The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-01-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Matter of Time the Arrest of the Russian One Fugitive Arrested

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

Albanian Ilmi Dada, 17, was arrested this morning in the area Korydallos, just 12 kilometres from Trigona, Trikala, where the bloody getaway from an Ioannina Court Transport Department van had taken place two days earlier. The young man, who had escaped along with 23-year-old Russian criminal Maxim Zhelim, was located by a Special Police Forces unit (EKAM) and was arrested without putting up the slightest resistance. The Albanian was initially taken to the Kalampaka Police Station, where he was interrogated, and he was then led to the Trikala Police Headquarters, but later on he was taken to Larissa's Hospital, as he has injuries to his lower limbs. As per the police authorities, the 17-year-old had not planned the getaway with the Russian criminal, but just took advantage of the opportunity presented and escaped. EKAM units are continuing their search in the mountainous region to locate the 23-year-old Russian, who is responsible for killing two police officers, while thy believe that they are on his trail and his arrest is only a matter of time.

Denies Scenarios of Getaway Plan

The 17-year-old Albanian was located by a specially trained dog in a makeshift hut serving as a hideout for illegal aliens in Korydallos, 12 kilometres from the location of the double murder, at 9:30am. He was exhausted and carried injuries to his hands from his persistent efforts to remain at large, since his aim was to finally return to his country. When the police found him, he was covered with rags, as he had spent the night there, and he did not try to run away, but gave himself up without a fight.

During his interrogation later on, he denied the scenario that the whole escape had been planned between himself and Zhelim. The 17-year-old claimed that he did not know the Russian prior to them meting in the van. He explained to the police that the young criminal kept asking for the van to stop, quoting physical needs. At one of the stops, and after the handcuffs had been removed, he attacked the police officer, disarmed him, took away his gun and shot him. The second police officer rushed to assist the first, but the Russian wounded him fatally as well. Dada said that when he got out of the van, he saw the Russian criminal running towards the River Malakasiotis. Then, Dada got way himself. "I was terrified and did not want to return to jail," he told police. After escaping, he tried to get back to his country, since he had worked as a shepherd in the area and knew it quite well. In the end, however, the EKAM officers ruined his plans.

Sweeping the Pindos Range

The search is now focusing exclusively on Zhelim, with crews scanning the wider area of the Municipality of Chasia, on the slopes of the Pindos Range, where they believe that the fugitive is hiding. Units of the Special Police Forces are sweeping the area on foot, while two police helicopters equipped with thermal radars, as well as a Super Puma with Police Chief Georgios Aggelakos, who is coordinating the operation, on board, are hovering over the area.

According to information, based on the evidence at hand, the authorities believe that the arrest of the second fugitive is only a matter of hours. In addition, they keep reminding locals, especially hunters and shepherds, that the criminal is armed (he has one bullet in his gun) and ruthless, advising them to avoid isolated areas. The 23-year-old Russian is wearing an off-white jumper, pants and black cowboy boots, which make walking along forest paths quite difficult.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Manhunt Underway

[02] It Cut off Supply to the Ukraine Russian Freeze on Gas Supplies

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ÁNA - REUTERS - AFP - BBC

A huge war of nerves has broken out between Russia and the Ukraine, which are feuding over the price of natural gas. As of Sunday morning, Russia started cutting off the supply of natural gas to the Ukraine, as the talks between the two countries reached a dead-end when Kyiv rejected Moscows request for significant increases in the price of natural gas. The whole situation has given rise to disputes between the two countries. The Ukrainian government is accusing Russia of using natural gas as a "political weapon" against its western-friendly orientation, jeopardising the supply of gas to European countries. On the other hand, Moscow responded by saying that Kyiv has been stealing quantities of the gas destined for European clients, such as Hungary and Poland, as it passes through the country via pipes. The EU is monitoring the situation with concern, while it has called a meeting of European experts in Brussels on Wednesday, in order to discuss the crisis that has erupted and its possible impact.

Ukraine Rejects Increases

It all started when talks between the two countries concerning the renewal of the contract for natural gas supply and Moscows request to increase the price in the new year, so as to reach the international level of prices, i.e. $230 per one thousand cubic metres, failed. Kyiv, however, who had been paying $50 up until now, said that it could not pay more than $80 per one thousand cubic metres. Russian president Vladimir Putin came back with a plan to keep the price as it was for the next three months and then increase it to $230. However, this proposal was also rejected by the Ukrainian government, which asked for a lower price and an extended grace period.

The discussions failed and Russian power monopoly Gazprom announced this morning that it would gradually start cutting supplies to the Ukraine by 120 million cubic metres daily. Gazprom spokesperson Sergei Kuprianov confirmed that problems will arise with the subsequent supply of natural gas to Western Europe (25% of their supplies come from Russia), since the pipes pass through Ukrainian soil.

Ukraines state-owned Naftogaz spoke of an unacceptable development that threatens the supply of natural gas to other countries, while it also argued Gazproms statements, saying that the actual reduction in supply was 187 cubic metres daily. "Gas is not flowing at all through some transit routes, which can lead to a fall in pressure in all the pipelines and limit the overall supply of gas to Ukraine and Europe," it mentioned in its announcement.

Concerns in the EU

According to Reuters, Hungarian company MOL has already said its Russian deliveries via Ukraine had fallen by more than 25%, forcing it to order big consumers to switch to oil where possible, while Polish natural gas company PGNiG made similar announcement, as per the French news agency.

Gazprom is claiming that that it has evidence at hand that this is actually the result of the Ukraine siphoning off natural gas to cover their needs.

On its part, the Ukraine declared that it has the right to take up to 15% of the quantity in its central pipes as a penalty for the cost of transfer to Western Europe. It should be noted that 30% of natural gas consumed in the country originates from Russia. The Ukrainian President reassured everyone that the situation would not affect the average consumers, while any adjustments needed would affect industries. According to the international Media, the Ukrainian public opinion feels that it is suffering Moscows revenge due to the Orange Revolution, since other countries within Russias sphere of influence continue enjoying lower prices.

The EU is monitoring the situation with concern, despite Russians assurances that it will not be affected by the dispute. For this reason, it called a meeting of energy sector experts in Brussels, in order to assess the situation, since some European countries, such as Germany, depend on the Ukrainian pipes to great extent.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Ukraine gas row hits EU supplies

ABC: Russia cuts gas supply to Ukraine, Europe at risk

Telegraph: Russia cuts off Ukraine gas

[03] Partying in Every Corner of the Globe Celebrations around the World

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ÁNA - ĚPA - Reuters - BBC

Billions of people around the world welcomed 2006 with wishes for the best, songs and colorful fireworks. The streets came alive and a plethora of hopes, wishes and dreams wove a veil that covered every inch of the planet. Naturally, unpleasant incidents, along with some tragic events, were also recorded, but they were not enough to mar the moment that marks the birth of hopes for a new start. From Sidney to London and from Moscow to New York, the celebrations lasted until the early hours of the morning.

Wishes and Fireworks

In Europe, scores of people took to the streets to welcome the New Year. In Great Britain, hundreds of people, including many tourists, met in packed Trafalgar Square and central streets of London, to watch the amazing firework displays, which lit up the River Thames and the Millennium Wheel as soon as Big Ben stroke midnight.

In Paris, some 500,000 people with champagnes at hand celebrated in the famous Champs Elys&#233;es, under the surveillance of a strong police force to avert any incidents similar to the ones recorded recently in underprivileged suburbs. Approximately 25,000 police officers had been deployed throughout France, with 4,500 posted in Paris, to upkeep the order. The strong police presence, however, did not avert the torching of at least 343 vehicles around France, as is the case every New Years Eve, since 323 cars were torched last year. A total of 137 cars burnt down just in Paris and its surrounding areas, while the French police arrested 266 people.

Despite the fact that it was one degree below zero in Berlin, one million people welcomed 2006 at the Brandenburg Gate, in the German capitals historic centre, with thousands of fireworks

The New Years celebrations were also quite spectacular in Moscow, where thousands of people flocked the Red Square. This was the first time ever, though, that the Russians were not able to welcome the New Year with plenty of vodka, since the authorities had banned the consumption of alcohol during the celebrations.

The partying continued on the other side of the Atlantic. This year, New York seemed more concerned about the New Years traffic jam, than terrorism. Although there were emergency measures in place, no unpleasant incidents occurred. Over a million people defied the cold and gathered in Time Square to watch the 101st New Years celebration. Famous jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, who was accompanied by fire fighters and members of rescue crews who assisted the citizens of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, had the honour of pushing the button for the crystal ball drop. In New Orleans, 2006 was welcomed with a with a traditionally festive jazz funeral procession in memory of the 1,000 hurricane victims.

The welcoming of the New York was extremely spectacular in Brazil, where 2 million people flocked the famous Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, dancing to the beat of samba until the early hours of the morning. Some 25 tonnes of fireworks exploded in Rio, in a show that will remain unforgettable for all those present.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Partial Decompression French Confirm Helios Findings

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: NET

The decryption of the planes black box by French experts brings to light significant information about the tragedy of the Helios Boeing that crashed in Grammatiko last August. It confirmed the findings of the recent re-enactment, whereby there was partial and not total decompression of the Cypriot aircraft and that the pilot had control of the plane for over 10 minutes, before crashing due to lack of fuel. The tape contains all the efforts to communicate with the control towers, while the voice of flight attendant Andreas Prodromou calling "Mayday" can be heard until the Boeing crashed.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Delayed Reaction

[05] One Dead and 17 Injured Dawn of Explosions in Baghdad

By Tina Valaoura

Eight bombing attacks were carried out this morning, resulting in the death of one person and the injury of another 17. Car bombs were involved in seven out of the eight attacks. One of the cars, which was being driven by a suicide bomber, exploded in Karada, in the centre of Baghdad, as per a Defence Minister spokesperson. The bomber was killed in the attack, while five passers-by were injured. In addition, two police officers were injured in eastern Baghdad when a bomb that had been placed by the side of a street exploded. Furthermore, 10 Iraqis were injured by the explosions of another six car bombs in various suburbs of Baghdad.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Huge Lottery Bonus

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: NET

One or more lucky ticket holders from northern Greece will have a golden New Year. The quintuplet lucky lottery ticket was sold by an agent in Kavala. Number 8530 of the Series 8 won 5 million euros. The other four numbers of the same series, 8526, 8527, 8528 and 8529, win 250,000 euros each.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] For Health and Strength Wishes to the Hellenic President

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

Following the Mass at the Athens Cathedral this morning, the President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, received New Year wishes from the countrys political, religious, military, judicial and spiritual leadership at the Presidential Mansion. Mr Papoulias held brief conversations with the Prime Minister the President of PASOK and the Cabinet ministers.

Meaningful Calls

The gates of the Presidential Mansion opened at 12 noon and Mr Papoulias exchanged greetings with PM Kostas Karamanlis.

He then met with the leader of the Opposition George Papandreou, with whom they also discussed about their families.

"We wish for a calm year, as far as depending on you," said the general secretary of KKE, Aleka Papariga and the President agreed.

Mr Papoulias then exchanged wishes for peace, health and strength with the President of SYN, Alekos Alavanos, the Speaker of Parliament, Anna Psarouda-Benaki, and Archbishop Christodoulos.

"A lot depends on the Economy," noted the President to the Minister of Economy and Finance, Giorgos Alogoskoufis, wishing him all the best. Then, he wished Education Minister Marietta Giannakou strength, noting, "We expect a lot from your sector. You are my wifes favourite." The Hellenic President then told Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras, "Proceed with your sword. Congratulations."

Mr Papoulias, who spent the Christmas holidays with his family in Cologne, Germany, asked to be briefed by the Ministers of Interior, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Development, Dimitris Sioufas, and Employment, Panos Panagiotopoulos.

Earlier, the ministers, general secretaries and state members wished all the best to PM Kostas Karamanlis in his office in Parliament. Furthermore, the PM was visited by Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis and former PM Konstantinos Mitsotakis.

This morning the entire political, state, military, religious, judicial, prefectorial and municipal leadership attended Mass at the Athens Cathedral, officiated by His Beatitude, Archbishop Christodoulos. The President of the Hellenic Republic was welcomed at the churchyard by the Prefect of Athens, Giannis Sgouros, and the Mayor of Athens. He was then greeted at the entrance of the church by the PM.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] First Incidents for 2006 Were Arsons Small Arson Attacks

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

Two arson attacks were the first police incidents in Athens this year. Specifically, a homemade device, made of gas canisters, which had been place at the entrance of IKA in Egaleo, on 41 Ioanninon Street, exploded two minutes after midnight. Minor damages were caused by the explosion.

An hour later, unknown arsonists targeted a traffic camera on 85 Vouliagmenis Avenue in Glyfada. The culprits poured flammable liquid on the box at the bottom of the pole on which the camera was mounted and set it on fire, subsequently destroying it.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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