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Sunday, 24 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-08-18Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Passengers of Cypriot plane still alive until crash, according to coronersCoroners have so far examined sixty-five of the 118 bodies which were on board the ill-fated Cypriot Boeing 737 plane which crashed north of Athens on Sunday. They all ascertained that the lethal injuries occurred when they were still alive. This means that during the plane's crash, the 65 were alive but this does not mean that they were conscious.As the coroners explained, it is possible that they were fully conscious, but there is the possibility that some or all had fainted. The first results of the toxic tests will come out on Friday and it will be ascertained whether the passengers of the plane had inhailed toxic or poisonous gases from which they fainted. Authorities are still searching to find the bodies of two more passengers and of the German pilot. According to an ANA dispatch from Cyprus, the German pilot of the plane belonging to the Cypriot private comany "Helios", had briefed the company shortly after taking off from Larnaca that he had a freezing problem with the computers of the cockpit which led to the overheating of the computers. According to the "Phileleftheros" newspaper, the overheating knocked out the plane's electonic systems and resulted in its final crash. Communication ceased 20 minutes after takeoff. [02] Main opposition leader and Cypriot president discuss Turkey's EU accession, plane crash investigationMain opposition PASOK President George Papandreou and President of the Republic of Cyprus Tassos Papadopoulos discussed the negotiation framework surrounding Turkey's European Union accession and the investigation into the plane crash that killed all 121 people on board during their meeting on Thursday."We had always supported Turkey's EU accession. The difference between us and the New Democracy government, is that we had set out a specific framework with rules and goals - a Road Map - that promoted our interests as well as the interests of Cyprus and solutions within the context of international law and acquis communautaire," Papandreou said. He said that the New Democracy government had missed the opportunity to contribute to the formulation of a new Turkey-EU framework in December 2004. The main opposition leader also referred to comments made by French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin who has urged Turkey to recognise the Republic of Cyprus. Papandreou said that PASOK had also presented Turkey's recognition of Cyprus as a condition when in office, but it was an issue the current government had failed to promote. He cited the period shortly before October 3, when Turkey's EU accession talks are scheduled to begin, as the next opportunity the Greek government cannot afford to miss. At that time, the EU will respond to Turkey's refusal to recognise Cyprus despite signing a protocol that extends its EU customs union agreement to the 10 new member states and a new negotiation framework for Turkey will be created outlining specific terms, deadlines and objectives. According to Papandreou, this new framework will provide new prospects and solutions for the Cyprus issue and will contribute to the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations. Asked about the possibility of vetoing Turkey's accession negotiations, Papandreou replied: "We discussed all options. I think that all options should remain open.(...)" As for Sunday's crash of Helios Airways flight ZU 522 in northeast Attica, Papandreou once again expressed his condolences to the Cypriot president and emphasised the need to hold accountable those responsible for the accident. He said that it was absolutely necessary for the victims' families as well as for the reputation of Greece and Cyprus that the investigation into the crash conclude as soon as possible, revealing the causes of the accident. [03] University entry-exam results to be released by August 25Entry-exam results for universities (AEI) and technical colleges (TEI) will be released no later than August 25, Education Minister Marietta Giannakou said after her two-hour meeting with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Thursday.Giannakou said that she discussed all issues related to the new school year with the premier. Asked about the ministry's budget, Giannakou said that she has asked for a 22% increase compared with 2004 but emphasised that it will depend on the overall budget and the finance ministry's forecasts. The main priority at this time, she said, was supporting the country's economy. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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