The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-09-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Amazing First Step

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Greece took the first step for qualifying to the next round of the Eurobasket 2005 after prevailing over France 64-50. Greeces success was once against based on their amazing defensive play (just imagine that Frances hotshot player Tony Parker only managed to score 7 points), as well as on their offence, which showed everyone who was the boss. Top scorer for the Greek basketball team was Panathinaikos ace Dimitris Diamantopoulos.

Defence Worked

In the first half of the game, the Greek basketball team were as if from another planet. Steel defence, proper offence and 14-32 in favour of Greece. But let's take things from the start. Greece were impressive from the very beginning with Dimitris Diamantidis not leaving much room for reaction to San Antonio Spurs NBAer Tony Parker. The first period ended with a 14-point lead for the guests (7-21).

In the second period, the Greek team were very productive offensively and kept their defence in high levels. This is why they continued to be in the lead with 7 points and by the end of the first half they were winning 14-32 (18-point difference).

It was rather impressive that the Greek top scorer had only 5 points in his basket (captain Michalis Kakiouzis), while all nine players used by Yannakis in the first 20 minutes scored. Spanoulis, Vasilopoulos and Bourousis saw the first half from the bench.

All the Same in the Rerun

In the rerun, the French tried to find their pace and reduce the difference, and they did up to a certain point, when from 14-37 (23-point difference) the score became 24-41 (17-point difference). However, Greece kept their cool both offensively and defensively, and by the end of the third period they were ahead 34-53.

The last period was merely typical and playing calmly, Greece claimed victory, which makes them the favourite for ranking first in their group.

LINEUPS

FRANCE (Claude Vbergeaud): Diarra, Diaw 6, Fauthoux, Gelabale 7, Giffa, Julian 6, Parker 7, Pietrus F. 5, Pietrus M. 5, Rigaudeau 7, Schmitt, Weis 5

GREECE (Panagiotis Yannakis): Bourousis, Chatzivrettas 9, Diamantidis 15, Fotsis 2, Kakiouzis 7, Papadopoulos 9, Papaloukas 2, Spanoulis 5, Tsartsaris, Vasilopoulos, Zisis 7

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] Karamanlis Interview on BBS

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: NET 105.8

During his visit in New York, the Prime Minister gave an interview on US public television BBS and journalist Charlie Rose. In the televised appearance, broadcast in the early morning hours, Greek local time, Mr Karamanlis referred to the challenges of the United Nations in the modern world, EU and US relations and Turkeys European future.

As NET correspondent Dimitrios Filios reported, the Prime Minister described Turkeys European future as "the best motive for its Europeanisation, the respect of human rights and the broadening of the political system. Europe should give the opportunity to Turkey, but Turkey, on its part, should fulfil its pledges.

In reference to the Cypriot issue, Mr Karamanlis noted "We cannot stand another failure", and asked for a careful preparation of any initiative, while he described Turkeys one sided statement accompanying the Customs Union Protocol with other EU Member-States, including the Cypriot Republic, as unfortunate and "non legally binding".

On the issue of the partnership between Europe and the United Nations, the Prime Minister said that it is a great challenge, but also a necessity, since Europe and the Unites States share the same value system, are connected by a strong friendship bond and a strategic partnership.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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Preaching Peace

[03] G Papandreou in Thessaloniki

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, ERA

Today, President of PASOK George Papandreou will depart for Thessaloniki closing the cycle of political leaders visits in the Thessaloniki International Fair. Tonight, he will speak to delegates of the productive classes at the conference centre Ioannis Vellidis. On Sunday morning, he will visit the stalls of the fair, while at noon he will give the usual wide-ranging Press conference, and is expected to refer to all current events and political developments.

A group of the partys members will accompany the President of PASOK composed of the Secretary of the National Council, Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou, members of the Political Council, Nikos Athanasakis, Evagelos Venizelos, Maria Damanaki, Anna Diamantopoulou, Theodoros Pagalos, Vaso Papandreou, Christos Papoutsis, Kostas Skandalidis, Rovertos Spyropoulos, Thanasis Tsouras, the Secretary of the Central Committee, Dimitris Repas, Vice Speaker of Parliament Filippos Petsalnikos and Parliamentary spokesperson Charis Kastanidis.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Tsolakis and Committee Return

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

Under the presidency of Akrivos Tsolakis, the team of the Air Accidents and Incidents Investigative Committee, which completed the cycle of statements in Great Britain, in relation to the investigation over the crash causes of Cypriot Helios aircraft, is returning to Athens. The statements given to the team by the two British mechanics of the company are very important for the investigations, as well as information by the British company that carried out maintenance on the aircraft.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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Responsibilities Will Be Attributed

[05] Misadventure for Trainee Pilot

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: NET

The young Air Force pilot, who during a training flight faced a technical malfunction on the small airplane and performed an emergency landing, is safe from harm. As NET and reporter Alkis Mallidis broadcast, this morning, the Air Force T41 trainer aircraft had taken off from Tanagra airport, when at 08:15 it disappeared from the radar and did not reply on the radio. An alarm sounded immediately for the start of investigations in the areas around Tripoli, in order to locate the aircraft. Finally, an hour later, the pilot gave signs of life, and said that he had managed to safely land the aircraft, without causing harm, in a field outside Argos.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Voting Ends in New Zealand

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

The 2.9mn voters of New Zealand have set a date with ballot boxes, hoping for a first round winner to emerge in the Parliamentary elections. The neck-and-neck battle is between the Labour Party led PM Helen Clark, and centre-right National Party of former central bank governor Don Brash, who as per opinion polls equally share the total of votes.

Clark, in her election campaign, emphasised the prosperity recorded during her governance, and the decrease of unemployment at the lowest rate of the last 19 years, which is 3.7%, and asked voters to give the countrys leadership to her party for the third consecutive term. On the other hand, Brash pledged tax cuts, and voiced the certainty on a win of the National Party.

At the same time, analysts estimate that one out of five voters is undecided, and that it is most likely that none of the two big parties will receive overwhelming majority in the 122-seat Parliament. The participation is expected to exceed 77%, a percentage that was recorded in 2002.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Bomb Explosion in Lebanon

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, AFP

A car trapped with explosives blasted on Friday night in a Beirut neighbourhood, mainly inhabited by Christians, and resulted in the death of one person and 19 other to be wounded. The bomb exploded near a branch of Lebanese Byblos Bank and a hospital, in the area of Ashrafieh. The explosion was heard in a several kilometre radius. Ambulances transported twelve injured persons in nearby hospitals, while another seven persons who were lightly injured, were given first aid. Fires broke out in nearby buildings, while at least two cars were destroyed. As per the Authorities, the blast was caused by thirty kilos of explosives placed either in or under a car.

This is the latest of a series of explosions that have taken place since February, after the murder of twenty persons, among whom former Prime Minister Rafik Al Hariri, in a blast of a car packed with explosives.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Permanent Representatives Committee Disagreed Counterstatement Fell Through

By Vagelis Theodorou

The Permanent Representatives Committee, which held an emergency meeting on Friday afternoon in Brussels, regarding the EU's counterstatement to Turkey's one-sided statement not recognising the Republic of Cyprus, reached no agreement. Two weeks before opening negotiation talks with Ankara, due to begin October 3 in Luxemburg, the permanent representatives went over the fourth revised draft of the British presidency on the counterstatement. The text underlined that the recognition of all Member-States is a vital element of accession and went on to stress that the Union pays particular attention to the normalisation of Turkey's relations with all Member-States as soon as possible. The issue will be rediscussed in another COREPER emergency meeting most likely on Monday or at the regular conference on Wednesday, and of course at the Foreign Ministers Summit on September 26.

Looking for New Proposals

As per well-informed sources in Brussels, the new draft presented by the British presidency integrated some of Cyprus' proposals, but continued to include points, to which Nicosia opposed. As per the same sources, taking these objections under consideration the British presidency pledged to go over the issue and make new proposals as soon as possible. It is noted that during today's meeting, only the Italian delegation was in complete accordance with the suggestions of Greek ambassador V. Kaskarelis.

Two are the main objectives of the Cypriot diplomacy:

First, to make clear that Turkey needs to recognise Cyprus during its accession negotiations, and second to clarify that the normalisation process between Cyprus' and Turkey's relations is independent of the UN's procedures to solve the Cypriot issue.

In the meantime, reserved but optimistic Cypriot president Tassos Papadopoulos stated, "There has been no agreement yet, but some progress has been made," adding there are indications the British presidency has accepted some of Cyprus' proposals.

Speaking on CNN, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis repeated the Greek support to Turkey's European course, asking the neighbouring country to live up to its commitments, while he asked the EU to sent Ankara a loud message; not recognising Cyprus does not comply with the European ways.

It is noted that on Friday, Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis and his counterpart Jack Straw had a telephone communication on the matter.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] Inflation has Decreased

By Tina Valaoura

Inflation in Greece has decreased from 3.9% in July to 3.6% in August, and is the fourth highest in the European Union, as per data of Eurostat made public yesterday in Brussels. In the Eurozone, inflation remained constant to 2.2% in August, while a year ago it was at 2.3%. Inflation in the 25 European Member-States was increased from 2.1% in July to 2.2% in August, while a year ago was at 2.3%.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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