The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-08-21

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Evacuation of Jewish Settlements Completed Last Settlers Removed

By Vagelis Theodorou

After the invasion of Israeli Security Forces in the settlement of Katif, where its inhabitants set fire to tires in order to stop them, the evacuation of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip continued on Sunday, after the break due to the Jewish holiday of Saturday. At the time when hundreds of young extremist Jews and some settlers are preparing for a new face off with the Security Forces, the Authorities have decided to proceed to the evacuation of the settlements Nisanit, Dugit and Elei Sinai in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, while until Monday night the Jewish settlements will be officially history. According to the data made public, more than 85% of the settlers from the 21 settlements in total have evacuated. The next in line are Sa Nur and Homesh in the West Bank. The Authorities are determined to proceed with the removal of settlers in this area as well, even though it is expected they will face a hard battle, while another two settlements in the area Ganim and Kadim have been already evacuated on last Monday. In the meantime, on Saturday, the leader of the Palestinians, Mahmoud Abbas, discussed his plans over the Gaza Strip.

A Port and New Houses

On Saturday, Mahmoud Abbas announced his plans over the Gaza Strip, after the evacuation of Jewish settlements.

According to the Palestinian President 3,000 new houses will be built in the former Jewish settlement of Morag, which is located near the Palestinian reservation of Khan Younis, a work which will be funded by the President of the United Arab Emirates. Also, in the Netzarim settlement, which is expected to be evacuated by Monday, a new port will be built.

Mr Abbas described the evacuation of the Gaza Strip as the "first stage" underlining the vital Israeli army removal from all the areas it has reconquered after the start of Intifada, on September 2000, in the West Bank. "Following, Israel should stop settling and the Judaise of Jerusalem," added the President of the Palestinians and concluded, "whoever continues these activities will prove they want peace."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Evacuation Continues in Gaza

[02] For the Passengers of Taxiarchis Misadventure On Board

By Vagelis Theodorou

On Sunday morning at 06:40 the ship Taxiarchis returned to the port of Chios, where it had sailed with 594 passengers on board. The ship was immobilised for an hour, 5.2 nautical miles off the island, after a mechanical problem occurred. In particular, shortly after midnight, the ship en route from Mytilene-Chios-Piraeus presented a problem in its left main engine, and was immobilised after an order by the Operations Chamber of the Mercantile Marine Ministry, in order for the damage to be estimated and investigate the event of repair on board. However, the captain informed the Operations Chamber that the damage is greater than initially estimated and cannot be repaired by the ships crewmembers, thus Taxiarchis returned to Chios, while its passengers will return to their destination with another ship.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] For the New Patriarch Election Time in Jerusalem

By Vagelis Theodorou

On Monday, a new page will be turned for the Jerusalem Patriarchate, after the lengthy crisis and the removal of Mr Eirinaios, with the election of the new Patriarch. According to the charter, 14 Synodical Hierarchs, 12 Arab Orthodox communities representatives, and 21 Archpriests and Archimandrites stationed within the walls of Jerusalem will compose the electoral body. Three candidates will emerge from the procedure and following the 14 Synodicals will elect the new Patriarch. The prevalent choices for the Patriarchal throne are Archbishops Thavoriou Theofilos and Konstantinis Aristarchos, as well as Vostron Metropolitan Bishop Timotheos, while suffragan Petras Metropolitan Bishop Kornilios, although a candidate is considered to step down from the candidacy. However, the procedure is shaded by Arab newspaper articles, according to which the procedure will be blocked, since the Palestinian Authority seems determined to remove 11 out of the 13 Archpriests from the candidate list, as it only approves of Petras Metropolitan Bishop and Konstantinis Archbishop.

Profiles of the Candidates

From the Synod Meeting for the emergence of candidates on July 20, Thavoriou Archbishop received the majority of the votes (7). During the rule of Eirinaios, 55-year-old Theofilos served as an exarch in Qatar, while he was ordained Bishop by Mr Eirinaios in the beginning of January, before the crisis broke out in the Patriarchate. He is considered to be of temperate nature and keeps a low profile, even though it is reported he has excellent relations with the US, which causes concern to the Palestinian communities.

Konstantinis Archbishop Aristarchos received five votes during the meeting for the emergence of candidates. The 57-year-old Archpriest was the first to question Mr Eirinaios, asking for his public resignation. He is the mind child of Albania Archbishop Anastasios, and has excellent relations with Phanar. However, his opponents accused him that during the rule of Eirinaios he actively participated in the Administration of the Patriarchate as Head Secretary.

In closing, Vostron Metropolitan Bishop had run for the Patriarchal throne in 2001 and came second, while in the candidates election he received three votes. The 54-year-old Mr Timotheos has studied Theology is St Petersburg with Moscow Patriarch Alexios, a fact that is disturbing to Phanar and the Palestinians.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] ND On the Lead by 2.7% New Democracy Ahead

By Vagelis Theodorou

According to a nationwide opinion poll conducted by Kapa Research for the Sunday edition of Vima newspaper, ND is ahead in the peoples preferences. The governing party receives 36.8% in the intention to vote, and is on the lead by 2.7 points as opposed to PASOK which receives 34.1%. It is noted that in the last opinion poll in May, the difference was 2.4%. The two big parties are followed by KKE (6.8%), LAOS (3.9%) and SYN (3.6%), while the undecided reach 14.8%. Furthermore, on the question of who is more suitable for PM, Kostas Karamanlis is ahead by 44.2%, as opposed to George Papandreou with 30.6%. 78% of the citizens object to the event of early elections, while 59.3% favor a reshuffle. In closing, 50.6% are disappointed with the economic policy, while 38.5% is satisfied with the progress of the government.

The opinion poll took place from August 17-10 nationwide, in 1,618 households by a telephone questionnaire.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] More than 40 Uncontrollable Fires Portugal In Flames

By Vagelis Theodorou

Portugal is faced the terror of more than 40 uncontrollable fires in 12 out of its 18 Prefectures, and burning down it forests. Regardless of the hard efforts of the Authorities during the past days, the fires have not been set under control, mainly due to the strong gales, while thousands of forest land acres have been charred. In an attempt to control the situation the Ministry for the Interior asked for the contribution of the European Union. "We asked for the help of the EU mainly in the department of aerial firefighters. We need special aircrafts and helicopters," stated Interior Minister Antonio Costa stating that the bad weather conditions allow the country to extinguish the fire with only its own resources.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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