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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 96-12-10Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCYThessaloniki, December 10, 1996TITLES
NEWS IN DETAIL[01] PROTESTING FARMERS REFUSE TO BUDGE, FOOD SUPPLIES MIGHT START DWINDLINGAthens, December 10 (MPA)For the 13th successive day, both the Government and the country's farmers have refused to budge from their stated positions, having remained at an impasse that threatens the country's economy with a hitherto monetary loss of 22 billion drachmas (approximately $89 million.)The protesting farmers continue their roadblocks throughout the mainland, defying the cold nights for the sake of their demands. Premier Kostas Simitis yesterday emphasized the negative impact to be brought on by any diversion in the country's course of convergence, although he did state that all of PASOK's pre- election promises will indeed materialize for the farmers. [02] NATO'S FOREIGN MINISTERS TO MEET TODAY IN BRUSSELSBrussels, December 10 (MPA)Foreign Ministers of NATO-member countries will convene in Brussels today, with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos representing Greece.According to reports, Turkey threatens to block NATO's eastward expansion if its terms for equal participation in the Western European Union (WEU) are not met. Although a member of NATO, Turkey is not a member of the EU which is a prerequisite for full WEU membership. Currently, Turkey has associate member status in the WEU. Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller has rejected Mr. Pangalos' proposal to resort to the International Court of Justice at The Hague for any conflicts that arise within the Alliance. Among the issues to be tackled in today's conference will be the establishment of a timetable for the Alliance's expansion to Europe's central and eastern countries, as well as ways to address Russia's objections to such expansion, and the re-organization of NATO's internal structure and the replacement of IFOR, which is the Alliance-directed peacekeeping force in Bosnia. [03] CABINET MEETS TODAY TO ADDRESS FARMERS' PROTESTSAthens, December 10 (MPA)The Cabinet will convene today to address the problems caused by the protesting farmers' roadblocks and overall assess the damages caused by the disruption in transportation.In the interim, the farmers' mobilizations continue for the 13th successive day, by blocking off many interstate and intrastate roads. The up-to-date losses in the sectors of transportation, trade, exports and imports are estimated at 22 billion drachmas. [04] WAVE OF STRIKES THREATENS TO CRIPPLE GREECE, WIDE PROTESTS OVER BUDGETAthens, December 10 (MPA)A new wave of strikes is due to hit the country this week, starting with pensioners holding ralllies in Greece's largest cities today, protesting the Government's economic policy and the 1997 state budget.Meanwhile, the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), with three million members, plans to map out its future mobilizations today, while the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) has announced a country-wide strike to be held December 17, the day when the 1997 budget will be discussed in Parliament's plenary session. Secondary school teachers -in both the public and private sectors- will embark on a three-day strike tomorrow, while doctors of the state-owned Social Security Foundation (IKA) begin their four-day strike today. Construction workers will strike on Thursday, while Education Ministry employees will follow suit the same day with a three-hour work stoppage. Kindergarten and primary school teachers will strike on December 17-18, while civil aviation unions will conduct a four- hour work stoppage -to be held every day from December 12 to 14. Customs officials will also start a three-day strike on December 17. [05] STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL: "U.S. KEENLY INTERESTED IN SOLVING CYPRIOT ISSUE"Washington, December 10 (MPA)The United States are keenly interested in seeing a solution to the Cyprus problem, has stated the State Department spokesperson, Glenn Davis.Referring to the recent visit to Cyprus of Carey Cavanaugh, the State Department's Director of the Office of Southeastern European Affairs, Mr. Davis stated that the U.S. Government remains committed to working towards a solution of the cypriot issue. "We recently sent an intergovernmental team to Athens and Nicosia and dicsussed the issue within the parameters of the OSCE Summit in Lisbon," Mr. Davis stated, adding that his government's efforts are identical with those exerted by the international community. Meanwhile, Han Sung Ju, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the cypriot issue is currently in Cyprus where he will meet with President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides. British Foreign Minister Malcolm Rifkind is to arrive in Nicosia next week. Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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