The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-10-09

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

CONTENTS

9/10/2001 2:23:00 μμ

Weather forecast Developments after U.S led attacks on Afganistan Strict security measures in Greece- no reason for panic Greek Foreign Minister to begin a tour of the Arab world Greece - economy

[01] Weather forecast

[02] Developments after U.S led attacks on Afganistan

Strong explosions shook Kabul. Eye witnesses said a missile fired in the latest attacks on Kabul struck a U.N funded Afgan demining office, kiling four people and wounding one.

The American Pentagon announced that 20 bombers took part in the strikes and cruise missiles were fired from ships and submarines. In the meantime food drops for Afgan civilians followed up raids.

A spokesman of the Northern Alliance said that air strikes are launched on the city Mazar-e Shariff while the Taliban air-force commander and one taliban general were killed during yesterday's strikes.

The U.N Security Council members states all expressed solidarity with the U.S led military operations in Afganistan.

Earlier, the U.S in a letter to the U.N Security Council raised the prospect of targets for military actions outside Afganistan. In the letter the American administration warned that it may have to launch military strikes against other nations and groups besides Afganistan and bin Landen's Al Qeada network.

On the contrary, British Foreign Minister Jack Straw insisted that the current action was limited to targets in Afganistan. NATO and the EU expressed full support to American military operations in Afganistan. On its part Russia stated that it was willing to convey all its information on terrorist networks and their financing in western countries

Some members of the Bush administration are worried India might take steps that could provoke conflict with Pakistan while the world is focused on the U.S anti-terror campaign in Afganistan. Officials said this was among the reasons for U.S Secretary of State Colin Powell's trip to India and Pakistan later this week.

North Corea said today, the world was facing a war after the U.S. led retaliatory strikes on Afganistan and vowed vigilance against what it called Washington's hostile policy toward Pyongyang. The North Corean Foreign Minister said that North Corea opposed terrorism but armed forces should not be used to aggravate regional stability and kill civilians.

NATO Secretary General, George Robertson said yesterday that Canada and other NATO member countries might need to fill the gap in some regions of the globe, created by the U.S concentration on military operations on Afganistan.

In the U.S and many other countries, security was tightened amid concerns of reprisals by Islamic militants after bin Landens threats to adopt the Mulas position to declare a holy war.

In the U.S two F-16 Military jets escorted a commercial jetliner with 162 passengers on board to a safe landing in Chicago after passengers helped the crew subdue a mentally ill man. He had forced his way into the cockpit, setting off a scare that another September 11-style hijaking might be in the offing.

At least two Palestinians were killed and 70 wounded in the Gaza Strip in clashes with Palestinian police during demonstrations in support of bin Landen. The Palestinian authority said that it would investigate events. One person was killed in demonstrations in Pakistan.

In Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, police fired warning shots, teargas and water cannon to disperse hundreds of anti-American, Muslim protesters outside the American embassy in Jakarta. Newspapers in Asia gave a cautious reception to the U.S -led attacks on Afganistan and called for a diplomatic solution which would not only eradicate terrorism but also address age-old conflicts in the Arab world.

The FBI has begun investigations after the detection of second victim who tested positive for the anthrax disease. U.S Attorney General said he was concerned but did not know if the anthrax cases were linked to last months attacks on America. Experts believe that tis rare disease is a possible element of a biological war.

Key Asian bourses skiped ahead today on relief at Wall Street's relative resilience in the face of U.S led raids. Oil prices edged lower as traders took the view that the attacks would not disrupt supplies.

[03] Strict security measures in Greece- no reason for panic

Transport minister Christos Verelis issued orders forbidding all flights by small private aircraft until further notice, while airports are on alert and passenger checks are exhaustive.

Security has also been stepped up around possible NATO, US and western targets in the country, including US and NATO military bases on Crete, Aktion and in Larisa.

However, Prime-minister Simitis stressed that the tightening of security measures did not justify a feeling of panic.

Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos clarified that so far the US has not requested Greece's military participation in the U.S led strikes on Afganistan apart from the activation of the newly acquired AWACS airborne warning and control system platforms and their crews.

[04] Greek Foreign Minister to begin a tour of the Arab world

The President of the ND party, Kostas Karamnlis expressed the full solidarity of his party for the combat of terrorism also advising for coolness and responsibility.

Left wing organisations stage a new anti war demonstration in central Athens today.

[05] Greece - economy

Greece's annual inflation rate, measured by the consumer price index, fell to 3.6 percent in September from 3.8 percent the previous month, the National Statistics Service said on Monday. Inflationary pressures are expected to drop in the next months, however it is difficult to predict that average annual inflation rate will drop to 3,2%.

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