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Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-04-26Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] DM on Iran, Souda, local gov't electionsDefence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis spoke about Iran, the possible use of Souda's military base on Crete and the upcoming mayoral and prefectural elections in comments he made to reporters following his meeting with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday.On the issue of Iran, Meimarakis said that a military intervention in the near future is difficult and reiterated Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis who on Tuesday, in talks with US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice stressed the need to exhaust all diplomatic means. Asked whether Souda's military base on the island of Crete would be used, Meimarakis replied that Greece has long-standing contractual obligations towards its allies which it fulfills. As for the local government elections in October, the defence minister noted that governments are judged during general elections, but added that political messages will be extracted from the results of the upcoming mayoral and prefectural elections. Regarding the prefectural candidates that ruling New Democracy will back, Meimarakis said an announcement will soon be made by ND Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. [02] Gov't steps up fire prevention ahead of summer seasonGov't steps up fire prevention ahead of summer seasonThe Civil Protection Agency's Central Coordinating Committee convened on Wednesday to discuss preventive measures against forest fires ahead of the 2006 summer season. The aim is to ensure that the state mechanism is fully prepared, Minister of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation Prokopis Pavlopoulos, who presided over the meeting, said. The 2006 summer season is expected to be difficult because of increased vegetation due to substantial rainfall this past winter and because of expected high temperatures and strong winds, he said. Pavlopoulos urged citizens to cooperate with the state and relevant authorities. Secretary General for Civil Protection Panagiotis Fourlas said that a relevant circular has been sent to all responsible agencies and authorities. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. [03] Alavanos at tobacco growers' road blockCoalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) leader Alekos Alavanos on Wednesday demonstrated alongside some 1,500 protesting tobacco growers from Evros and Rodopi that blockaded a section of the Egnatia Odos highway between the cities of Komotini and Alexandroupolis, northeast Greece.The tobacco growers, who are protesting over the failure of two companies to submit letters of guarantee after signing contracts for 3,300 tons and because they are still unpaid for the 860 tons of tobacco they delivered to the Agrinion Association of Agricultural Cooperatives, warned that mobilizations will continue until their demands are met. Alavanos noted in comments to ANA-MPA that tobacco growers in Thrace are in desperate straits. He said that manufacturers refuse to meet obligations arising from signed contracts and basically engage in an all-out extortion targeting small producers to get the lowest market prices possible. The government should ensure the immediate sale of tobacco production while producers should be paid immediately receiving prices higher than last year�s, said Alavanos, adding that sanctions should be imposed on tobacco industries that fail to comply. Photo: ANA/MPA file photo ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |