The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-12-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papoulias-Karamanlis Meeting "We Achieved Our Goals"

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105,8

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis briefed the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias on the outcome of the EU Summit and the benefits resulting for Greece. Messrs Papoulias and Karamanlis had a short dialogue before the reporters cameras and agreed that the results for Greece were pretty satisfying. "We achieved all the goals we had set," argued Kostas Karamanlis while exiting the Presidential Mansion, and went on to underline that not a single euro was lost, while it was safeguarded that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will remain as it is by 2013. "The funds won, the development of the countryside and the reforms in progress, provide a sound basis for a strong Greek economy," underscored the Prime Minister, while he added that the deal sent a powerful message that Europe can successfully overcome any difficulties. Mr Karamanlis is to hold a meeting with the Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Crystal Clear Message

"The outcome is pretty satisfying for Greece," commented the President of the Hellenic and claimed, "We avoided what we had been fearing," while he referred to the role German Chancellor Angela Merkel played. "Germany helped a lot," agreed the Prime Minister and added, "the UK Presidency also displayed good will regarding its past stance."

On his part, Mr Karamanlis underlined that the deal sent a crystal clear message that the EU can surmount any discrepancies and disputes and move forward.

Mr Karamanlis argued that Greece met the objectives set and not a single euro was lost, irrespective of the fact that the budget approved was less than the one suggested by the Luxemburg Presidency.

Regarding the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) the Prime Minister pointed out, "the EU Member-States consented that there is not going to be any review by 2013. Our policy on regional growth and the reforms in progress provide a solid basis for a strong economy and development everywhere," he concluded.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

The Summit's Aftermath

[02] Christmas Kiss in Danger

By Vicky Keleri

An old Christmas tradition, which millions of people around the world are anxiously waiting for every year, is on the verge of extinction. And if you are wondering what is going on, we are sad to tell you that Christmas kissing under the mistletoe on Christmas Eve is in danger. The reason is the increased demand for the holiday wild plant, which has turned into a world celebrity! Mistletoe has grown so popular over the last years and is threatened with extinction because of over-harvesting. According to experts, once the whole plant, which only grows in the wild and is mainly found on old apple trees, has been removed from its host tree it won't grow back. British environmentalists have sounded the alarm, asking consumers and traders to be more careful and save the Christmas Kiss!

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Snowfalls and Low Temperatures Greece Dressed In White

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Weather has taken a new turn for the worse just a few days before Christmas. It has been snowing since early morning in eastern Macedonia and Thrace, while many villages in mountainous areas are snowbound. In most areas temperature had dropped to 0oC and frost conditions are dominant. Shipping routes are performed as per normal since last night, while there are no traffic problems on national highways. However, drivers travelling in mountainous Macedonia are required to install snow chains.

Polar Cold in Macedonia

Vehicles travelling on the Veroia-Daskio regional road, on the Florina national and regional road network, on the Kastoria-Amyntaio national highway, as well as on the Grevena road network have snow chains installed, as there are frost conditions.

Drivers on the Chalkidiki national and regional road network should be really careful, while the road linking Chortiatis to Agios Vasilis in Thesaloniki has been cleared from snow.

However, there are major problems in Rodopi, where eleven villages in Kechros and eight in Organi remain snowbound.

Snow exceeds half a metre, while vehicles travelling on Evros should have snow chains installed.

At the same time, polar cold is the main feature in Northern Greece and in many areas temperature has dropped below zero.

In Nevrokopi, temperature dropped to 17oC, in Florina 10oC, in Kastoria 6oC, in Kozani 5oC, while in Kavala, Alexandroupoli and Serres it did not exceed 0oC. In Thessaloniki temperature was recorded this morning at 1oC.

Schools in Florina and the Evros Prefecture remained closed this morning due to extreme cold and snowfalls.

Furthermore, the rescue operation to free five hunters, who had been missing on Mt Iasmos, was successful after many hours and all five of them are safe and sound.

As per the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, bad weather conditions will continue with local rainfalls and very low temperatures.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Message to the American People on Iraq Bush: Do Not Give in to Despair

By Athina Saloustrou

In yet another effort to win back the trust of the American public opinion regarding his strategy in Iraq, US President George Bush addressed a message at 03:00 (CET) from the White Houses Oval Office. This is the second time the US President is using the particular office to speak to the American people and the fourth time in a week he is talking about Iraq. The need to change the climate in his favour is great, as new opinion polls show the American peoples opposition to the war. The first time he addressed the American people from the Oval Office was to announce the invasion and war in Iraq. This time, Bush urged the Americans "not to be swayed by defeatists," insisting US forces are winning, while he promised there would be a gradual downsize of troops in the area as long as there is progress. The US President asked citizens to be patient, but warned, "There is more testing and sacrifice before us." "I do not expect you to support everything I do, but tonight I have a request: Do not give in to despair, and do not give up on this fight for freedom," he said.

"I Know"

The US leader admitted reconstruction efforts and the training of Iraqi security forces started more slowly, while he foresaw violence would continue. "This work has been especially difficult in Iraq, more difficult than we expected," said George Bush and stressed, "My fellow citizens, not only can we win the war in Iraq, we are winning the war in Iraq."

He also described last week's elections to form a government in Iraq as "a landmark day in the history of liberty" and after the ballots will have been counted, a new government will be formed "and a people who suffered in tyranny for so long will become full members of the free world," stressed Bush.

"This election will not mean the end of violence. But it is the beginning of something new: constitutional democracy at the heart of the Middle East," he stressed.

What is more, Bush referred to the mistakes that lead to the 2003 Iraqi invasion and admitted no mass destruction weapons were found. "After the swift fall of Baghdad, we found mass graves filled by a dictator, we found some capacity to restart programs to produce weapons of mass destruction, but we did not find those weapons."

"It is true that Saddam Hussein had a history of pursuing and using weapons of mass destruction. It is true that he systematically concealed those programs, and blocked the work of UN weapons inspectors. It is true that many nations believed that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. But much of the intelligence turned out to be wrong. And as your president, I am responsible for the decision to go into Iraq," concluded Bush.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Bush hails Iraqi anti-terror role

CNN: Bush: Iraq pullout would hurt credibility

Reuters: Bush to Americans: 'Do not give in to despair'

[05] Radio Message Broadcast Sharon Won't Resign

By Athina Saloustrou

In his first message after the minor stroke he suffered yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon voiced his intention not to resign from office any time soon. "I have been at the frontline of Israeli politics for 60 years and I intend to continue my work," stressed Sharon, speaking on radio. Based on the recorded message, his voice has not been altered. What is more, as per a government announcement, Sharon is in good health and spent a quiet night in the Ein Karem hospital in Jerusalem. "Prime Minister Ariel Sharon had a restful night and his condition continues to be good," a statement from the government press office said. As per the Israeli radio, Sharons doctors will decide today on his release. "Everything is fine, I am still here, but I will need a few days of rest before continuing," stressed Sharon.

In Good Medical Condition

According to television network Channel 1, Sharon was in his car talking on the phone with his son, when he told him he was not feeling well. As per information, Sharon was unconscious when he arrived at the hospital but regained consciousness a while later and throughout the medical tests.

His personal doctor, Boleslav Goldman, said Ariel Sharon would remain hospitalised for a few more days and reassured he is in a good medical condition. In the meantime, Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas called the Israeli Premier's office last night to see how Sharon was doing.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] Death Toll Amounts to 10 in Indonesia Indonesia Confirms H5N1 Death

By Athina Saloustrou

An eight-year-old boy from Indonesia died of bird flu, a top health official announced. However, it still remains to be seen whether the little boy was contaminated by sick poultry. The test results should also be confirmed by a specialized lab in Hong Kong accredited by the World Health Organization (WHO). Indonesia numbers nine victims of the H5N1 strain of bird flu. All cases have been confirmed by the Hong Kong lab, while further five patients managed to survive.

Translated by Areti Christou

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