The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-05-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Will Participate in the EU Council Summit Meeting Kostas Karamanlis in Warsaw

By Athina Saloustrou

Today, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is departing for Warsaw in order to participate in the 3rd European Council Summit Meeting. There, he will have the opportunity to exchange views on a series of European and regional issues in meetings with the President of the Ukraine Viktor Yuschenko, and Prime Ministers of Slovenia and Portugal, Janez Drnovsek and Jos&#233; S&#243;crates. In the meantime, on Friday May 20, a meeting with U.S. President George W Bush has been planned at the White House. This is the second meeting with the U.S. President that will take place in 2005. It is described as a "meeting of affairs " and issues of Greek and international interest, such as the Cypriot issue, Greek-EU-Turkish relations and the situation in Iraq and Kossovo will be at the focus.

Strict Security Measures in Polish Capital

The two-day proceedings of the Summit Meeting in Poland begin tomorrow and will take place at the Royal Castle in Warsaw.

Mr Karamanlis, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister, Giannis Valinakis, Greek representative to the EU Council, Konstantinos Gerokostopoulos and other diplomats, will speak at the EU Council Plenary Session with the conversation topic of "Challenges for the European Society."

In the meantime, the Polish capital has been in a state of alarm due to the strict security measures taken, awaiting the arrival of the delegations of 46 EU Council member states. The two previous Summit Meetings took place in 1993 in Vienna and 1997 in Strasburg.

Polands will to host the Summit Meeting was strong during its Presidency in the EU Council, which ends the first semester of 2005. And this, regardless of reactions that state that the Summit Meeting should take place when the EU had settled with the protection of the EU Constitution. Regardless of the fact that the EU and European Council are two independent organizations, however with the proceedings of the expansion of the EU, the majority of the European Council countries belong to the EU, a fact that involves a relative dependence.

The 3rd Summit Meeting coincides with the 60-year celebration from the liberation of Europe from the Nazis. The Polish do not want the fact that May 1945 was the start of a different era, than the one experienced by the countries of Western Europe, to be forgotten.

Thus, in the centre avenue of the town, Belwederska, a few meters away from the vast area the Russian Embassy takes up, the music from the speakers gives the tone for the photographic exhibition along the side street and attracts the passerbys.

The photographs are portraits of Polish fighters that lost their lives from the Soviets when after the liberation of Europe, Poland was passed on to Soviet rule. The document that accompanies the exhibition states among others: "If May 1945 gave some European countries the joy and the peoples elation for freedom, for Poland it was the start of a dark era."

PMs Agenda

The duration of the meeting between Karamanlis and Bush has been programmed to last 30 minutes, and according to sources the U.S. President will ask from the Greek PM to exercise his influence in order for the Cypriot issue to commence proceedings for a resolution.

Mr Bush is expected to make a commitment in order for the pending issue of the FYROM name to receive a common and acceptable resolution. Kostas Karamanlis will brief the U.S. President over the situation in Kossovo, as it emerges from the census that the Greek delegation had taken in its recent visit in the area.

The preparation of the agenda of issues that will be discussed in view of the PMs visit in Washington and Boston concerns the new prospects and capabilities for investments in Greece and the wider region of the Balkans, which will take place during the meetings that the Prime Minister will hold with American and Greek-American entrepreneurs.

Kostas Karamanlis will be proclaimed honorary Doctor of Tufts University, from which he had graduated and where there is a Konstantinos Karamanlis chair honoris causa.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] Remembrance Celebrations President Attends "Chios Massacre" Day

By Athina Saloustrou

President of the Republic, Karolos Papoulias from Chios, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Chios Massacre stated the need for the reinforcement of the region and its convergence with the centre. This is the second time in 183 years since Chios Holocaust that a President of the Republic attends the remembrance celebrations, a fact which was also stated by the people of Chios who warmly welcomed Karolos Papoulias. For the 40,000 islanders that were massacred a memorial service took place in the Agia Marina Melanous Church and in the Victims Monument, where the President of the Republic placed a wreath. President Papoulias, a history lover, was aware that the island had been destroyed and reborn many times. Thus, when establishing the history and culture of modern Chios, he did not miss the opportunity to state the need for the reinforcement of the region. The President was proclaimed a citizen of the town of Amanis and received gifts, while students even performed dances from his home country of Ipiros.

Warm Welcome

"The bridging of an unfair gap should constitute a main aim and a priority for all of us. The capabilities of the region are many. We should take advantage of that and understand that a divided Greece does not deserve a place in Greek society," stated Mr Papoulias.

The President of the Republic attended the celebrations for the anniversary of the massacre and placed a wreath in the Holocaust Monument in the area of Melanios, north of the island, where on April 1822 around 10,000 people were massacred. At that era, more than 42,000 people were exterminated.

Mr Papoulias was warmly welcomed by the local archons and the inhabitants of the island, while he was proclaimed an honorary Amanis citizen. He promised to become a helpmate in the efforts for the further development of the island and to return to Chios soon.

Except for the President of the Republic, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Alexandros Kontos also attended the remembrance celebrations.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Execution Victims Mass Graves in Iraq

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters

The bodies of 34 people, including some decapitated corpses, were discovered on Sunday by the Iraqi authorities, in three different locations. In a Baghdad rubbish dump, the authorities found the bodies of 13 people who had been shot in the head. According to a police officer, most of them were bearded men. In Ramadi, the authorities discovered the bodies of 10 Iraqi soldiers, while in Iskanariya, they discovered 11 bodies, four of which had been decapitated.

Translated by Millie Williams

[04] Ecofin Meeting in Luxemburg Concern for the Economy

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET 105.8

In a joint statement, the 25 Ministers for the Economy of the European Union express their deep concern at the progress of the European Economy. After the end of Ecofin, on Saturday in Luxemburg, President Jean Claude Juncker stated that a major cause of concern is the high price of oil, in combination with the faint economic growth of most European countries. On the agenda of the conference of Economy Ministers was the question of the IV Community Support Framework for 2007-2013. Powerful countries want 1% of the EU GDP to be made available, while all the rest, including Greece, are asking for 1.24%. Greece is expected to receive between 15 and 22 billion euros from the IV CSF.

Translated by Millie Williams

[05] Title Fiesta at Karaiskakis

By Stathis Petropoulos

Olympiacos, without stressing and exaggerating much, received the win against Panionios 3-0, in a packed Karaiskakis Stadium that waited until the end of the game to celebrate the tie in the derby. The time difference kept thousands of "red" fans at their seats, and when 0-0 was concluded from several hand-held radios the pitch filled with people celebrating the pioneering of the team! As far as the game is concerned, it turned into a routine procedure although it wasnt so. The "reds," just as in every game in their home turf, during the last round of matches, chased a quick goal from the beginning, but did not score. The positive side of todays match was that the team was not as stressed out as in previous games.

Patience and Success

The first minutes of the game found the home team in a constant attack but also very nervous! The opportunities that reached Strakoshas area, an easy task, were wrong and even when that didnt happen, the Albanian goalkeeper stopped their attempts as did their luck. Olympiacos supremacy was granted, but the first good moments in the first half came after 30 minutes. In the 33 Kafes kicked the ball that Strakosha blocked and four minutes later Georgatos kicked a centre shot, but Okkas kick was immediately blocked by the Albanian goalkeeper. The peak of the opportunities was Rivaldos goalpost kick into a foul in the 41, however the "reds" at that time did not particularly worry.

An Easy Stroll

In the second half, Castillos entrance changed the given facts and made Olympiacos more offensive in a correct way. Two minutes after his entrance, Okkas made a great effort in Panionios goal area and passed all of his opponents, passed on to Kafes who scored with an exceptional kick. Kafes presence after his injuring showed the return of the good centre play of Olympiacos and this was something that showed in Karaiskakis tonight. The good combination of the two players cleaned up the match, since ten minutes later and after 1-0, Kafes passed the ball and Okkas with a close kick scored 2-0. The final score of 3-0 was made by Castillo in the 71, after a foul kick by Djordjevic and a nice effort by Rivaldo. Until the end of the game Olympiacos lost another great opportunity with Rivaldo and Okkas.

Referee: Tsikinis Yellow cards: Galanopoulos, Vlcek, Mantzios, Exouzidis

Olympiacos (Dusan Bajevic): Nikopolidis, Mavrogenidis (54 Castillo), Anatolakis, Kostoulas, Pantos, Djordjevic, Kafes, Georgatos, Taralidis, Okkas (86 Filippakos), Rivaldo (77 Giovanni). Panionios (Dimitris Barbalias): Strakosha, Vlcek, Zimonjic, Makos, Domoraud, Smiljanic, Exouzidis, Breska, Tziolis (64 Goundoulakis), Galanopoulos, Nalitzis (53 Mantzios).

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Remained at 0-0

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

In a game that the good defense of the two teams had the lead role, Panathinaikos and AEK received a 0-0 tie. The two rivals tried to keep a zero in the defense, which was accomplished to the fullest, and at the same time lost two valuable points a round before the end of the Championship. Now, Panathinaikos wants a win against OFI and a defeat of Olympiacos by Iraklis, in order to receive the Championship, which after its win against Panionios is the favorite for the title. On the other hand, AEK will not participate in Champions League, except if a miracle occurs, and Panathinaikos loses in Crete and Olympiacos in Thessalonica in the last round.

Opportunities and Cries

The start of the derby found AEK powerfully entering the game and threatening the goal area of the home team with Vladan Ivic in the 2, but his kick was blocked by Galinovic.

In the 11 AEK lost a new opportunity to score when Soares, on his own at the back of the Panathinaikos defense, tried to pass Galinovic, but the latter managed to kick the ball away, saving his team from a sure shot.

From the 20 onwards the "greens" took control of the centre and pressured the guests, while missing two good opportunities with Konstantinou in the 22 and Papadopoulos in the 30.

The great opportunity of the game was lost in the 38. Michalis Konstantinou after a nice effort passed the ball from the side but it hit the horizontal and the right goalpost of Chiotis, ending at the arms of AEKs goalkeeper.

In the second half, AEK once again entered the pitch powerfully and in two cases nearly violated Galinovic nets; in the 55 with Katsouranis and in the 57 with Lymberopoulos.

The home team answered in the 62, but Gonzalez kick out of the goal area, found AEKs goalkeeper falling on its left corner and kicking the ball into a corner. Two minutes later, after a foul by Basinas, Konstantinou caught the header but the ball passed by the right goalpost of Chiotis.

AEK threatened once again in the 68 but Galinovic, with difficulty, threw Katsouranis strong kick, outside of the goal area of Panathinaikos, into a corner. The "greens" had four good opportunities from the 70 to the 85, but were not substantial.

Four minutes before the completion of the 90 minutes, a strong kick by Katsouranis outside of the goal area resulted to the ball passing by the left goalpost of Galinovic, while the greatest opportunity for the "greens" in the second half and specifically in the 88, a strong kick by Olisadebe, outside from AEKs goal area failed, when Chiotis fantastically fell in its left corner and turned the ball into a corner.

The greatest phase took place in the end of the game when Bourbos passed Morris, AEKs player was fouled by the Panathinaikos defender but Kiros Vassaras did not give the penalty that would have changed the given facts.

Thus 0-0 remained and resulted to Panathinaikos falling to second place of the standings, giving the lead to Olympiacos for acquiring the title.

Referee: Vassaras Yellow cards: Soares, Kotsios, Gonzalez, Kontis

Panathinaikos (Alberto Malezani): Galinovic, Vyntra (74 Gekas), Kotsios, Morris, Munch, Goumas, Basinas, Gonzalez, Wooter (61 Charalabidis), Papadopoulos (64 Olisadebe), Konstantinou. AEK (Fernando Santos): Chiotis, Malbasa, Alvez, Soares (86 Petkov), Ivic (78 Bourbos), Moras, Katsouranis, Kontis, Lymberopoulos, Asunsao, Julio Cesar.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] A Satisfactory 0-0

By Stathis Petropoulos

Ionikos with its win against AEK last week needed only one point today against OFI, but the Cretans with Aris committing suicide in the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium, did not want something more substantial. Therefore the score of 0-0 in Nikaia came naturally and without any surprise. The two teams wanted to keep their goalposts in tact, while they secretly knew that the opponent would do everything it could to violate its nets, keeping in mind that the team also had the same aim! Thus, the good moments of the game were few, with the home team taking pride that it was more active near the goal area of Sifakis.

Ionikos: Simitras, Ofridopoulos, Voureksakis, Gutman, Lettieri, Gavrilopoulos, Rokas, Issa, Ucar, Natsouras, Coimbra. OFI: Sifakis, Kolitsidakis, Kounenakis, Arvanitis, Pitsos, Koutsoures, Davidson, Hadjidrian, Tomach, Machlas, Kazantzis.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Signed and Sealed by Luciano

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

In a mediocre game, Xanthi received the three points of the win dominating Kallithea 1-0. The goal of the winners was scored by the permanent scorer of the team, Luciano who was applauded by the fans of Xanthi. In the seats of the stadium was Tbilisis coach and great player of French football Alain Giresse that watched Maghradze play.

Xanthi had the initiatives of movement during the game, but the tight defense of Kallithea did not leave any limits in its area. Xanthi, even though points-wise is in an indifferent phase, since it has ensured its participation in the UEFA Cup, performance-wise it chases a win in all of its games in order to finish in the fourth position, which will be the highest in its history.

This was achieved thanks to the goal by Luciano in the 62. The Brazilian sent the ball in the nets and scored his 16th goal this season, proving that he is in excellent shape and a leading figure in this years small miracle of Giannis Mantzourakis team.

Referee: Stiliaras (Aitoloakarnania)

Xanthi: Pizanofski, Zapropoulos, Maghradze, Paviot, Sikov, Torosidis, Kordonouris, Baykara, Karabas, Melissas, Prittas, Kazakis. Kallithea: Bartzokas, Georgiev, Vokolos, Aggelopoulos, Karatzas, Koulakiotis, Tzorbatzakis, Petkovic, Savidis, Alexandris, Koutsospiros.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Iraklis Vs. Aris Cancelled

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Today the fans of the team signed Aris relegation to B Division. The "yellow and black" fans, with their improper and outrageous behavior, before and during the game, lead to its cancellation, and while Iraklis was leading the score 1-2 (27 Ioannou, 32 Fortuzi-41Koumeaha). The match was marked by the injuring of two of Iraklis players by fans in the stadium, after Aris scored, and the game was cancelled after 1 1/2 hours of discussions, while its future will be decided at the offices of the Sports Judge. Even though the referee of the match Mr Briakos had written in the games description that the cancellation of the game was caused by the home teams fans, the game will be given to Iraklis and three points will be deducted from Aris. In such a case, Aris will bid farewell to A Division, due to the brainless behavior of some of its fans. We should also note that Aris fans, for the first time this year, created clashes during a game.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] European Victory for Egaleo

By Stathis Petropoulos

Egaleo acquired a win that under certain conditions can be translated into a European context. Ilie Dumitrescus team, in the game of the 29th day, dominated 2-1 against Chalkidona and remained in the 6th place of the standings, regardless of the final development in the game of Iraklis. The home team took the lead from the beginning. Specifically, in the 6, Agritis was fouled in the goal area and the referee whistled the penalty, which Barkoglou executed and scored for Egaleo. In the added time, the home team reached the tie goal, when after a corner by Pappas, Korakakis with a header sent the ball in Sedibes nets, scoring the first halfs 1-1. Egaleo managed to receive the three points of the win with a goal at the second half, when Barkoglou passed on to Nikolopoulos who with a kick violated Andriolas nets for the second time.

Referee: Kouklakis Yellow cards: Aggos, Chalaris

Egaleo (Ilie Dumitrescu): Sedibe, Papoutsis, Alexopoulos, Educei, Manousakis, Psomas, Agritis, Fotakis, Tsatsos, Barkoglou, Nikolopoulos. Chalkidona (Giorgos Paraschos): Andriolas, Koutsokostas, Korbos, Pappas, Koutsis, Katemis, Sotirchos, Zacharopoulos, Korakakis, Chalaris.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Salvation for Kalamaria

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Apollon Kalamaria will remain in the A Division and it defeated PAOK 2-1. Even though Apollon was behind in the score early on (6 Mieciel), it managed to overturn the situation and with two goals by Cleyton in two minutes (68, 69) acquired the win. In combination with the final recess of Aris vs. Iraklis, and the expected punishment of the "yellows," Kalamaria will head down to Athens in the final round of the Championships to play against AEK in OAKA Stadium without worrying about the result.

The Great Overturn

PAOK started the game ideally and in the first opportunity scored. It was in the 6 of the game, when Theodoridis with a nice kick found Mieciel at the back of the defense of the home team and the latter sent the ball in Zafeiropoulos nets.

Kalamaria, that wanted the win in order to hope to stay in the A Division, chased a goal and lost two good opportunities in the first half to tie. The first was in the 8, when Vella Junior was in a good position but did not manage to score, and the second in the 13 when Cleyton caught a good shot but the ball fell onto the players of PAOK and ended in the arms of Fernandes.

In the second half, Kalamaria transformed and showed its intentions early on, which were to receive the three points of a win.

The home team put the pressure on but the result was two goals and turned the situation against it.

The beginning was made in the 68 when Cleyton, on his own in PAOKs goal area, with a close shot scored 1-1. A minute later the same player with a strong shot sent the ball in PAOKs nets, scoring 2-1 for the home team.

Referee: Dabosis (Pieria)

Kalamaria: Zafeiropoulos, Nikolopoulos, Fitanidis, Papadopoulos, Cleyton, Wellington, Spiropoulos, Iliadis, Petkakis, Haxhi, Vella Junior PAOK: Fernandes, Koutsopoulos, Egomitis, Karipidis, Udeze, Vaggelis, Theodoridis, Megahead, Fucini, Mieciel, Christodoulopoulos.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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