The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-01-15

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

CONTENTS

15/1/2001 10:44:09 рм

[01] Search for survivors of ''Augusta Bell'' helicopter continue

The helicopter had been missing since 6 p.m. yesterday evening, while carrying patient Agapitos Vakardos from Patmos.

Aboard the helicopter were Italian pilot Antonio Vakari, co- pilot Panagiotis Kotavelis, doctor Sofia Befon and nurse Yorgos Leventzonis.

So far, the five persons on board are missing, however investigations continue by all means.

In the meantime, an inquiry committee has been set up by the Civil Aviation to carry out investigations into the causes of the accident.

[02] 9 year-old girl carried away by waves in Zakynthos

Her mother, aunt and uncle jumped into the sea to rescue her. Some time later, her mother and uncle were drawn up dead.

The aunt is in hospital at a critical condition, while the little girl is still missing.

[03] Adverse weather conditions in Greece

Due to the heavy rainfalls yesterday evening, streets and basements flooded in Corinth and Attica, trees fell and cars crashed, while the fire brigade received tens of calls for help.

In the meantime, it is snowing in Northern and Central Greece and the Pelloponese. Cars moving in Florina, Kastoria and the prefectures of Pella and Chalkidiki must bear non-skid chains.

Finally, due to the adverse weather conditions all ship departures from the ports of Pireaus and Rafina have been banned. The weather is expected to improve from the afternoon.

[04] Concern over depleted uranium weapons continues

A special army medical committee from the 19 NATO member- states is to meet in Brussels today, in order to exchange information on the possible health risks from the use of such weapons.

In the meantime, during an interview with ET-2 National Defence undersecretary Dimitris Apostolakis reiterated that all necessary measures had been taken for the protection of the Greek peace keeping force in Kosssovo.

The first results of the radiation measurements that were conducted by the National Nuclear Scientific team of Dimokritos Institute appear to be reassuring.

The measurements were conducted in the areas of Kosovo where Greek army bases are installed, and showed no signs of increased radiation.

The scientific team is expected to conclude its investigation in approximately two weeks.

From their side, the British and Spanish Defence ministers admitted yesterday that there is a limited danger from the use of depleted uranium ammunition, but insisted that their connection in relation with diseases had not been proved yet.

At the same time, the Belgian soldiers who began suffering of health problems sought recourse to justice, while the Swiss Defence ministry anounced that it would examine the possible repurcussions from the use of depleted uranium weapons in the country before thirty years.

In the meantime, the President of Yugoslavia, Voislav Kostunica, who is expected in Athens on Tuesday, for meetings with polical leaders, categorically described as absurd the assertion by NATO leaders that the use of depleted uranium was harmless.

Mr. Kostunica also underlined that Yugoslavia did not intend to join NATO after the bombings. From his side during an unveiling ceremony of a memorial dedicated to National Resistence at Nea Erythraia yesterday, the Speaker of the Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis stated that since the Soviet Union was not a threat to NATO anymore the there was no reason for the later to exist, adding that it only created problems like the one in our region.

Finally, the youth of the Coalition of the Left Wing and Progress party proceeded to a sit-in of the building hosting the Organisation for the Restructuring of the Balkans in Thessaloniki in protest to the use of depleted uranium weapons by NATO in Yugoslavia.

[05] Cypriot Defence minister to meet with his Greek counterpart

Other issues to be discussed will be Cyprus' contribution to the European Defence, as well as the information according to which the American tanks M-40 AND 8-A5 of the Turkish army stationed in the occupied areas of Cyprus, carry depleted uranium shells.

In the meantime, foreign political observers have described as provocation to the decisions taken in Nice an to Euro- Turkish relations Turkey's agreement to annex the occupied areas of Cyprus.

After his return from Ankara, where he signed a protocol for cooperation, the pseudostate's Prime minister Dervis Eroglou stated in occupied Cyprus that the two sides' relations would boost further.

[06] Pangalos accuses the government

Mr. Pangalos also accused the Prime minister of being ungrateful to him.

Mr. Pangalos has left open the possibility of running for the post of Secretary in the ruling party's Central Committee.

[07] Japanese Pm ends his visit to Greece

Mr. Mori met with the Prime minister Costas Simitis with whom he discussed bilateral and regional issues and was received by President Constantinos Stephanopoulos.

[08] 30 year-old Greek beaten by neo-Nazis in Munich

[09] Funeral of Costas Rigopoulos today

His funeral will take place at Panagitsa church in Phaliron at 3 am today.

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