The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-03-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Madrid bombings kills 190, Spain blames ETA

Simultaneous bomb blasts ripped through four packed commuter trains in Madrid today, killing at least 190 people and injuring 1,247, in Europe's bloodiest attack for more than 15 years. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the 10 rush-hour blasts, just three days before Spain votes in a general election, but Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar's centre-right government blamed the Basque separatist group, ETA.

[02] Pasok to review election results and implement party reforms

Main opposition Pasok leader George Papandreou met today with the socialist partys secretary, Michalis Chrysohoidis, as well as with parliamentary deputies Mimis Androulakis and Maria Damanaki. Tomorrow the partys executive office is scheduled to meet, in order to review the results of last Sundays general election. After the meeting, Chrysohoidis said their aim was to organize an opposition that will work for the benefit of the Greek people, and to create a Pasok for the new era.

[03] Negotiations in Athens on the Cyprus issue

Negotiations on the Cyprus issue are presently taking place in Athens, in view of the visit by Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos on the weekend. The United Nations envoy for Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto arrived in the Greek capital today and met with Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis. Both men described their meeting as extremely constructive. The Foreign Minister announced that next week talks between Greece and Turkey on security issues will begin.

[04] New government focuses on Olympic preparations and security

Security and preparations for the Athens Olympics is one of the top priorities of the new government, sworn in yesterday. At present, a meeting is underway, chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and attended by the president of the Athens 2004 Organising Committee, Yanna Angelopoulou, as well as the ministers of Public Works and Public Order, and the deputy Culture minister.

[05] Greece sends condolences, condemns Madrid attacks

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis, and main opposition Pasok leader George Papandreou all sent their condolences to the Spanish government and the families of the victims, and strongly condemned todays bomb attacks. The head of the Greek church Archbishop Christodoulos also sent a telegram of condolence to the Spanish prime minister.

[06] Greece steps up rail security after Madrid attacks

Following the massive bomb attacks in Madrid, which killed over 190 and injured more than 1,200, the Greek embassy in the Spanish capital is in constant contact with the local authorities, in order to ascertain if any Greek nationals were among the victims.

Meanwhile, the Transport and Public Works Ministry announced today that it was immediately stepping up security on all rail and subway systems, and successive meetings are taking place to discuss increased security measures in view of the upcoming Olympic Games in Athens in August.

[07] Weather forecast

A rainy and cold day is forecast, with occasional storms in the western and southern parts of the country.Temperatures in Athens will range from 7 to 13 degrees centigrade, and in Thessaloniki from 4 to 9 degrees.

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