The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-01-08

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

CONTENTS

8/1/2001 10:01:22 рм

[01] Concern in Europe over the ''Balkan Syndrom''

A lot of European countries have asked from NATO to be briefed in a more detailed way, while a group of Portuguese scientists is already in Kossovo examining the situation.

At the same time, many Greek students studying at Yugoslav universities have visited hospitals to undergo blood tests. A delegation of students will meet with Education minister Petros Efthimiou tomorrow to stydy the possibility of their transfer to Greek universities.

In tandem, National Defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is accompanying a group of scientific and military experts who is leaving for Kosovo today to carry out tests in the region of responsibility of the Greek peacekeeping force Greek and then will go to Bosnia for more tests. On a relative development, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos has sent a letter to NATO and the European Union asking the promotion of methods of protection of the populations of the Balkan countries from the bombing in Serbia and to examine the repercussions on the environment and human health.

The National Defence minister yesterday briefed on the isue the New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis and the party's regional head on Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyanni. He stressed that in case the scientific group found there was a problem, all necessary measures would be taken, without ruling out the withdrawal of the Greek force from peacekeeping troops. Mr. Karamanlis agreed with Mr. Tsohatzopoulos on this position, however he said the government was responsible for the situation and called on the Prime minister to brief the Parliament on the issue. He also called on the government to undertake initiatives on an international level.

In the meantime, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said that an inventory was being carried out to find ou t whether there is ammunition with depleted uranium in Greece. The sergeant of the Greek peace keeping force suffering of leukemia will be examined at Dimocritos centre today.

Coalition of the Left Wing and Progress party leader Nikos Konstantopoulos will visit the Centre of Nuclear Research in order to be briefed on the repurcussions of NATO bombardments in the broader Balkan region.

The German Defence ministry has issued an announcement stressing that NATO had warned since July 1999 on the possible danger from depleted uranium ammunition in the Balkans and had called for protection measures. Defence minister Rudolf Sarping however, said that he did not see any danger for the German soldiers who had served in the region.

Finally, Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Chistodoulos launched a verbal attack against European countries regarding NATO bombardments, desribing what happened in Serbia as a big crime against humanity.

[02] Turkey threatens with annexation of occupied Cyprus

In the meantime, Turkish Foreign minister Ismail Cem has reiterated Ankara's threat in a recent interview that it might proceed with annexation of the entire occupied territories in Cyprus if Cyprus was acceeded to the European Union before a solution was reached.

At the same time, the Turkish Education minister Sioukrou Sina Giourel, responsible for the Cyprus issue, maintained that the new Turkish plan should not be taken as plan for the incorporation of the occupied territories but as an effort to abolish the economic and social inequalities which resulted from the embargo implemented against them. Called on to comment the treats, President Klerides referred to the statements of the Turkish-Cypriot representative Rauf Denktash made last Saturday according to which Turkey's plan should be described as a closer cooperation between Turkey and the pseudostate and not as an annexation.

On a relative development, the so-called Connection Coucnil between Turkey and the pseudostate will convene on January 12 to discuss about the plan for the closer cooperation between the two sides. In the meantime, serious incidents took place outside the police station of the British base in Dekelia shortly before a demonstration of the Panikos Tsiakourma's family and relatives, demanding his release by the occupation forces. The incidents took place when Tsiakourma's brother Kyriakos tried to block the entrance of the police station with a truck. Finally, the International Penal Court, which is under establishment, is paving the way for the prosecution of Turks who are related to war crimes in Cyprus.

Turkey is reacting and is not willing to sign the relative treaty fearing to face cases of war crimes conducted by its officials in Cyprus against Cypriots and Kurds.

[03] The EURO to help Greece with its convergence Prodi says

Mr. Prodi makes reference to the Greek people's sacrifices pointing out that no further sacrifices are needed. However, he points out that the Greek economy will receive a presure so as to modernise just as it happened in Italy.

He also believes that the European Union expansion will help Greece, adding that the European Union will have to play a bigger role in the Balkans, where Greece's presence is very important.

In tandem, it hopes that the Cyprus issue will be solved before Cyprus' accession to the European Union, pointing out that on the contrary the Council would find itself in a difficult position since nobody would want the introduction of tension in the European Union.

As regards Turkey's position to the European Union, Mr. Prodi points out that Turkey is on the right track, stressing that it must develop to a modern republic.

[04] First Japanese Prime minister to visit Greece

[05] Beginning of sales today

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