The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-03-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Central Dike Collapsed State of Emergency in Evros

By Anna Kourti

The situation in Evros is especially difficult and out of control since the water level of the Evros and Adras Rivers remains above the danger limit. In the village of Lavara the central dike collapsed and water flooded many houses. All the inhabitants are unharmed since the authorities had evacuated the village that is near Didimoticho. "The situation is very serious, however no civilians are in danger," stated Evros Prefect Theodoros Kougousoudis to NET Radio 105.8. Due to the snowfall, schools in Thessalonica, Imathia, Larisa, Fthiotida, Serres, Florina, Kozani, Pieria, Ioannina, Kavala, Kastoria, Kilkis, northern and western Chalkidiki, Thrace will be closed. In the Prefecture of Grevena the elementary schools will be closed as will the Thessalonica the Technological Educational Institutes (TEI).

Thessalonica Dressed in White

It has been snowing since this morning in Thessalonica. The problems are many from the heavy snowfall and frost and have been obstructing the traffic of vehicles and pedestrians. The traffic of vehicles in the road network of western Macedonia and the centre of Thessalonica is made with snow chain tires, while the road of Agios Vasilios-Chortiatis has been closed-off. Macedonia Airport in Thessalonica was shut down due to the snowfall. The aircrafts flights began at 7:30, when the tarmac and the landing strips were cleared.

The roads are very slippery and the drivers have to be especially careful, to drive slowly and carefully and to use snow chain tires in order to avoid the worst.

Municipality crews are trying to keep the road open, throwing salt, since this morning.

Problems in Fthiotida

Schools in the Prefecture of Fthiotida remain closed, due to the snowfall.

The transportation in the mountainous villages of western Fthiotida and Domokos has been stopped, while in the provincial network snow chain tires are necessary.

The transportation in the national network of Lamia-Thessalonica has been restored when a lorry truck turned over in the 217 km of the New National Highway Athens-Thessalonica, past Lamia. The platform of the lorry vertically blocked the road and obstructed the traffic for over an hour. A vehicle that was driving behind the lorry crashed into it, thankfully without anyone being hurt. Forces of the Police and the Fire Department picked up the lorry truck with a crane and restored traffic in the road network a while ago. Snow chain tires were needed in the road of Lamia-Domokos, Lamia-Amfissa and Lamia-Karpenisi.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Evros in Critical State Again

[02] Northern Greece Under White Siege Evros in Critical State Again

By Annita Paschalinou

State mechanism is in a state of increased alert for the situation in Evros. Authorities and inhabitants are watchful and prepared to act as water in Adras and Evros has exceeded once again the danger level. Farmers and stock farmers have been given instructions to remove cattle and machinery from the areas near the flooded torrents. At the same time, snow continues to fall in most areas of Northern Greece. Thessaloniki is also dressed in white but no serious problems have occurred. Following a decision of the Prefect, all schools will remain open in Thessaloniki, but this is not the case for Kastoria and Florina, where schools are expected to close due to the thick snowfall. All primary schools will remain closed in Grevena, while high schools in Grevena and Kozani will open one hour later than regular.

Increased Alertness

At the Pythio bridge the water level has reached 6.60 metres.

The danger level at the particular measuring point is 5.70 metres. At Petalo Feron water level has reached 6.05 metres while the security limit is at 6 metres. Regional services and Evros authorities are in a state of increased alert.

At the Turkish bank of Evros, more than 200,000 acres have flooded and embankments have broken in at least fourteen parts. The problem that has occurred was the focus of this morning's discussion between the Evros prefect and his counterparts from Turkey and Bulgaria.

Snowfalls in Macedonia

At the same time, snow continues to fall in Northern Greece. Snow chains are necessary only for vehicles traveling on the mountainous regional network of Grevena and Kastoria, as well as towards Vigla and Vitsi in Florina. Snow chains are also necessary for vehicles traveling from Kastoria to Florina and from Kastoria to Ioannina via Nestorio.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] POPE JOHN PAUL'S CURRICULUM VITAE

By Vagelis Theodorou

Name: JOHN PAUL II, HIS HOLINESS POPE (Karol Wojtyla)

His Holiness Pope John Paul II, n&#233; Karol J&#243;zef Wojty&#322;a (born May 18, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland), is the current Pope the Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church. He was elected on October 16, 1978, becoming the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the first pope of Slavic origin in the history of the Church.

Pope John Paul II has crusaded against unbridled capitalism and political oppression. He stands firmly against abortion and defends the Churchs traditional approach to human sexuality.

His more than 100 trips abroad have attracted enormous crowds (some of the largest ever assembled). With these trips, John Paul has covered a distance far greater than that traveled by all other popes combined. They have been seen as an outward sign of the efforts at global bridge-building between nations and between religions that have been central to his pontificate

Pope John Paul II has beatified and canonized far more persons than any previous pope. It is reported that as of October 2004, he has beatified 1,340 people. Whether he has canonized more saints than all his predecessors put together, as is sometimes claimed, is difficult to prove, as the records of many early canonizations are incomplete or missing.

On March 14, 2004, his pontificate overtook Leo XIIIs as the third-longest pontificate in the history of the Papacy (after Pius IX and St. Peter). In February 2010, if still reigning, he will overtake Pius IX as having the longest proven papal reign ever. The length of his term is in extreme contrast with that of his predecessor John Paul I, who died suddenly after only 33 days in office (and in whose memory John Paul II named himself).

TO LINK ΕΙΝΑΙ: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_II

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Meeting Under Theoklitos' Resignation Metropolitan Bishops Testify at Holy Synod

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET- NET RADIO 105.8

Today the Continous Holy Synod will discuss the accusations for Chios Metropolitan Bishop Dionisios, Zakinthos Chrisostomos and Peristeri Chrisostomos. The aim of the Holy Synod meeting is to quicken the process of catharsis in the Church and to close all pending cases of clergymen in the Ecclesiastical Courts. The accusations of Chios Metropolitan Bishop who allegedly owns a large bank account, Zakinthos Metropolitan Bishop who allegedly bought a piece of land at a ridiculous price from the Patmos Monastery and information that states that Peristeri Metropolitan Bishop forces clergy men to perform construction work. At the same time, the Holy Synod asks in writing from the suffragan of the Attica Metropolitan Cathedral to quicken the interrogations for the Giosakis case, which concern clergymen, while on March 8 and 9 vigils will be performed for the catharsis in the Church.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Revelations in Theoklitos' Testimony

Heavy Atmosphere

[05] Grandchild Wanted

By Vagelis Theodorou

A 64-year-old woman from China whose son is married for 11 years and is unwilling to give her a grandchild seems to be wondering "When will I become a grandmother?" In vain Liu Lan tried to persuade her son to become a father, and that resulted to a great argument. However she put her foot down and decided to make her wish a reality, through a newspaper advertisement! She placed her ad in a local newspaper, in which she seeks for a grandchild. As she says, she would like to adopt a three-member family with a little child. After six months and after they prove they are the right people, she will let them live with her and she will become the grandmother of the child. Up to now, a large number of families has replied to her ad while the 64-year-old states that she has enough money to pay for her grandchilds expenses.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Justice Bill Voted Parliament Says "Yes" to Catharsis

By Vagelis Theodorou

During the relative meeting of the Parliaments Plenary Session, the parties of ND, PASOK and SYN voted the transparency bill for the Justice system. The bill was not voted by KKE, which spoke of an attempt to terrorize judges. "The government is not willing to allow the commercialization of Justice and its depreciation in the citizens conscience," stated the Minister of Justice, Anastasis Papaligouras. After a proposal by PASOK MP, Evangelos Venizelos, next Tuesday the representatives of the Justice Unions will be called to express their views on the corruption issue to the Parliamentary Committee of Institutions and Transparency. SYN PM Nikos Konstantopoulos proposed the formation of a special investigation committee for vested interest and corruption in the Church, the Justice and other state services.

What the Bill Foresees

Among others, the bill plan foresees that bribery of a judge from a misdemeanor becomes a felony and a large penalty will be issued, apart from the imprisonment. Whoever is involved in a bribery case will also be charged with felony, while a means test of all judicial employees is being activated

Stricter penalties for the crimes of perjury, false complaints and false testimony are being established while the substitution of a judge that has been drawn as a member of the court in a specific case by another judge is ruled out, besides those who have been drawn as replacements.

Already from the bill discussion in the Parliament Committee in charge, ND, PASOK and SYN had stated that they will vote for the bill. PASOK MPs expressed their reservations to the Plenary Session over the effectiveness of the plan, SYN did not make any comments, while KKE expressed its defiance.

"Discounts are not made in transparency and issues for the counter of corruption," stated ND MP Lefteris Kosmidis, while PASOK MP Sokratis Kosmidis stated that the majority of the judicial employees serve in honesty and the prestige of Justice should be protected.

KKE opposed the bill and Liana Kanelli spoke of a hotheaded decision and a criminalization of the judicial body.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] At Least Six Dead and Twenty-Seven Injured Series of Explosions in Baghdad

By Vagelis Theodorou

Blood was sown today in Baghdad. A suicide attack occurred at the entrance of an Iraqi military base, near the old Mutana Airport, where civilians were waiting to join the security forces. According to Police sources the explosion resulted to the death of six people and 27 to be injured, 15 of which were members of the National Guard. The scene of the explosion has been closed-off. A few minutes later a second explosion occurred in the Iraqi capital. According to the Interior Ministry representative, Adnan Abdel Rahman the explosion occurred near a bridge, in the neighborhood of Jadriyah, and Police have rushed to the scene, while there have been no accounts of victims. Earlier gunmen shot judge Barawiz Mahmoud, who worked for human rights cases, and his brother, outside their residence.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] World Community Stands By Abbas Conference Filled with Hope

By Annita Paschalinou

The Palestinian negotiators with representatives of the international community agreed to move to practical steps for a viable and independent Palestinian state. In the Conference the Palestinians were asked to go forth with a series of reforms in the areas of security and secret services and from the Israelis to keep their commitments of the road map. Tony Blair, Condoleeza Rice and the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas evaluated a positive outcome of the Conference. The terrorist act which occurred in Tel Aviv last week was also condemned in the Conference. In the meantime, on Tuesday night, a powerful explosion shook Tel Aviv, which was later immediately disconnected from the prospect of a Palestinian attack.

Optimism Over Peace

The British PM appeared satisfied over the results of the Conference.

"Not only the Palestinian people but the international community in its whole will gain from the treaty," stated Tony Blair supporting that the basis for the creation of a viable and independent state was placed.

From his side, French Foreign Minister Michelle Barnier praised the efforts by Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas.

"Both are bold men that need each other," he said and made special reference to the stance of the President of the Palestinian Authority.

"We were impressed with Mahmoud Abbas, the stability of his views, his wisdom and will," he stated.

From her side, Condoleeza Rice evaluated that in the future glorious prospects of peace are opening up for Israelis and Palestinians.

In the Conference 23 Foreign Ministers attended, among them U.S. and Russia, UN Chief Xavier Solana, officers of six International Organisms and the new President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.

Israel did not attend the Conference, but stated that it will closely watch the developments.

Abbas in Brussels

Today the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas will arrive in Brussels to hold talks with the leadership of Belgium and the European Union. Mahmoud Abbas will hold consecutive meetings with Xavier Solana, the President of the European Parliament Josep Burel and President of the European Committee Jose Barroso.

He will also meet with Belgian Prime Minister, Guy Verhofstadt.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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