The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papoulias-Molyviatis Meeting Briefing on Foreign Affairs

By

In the aftermath of the inaugural ceremony for the construction of the Greece-Turkey natural gas pipeline, Foreign Affairs Minister Petros Molyviatis briefed the President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias over the course of the countries national affairs. Exiting the Presidential Manson, Mr Molyviatis said that Greek PM Mr Karamanlis will visit Ankara before October 3, the day on which the EU-Turkey accession talks are scheduled for. Mr Molyviatis also mentioned that during the 45-minute meeting he briefed Mr Papoulias on the issues that dominate the foreign agenda. As per information, Greeces presidency in the UN Security Council and yesterday meeting between the PMs of Greece and Turkey prevailed the discussion between the two men. On his part, Mr Papoulias voiced his satisfaction for yesterday Greek-Turkish ceremony in Trace.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Deep Impact "Hammered" Tempel 1 Mission Accomplished

By Vagelis Theodorou

NASAs Deep Impact spacecraft successfully released its impactor which met its target comet Tempel 1. Scientist hope that this will soon help them reveal the mysteries veiling the creation of the solar system. NASA announced that the collision took place at 08:52 (Greek local time) 133 million kilometres off the Earths atmosphere. The spacecraft flyby, which ran at 37,000 km, created a 25m crater on the comet resulting in a mixture of ice, dust and gases escaping from the comets nucleus. "This verifies the collision," said a NASA official, while an outburst of cheers dominated the operation room in Pasadena. Shortly before the collision, Deep Impact spacecraft had been monitoring the comet, taking four photos per minute, allowing thus the precise determination of the target.

Solar System's Mysteries Come to Light

Scientists hope that the operation in question will shed light to the mysteries veiling the origins of the Sun and the Earth, since the comets nucleus contain ice and other particles which survived time and look like the particles of the primordial solar system.

As per scientists, the studies on the creation of the solar system that have been conducted to date have taken into account the comets surface and not their nucleus.

"Now we can have a completely novel understanding of our solar system," pointed out a NASA official and added that, "The success is beyond our expectations."

However, it will take months before NASA analysts examine the findings the collision.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Tempel 1 Gets Hammered!

Related Links:

Deep Impact

[03] As Per Preliminary Results Berisha Takes Lead

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: ANA - NET 105,8

The preliminary results released by the Central Returning Board give the lead to the Democratic Party. The counting of votes in regional polling stations show that Sali Berishas party enjoys a clear lead over his rival Fatos Nano, leader of the Socialistic Party, in the urban centres including Tirana, Dirachio, Skodra and even in the Socialists stronghold Avlona. However, the results cannot be viewed as indicative since according to the Committee less than 10% of the votes have been counted so far. Results were expected to by released last night at 10. However, shortly after midnight, the Central Election Commission chairman Ilirjan Celibashi announced that the vote counting had not started.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Undecided Battle with Low Turnout

[04] Mechanical Failure on Express Pigasos "Odyssey" on Samos

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: ANA - NET 105,8

A mechanical failure made the captain of Express Pigasos remain on Karlovasi port, Samos, on Sunday night. Due to reasons of safety, the ship did not sail to Mykonos, Syros and Piraeus port, where it was scheduled to arrive on Monday at 8am. On realising the failure, the captain instructed the 340 travellers to disembark. Shipping company Hellenic Seaways compensated the travellers and provided them with buses to Karlovasi. Around 23:30pm the travellers embarked on Dimitroula which arrived its destination, Piraeus port, at 12am. This was not the case, however, for nine travellers who will arrive their destination with another ship. It is noteworthy that another mechanical failure had been recorded on Express Pigasos on Friday. According to the shipping company the previous failure was due to water in its fuels.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] For the New Patriarch of Jerusalem Election Under Way

By Vagelis Theodorou

The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate is expected to draw up the list with the names of the candidates for the Patriarchs throne on July 20, which will then be notified to the Jordanian, Israeli and Palestinians authorities, so that the relevant procedures be launched. The Council authorised to propose the candidates for the Patriarchate throne is composed by members of the Holy Synod, senior clerics and 12 clergymen representing the congregation. The second phase of the election is to begin the moment Jordan returns the list with the candidates. The Suffragan will then set a day, and the Electorate Council, namely the Holy Synod, Jerusalems archimandrites and 12 clerics, will vote to narrow down the candidacies to three. The members of the Holy Synod will then enter the Church of Holy Sepulchre to secretly vote for the new Patriarch. Unless delays occur, the whole process is expected to have been completed by August 15.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] 17 Died Bombs Against Civilians in Afghanistan

By Vagelis Theodorou

US air raids against a Talibans military base in eastern Afghanistan cost the lives of 17 civilians on Friday. Asadullah Wafa, governor of Konar province, stated on Monday that women and children are among the dead whose exact number has not yet been known. On Saturday, US forces announced that they launched a bombing raid against a Taliban military camp as part of a search for missing US special forces servicemen and the chopper that was shot down on Tuesday killing 16 US soldiers.

Translated by Areti Christou

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