The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-10-16

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

CONTENTS

16/10/2000 10:30:00 ��

[01] Samaras will file a suit against Mitsotakis

Mr Mitsotakis had said that the president of the Political Spring party had been bribed in 1993 and as a result the New Democracy party lost the majority in Parliament.

[02] Local elections in Albania

The ruling Socialists of prime minister Ilir Meta were the main winners of the first round on October 1st, the country's first major political test since it plunged into anarchy in 1997.

International observers said the first round had been orderly and fair, with only minor irregularities reported. But democratic party leader and former president Sali Berisha said voting had been grossly manipulated and his party would not take part in the second round which he considered a farce.

Greece protested on Saturday after it said Albania had refused to allow buses carrying ethnic Greek-Albanians into the country to take part in the elections.

Representatives of the Greek minority denounced the Albanian authorities for manipulation, arrests as well as for violent incidents in Himara.

In an announcement, the spokesman for the Greek foreign ministry Panos Beglitis stresses that the fact causes special concern since the Albanian government had guaranteed that the rights of Albanians of Greek descent would be respected. The Greek government will defend the democratic rights of the Greek minority before the European union and the international organizations, Mr Beglitis added.

In the meantime, the secretary general of the Albanian socialist party, Gramoz Rutsi, last night stated that his party had won in the second round in the municipality of Himara, which was also claimed by the candidate of the human rights union, a party supported by the Greek minority.

[03] NATO exercise

Mr Tsohatzopoulos added, however, that there was time to change the plans, as airborne exercises would not begin until Tuesday.

Consultations continue in Eski Sehir, Turkey, for the participation of six Greek jet fighters F-16, which remain grounded due to the Turkish demand not to include the airspace over the Aegean islands of Limnos and Ikaria.

[04] Costas Simitis meets Yanna Angelopoulou

[05] The EU summit in Biarritz, France

In statements made after the meeting, the Greek prime minister Costas Simitis said that the aim of negotiations was to boost the effectiveness of the EU and, at the same time, to ensure its more democratic functioning. Mr Simitis also announced that the situation in the Balkans would be the focus of a meeting of leaders from the region, to be held in Ochrida prior to November 24th.

In addition, the prime minister said that after the Zagreb meeting, French president Jacques Chirac would visit Athens to discuss matters relating to the intergovernmental meeting to take place in Nice.

Meanwhile, at a private meeting in Biarritz with the new Yugoslav president, Voislav Kostunica, on Saturday, Mr Simitis reiterated the Greek positions regarding Yugoslavia's accession to the major European and international bodies.

In Belgrade, it was announced that a deal had been made with supporters of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic to dissolve the Serb Parliament by October 24th, so that a transitional government could be formed and new elections to to be held on December 24th.

[06] The ecumenical patriarch Vartholomeos visits Athens

Yesterday, the ecumenical patriarch wound up his visit to Romania, where he was honoured by the country's Science Academy.

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