The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-01-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Over the Outcome of Zhelin's Case Satisfaction And Questions

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Greek Police voiced its satisfaction over the outcome of the thriller with Russian murderer Maxim Zhelin, who committed suicide. So far, no one has asked for Zhelins body, and therefore, the Russian Embassy was informed. The leadership of the Greek Police is satisfied over the outcome of the police operation, one of the most difficult mounted over the last years, since the fugitive did not manage to break free from the police cordon. In a Press Conference given on Monday, Police Chief Giorgos Aggelakos and the General Inspector of Northern Greece, Vice-General Stratos Kyriakidis gave an in-depth account of the three-day manhunt, while according to the coroner, Zhelin shot himself some between 15:00 and 18:00 on Sunday.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] At Karamanlis-Alogoskoufis Meeting 2006 Economy Policy

By Anna Kourti

The means of implementing the reforms the Government adopted in 2005 and the decrease in deficit below 3%, as the 2006 budget provides for, topped the meeting held this morning between Greek Premier Kostas Karamalis and Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis. Exiting the meeting, Mr Alogoskoufis stated, "Our objective is to achieve a deficit drop below 3% of the GDP, as the budget provides for," adding that the Government goal is for the reforms regarding the countrys growth to yield results. As to whether the European Commission is to give a new deadline for Greece to achieve a deficit drop, the Economy Minister pointed out, "The EU is considering the issue, without the Greek Government having asked for that." He then went on to say that a possible new deadline would be welcomed.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Authorities on Alert Rainfalls Raise Concerns

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ΝΕΤ

The continuous heavy rainfalls have caused serious problems across Greece and raised concerns among the people. In the Prefecture of Evros, the river level has surpassed the security limit, since at Pythios station the river level was recorded to 5m nearing the 5.70m limit. In the Prefecture of Preveza, houses were flooded and streets were converted into surging streams, while extensive subsidence was recorded in many parts of the Prefectures road network. In the meantime, in the village of Harokopi in Ioannina, the authorities stay alert for fear of new landslides, since the ground has subsided by 3 or 4 metres. Five houses were hailed as dangerous and their owners had to abandon them, while geologists spoke of swampy ground caused by underground currents. Landslides and subsidence have also been reported on the Ioannina Prefecture road network.

River Level Posts Sharp Rise

The residents of the Prefecture of Evros fear for new floods. The heavy rainfalls affecting Bulgaria and Turkey are making things even worse, while the high temperatures recorded have started melting the ices, thus raising the river levels.

The Prefecture of Evros keeps calling upon the residents to keep clear off the banks of Evros River, to avoid crossing the smaller streams, and to take their animals and agricultural vehicles away from the areas in the brink of flooding. It is noted that the level of Evros River was also dangerously raised last February and August.

The problems are most likely to continue, since the weather is forecast to take a turn for the worst as of the night, while heavy rainfalls are expected in the coming days.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Fears for Landslides in Ioannina

[04] 51 People Were Killed Deadly Landslides in Indonesia

By Anna Kourti

The floods and landslides that affected several villages in Eastern Java, Indonesia, took a heavy toll on the population, since 51 people were killed. The heavy downpours recorded on Sunday prompted floods and landslides in six mountainous villages near the town of Jember, 800km east of Jakarta. Most of the victims lived in coffee plantations on riverbanks. The rescue teams are vying to reach villages that are still closed-off, while they are to construct makeshift bridges to access these areas.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] In 3 Different Districts of Athens String of Blasts in Athens

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA

Three makeshift bombs went off in the early hours targeting cars and NDs offices in three different Athenian neighbourhoods. The group "Antikratiki Dikeosini" (Anti-state justice) claimed responsibility for the attacks, which were in support of the anarchists held in prison. The first makeshift bomb detonated at 03.10am on 43 Trivonianou Street in Mets. The bomb had been placed under a car that held diplomatic plates. The fire that broke out burnt down further four cars. At 03.25am on 40 Rigas Fereos Street, in Petroupoli, unidentified men torched a car that bore no plates. The fire also spread to a nearby car, thus sustaining damages to both. Finally, at 04.15am, a makeshift bomb detonated at the entrance of NDs offices situated on 14 Bohalis Street in Kipseli. In the meantime, the fire that burnt down the car of the mayor of Therissos, Chania , and that of his wife, at 2:30am, was put down to arson.

At 5am, ALTER television network received a call by a man who did not reveal his identity. The man said that the group "Antikratiki Dikeosini" was behind the attacks in support of anarchists Kalaitzidis, Aspiotis and Karasaidis, who are held in prison charged with arson and further offences.

At the same time, a fire broke out at 2:30am and burnt down the car of the mayor of Therissos, Chania, and that of his wife, while the roof of the garage sustained heavy damages. As per information, the perpetrators sprayed the vehicles with petrol. Police located two makeshift bombs in between the two vehicles.

Therissos Mayor spoke of rivals within the Municipality, while he reminded that another attack against him had been mounted six months ago. Police and the Fire Service are carrying out a joint probe into the case.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Ordeal for Pakistani Quake Victims Snow Hampers Aid Efforts in Pakistan

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: BBC, ANA

The ordeal of the Pakistanis, who were affected by the October 8 deadly earthquake, seems never ending. Apart from the hardships the 3 million quake survivors have to cope with, they have now found themselves against subzero temperatures and severe weather conditions. The heavy snowfalls recorded in the northern Pakistan weighed down makeshift tents killing 70 people. As per paper Jang, the tents used as medical centres and schools were destroyed, for they could not sustain the weight of the snow. In the meantime, the continuous rainfalls and snowstorms have prompted huge landslides in several quake-stricken areas, and closed many roads, hampering relief efforts. The inclement weather conditions have grounded the helicopters transferring food and medicines. The weather forecast is rather gloomy, since Meteorologists estimate that the bad weather is to go on for at least four more days.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Snow disrupts Kashmir aid effort

Pakistan Daily Times: Fragile tents, sturdy snow

Reuters: Snow, rain bring misery to Pakistan survivors

[07] 7 Magnitude Quake in South Pacific

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA

A powerful earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale occurred in the small hours in the South Pacific off the Fiji and Tonga Islands. So far, there are no reports of victims or damages. As per the Australian Geological Survey Organisation, the earthquake did not prompt a tsunami. A spokesman of the Australian Organisation stated that it was an undersea earthquake, some 600 or 700 metres deep. It occurred at 10:13 local time (00:13 Greek local time) and its epicentre was located 335km northwest of Tongas capital of Nukualofa.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Rockets Target Israeli City

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA

Palestinian militants fired six rockets targeting the Israeli city of Sderot, where alarm was sounded since the warning system was immediately activated. The six makeshift rockets were fired from the northern part of the Gaza Strip. The attacks occurred a few hours after the death of three member of Islamic Jihad during air strikes mounted by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Following the Christmas Time Recess 17N Trial Resumes

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, ANA

Following the recess due to the Christmas holidays, the 17N trial resumed on Tuesday morning. The court had to appoint for the third time running new attorneys to represent Alexandros Giotopoulos, since those who had been appointed declined the appointment, citing financial and health reasons. The newly appointed attorneys, Th. Aggelis, G. Kavouras and Th. Theoharis, were called on to appear before the court on Wednesday. Shortly after the appointment, the Chief Judge dismissed the court. Towards the end of todays session, a statement by Vasilis Tzortzatos, who argued that some detainees were referred to court, because some gave false testimonies to achieve favourable penalties, fuelled a verbal conflict between Dimitris Koufontinas and Tzortzatos attorney, Vasilis Mylonas.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] A 60-Year-Old Found Dead Fire in Koukaki, Athens

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET, ANA

A 60-year-old male died a tragic death, when a fire broke out in his apartment, on the 4th floor of a block of flat located on 16 Tsireon Street in Koukaki, Athens. As per the Fire Service, the deceased was disabled and did not manage to evacuate the blazing apartment in time. A preliminary examination is under way to determine the causes of the fire and the death of the 60-year-old male.

Translated by Areti Christou

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