The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-03-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karolos Papoulias' Inauguration Today With the Consent of all the Greeks

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET - NET 105.8

The festive plenary session of the Parliament for the inauguration of the new President of the Hellenic Republic commenced a little after 11am. At 11:40am, Karolos Papoulias left his home, on Asklipiou Street and headed for Parliament. A little before that, Archbishop Christodoulos had arrived in Parliament for the ceremony. The outgoing President of the Hellenic Republic, Kostis Stefanopoulos, left his home in Psychico a little after 9am, and headed for the Presidential Mansion. After two consecutive terms in office, Mr Stefanopoulos will today pass on the baton to Karolos Papoulias, the sixth President of the Hellenic Republic. On Friday, the political and state leaders visited the outgoing President at the Presidential Mansion and thanked him for carrying out his duties impeccably throughout his terms in office.

As soon as Karolos Papoulias arrived at the Parliament, men of the presidential guard paid homage to the new President, while the band played the Greek National Anthem. Karolos Papoulias was welcomed to Parliament by the Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis and the Speaker of the Parliament Anna Benaki-Psarouda. Then, they headed towards the plenary session hall, where the Deputy Speaker, Sotiris Chatzigakis, read the agenda concerning the inauguration of the President of the Hellenic Republic.

A little before the commencement of the swearing in ceremony, the SYN MPs departed from the hall, in silent protest against the Archbishop, who was present.

The Inauguration Protocol was signed shortly after, while Mr Papoulias personally greeted the Cabinet and the leaders of the Opposition parties.

Following the inauguration ceremony, the new President of the Hellenic Republic, along with the PM and the Speaker of the Parliament, departed for Mrs Benakis office, where they remained until all the ministers, MPs and members of diplomatic delegations take their places in front of the Monument of the Unknown Soldier.

Mr Papoulias then laid a wreath at the Monument and started making his way to the Presidential Mansion, accompanied by 24 motorcyclists of the Zeta Force. A little before arriving at the Mansion, the new President exited his car and walked down Iriodou Attikou Street, where he greeted people from Epirus, who were wearing their traditional costumes and were waiting outside the National Gardens.

Mr Papoulias then greeted Mr Stefanopoulos on the steps of the Presidential Mansion, while a band and men of the presidential guard paid homage. The two Presidents then stood at the entrance, while the band played the National Anthem. They then headed for the Presidents office, where both Mr Stefanopoulos and Mr Papoulias made speeches. The change of guard at the Presidential Mansion will be concluded with Kostis Stefanopoulos bidding farewell to Karolos Papoulias at the entrance of the Mansion.

It should be noted that traffic restrictions will apply in the streets surrounding the Parliament and the Presidential Mansion from 10am until the end of the inauguration ceremony.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Presidential Change

Related Links:

Hellenic Republic Presidency

Greek Parliament

[02] Measuring 5.7 on the Richter Scale New Quake in Eastern Turkey

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

A 5.7 on the Richter scale earthquake spread fear in eastern Turkey in the early hours of Saturday morning. There have been no reports yet on damages or injuries. The tremor took place 36 minutes after midnight in the eastern Bingol province, while the epicenter was located in the town Karliova. Following the earthquake, the people took to the streets and started gathering in open spaces. In May 2003, 176 people were killed by a 6.4 earthquake in the same area.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] One Person Injured Explosion at UN Mission in Kosovo

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

At least one person was injured by an explosion that was possibly caused by a hand grenade late on Friday night, close to a UN mission in Kosovo. As per a UN spokesperson, the target of the attack is not clear yet, while at the same time Minuk forces (part of the UN mission) and local police have blocked the centre of Pristina. It is worth noting that on Tuesday, Kosovos Albanian Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj resigned and was taken to prison as he was charged by the International Criminal Court in The Hague with108 counts of war crimes against Serbian citizens in Kosovo during the 1998-99 conflict.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] No Reports on Injuries or Damages 5.1 Earthquake in Hokkaido

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

A 5.1 on the Richter scale earthquake was recorded early on Saturday morning on Hokkaido Island, Japan, without however, causing any injuries or damages. The tremor took place at 03:47 (local time) and the epicenter was located 60km underwater in the area Koushiro, approximately 950km southwest of Tokyo. However, no tsunami warning was issued following the quake. It is worth noting that Japan is located on a sensitive seismic zone, with thousands of earthquakes recorded yearly.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Erdogan: Waiting for Greek Cypriot Steps

By Tina Valaoura

Mutual initiatives from the PMs of Greece and Cyprus to solve the Cyprus problem are expected by Tayyip Erdogan, according to his statement. The Turkish PM, who is currently in the Spanish capital for the Madrid Convention, stated in a Press Conference after his meeting with the Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan, that at this stage, it is the Greek Cypriot side that must answer to Mr Annan on the changes to the Annan Plan. "Turkey as a guarantor country has developed its positions. We want to see if Greece, also as a guarantor country, will clarify its positions," he said, and observed that the Greek side did not attempt to convince Greek Cypriot voters of the Plan.

Mr Erdogan expressed the UN Secretary Generals wish to see a solution before 3 October, the date to start accession negotiations between the EU and Turkey.

Asked on the Conformity Protocol with the EU, Mr Erdogan repeated that a signature does not equal recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

Translated by Millie Williams

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