The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-04-01

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Palestinian Authority Gives Ultimatum Reactions Over Eirinaios' Stance

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8- NET

According to NET Radio 105.8 information, the six Synodical Metropolitan Bishops who yesterday asked for Eirinaios resignation, decided to not attend the Holy Synod meeting of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, which is taking place today. The reason for their reactions was the acceptance of terms that were placed by the Jordanian government. As they claim the majority of the Holy Sepulcher Brotherhood accuses the Patriarch that everything he signed in Amman has opened the road to the Patriarchate being ruled by Arabs. They also accuse Mr Eirinaios, that in order to remain in the throne, he has given over all that his predecessors refused to. In the meantime, the Palestinian Authority has given the Patriarch a deadline, which ends tomorrow, in order to prove that real estate has not been sold.

Pressure by the Jordanians

The meeting of the Holy Synod of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, which is taking place at this time, has more of an informative character.

As it seems, Mr Eirinaios tried to attain a deadline in order to materialize the agreements in Amman until Easter time.

However, this will not be accepted by the Jordan, which is pressuring for the materialization of the agreements during the coming week.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Erinaios Declares He Holds Office for Life

[02] Pope's Last Hours

By Despina Hristopoulou

The last hours have proved to be more than critical for 84-year-old Pope John Paul, who, as per the Vatican, is close to death. According to his close friend, Polish Cardinal Andrzej Maria Deskur, "he is fading serenely." The Pontiff has suffered blood poisoning and heart failure. According to an emergency announcement of the Vatican spokesperson Joaquin Navarro-Valls "this morning the condition of the Holy Father is very serious. Following a urinary tract infection, septic shock and a cardio-circulatory collapse occurred." In the meantime, Italian media reported that Pope John Paul had fallen in a coma, an allegation the Vatican refuted as "rubbish." In fact, earlier the spokesperson said that despite his "very grave" condition, the Pope is still "conscious, lucid and tranquil" and has told his aides he doesnt want to return to hospital for treatment. What is more, Mr Navarro-Valls confirmed that the Pontiff has been given the "Holy Viaticum," communion reserved for those close to death. The Popes fragile health took a sharp turn for the worse on Thursday evening, as he developed a high fever caused by a urinary infection. A while ago, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Popes vicar as bishop of Rome, arrived at the Vatican, as he is assigned with the task of announcing the Popes death, when so occurs.

Waiting for the End

Since this morning, hundreds of followers have gathered in St Peters Square awaiting news over the condition of the Pope. Due to the increased number of people, St Peters Square has been closed off for the public. The teary-eyed followers began gathering last night, praying for a miracle. In the square in front of Castel St Angelo, across from the Vatican, television crews from around the world have gathered, while the main avenue that connects the castle with St Peters Square has been closed since 7:30. Cardinals from around the world have been urgently called in, although most of them were in the Vatican for Easter celebrations. Today, all of Italys political parties have decided to cancel all rallies programmed for the end of the pre-election campaign, in view of the regional elections on April 3- 4 as a sign of respect to the Pope.

The Pope is being monitored by a group of doctors in the Vaticans private apartments and is on life support.

According to "La Republica" newspaper, the Popes last wish is to not be taken to hospital and desires to die respectfully in the Vaticans apartments, while "Corriere della sera" newspaper underlines that a urinary tract infection has tragic effects on people suffering from Parkinsons Disease.

The Catholic Church has already started preparing followers for the death of the Pope calling on them "to pray for the Pope who is living his last moments."

In the case that the Pope dies, the funeral service will last nine days and the burial will take place between the fourth and the sixth day after his death, according to the clauses of the 1996 Apostolic Constitution, which clearly designate the processes after the Popes death for the funeral and the election of successor.

His death has to be officially confirmed by the Prelate that will take up the duties of Camerario and will be announced to the people by the Cardinal Vicar of Rome.

Following, the cardinals have to appoint the day, time and in which way the body will be taken to St Peters Basilica in order to placed for pilgrimage.

The burial will take place in St Peters, except if otherwise stated in the Popes will. According to some of Pope John Pauls countrymen, he had expressed the wish to be buried in his family grave in the town of Wadowice, near Cracovia. Pope John Paul II was head of the Roman Catholic Church for 26 years and with 1.1 billion followers.

The Popes successor will be elected by cardinals from around the world in the Conclave that will take place in the Sistine Chapel 15 to 20 days after the Popes death.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Because of Gales Ships Have Docked

By Despina Hristopoulou

Ships have docked at the ports of Piraeus and Rafina, because of stormy winds blowing in the seas. Therefore, routes to Central and Northeastern Aegean, the Cyclades, Crete and the Dodecanese have been cancelled.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Indonesia Will Never Be the Same Again

By Despina Hristopoulou

The sad death toll by the deadly earthquake in Indonesia is constantly increasing. As per Francois Desruisseauz, UN relief coordinator, the dead have exceeded 1,300, most of them in the city of Gunung Sitoli. Island Simeulue has suffered the most damages from the 8.7-magnitude quake that swept through islands Nias and Simeulue last Monday. In fact, in some areas the damages have reached 70-80%, while many villages have suffered even 100% destruction. Almost 40% of the people have abandoned their homes. However, the eartquake did not just cause death and destruction, it also altered the geographical landscape of these areas, as per scientific cycles and locals. Underwater coral reefs have surfaced and several shores were covered by water. According to Australian Bryan Williams, who owns a resort for yachtsmen in the area, Gusong beach on island Simeulue has sank at a depth of 30 metres. What is more, according to eye-witnesses at Alufu village, on island Nias the sea has gone in as far as 200m, thus revealing coral reefs in areas that people didn't even know existed.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] In Indonesia by Jemaah Islamiyah Fears Over Terrorist Attack

By Vicky Keleri

The Straits Times newspaper supports to have evidence pointing to a new terrorist attack in Indonesia, similar to the one against Bali in 2002. In particular, the newspaper reported to have possession of a letter written by a member of a terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah, in Sumatra, which says that terrorist groups are trained for suicide attacks in Jakarta. The letter in question was to be sent to the bomber of the group, Ajahari Hussin, who is wanted for three of the worst terrorist attacks in Indonesia. The context of the letter includes the names of 12 terrorists, aged from 20 to 27, who have declared they are ready to become martyrs and proceed with suicide attacks.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] Summer Opening Hours "Summertime" in Stores

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The spring collections that have decorated the storefronts have brought on spring, while the summer opening hours that started from today has also blown a summer breeze, as opposed to the wintry weather of the country. Thus, from Monday to Friday, stores will be open from 8:00 until 21:00, while on Saturday from 8:00 to 18:00.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Aircraft Crashed in Albania

By Despina Hristopoulou

A US military aircraft with nine military officers on board crashed on Thursday night in Gramsi, 150km south of Tirana. Albanian rescue crews have already recovered the bodies of four passengers. The aircraft, C-14 type, crashed on a mountain, in an uninhabited area, while flying at a very low altitude. According to the Albanian Minister of Transport, Spartak Poci, the area is hardly accessible and snowy, a fact which has rendered rescue crews' work very difficult. The accident occurred on Thursday, around 21.00 Greek time. Residents of nearby areas reported they heard a loud blast and saw flames. The plane was in Albania as part of military exercises and had lifted off a while earlier from the military aiport of Kucova.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article