The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-03-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Additional Measures to Be Announced Today

Additional measures to bring state deficit down will be officially announced today Wednesday. The measures will be previously approved by the Ministers' Council which is convening at present.

Reports say that the economic staff has decided has decided 35% cut in Easter and vacation bonuses and 30% in Christmas bonus. Cuts correspond to 65% of 14th salary of public servants and pensioners in the public sector. The measure is expected to raise 700 million euros. However, it was clarified that measures do not apply to private sector.

In the meantime, the Speaker of the House Philipos Petsalnikos will visit the President of the Republic at 13:00, on Wednesday to brief him on his proposal to call on deputies to offer their Christmas, Easter bonuses and vacation allowance to the Economy Support Fund.

The Prime-minister will brief the President of the Republic immediately after the conclusion of the Ministers' Council meeting.

Mr. Papandreou will meet at 11:30 with the heads of GSEE, ADEDY, GSEBEE, National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce and SEB. News item: 33968

[02] Suu Kyi's Appeal Rejected

Myanmar's Supreme Court on Friday rejected an appeal by pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi against her house arrest, a ruling diplomats said would cast further doubt on the legitimacy of this year's election.

Suu Kyi, detained for 15 of the past 21 years, was sentenced to a further 18 months of house arrest in August for allowing an uninvited American to stay in her lakeside home after he swam over to see her.

"The judge turned it down. He read out the decision but he didn't offer any reason for the rejection," her lawyer, Nyan Win, told reporters, who were barred from the courtroom.

Nyan Win said he planned to lodge an appeal against the decision with Myanmar's chief justice, the one remaining channel for Suu Kyi to seek her freedom.

"We will take it to an appellate court as soon as we know the details of the verdict," he added.

The verdict was widely expected by diplomats and activists, many of whom believe Myanmar's judicial system is beset by interference from the military, which has ruled the former Burma for almost half a century.

Source: Reuters News item: 33812

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