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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-08

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

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

CONTENTS

  • [01] Chase for Terror in London
  • [02] Italians Leave Iraq
  • [03] New Working-Hour Scheme to Parliament
  • [04] Meetings at Maximos Mansion
  • [05] Investigation Still in Progress
  • [06] Two Supermarkets Counterattack
  • [07] Minor Impact on Economy
  • [08] Softball and Baseball Out of Games
  • [09] Panathinaikos Model Proposed

  • [01] Three Underground Stations Evacuated This Morning Chase for Terror in London

    08 Jul 2005 12:33:00 (Last updated: 08 Jul 2005 18:50:14)

    By Vicky Keleri

    Twenty-four hours after the terrorist acts that resulted in death and horror, the residents of the city are trying to return to their regular pace of life, while the police have started a manhunt for the arrest of the perpetrators. The authorities speak officially of 50 fatalities, while the Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair announced that the police forces have not yet managed to reach one of the underground compartments for security reasons. He also announced that there are no alive people trapped in the Underground. The injured exceed the 500. Dozens are still being hospitalised with 22 of them being in a critical condition. At a Press Conference given at midday, Ian Blair said there is no evidence suggesting that suicide bombers were involved in yesterdays attacks but that this cannot be ruled out and he added that the attacks had all hallmarks of an al-Qaeda-related attack. At midday, it was announced that the driver of the fatal bus, a Greek living in the UK and a key witness, is alive and being guarded. His testimony is expected to shed light on the attack. The condition of the Greek-Cypriot woman is still viewed as critical, while the 53-year-old University Professor, who is also of Greek-Cypriot descend, has lost his leg and he may lose the other as well.

    The Attacks Came Out of the Blue

    Attacks in London bear all hallmarks of an al-Qaeda-related attack, but there is a highly complicated and long-lasting investigations ahead of us and there is no evidence in my notice, Ian Blair said to the reporters. He also underlined the police determination to track down those accountable for the massacre.

    Furthermore, he did not rule out the possibility that Britain hosts an terrorist group still active. At the same time, he stated that the tragedy united the British people and he voiced his admiration for the Londoners.

    Ian Blair said, There is nothing to suggest any signs of weaknesses on the part of the British Intelligence, and he fell in line with Home Secretary Charles Clarke who said, These attacks came out of the blue.

    As for the explosives, he made it clear that they must have been planted under a seat in the compartments of the Underground, and under a bus seat.

    Regarding the death toll, he noted that it is difficult to be determined, since rescue teams cannot access two of the blast sites between Kings Cross station and Russel Square due to the unsafe tunnel. He finally dismissed speculations that raise the death toll to 100.

    Assistant Police Commissioner Andy Hayman asked everyone remain calm and he pointed out that an operation in the tunnel could risk the lives of the rescue team members. Speaking on BBC radio, Home Secretary Charles Clarke said that all possibilities, including that of a suicide attack, are under investigation.

    British newspapers host statements by those on the bus, which speak of a tall, young passenger who was nervous and he kept bending towards his bag.

    Should the suicide attack speculation proves right, it was the first to be recorded in Europe.

    In a State of Alarm

    In the meantime, there are strong fears over new terrorist attacks in the British capital, while in the morning three central Underground stations were evacuated after reports of suspicious packages.

    Today the London Underground, which is used daily by 3 million people, lost its busy character, since many Londoners chose to stay in their homes after yesterdays incidents. The remainder of the Public Means of Transport operated as normal.

    In the meantime, Minister for the Interior Charles Clark stated that the authorities are investigating if yesterdays attack was made by Al Qaeda and if the announcement of the previously unknown organizations Jihad in Europe which was released on an Islamic website is real.

    In Spain, flags in all monuments and government buildings will be flying half-mast until Saturday midnight as a token of solidarity to the British people. Today, the Jihad on Arab Peninsula organisation, which is allegedly associated with Al-Qaeda, praised the bombing attacks in London and threatened to attack Rome due to its support to the USA.

    Greece is Safe

    Speaking on NET radio 105.8, Public Order Deputy Minister Christos Markogiannakis said, Greece is not a target, and he underlined that nothing has changed in Athens. Possible targets are still under constant scrutiny. Besides, we proved that the Olympic Games were safe. I firmly believe that there is no reason to be anxious. Police is reliable, and there is not an emergency state.

    All necessary measures have been take, and our country is safe, maintained the government deputy spokesperson Evagelos Antonaros, and he stressed that the measures are sufficient enough to guarantee the citizens and tourists safety.

    Greece is a safe tourist destination and it is not to be influenced by the terrorist attacks in London, stated the Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos after his meeting with the PM.

    Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

    Related News:

    Severe Condemnation by Press

    Terror Shocks London

    [02] Security Measures in Italy Increase Italians Leave Iraq

    08 Jul 2005 21:29:00 (Last updated: 08 Jul 2005 23:21:24)

    By Annita Paschalinou

    Italy is in a state of alert after Thursdays threats that both the country and Denmark are the next terrorist targets. In an emergency meeting of the Security Committee, new security measures were taken, while Silvio Berlusconi, who is in Scotland for the G8 Summit, announced that the first 300 Italian soldiers will leave Iraq in September. The Italian Prime Minister tried not to link this development to the hit in London, noting that the decision has been known for quite some time.

    In the Red

    The day following the terrorist attack in London finds Italy living in a climate of fear and worry.

    The plan put into effect after the two major terrorist hits of September 11 in New York and March 11 in Madrid was brought out of the closet and used once again.

    More than 10,000 possible targets will be under close surveillance, including British and American schools, diplomatic delegations, banks and companies of British and American interests.

    At the same time, authorities increased security measures at all underground and railway stations, airports and the Vatican, while the armed forces are on alert to contribute wherever they may be needed.

    Retreating

    We constitute a target, confessed earlier today the Italian Prime Minister, noting that the military participation of Italy to the peace operations in Iraq is responsible for it. He further announced that in September 300 Italian soldiers will retreat from Iraq. However, he rushed to support that this decision was already known and has nothing to do with the threats against Italy, which an Islamite group posted on the Internet.

    The announcement, which is signed by al Qaeda member Louis Atijallah, includes a clear warning. There is still one unsettled score with Berlusconi, for which he has not paid yet.

    He Sees Himself as Target

    Commenting the announcement, Silvio Berlusconi stressed he is one of three Bs which constitute major targets. He meant himself (Berlusconi), Bush and Blair. As he underlined, his country is exposed, because it is in the front line of countries fighting for Freedom and Democracy in the Middle East.

    Translated by Sofia Soulioti

    [03] The Bill Was Submitted New Working-Hour Scheme to Parliament

    08 Jul 2005 15:22:00

    By Athina Saloustrou

    Today, the Ministries of Economy and Development submitted to parliament the Bill on trade development, which determines the new working-hour scheme for the stores. According to new Bill the working hours are extended to 9pm on weekdays and to 8pm on Saturdays. The Bill also provides the prefectures with the possibility to extend them even more. Moreover the Bill settles issues that have to do with the open-air and street markets, amends the provisions regarding the conditions under which shops can be set up on islands and the municipalities depending on their populations and sets fines in cases of deceit at the expense of the consumers.

    Translated by Areti Christou

    [04] Meetings at Maximos Mansion

    08 Jul 2005 15:13:00

    By Vicky Keleri

    Sources: NET - NET 105,8

    Greek PM Costas Karamanlis had a series of meetings with the Secretary of NDs Parliamentary Group Apostolos Stavrou, and the Economy, Tourism and Culture Ministers at the Maximos Mansion. Exiting the meeting, Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos stated that Greece is a safe tourist destination citing the recent Olympic Games, and he expressed his firm belief that stability in the world tourist market will once again prevail. In the meantime, Apostolos Stavrou, who briefed the PM regarding the legislative work in progress, he underlined that after the radical structural changes, the labour relations and the working hours will be at the focus. On his part, Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis made it clear that there is no dispute between him and the Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas over the oil issue.

    Translated by Areti Christou

    [05] Seven More Were Confiscated Investigation Still in Progress

    08 Jul 2005 16:44:00

    By Thanasis Karlos

    The Attica Regional Directorate of SDOE (Financial Crimes Enforcement Units) located and confiscated seven more cars during the investigation for the breaking-up of a circuit discovered in the early 2005. The circuit in question promoted to the Greek car market luxurious cars without having submitted the corresponding taxes. The number of the confiscated cars rose to 68. SDOE mentioned, The investigation is still in progress and it is believed that the number of the luxurious cars that have been promoted is much bigger.

    Translated by Areti Christou

    [06] To Justice Over Fines Two Supermarkets Counterattack

    08 Jul 2005 19:19:00

    By Annita Paschalinou

    Two out of the seven supermarket chains, to which the Competition Committee imposed fines regarding the harmonized prices practice, are thinking of taking the matter to Justice. AB Vasilopoulos issued an announcement, according to which the company is thinking of referring its case to court against the Competition Committee within the timeframe set by the law. As for Atlantik supermarkets, the company stressed it will contest the fine to the Administrative Court of Appeals, estimating that Justice will relieve them of charges, taking all evidence and testimonies proving its innocence under consideration.

    Announcements

    The Competition Committee imposed a fine of 721,240 euros on AB Vasilopoulos company.

    The company clarifies that the fine will not affect its trade policy nor will it be transferred to product prices.

    The Competition Committee imposed a fine of 430,000 euros on Atlantik company.

    Atlantik clarifies that the extra sum it is called to pay after the Committees final decision will not affect its growth. (originally it was to pay 268,000 euros).

    Translated by Sofia Soulioti

    [07] Sterling Sustains Serious Losses Minor Impact on Economy

    08 Jul 2005 16:04:00

    By Vicky Keleri

    The scenarios that predicted heavy losses in international markets in the wake of yesterdays bombing attacks in London proved wrong. American crude oil exceeded 61 dollars, whereas Brent bounced back and reached 60 dollars a barrel. The initial fears that the terrorist acts would trigger a reduction in oil demands, as was the case after the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington in 2001, were not confirmed. On the contrary, the expected rise in American stock distillates played an instrumental role to the latest developments. Distillate product levels are higher than last year by 3,2 million barrels. At the same time dollar is boosted, unlike sterling which reached 1,7363 dollars recording a drop by 0,5% in relation to yesterdays prices and a 9% drop since the beginnings of the year.

    Translated by Areti Christou

    [08] Softball and Baseball Out of Games

    08 Jul 2005 13:01:00

    By Ilias Papaioannou

    The International Olympic Committee has not included softball and baseball in the Olympic games of 2012 in London. Its members decided on the above during the 17th IOC Meeting in Singapore. In the place of the two sports the members discussed the following proposals: golf, squash, rugby and karate. The final decision is expected by the IOC tomorrow.

    Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

    [09] Panathinaikos Model Proposed

    08 Jul 2005 14:06:00

    By Ilias Papaioannou

    Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskougis met with AEK FC Chairman Demis Nikolaidis to discuss the problem of AEKs football facilities. The two men decided to adopt Panathinaikos model and proceed with the construction with the collaboration between the Public and Private Sector. However, they did not reach an agreement regarding the place to be erected. This decision is expected to be made in a new meeting between AEKs Chairman and Environment Minister Giorgos Souflias scheduled for Monday.

    Translated by Areti Christou


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