The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-11-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] On Romania and Bulgaria's Accession Celebratory Atmosphere

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

The celebratory convocation of the Parliaments Plenary Session ratified the Accession Treaty of Romania and Bulgaria in the European Union, presided by the President of the Republic, Karolos Papoulias, and the Presidents of the two countries, Traian Basescu and Georgi Parvanov. Following, the Presidents of Romania and Bulgaria visited the Prime Minister at Maximos Mansion. "We welcome you to the European Union family. The European future secures the areas peace, development and progress, in the most effective way," stated the Prime Minister in his address, and said that the Balkan voice in the EU will be strengthened. Welcoming the two countries in the European family, President of PASOK stated, "You have to disprove to all who question the enlargement, with successful internal reforms on sensitive issues." KKE voted against the ratification of the Treaty, for the same reason it voted No to Greeces accession in the EU, stated KKE General Secretary Aleka Papariga. "We support the accession of the two countries in the EU, as we do not wish for a Europe with exclusions," stated Alekos Alavanos. The two countries will access the EU as of January 1, 2007, following the ratification of the Accession Treaty by the Parliaments of the 25 Member-States.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] Pilgrimage to a Wardrobe!

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The house of a Romanian family has attracted flocks of Christian pilgrims, after the familys claims that the image of Jesus and two of His disciples appeared on a wardrobe. Valeriu Junie said that Jesus image first appeared a year ago, just before Christmas time. "It all started one night when I was watching TV and noticed some shadows on our wardrobe," said 66-year-old Junie and added, "I turned on the light and saw the image of Jesus in the middle and the images of St Peter and St Paul on the sides." The wardrobe owner chose not to tell a soul fearing the reactions of his fellow villagers. But when he saw that the images grew clearer and clearer, he called the priest and everybody knew.

Miracle!

"I was shocked by what I laid my eyes on," exclaimed the pries, who called the appearance of the images a miracle and advised the "blessed family" to fast and pray to those images.

For the record, the wardrobe is made from walnut and is 50 years old. Valerius wife had got it as a dowry.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Jean Paul Gaultier in Athens

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Haute couture designer Jean Paul Gaultier visited Greece once again. We met him outside Grande Bretagne Hotel, where he is residing in, on Tuesday. Smiling and cheerful he was waiting for a cab to take a walk in the sunshine. Although he was in a rush, the globally acclaimed designer took a picture in front of busy Syndagma Square. When we asked him the reason he was visiting Athens, he replied that he likes the Greek capital, without revealing the reason behind his trip. It is reminded that Gaultier has visited Greece before, as the island of Mykonos is one of his favourite vacation destinations.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] "Does Not Secure Transparency and Meritocracy" Interview Ruled Unconstitutional

By Athina Saloustrou

The 6th Department of the Council of State ruled the clause referring to the oral interview as unconstitutional. The clause, which is included in the Ministry of Public Order Presidential Decrees clause on hiring trainee fire fighters in the Fire Brigade, outside of ASEP, was unconstitutional, as the transparency of the procedure is not secured. As per the ruling, the interviews procedure contravenes with the Constitutional principles of equality, meritocracy and judicial protection, as it does not secure the maximum transparency of the procedure, such as publicity, as comments are not recorded in the report of individual assessment of each candidate, in order for courts to check the evaluation of performance. Moreover, the Council of State ruled that the candidates evaluation should be conducted in ways and procedures for securing impartial judgment prerequisites and the capability of judicial checks of acts by the Public Sector bodies. Consequently the interview should have a supplementary and not a determinative role in the hiring.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] 3.3 on the Richter Scale Small Earthquake in Attica

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

A weak seismic activity measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale shook Attica at 4:10am. The earthquakes epicentre was located in Penteli. Seismologists appeared reassuring.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Seventeen Workers Killed Gas Leak in Coalmine

By Anna Kourti

As Xinhua news agency reported, at least 15 workers and 2 rescuers lost their lives by a gas leak in a coalmine, in the province of Xinzhou, in northern China, on Monday. In the Chinese coalmine industry, the worlds seventh largest that produces 75% of the energy consumed by the country, thousands of accidents take place, which cost the live of 6,000 persons in average. As per Xinhua news agency, investigations concluded that a large number of coalmine accidents took place, as illegal and unsafe coalmines received the green light by the local authorities to operate. In the previous month, the Police arrested the Vice Mayor of a town in northwestern China, accused of granting operation to a coalmine, whose gas leak explosion cost the lives of 83 persons in July.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Not Much! What Does Bush Keep in his Pockets?

By Athina Saloustrou

If you are wondering what US President George W Bush keeps in his pockets, the answer is: Not much, in particular, only a handkerchief. During a Press conference given to Latin American journalists, in view of his scheduled visit in the area this week, one of the attendees asked the US President if he can pose "an unofficial question." "What do you keep in your pockets?" asked the journalist. Right away, President Bush emptied out his pockets pulling out a handkerchief. "This is all I have. There is no money," said Bush to the journalists in Spanish. "I dont even have a wallet." The US President also exhibited his watch, a Timex, but rushed to reassure that he "is not advertising the brand." President George W Bush is expected to visit Argentina, Brazil and Panama within the week.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Three Dead and 12 Injured Explosion in Kashmir

By Anna Kourti

This morning, three people lost their lives, including the kamikaze, and 12 injured when a car exploded in the capital of Indian Kashmir, Sringar. As per the Police, the car exploded when Police stopped the vehicle for a check at a road barricade. The responsibility of the attack was taken by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) with a phone call to local news agency CNS. JeM is one of the many Islamic rebel organisations fighting for the reunification of Indian and Pakistani Kashmir.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] In Areas of Baghdad Attacks Carry On

By Anna Kourti

A source of the Security Forces announced that five Iraqi civilians lost their lives and eight injured in two bomb attacks, on Wednesday morning, in Baghdad. The first attack occurred in the southern neighbourhood of Al-Madaen against a Police patrol, resulting in the death of five bystanders and the injury of three. The second bomb exploded in the neighbourhood of Dura, near a small bus transporting workers to the oil-refineries, causing the injuring of five.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] As per the Iranian Students' News Agency Iranian FM Officials Resigned

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA

On Tuesday, Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) broadcast that high rank officials of the Iranian Foreign Ministry submitted their resignation. As the agency reported, citing sources with reliable information, Deputy Foreign Minister Golam Ali Hashru submitted his resignation last month, and was accepted by Foreign Minister Manouchehr Motaki. Mohammad Javad Zarif and Mohammad Reza Alborzi, envoys to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, also submitted their resignation, as per reports of the local Press. Mohammad Hossein Adeli, Irans Ambassador in Great Britain has also reportedly resigned from his position. The above actions occurred, following the harsh statements of President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad against Israel that caused an international outcry.

Political Motives Behind Resignations?

Furthermore, Fars news agency reported that official sources denied that the resignations had political motives, while diplomatic sources in Tehran are investigating whether the extreme oration of past eras, in which the Iranian President has returned to, has lead to the resignations. The controversial statements of Ahmadinejad are expected to overshadow the meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Vienna, where Irans expected referral to the UN Security Council, due to its nuclear programme, will dominate discussions.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] On Romania and Bulgaria's Accession Celebratory Atmosphere

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

The celebratory convocation of the Parliaments Plenary Session ratified the Accession Treaty of Romania and Bulgaria in the European Union, presided by the President of the Republic, Karolos Papoulias, and the Presidents of the two countries, Traian Basescu and Georgi Parvanov. Following, the Presidents of Romania and Bulgaria visited the Prime Minister at Maximos Mansion. "We welcome you to the European Union family. The European future secures the areas peace, development and progress, in the most effective way," stated the Prime Minister in his address, and said that the Balkan voice in the EU will be strengthened. Welcoming the two countries in the European family, President of PASOK stated, "You have to disprove to all who question the enlargement, with successful internal reforms on sensitive issues." KKE voted against the ratification of the Treaty, for the same reason it voted No to Greeces accession in the EU, stated KKE General Secretary Aleka Papariga. "We support the accession of the two countries in the EU, as we do not wish for a Europe with exclusions," stated Alekos Alavanos. The two countries will access the EU as of January 1, 2007, following the ratification of the Accession Treaty by the Parliaments of the 25 Member-States.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Heavy 4-1 Defeat for Olympiacos

By Ilias Papaioannou

Under the booing of the fans at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens, Olympiacos suffered a 4-1 defeat by Lyon of France. Tuesdays defeat was the forth consecutive one that ended for good Olympiacos dream to advance to the next round of the Champions League. The Greek team, which performed pretty well until the 35, took the lead as early as in the 3 with Babangida, but Lyon were the ones to embark on a course for victory with four goals by Juninho (41), Carew (44, 57) and Diarra (51). Olympiacos players have now reduced their efforts to finish in the third place in order to continue this years European adventure playing for the UEFA CUP. In their new effort, Olympiacos is to play against Rosenborg of Norway, which, following its 2-0 defeat from Real Madrid, also hopes to continue in UEFA CUP.

Referee: Peter Frojdfeldt (SWE)

Yellow Cards: Kostoulas, Anatolakis Carew, Tiago, Coupet

OLYMPIACOS: Giannou, Kafes, Okkas (82 D Acol), Rivaldo, Djordjevic (Stoltidis), Toure, Kostoulas (63 Bulut), Georgatos, Pantos, Anatolakis, Babangida.

LYON: Coupet, Cris, Cacapa, Diarra, Juninho (75 Pedretti), Carew, Malouda (66 Wiltord), Reveillere, GOvou, Abidal, Tiago (72 Clement).

Translated by Areti Christou

[13] New Zealand Shaken

By Anna Kourti

Weak seismic activity occurred in central New Zealand within 15 hours. As per the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (IGNS) the last quake, measuring 3.2 on the Richter scale, occurred at 1:30am, while fears were voiced over the fact that it will continue for many days. The epicentre of all the quakes was the town of Seddon, on South Island, around 60km southwest of the capital of Wellington, situated at the end of the Cook Strait. The biggest quake measured 4.8 on the Richter scale, and occurred late in the evening. There are no injuries or damage.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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