Athens News Agency: News in English, 00-08-15

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus-Al Gore-Cyprus issue

[02] Weather Forecast-Wednesday

[03] Defence Minister - message on Cyprus

[04] Greek tanker - collision

[05] Traffic police - measures for safe return of holiday-makers

[01] Cyprus-Al Gore-Cyprus issue

NICOSIA (ANA-CNA)- U.S Vice-President Al Gore, who is the Democratic presidential candidate in the November elections, has stated that his objective is to promote a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem based on international law.

Answering a questionnaire by the American Hellenic Institute on issues concerning the Greek-American community, Gore said the U.S. administration is working hard to build on the hopeful developments between Greece and Turkey in order for progress to be achieved concering the Aegean and Cyprus.

"I'm fully committed to this procedure, and to the achievement of a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus dispute, which will allow all Cypriots to live under conditions of security," Gore said.

[02] Weather Forecast-Wednesday

Scattered cloud is forecast throughout the country on Wednesday, with a possibility of light showers in central and northern mainland Greece from the afternoon.

Winds will be northerly, light to moderate in the west, moderate to strong in the east, up to gale force in the Aegean Sea.

Temperatures in the Ionian will range from 20C to 34C; on the mainland from 19C to 37C; and in the Aegean from 22C to 31C.

[03] Defence Minister - message on Cyprus

In a message aimed at the international community and Turkey itself, National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Tuesday said that Cyprus would provide the "acid test" of their sincerity in opposing ethnic cleansing.

Tsohatzopoulos was talking at the Church of Panagia Soumela on the anniversary of the second Turkish invasion of the island republic.

He pointed out that there were still Greek-Cypriots awaiting a just and unified solution of the Cyprus problem that would allow them to return to their homes within Turkish-occupied territories.

At the same time, Tsohatzopoulos also sent a message of peaceful coexistence, cooperation and joint success to Turkey in its capacity as an allied country, noting that Greece and Turkey had proved in practice that they could join forces to combat natural disasters and defend joint security.

Through our joint participation in international organisations, he added, we have succeeded in creating conditions for peaceful coexistence, understanding, acceptance and stability.

[04] Greek tanker - collision

In a report to the Merchant Marine ministry on Tuesday, the skipper of the Greek-flagged tanker "Sporades" informed Greek authorities that a collision between his ship and a British vessel took place at sea on Monday night off the shores of Holland.

The collision has caused minor damage to both ships while both crews are safe and well.

The tanker is now heading for the port of Rotterdam, where it will inform local consular port authorities.

[05] Traffic police - measures for safe return of holiday-makers

Traffic police in Attica said they will be on standby after midday on Tuesday so as to make the return of holiday-makers after the August 15 holiday as smooth and trouble-free as possible, if necessary taking the usual measures on both major national highways into Athens.

Despite the increased measures, however, 31 people have lost their lives and 381 have been injured in 295 traffic accidents since Friday.

Authorities are also expecting increased traffic around the ports of Piraeus and Rafina as pilgrims return from the religious festivals on the islands of Paros and Tinos.

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