The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] To Greece's Universities and TEIs More Students Admitted

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET

The number student to be admitted to Greeces Universities and Technological Education Institutes (TEI) this year will increase by two thousands, announced the Greek Ministry of Education. In particular, the number of students to be admitted to Universities and TEIs amounts to 83,268, as opposed to 81,267 last year, meaning that eight to ten students will enter the threshold of tertiary education. Regional Universities and TEIs are to absorb more students, as opposed to the Athens and Thessalonikis Universities and TEIs. Much-preferred faculties, like the Medicine faculty, are to receive fewer students. It is noted that as of this year, students who fail to get the passmark, will not be admitted. Some 100,000 students are to take part in the national level exams, which are to commence the second fortnight of May and end in the second fortnight of June. In the meantime, Education Minister Marietta Giannaou went to Maximos Mansion and discussed the Governments educational policy with the Prime Minister. Mrs Giannakou announced a string of initiatives, as well as changes, in the tertiary education. She also stated that student of Vocational Training Centres (TEE) will be granted access to the tertiary education.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Against 12-year-old Student Attempted Kidnap in Menidi

By Athina Saloustrou

Two hooded men in a luxury car attempted to kidnap a 12-year-old student shortly before arriving at school in Menidi. The boy has already been taken to the Department of Juvenile Affairs, escorted by a Police psychologist. This is not the first incident of attempted child abduction, as similar cases have been reported over the past few days, mostly in Northern Greece, and parents are alarmed. The 12-year-old student said two hooded men in a black BMW approached him on his way to school. One of the two men got off the car and tried to force the boy get inside. The boy reacted and finally managed to escape, finding refuge at school. A social worker was immediately taken to school to provide support to the terrified child. This was the first time the student was going to school on his own, as his mother was with his father, who is in hospital to undergo surgery. The school immediately informed the parents. As per information, a black car was often seen near the Primary and High School of the area.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Extensive Damage Fire in a Bank

By Athina Saloustrou

The fire that broke out at 2am at dawn burnt down the ground floor of a National Bank of Greece branch in Peristeri. Extensive damage was also caused all the way up to the third floor of the building housing the branch. Police put down the fire to arson. Firefighters rushed to the fire scene and after long-drawn-out efforts, they managed to put the fire under control. However, apart from the ground floor that was completely destroyed, the fire caused damage to the first, second and third floors, also housing the banks services. Athens Police along with the Fire Department have launched a preliminary examination.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Montenegro Decides on May

By Athina Saloustrou

Montenegros Parliament decided to hold a referendum on May 21, 2006, with the question of the countrys independence from Serbia. According to the proposal approved, should 55% of the candidates vote for independence, Montenegro will be separated from Serbia. Following a debate in Parliament, the leader of the Parliamentary group of the Democratic Party of Socialists expressed the certainty that his countrymen will vote in favour of the independence. European Union envoy Miroslav Lajcak had been long trying to strike a deal with the Montenegrin leaders on the conditions under which the referendum is to be held. However, the government coalition in Montenegro was not fully satisfied with the final agreement. Should the independence proposal is voted against, a new referendum will take place in at least a three years time.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Former UCK Insurgent Nominated as PM Belgrade Opposes Ceku's Nomination

By Athina Saloustrou

The nomination of former UCK insurgent Agim Ceku as Kosovo Prime Minister triggered off Belgrades objection, at a time when crucial negotiations on Kosovos future regime are underway. The proposal that Ceku assume such a pivotal political role is an outright indication that the Albanian side is being radical, was quoted as saying Santa Raskovic-Ivic, president of the Serbian Coordination Center for Kosovo. Former UCK insurgent and sworn enemy of Belgrade, Agim Ceku is expected to be appointed as Prime Minister, as Premier Bajram Kosumi stepped down last Wednesday following criticism of his stewardship as the province seeks independence from Serbia in U.N.-led negotiations. Citing the need to preserve a coalition majority and the cooperation of Kosovos Western backers, Kosumi, "I find the correct and ethical action is to resign from the post of prime minister." The imminent appointment of the former UCK insurgent to the post has already sparked off Belgrades reactions, since losing control of Kosovo is looming. Serbia also objects the likelihood of negotiating with a person who has been convicted in absentia by Serbian courts as a war criminal.

Political Crisis in Kosovo

Ceku leads a group called Kosovos Protection Corps (KPC), consisting of former insurgents. Despite being presented as a humanitarian group, it is believed to be the base for a future Kosovo Albanian army, so long as they achieve their full secession from Belgrade.

Ceku had been serving in the Yugoslav army before he sided with the Croats in their latters war against Serbia. In early 1999, Ceku left the Croatian army and took control over the Kosovo Albanian insurgents and collaborated with the USA, while the NATO-led bombarding of Serbia.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] IAEA Board Convenes on Monday Straw: Possible Solution to Iran Deadlock

By Vicky Keleri

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw voiced his conviction that a solution could be worked out so that international sanctions against Iran could be suspended. In his interview with Le Figaro, Straw pointed out that suspending sanctions is feasible. He also stressed it is the International Atomic Energy Agency that will decide whether referring the Iran case to the UN Security Council or not. It is noted that France, Britain and Germany make the EU troika trying to convince Iran to halt its nuclear programme. The IAEA board of governors is to convene on Monday in Vienna to decide on Irans referral to the UN Security Council.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Death Toll to 16 New Attacks in Iraq

By

Another day of atrocities in Iraq. A total of 11 troops and police officers were killed, when a gang of 20 insurgents attacked a checkpoint 150km off Baghdad, announced the Tikrit police. Four police officers and seven troops were killed, while three police vehicles were destroyed, a police source was quoted as saying.

In addition, a bomb blast occurred on Thursday morning in the town of Zafaranija, SE of Baghdad, claimed the lives of four people and injured some 11, mostly women.

Another bomb attack rocked western Baghdad. A police officer was killed and two were injured, when a makeshift explosive device went off in the quarter of Al Jihad.

In the meantime, the 16 Iraqi policemen, who were held hostages after an ambush taken place south of Kirkuk, were released. During the ambush, three police officers were killed and eight were injured.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Second Defeat for Panathinaikos

By Stathis Petropoulos

Making it to the Top 16 of the Euroleague proved to be a pretty easy job for Panathinaikos. However, making it to the Top 8 is proving rather adventurous. The Greek team suffered their second loss, since they failed to surmount Benettons obstacle, with the Italians scored a home 76-69 victory. Now, Obradovics team have to pull themselves together and return back to victories. The score per period: 26-25, 42-45, 55-52, 76-69.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] US Scientists Gravely Concerned Avian Flu Hits Serbia

By Vicky Keleri

The avian flu hit in Serbia-Montenegro. The Serbian Health Ministry officially announced on Thursday that the swan found dead in northern Serbia was affected with the H5 avian flu virus. A relevant announcement read that the presence of the H5 virus was confirmed after lab tests were carried out in Novi Sad and Kraljevo. It is the first H5 case officially recorded in the country. At the same time, the rapid spread of the avian flu has gravely concerned US scientists. The virus may soon infect wild or domesticated birds in the USA, the countrys Secretary of Health Michael Leavitt was quoted as saying. Addressing a congressional panel on his agencys budget, Mr Leavitt noted that no one knows when the virus starts threatening humans. "Its just a matter of time, it may be very soon," he added.

Democrat congressmen blasted the Bush administration for not having allocating enough funds for vaccine production, stockpiling vaccines and community readiness.

On his part, Leavitt argued that by the end of 2006, the US authorities will have some 20 million doses of anti-viral drugs, mostly Tamiflu, stockpiled, although developing a vaccine combating the avian flu will not be available before three to five years go by.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Probably an Isolated Occurrence Weak Tremor in Halkidiki

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA

A weak tremor measuring 3.7 on the Richter scale occurred early in the morning off the coast of Sithonia, Halkidiki, sparking off concern among the areas residents. As per the Geophysics Laboratory of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the earthquake occurred at 6.59am and its epicentre was located 15km off the southern coast of the Sithonia peninsula. Manolis Skordilis, seismologist of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, told ANA and MNA news agencies that it is probably an isolated occurrence. The earthquake was felt in the southern and central part of the Prefecture of Halkidiki, as well as the SE areas of the Prefecture of Thessaloniki.

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] 13 Fatalities, 48 Injured Tragic Accident in Peru

By Vicky Keleri

At least 13 people were killed and further 48 were injured in southern Peru, when a bus skidded out of control and crashed with another one. Two US citizens are listed among the dead. The bus was en route from Cuzco to Puno, when the driver suddenly changed the bus course to avoid a parked truck. As per the police, the rainy weather played its part, since there were limited visibility conditions. On Sunday, another bus crash claimed some 30 lives in the southern province of Arequipa. Bus accidents are rather frequent in Peru, due to poorly maintained vehicles, dangerously rutted road networks and harsh weather.

[12] Two Days Ahead of Bush's Visit Deadly Blast in Karachi

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: Reuters- ANA

A car bomb claimed the lives of at least five people and injured some 35 in Pakistani capital city of Karachi, two days ahead of US President George W. Bushs visit to the country. The blast occurred in an area between the US consulate and the Marriott Hotel. A hotel guard is among the fatalities. The US President, who is visiting India, said that a US diplomat is among the dead, while he did not rule out more US citizens having been killed. However, George Bush claimed that the terrorists and the murderers would not deter him from visiting Pakistan on Saturday, as scheduled.

In the meantime, as per a top-ranking Pakistani police officer, the car bomb had been parked behind the Marriott Hotel. Several vehicles were torched and many hotel windows were smashed, due to the blast.

Eyewitnesses reported a second blast, which it occurred when a one of the burning cars gas tank blew up.

Translated by Areti Christou

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