The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-03-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Palestinians accuse US of granting license to kill to Israelis

Palestinians accused the United States today of granting Israel a licence to kill by vetoing U.N. condemnation of its assassination of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

[02] Seven killed during raid near Tikrit

Four Iraqi paramilitaries and three armed suspects were killed today during a raid near Saddam Husseins hometown of Tikrit, the U.S. military said.

[03] Seven killed during raid near Tikrit

Four Iraqi paramilitaries and three armed suspects were killed today during a raid near Saddam Husseins hometown of Tikrit, the U.S. military said.

[04] Archaeological find on Chios

A section of an ancient statue was found on the island of Chios according to a statement issued by the culture ministry today. The statue of a young man - known as a «kouros» - was found with its head and legs missing below the knee, and is believed to more than 2,500-years-old. The finding was described by the ministry as a «unique discovery.

[05] Olympic preparations tabled

The Olympic preparations were tabled today during a meeting in Athens headed by alternate culture minister, Fani Pali Petralia. Immediately after the meeting the President of the IOC Coordinating Committee Dennis Oswald expressed the view that all projects would be prepared on time.

The assertion that Greece would be upgraded regarding flight safety prior to the games was given to deputy transport minister, Anastasios Neratzis by the US Civil Aviation Advisor.

During a meeting today between the ministers of public works and transport, Giorgos Souflias and Mihalis Liapis respectively, it was agreed that better coordination between the two ministries would be necessary concerning the tram, metro and suburban railroad.

[06] EU Summit focuses on terrorism, employment, development

European Union leaders pushed today to appoint a special coordinator for terrorism and to restart negotiations for the European Constitution. The EU text also underlines the need to refresh economic development rates and promote employment. Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis raised the issue of the EU Common Farm Policy reform, mainly on the Mediterranean products that interest the Greek farmers, in spite of the fact that the issue was not on the EU Summit meeting agenda. He stressed that the reform must take place under the same terms, which were in effect for the products of the northern states.

[07] Pasok pres.-Cyprus pres. telephone contact

Pasok president and former Foreign Minister, George Papandreou had telephone contact with Cypriot president Tasos Papadopoulos this afternoon. The Cypriot president briefed Mr. Papandreou on the latest developments taking place at the EU executive summit in Brussels and the negotiations in Lucerne Switzerland and asked Mr. Papandreou to utlize his contacts with European officials to secure strong participation by the European Committee in the Lucerne negotiations.

[08] Cyprus negotiations continue in Lucerne

The United Nations prepared for a weekend of gruelling negotiations at the Swiss Alpine resort of Buergenstock where the foreign ministers of Greece and Turkey were due to help their ethnic cousins end decades of conflict. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan was expected to arrive at the snowy hideaway over the weekend. The prime ministers of Greece and Turkey were also set to join the talks on Monday.

Preparing the ground for a possible deal, U.N. envoy Alvaro de Soto has prepared a raft of agreements he would want signed by the rival camps when the reunification talks end around March 31. EU leaders reaffirmed their preference for the accession of a united island and "reiterated (their) readiness to accommodate the terms of such a settlement in line with the principles on which the EU is founded".

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said he thought the inclusion of Cyprus in the text was a success and noted the importance of the EU taking such a clear position on the issue at this particular point in time. The Greek Pm also added however that additional effort would be necessary in order to achieve aspired goals that have been earmarked by the Greek side.

[09] EU leaders pledge to accommodate Cyprus deal

All eyes are in Brussels today as EU leaders pledged today to accommodate any peace settlement agreed on Cyprus before it joins the bloc in May and gave strong backing to U.N. diplomatic efforts to reunite the divided island.

In a draft statement to be issued at a summit, EU leaders said: "The European Council reaffirms its strong preference for the accession of a united Cyprus to the EU and reiterates its readiness to accommodate the terms of such a settlement in line with the principles on which the EU is founded."

At the same time, it was decided that EU Expansion Commissioner Gunther Ferhoigen would attend the final phase of the Cyprus negotiations taking place in Lucerne Switzerland.

[10] Weather Forecast

Showers are forecast in the west, centre and north, and in the eastern Aegean islands. Winds variable, moderate to gale force. Temperatures in Athens will range between 13-21 C and in Thessaloniki from 11C to 18C.

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