This Week
Monday Government Council on Foreign Policy and Defense (KYSEA) convenes to discuss arms procurements. Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis to attend an EU-led conference in London on tackling organized crime in the Balkans. Gas station owners stage a nationwide 24-hour strike protesting at government’s order to install cash registers. Doctors of the Social Security Foundation (IKA) begin a 48-hour strike to demand that doctors on indefinite-length contracts be hired on permanent basis. The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Gavyn Arthur, to speak at British-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce luncheon on «The City of London – A European Asset.» At the Athens Club, 11 Panepistimiou St, 1.15 p.m. Tuesday Two-day conference on «The 2004 Paralympic Games Summit: Providing an Environment of Excellence & Accessibility for the Mind, Body and Spirit,» organized by Economist Conferences. Divani Apollon Palace, Kavouri, tel 210.910.8750-2. To tomorrow. Wednesday Foreign Minister George Papandreou to meet with US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington. Athens taxi drivers begin 48-hour strike, starting at 5 a.m., demanding access to bus lanes. To Friday 5 a.m. Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou speaks at a Foreign Press Association luncheon. Holiday Inn Hotel, 1.30 p.m. New Democracy opposition party leader Costas Karamanlis to attend the meeting of the European People’s Party in Brussels. Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas inaugurates IKA clinic for short-term hospitalization on Kaningos Square, at 11 a.m. Thursday European Court of Human Rights expected to announce verdict on former king Constantine’s appeal for compensation for property in Greece. Prime Minister Costas Simitis to chair two-day joint meeting of PASOK central committee and parliamentary group. Talks will focus on the Cyprus issue. To Saturday. New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis expected to meet with European Commission President Romano Prodi in Brussels. Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis, hold a presentation on «The Hellenic Presidency of the European Union: Signaling a New Era.» Athens Concert Hall, 3 p.m. State hospital doctors hold a 48-hour nationwide strike demanding more pay and the recruitment of more staff. To November 29. Federation of Greek Industries (SEV) holds press conference. Civil Servants’ Federation (ADEDY) holds two-day meeting to discuss strike action in protest at 2003 budget. The Ministry of Press and Mass Media holds a conference on «Quality on Television Programs.» Divani Caravel Hotel, 7 p.m The Pherai-Velestino-Rigas Scientific Research Society holds a conference on «Translation of Rigas’s Constitution into Eight Languages.» Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos will speak. At the Old Parliament, tel 210.801.1066. The constitution proposed by Rigas Velestinlis (Pheraios) in the late 18th century has been translated into Albanian, Bulgarian, English, French, Italian, Romanian, Russian and Serbian. Goethe Institute hosts an open debate on Western-Eastern civilizations and fundamentalism, at 7 p.m., tel 210.366.1000. Saturday Centrist Democrat International summit on «World Challenges, World Solidarity» is held on the island of Corfu. Prime Minister of Spain Jose Maria Aznar and ND leader Costas Karamanlis will attend. To tomorrow. Balkan Political Club in cooperation with the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) holds an international conference on «The European Prospects of the Balkan Countries.» Divani Apollon Palace Hotel, tel 210.965.8010. Spanish PM Jose Maria Aznar arrives in Athens. He is expected to meet with Prime Minister Simitis.
