The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] State Department's Official Announcement Rice's Visit to Focus on Cyprus Issue

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ANA

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will pay a visit to Athens in the coming week. The State Department announced that the head of US diplomacy will meet with Greek Premier Kostas Karamanlis and Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, while it did not rule out a meeting with PASOK leader George Papandreou. During her four-day tour starting as of April 24, Mrs Rice will visit Ankara and then Sofia to attend the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting. As per State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, apart from the talks she will have with the leaders of Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey, Condoleezza Rice will attend an informal Foreign Ministers meeting to prepare the NATO Summit scheduled in Riga, Latvia, for coming November. In Turkey and Greece, she will reflect on the mutual interests between the USA and its strategic allies, namely Greece and Turkey, including the promotion of democracy and peace in the Middle East, the quelling of terrorism, Turkeys accession to the EU and energy safety in Eurasia, added Sean McCormack.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Rice in Athens on April 27

[02] In Olympic Airlines and ERGOSE Official Resignations

Sources: NET - NET 105.8

Transport Minister Michael Liapis decided to replace the President of Olympic Airlines, Petros Papageorgiou, and the President of ERGOSE, a subsidiary of the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE), Nikos Koumantatos. Current OA legal advisor, Ilias Karatzalis, was appointed as the airlines new President. The relations between outgoing President Papageorgiou and the Transport Minister were quite tense lately. Moreover, a few days after he was appointed, Papageorgiou declared that OA should have been sold, even for one euro. In addition, his public statements often triggered tension with employees, at a time when the Minister was trying to keep the relations between the company and the employees smooth.

It should further be noted that for the first time ever, the board members did not approve any of Papageorgious suggestions in Tuesdays meeting. After all this, Transport Ministry circles pointed out that the situation could not continue.

Now, as for ERGOSE, the newly formed company that manages OSEs investments, Nikos Koumantanos tendered in his resignation to take up his new duties as Public Works Manager at the General Secretariat of Sports. Nikos Apostolopoulos, former Planning Manager for OSE, was appointed as the new President.

PASOK: "We Have Been Confirmed"

PASOKs section head for Employment, Evangelos Venizelos, reacted immediately, claiming that the developments in OA confirm the lack of planning for the future of the company and the complete lack of coordination between the ministries of Economy and Transport. In addition, they confirm PASOKs allegations that the companys management "is intensifying rather than restricting the problems."

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] At Units and Outposts Greek President in Soufli for Easter

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, will celebrate Easter at units and outposts of the 50th Motorised Brigade in the Northern Greek town of Soufli. According to the schedule, the President will arrive in Alexandroupolis Demokritos Airport at 7pm on Holy Saturday, and from there he will travel to Soufli. He will attend the Mass of Resurrection at the Church of St George, while he will then sit to dinner at the Officers Hall. On Easter Sunday, Mr Papoulias will visit the Lavara military outpost at 12:30pm, while he will attend an Easter feast at the camp of the 50th Motorised Brigade in Soufli at 1:30pm.

The Rest of the Political Leaders

Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis will spend Easter on the island of Tinos. On Good Friday, Karamanlis will watch the Epitaph procession at the Church of the Virgin Mary, while on Holy Saturday he will attend the Mass of Resurrection at the Monastery of Kechrovouni. On Easter Sunday, the PM will visit the Kanaris frigate in the port of Tinos.

PASOK President George Papandreou will visit the island of Paros on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, while he will spend Easter Sunday at Dekeleia Airport in Tatoi.

KKE general secretary Aleka Papariga is on an official visit to China until 27 April.

Finally, SYN President Alekos Alavanos will also spend Easter on Tinos, his homeland. On Easter Sunday, he will visit Tinos Home for the Aged.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Bush-Hu Meeting Bush-Hu Meeting

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters, BBC, ANA

The improvement of Chinas human rights record was among the issues that topped the meeting held between US President George W. Bush and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao. China is a booming country, for its people are free to buy and sell products, said George Bush and added that the country should go even further by granting its people expression and religion freedoms. On his part, the Chinese President assured that Beijing is bent on reforms on several fields, without making any reference to human rights. In the meantime, anti-Chinese demonstrators staged a protest, trying to obstruct the Chinese Presidents speech and take over the place held for TV crews.

USA-China Cooperation

Furthermore, the Chinese President affirmed that steps will be taken so that cooperation and trade between the two countries are boosted, while the US President requested his counterpart use its considerable influence with North Korea to make meaningful progress toward a Korean peninsula that is free of nuclear weapons. Mr Bush reiterated that the USA is committed to a "one China" and opposed any unilateral action against Taiwan.

Finally, Mr Hu underlined that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, adding that China will never allow Taiwans secession from China.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Bush welcomes Chinese president

Reuters: China's Hu draws protests

Reuters: Hu pledges more steps on trade

Related News:

Chinese President Visits the USA

[05] Meeting with the Minister on April 28 Chalkidiki Ports Cleared

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA

Local fishermen in the Prefecture of Chalkidiki, who had blocked off Thursday morning the ports of Ouranoupoli, Ierissos and Trypiti, thus hampering access to Mt Athos, suspended their actions, after a meeting with Mercantile Marine Minister Manolis Kefalogiannis was scheduled for April 28. The local fishermen are demanding they be allowed to fish 500m off the shores Mt Athos, as this is prohibited by legislation since 1987. A delegation of the Federation of Local Fishermen of Central Macedonia met with Macedonia-Thrace Ministry secretary general Loukas Ananika. On Thursday morning, tension ran high in Ouranoupoli, when disgruntled pilgrims complained about the blockade, but where driven away by the Port Police.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Chalkidiki Ports Blocked Off

[06] Focusing on 2,500 Photos of Antiquities

Sources: NET

The first lawsuits regarding the case of antiquities smuggling revealed on the Aegean island of Schinoussa are to be filed after Easter. In the meantime, the brief, which is believed to be really bulky, is likely to include the names of distinguished Greeks and foreigners. At the same time, the Greek authorities are closely examining some 2,500 photos portraying antiquities, most of which were not found on the island and are thought to be either in the gip of the rings members or in possession of collectors and museums. One of the questions puzzling the authorities is where these items are. A brief against Konstantinos Gryspos, the mansions caretaker, has already been drawn up, because an investigation in his house yielded antiquities. The caretaker will be referred to Naxos Prosecutor Office and his deposition is hoped to shed some light to the case.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Antiquities in Athens

[07] Cancelled Again Iraqi Parliament Session on Saturday

Initially scheduled for Thursday, Iraqs Parliament session was cancelled for a second time. As per Kurdish PM Mahmud Osman, the Iraqi Parliament will hold a session on the coming Saturday, upon the Shiite blocs request. The bloc will announce its nomination for the post of Prime Minister Saturday morning, Osman was quoted as saying. It is noted that the outgoing Premier Ibrahim al-Jaafari agreed to let his party decide if he should step aside or not. Kurdish and Sunni Arabs oppose al-Jaafaris nomination.

[08] To Build a New Home Cheque of Love from ERT

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

On Maundy Thursday, ERTs management welcomed Father Antonios Papanikolaou, from Kivotos charity, to its headquarters, to hand him part of the proceeds from the Love Telethon. Father Antonios accepted a cheque for 672,682 euros from ERTs President Christos Panagopoulos. The final amount will be handed over once the 200,000 SMSs and the postal cheques are counted. On 30 March, ERTs TV channels and radio programmes organised the Love Telethon for the 200 children of Kivotos, with the aim of building them a new home.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

"A Home to Call their Own"

Kivotos: A House of Love

[09] Against the King Clashes in Nepal Continue

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters - NET

The violence in Nepal is escalating, as another two people were killed and nearly 30 were injured, when police opened fire on tens of thousands of protesters who were violating the curfew imposed in Kathmandu. In the last fortnight, thousands of citizens have been taking to the streets daily, asking for the removal for King Gyanendra, who took full powers in a coup in February 2005, vowing to crush the Maoist rebels, who are controlling a large part of the country. The protesters are demanding elections and democratisation, while the fatalities since the outbreak of the clashes have reached nine.

Asking for Elections

The authorities had warned that they would shoot anyone violating the 18-hour curfew on Thursday.

In addition, the country has been in crisis over the last two weeks, as a general strike is also being staged.

A special envoy arrived in the country from India, while the authorities released two leaders of the opposition, including the general secretary of Nepals Communist Party.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: 'Police fire' on Nepal protesters

ABC: Police Fire on Protesters in Nepal

Related News:

Anti-Monarchy Protests in Nepal

Bloody Clashes in Nepal

[10] Released from the Truck Carrying Them Bees Spread Panic

By Athina Saloustrou

A swarm of over 500,000 bees spread panic in Ionia, Thessaloniki, with passers-by running in a frenzy to avoid being stung. The incident occurred when a truck that was carrying beehives collided with a car, and as a result the bees were released. Two people were treated in emergency rooms for bee stings. Finally, an experienced apiarist was called to drive the bees back in the beehives and reinstate the order.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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