The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-02-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Israel kills Islamic Jihad commander in Gaza strike

An Israeli helicopter gunship slammed a missile into a car in Gaza City today, killing a top Islamic Jihad commander and a 12-year-old bystander and drawing vows of revenge by Palestinian militants. The attack on the vehicle carrying Aziz al-Shami coincided with the start of a military trial in Gaza of Palestinians accused of killing three Americans, and a Washington Post report of an impending mission by U.S. officials to discuss Israeli

plans to "disengage" from the Palestinians.

[02] Albanians try to storm PM's office, shots fired

Albanian opposition protesters demanding the prime ministers resignation tried to storm his office today and republican guardsmen blocking their way fired warning shots, witnesses said. Guardsmen and police in riot gear used gun butts and truncheons to repel the crowd protesting at Socialist Prime Minister Fatos Nanos policies that they say have made Albanians poorer. Protesters among a 2,000-strong crowd hurled chunks of paving stones and the wooden handles of placards at the building, breaking glass panes in the main gates.

[03] Security Summit in Munich

Approximately five to ten thousand demonstrators gathered in Munich today to rally against the 40th International Security Summit. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld launched a spirited justification of the Iraq war today, responding to Germanys insistence that the invasion was wrong and events had proved it right. But both sides took a conciliatory stance at a security conference in the German city of Munich, with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer opening the door -- albeit reluctantly -- for NATO to take a stabilisation role in Iraq. There was none of the open acrimony between the two men that electrified last years Munich conference, which came just weeks before the United States unleashed its campaign to topple Saddam Hussein. Fischer did not refer to Washingtons failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq since the conflict, but said Berlin now felt vindicated in its opposition to the war.

[04] Greek Cypriot President to visit Athens on Monday

Greek Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos arrives in Athens on Monday for contacts with the countrys political leadership prior to his departure for New York for crucial United Nations reunification talks that start on Tuesday. This morning, Cyprus National Council convened to reiterate the Greek sides intention to restart talks based on the plan by U.N. secretary general, Kofi Annan in order for a solution to the dispute to be reached by May 1st.

[05] Party leaders campaiging

Communist party general secretary, Aleka Papariga speaks to young generation voters this evening in Kesariani. Mrs. Papariga is expected to present her partys positions on employment and education.

Coalition party leader, Nikos Konstantopoulos is campaigning in Thrace today and tomorrow. From Evros today, Mr. Konstantopoulos called on citizens to vote for the Coalition party.

DIKKI leader, Dimitris Tsovolas is campaigning in Crete. During his speech in Heraklion Mr. Tsovolas criticized the two major political parties of inability to protect the working class due to their neo-liberal policies.

[06] Papandreou firm on program axes

Yesterday, during the first day of the Pasok congress, George Papandreou presented the six axes of Pasoks four-year program that include-- investment in human potential, with priority on employment and education, redistribution of income in favor of the economically weaker classes, extending the countrys productive ability, macroeconomic stability through a stable tax system, with new tax and developmental incentives. Mr. Papandreou underlined he is prepared to assume the great responsibility for the course of the new era placing citizens at the front line in the battle for a new Greece.

Mr. Papandreou stated that the basic principles in the new governance he backs are decentralization, transparency and a new morality in exercising power, adding that this will be a new era without social exclusions and xenophobia.

[07] K.Karamanlis addresses Greeks in Germany

Speaking to members of the Greek community in Dusseldorf Germany this afternoon, New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis expressed his partys commitment to implement mail-in votes for Hellenes Abroad and promised measures of support for Greeks living around the world. With respect to George Papandreous call for participatory democracy, Mr. Karamanlis guaranteed his party would provide a fundamental political change that will create a social alliance for the countrys future.

[08] ND, Pasok clash over program presentations

The governing party and New Democracy opposition party are embroiled in a new dispute over the ruling partys program concerning legislation over tourist residences. In an interview to Antenna television yesterday, New Democracy leader, Kostas Karamanlis maintained Pasoks program includes an amendment similar to that in the scandalous Pahtas case. Government spokesperson Christos Protopappas underlined from his end that the opposition leader attempted to conceal the problems that arose from his program.

[09] Weather Forecast

Cloudy throughout the country with light showers, mainly in the west. Winds southwesterly moderate to strong, very strong in the south. Temperatures in Athens will range between 8-20 C and in Thessaloniki 4-17 C.

[10] Weather Forecast

Cloudy throughout the country with light showers, mainly in the west. Winds southwesterly moderate to strong, very strong in the south. Temperatures in Athens will range between 8-20 C and in Thessaloniki 4-17 C.

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