks over the Cypriot issue. The survey was conducted on 1,200 people through a structured questionnaire. 50% of those asked want a radical new plan and 34% want the Annan Plan with major and significant changes. Only 8% want the Annan Plan with minor changes and 1% want the Annan Plan as is.

As per the opinion poll, 56% think a solution is harder to reach in relation to last year, while 36% think it is easier. Asked on Cyprus main problems, the Cypriot issue is by far the most important concern, gathering 80%. Drugs follow with 44%, financial issues with 41% and expensiveness with 23%.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Bakoyannis in Cyprus

[02] TV Duel for Berlusconi-Prodi Heated Debate in Italy

By Vivian Papastefanou

The two rivals for the Italian Prime Ministership, S. Berlusconi and R. Prodi, completed the second and last round of their TV debate with personal attacks and curse words, just six days before Sunday's crucial elections. Centre-left leader Romano Prodi compared Berlusconi to a "drunkard clinging to a lamp post" and the Cavaliere denounced his opponent as a "useful idiot". "The Prime Minister clings to data the way a drunkard clings to lamp posts, not for illumination but to keep him standing up," supported Prodi, thus enraging Berlusconi. As for the Cavaliere, he said, "I will not accept that. Have a little respect for the Prime Minister, Prodi ... Let me return Prodi's remark about the drunk by saying that Prodi is like a useful idiot, he lends his cheery parish priest's face to the left which is 70% made up of former communists."

The Italian Prime Minister accused Prodi of defaming Italy by distorting the truth. "I don't understand how it's possible to have this continuous defamation of Italy, of its government, it's a complete inversion of reality on wealth," underlined Berlusconi, thus answering to Romano Prodi's criticism on the economic policy. "I'm sorry, but the leader of the Opposition isn't credible," stressed the Cavaliere.

Romano Prodi intervened, asking his rival to show some respect. " Please, prime minister, I respect you, please try to respect me too. I never interrupted you. A minute is not long enough for me to provide a list of all the insults I have received from the Prime Minister and his people: poor man, rabbit ...," noted Prodi.

"I have never insulted anyone and rabbit is not a word that would ever come from me," answered back Silvio Berlusconi.

According to political analysts, Prodi prevailed in the debate, thus leading Berlusconi to make a desperate move by announcing to abolish the ICI (housing tax) on all first houses. "For us the first house is sacred like the family. For this reason we have decided to abolish ICI on all first houses. Do you understand that?" he said. "It's a courageous move."

The outgoing Prime Minister also accuse the centre-left of hating wealth. "They still to hate private property, they think profit is immoral and they consider savings almost a privilege," noted Berlusconi.

"We will impose inheritance tax only starting from many millions of euro. Is it ok put like that for all the Italian citizens? Ok? Right. I think you can trust my word, because I have said it absolutely clearly and I thank the Prime Minister for giving me the opportunity to say it again so clearly," stressed Prodi.

Over 17 million viewers watched the second and last TV debate between Berlusconi and Prodi.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] To Repeal the CPE Law Mass Protests in France

By Vivian Papastefanou

Students and trade unions are taking to the streets of France for the fifth time, asking the First Employment Contract to be repealed. Collective actions are held throughout France and the aim is to stage a demonstration greater than 28 March, when over three million people protested against the CPE. The transport network is expected to experience problems, as public transport employees are participating in the nationwide strike. Postal offices and telecommunication services, the Media, banks, stores and many other fields of the Economy will also be taking part in the strike. In Paris, students and employees will give a Press Conference at noon in the presence of John Monks, the Secretary General of the European Trade Unions Confederation. Following, a rally will be staged in the streets of the French capital. On Monday, Prime Minister Dominique De Villepin invited his Ministers to a business luncheon in order to determine the French Government's next moves. None of the Ministers wished to make any statements after the end of the meeting. However, the Prime Minister would give a Press Conference on the matter this Thursday.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Iraklis Pulls a Surprise

Following the annihilation of AEK, it was Olympiacos turn to depart Kaftatzoglio Stadium defeated, as Iraklis played much better, winning by 2-0 and proving its worth. The abysmal state of the pitch did not seem to trouble Kofidis players, while the quick goal played an important part in the match. In the 5, Herrera kicked to score, taking advantage of the fact that Anatolakis failed to control the ball, which got stuck in the mud. From the 15 onwards, Olympiacos seemed to improve, but missed quite a few chances to tie the score. The beginning of the second half was similar to that of the first, as in the 51, Epalle kicked Iraklis second goal, following another mistake by Olympiacos defenders. As a result, AEK is now trailing Olympiacos by six points in the rankings, while Olympiacos met with its fourth defeat this season and its second in the last three rounds.

Referee: Terovitsas (Etoloakarnania) Yellow Cards: Katsabis, Drougas Anatolakis

IRAKLIS: Abaris, Sznaucner, Drougas, Katsabis, Seghiri, Poursanidis, Lawal (83 Murati), Prittas, Georgiadis (90 Papapostolou), Epalle, Herrera (44 Lagos)

OLYMPIACOS: Nikopolidis, Pantos, Bulut, Schurrer, Anatolakis (46 Maric), Stoltidis, Kafes, Toure, Castillo (81 Babangida), Konstantinou (46 Okkas), Djordjevic.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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