The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-12-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] En Route From Athens to Larnaca Hoax Grounds Airliner

By Athina Saloustrou

A phone call threatening of a bomb on an Olympic Airlines plane disturbed in the morning the Athens International Airport. An Olympic Airlines Boeing 717 took off at 6.50am en route from Athens to Larnaca, Cyprus. Shortly after its takeoff, an unidentified male phoned a police station and said that a bomb had been planted on the airliner. The police immediately informed the airports control tower personnel, who, in their turn, contacted the pilot. The pilot decided to return to the Athens International Airport. The airliner safely landed at 8.03am, while two Mirage 2000 fighter jets also took off for precautionary reasons. A Cyprus airliner was employed to facilitate the 20 passengers. After a thorough investigation conducted by special police squads it was used to serve other flights.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Review of the 2005 Foreign Policy Greek FM at Maximos

By Annita Paschalinou

The review of the Greek foreign policy and its potentials for 2006 topped the meeting held between Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Foreign Affairs Minister Petros Molyviatis. "This year proved a really good one for Greece, we achieved our goals and we enhanced Greeces position in the international forum. Therefore, at the threshold of the new year, we aspire to a secure and smooth course in the international scene," underlined Mr Petrpos Molyviatis when exiting Maximos Mansion. When questioned on the issue of the Pakistanis claims, he pointed out, "The government has already issued an announcement. A probe is under way. We are awaiting its results." When questioned whether he is to remain to his post, Mr Molyviatis said, "The cabinet reshuffle does not concern me," while in a question whether he is ready to withdraw upon the PMs request, he claimed, "I have already answered that, I am not into the issue of the cabinet reshuffle, everyone accepts the PMs decisions."

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] 400 Poultry Were Culled Yet Another H5N1 Case in Turkey

By Athina Saloustrou

Yet another avian flu case was detected in a Turkish rural area near the borders with Armenia. The Turkish Agricultural Ministry announced that around 400 poultry were culled. The culled poultry were tested positive to the H5 strain, and as per the countrys authorities, the samples have already been sent to the World Health Organisation for further examinations. "All precautionary measures have been taken, and the areas where the new cases were detected have been placed under quarantine," read the announcement issued by the Ministry.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] To Rival the American GPS System Independence Day

By Annita Paschalinou

Giove A satellite was successfully launched in the early hours of Wednesday from the Baikonur cosmodrome. Giove A (Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element) is to test the European navigation system Galileo. The blastoff occurred at 0519 GMT and a few minutes later the satellite went into orbit. French Foreign Affairs Minister Philippe Doustle-Blazy spoke of a great European success, pointing out that Europe is to have its first ever navigation system, which will grant Europe independence in the fields of industry and technology.

The Answer to GPS

The 30-satellite Galileo network is Europes response to the American Global Positioning System (GPS), and aims to create a global navigation system.

The 3.6 billion dollar programme of the European Space Agency (ESA) is scheduled to go into service in 2008 for mostly civilian uses.

The system will be built upon a private-public partnership, with the EU wishing for the bulk of the funding to come from industry and the rest from public offers.

Ukraine, Israel and China also participated in this European project.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Due to Gale-Force Winds Sailing Ban

By

Sources: ANA-NET

Sailing ban was imposed at the port of Rafina due to the gale-force winds reaching 9 Beaufort in the Aegean. Those wishing to travel should contact the local authorities of their destination. In the meantime, rainfalls are expected to affect Greece in the coming days. The Prefecture of Evros, north of Greece, has already been hit by a severe rainfall causing floods in the village of Tihero. The rainy weather will remain up until the New Years Eve, yet the New Year will welcome us with improved weather conditions.

Translated by Areti Christou

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