This Week
MONDAY Foreign Minister George Papandreou attends EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg. To Tuesday. TUESDAY Labor unions, including the federation of civil servant’s unions (ADEDY) and the General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE), stage a general 24-hour strike against proposed government pension reforms. This will affect government offices, public transport and state hospitals across the country. Protesters will gather in Omonia Square at 9.30 a.m., the junction of Alexandras Avenue and Patission Street at 10 a.m., and in Piraeus at 10 a.m. – Social Security Foundation (IKA) doctors stage a 24-hour strike demanding permanency for 5,500 colleagues on short-term contracts and more bonuses. – Seamen have announced a series of 48-hour rolling strikes starting today, demanding a hike in pensions. – Former South African President Nelson Mandela starts a weeklong visit to Greece. To June 24. – University professors’ union to make final decision on whether to continue their strike action. – Samuel Huntington, author of «The Clash of Civilizations,» to speak at the Athens Forum 2002, organized by the Kokkalis Foundation and Harvard University. Athens Concert Hall. – On the occasion of World Refugee Day, the UNHCR in Athens holds a round-table discussion for journalists on «Protection of Refugees and Migration Control: A New Challenge.» At ESIEA conference hall, Academias 20. From 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. WEDNESDAY National Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis attends meeting of EU finance ministers (ECOFIN) in Luxembourg. – Air traffic controllers in Greece, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland are threatening to hold a 24-hour strike in protest at EU plans for integrated air traffic management. – The International Center for the Olympic Truce is holding an event to promote the idea of the Olympic Truce worldwide. Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela will attend. At the Athens Concert Hall at 12.30 p.m. – President Costis Stephanopoulos to award Press Ministry prizes to overseas Greek journalists and mass media. The award will take place at the Old Parliament at 7.30 p.m. THURSDAY UNHCR holds an event dedicated to women refugees at the National Research Foundation. For details call 010.672.6462. – Athens state hospital doctors stage 48-hour strike, demanding higher pay and higher pensions. To Friday. – Prime Minister Costas Simitis leaves for Spain for the EU summit at Seville. To Saturday. FRIDAY International Communist and labor parties meet in Athens to explore ways for the effective coordination of their struggle. To June 23. – Parliament begins debating the social security bill. – Social Security Foundation (IKA) doctors stage another 24-hour strike.
