The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-05-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Slim possibility of peace as Nato air strikes continue

Today American president Bill Clinton is meeting in Washington with the Russian mediator Victor Chernomirdin who will convey a letter from Russian president Boris Yeltsin. Meanwhile, the leader of the Republicans in the American Senate, Trent Lot, stated yesterdat that it was time to give peace a chance.

For his part, the Reverend Jesse Jackson who yesterday accomplished the release of three American prisoners in Yugoslavia, addressed a plea to president Clinton to agree to a face to face meeting with Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic.

The American president hailed the release of the three marines, but insisted that NATO bombings will continue until the Kosovar refugees' return to their homes is assured and President Milosevich agrees to the alliance's terms for peace, while the US Defence Secretary, William Cohen, said the NATO bombardments would be stepped up.

In a related development, a peace plan which has been drafted by members of the American congress, but also with the participation of a representative of President Milosevic, which was released yesterday, provides for the deployment of a light force in southern Kosovo -- a condition which, up to now, was rejected by Belgrade.

According to President Milosevic's wife, Miriana Markovic, no ethnic cleansing operations were being carried out in Kosovo. She made the comments during an interview with the American CBS television network, adding that Yugoslavia was on the verge of economic collapse due to the NATO bombings, which-- she pointed out--had killed dozens of civilians.

Following stepped-up NATO attacks last night, two people were killed and 35 injured when a police station and the Interior Ministry were bombed.

This morning, power was restored to most regions in Serbia and to some Belgrade suburbs, which had suffered a blackout, after the bombing late Sunday of a power station. However, the state television network is still off the air, after the destruction of a transmission centre.

[02] FYROM on verge of economic collapse warns PM

[03] Serbs claim NATO casualties

Meanwhile, an A-10 made a forced landing in Scopje yesterday while a British Harrier-type plane crashed into the Adriatic.

[04] Papandreou cautiously upbeat on possible political solution

The presence of a peace-keeping force in Kosovo and the withdrawal of the forces present may lead to a solution to the problem, he said. He expressed the opinion that the key to lifting the deadlock would be agreement on the form and nature of this force.

According to the Greek foreign minister, Washington would like the speedy cessation of hostilities because the continuation of war is obstructing a final settlement, and also because Western public opinion is questioning the efficacy of NATO's air campaign.

[05] Greek media stages anti-war protest

Commenting on the initiative, the government spokesman and Press Minister, Dimitris Reppas, observed that the press' function was not merely to inform, but to contribute substantively to the application of democratic principles.

In the meantime, more than 500 Greek journalists and owners of press, television and radio facilities from all over the world are participating in the First World Conference of Greek Media Abroad.

Among the topics to be covered is a more effective promotion of Greece's major national issues.

[06] Clerides insists on EU entry irrespective of Cyprus issue

Mr. Lisaridis clarified that the letter stresses that there should be no connection betwen a solution to the Cyprus issue and the country's entry into the European Union.

[07] Survey indicates PASOK more popular since NATO bombing

The survey also concludes that 57.3% of citizens "would like the government to see its term through and says "no" to double elections in June.

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