The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Over Iran's Nuclear Programme Time for Diplomacy

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA, NET, Reuters, BBC

IAEA head Mohamed ElBaradei submitted a negative report to the UN on Irans stance regarding its nuclear programme, thus paving the way for imposing sanctions. According to the report, the Islamic Republic ignored the appeals of the international community to stop its uranium enrichment programme, while it did not fully cooperate with IAEA inspectors in order to define whether Tehrans nuclear programme has military purposes. Despite being in a tight spot, Tehran continues to be firm in its positions and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad continues to provoke. "Those who want to prevent Iranians from obtaining their right, should know that we do not give a damn about such resolutions" he stressed shortly before the announcement of the report. Meanwhile, US President George Bush, who is currently in Azerbaijan, tried to ease off the tension by supporting the problem should be solved through diplomacy. Suspense in the international community over the actions to be taken.

Diplomatic Nightmare

However, that does not mean that George Bush has rejected military action in case Iran does not comply with the UN's decisions. As he supported, Tehran's intransigence will not be tolerated.

"It's very important for the Iranians to understand there is a common desire by a lot of nations in this world to convince them, peacefully convince them, that they ought to give up their weapons ambitions," Bush said, adding that he would keep consulting U.S. allies on the issue.

Earlier, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad added fuel to the fire saying his country could quickly become a global superpower, supporting, "Enemies think that by threatening us, launching psychological warfare or imposing embargos they can dissuade our nation from obtaining nuclear technology. The Iranian nation insists on its right to peaceful nuclear technology. We will not back down one iota," he added.

However, in an effort to buy time, Iranian diplomats in New York suggested a timetable of talks with the inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Of course, what is important from now on is the stance of the international community against Tehran, with the USA trying to establish a form of coalition, comprising countries ready to even take military action, and China and Russia on the other hand insisting on solving the crisis through diplomatic means.

France and the UK have already joined side with the USA.

The next three day will be crucial for negotiations and complete proposals, while on Tuesday, 2 May, high ranking officials from the USA, Russia, China, the UK, France and Germany will be meeting in Paris to assess and evaluate the situation.

According to British ambassador to the UN Emyr Jones Parry, France, Germany and the UK in collaboration with US ambassador John Bolton are working out a proposal, expected to be ready next week.

Parry stressed the draft decision falls under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which allows for military action.

US ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton paved the way to such a draft, saying if Iran wont comply with UN demands, then the US Government will seek council approval of a resolution making those demands mandatory under international law. If that resolution is adopted and Iran still refuses to suspend uranium enrichment, the United States and its allies would consider targeted sanctions against individuals.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw moved on the same wavelength, asking the UN "to increase the pressure on Iran so that the international community can be assured that its nuclear programme is not a threat to peace and security."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Iran 'fails to heed nuclear call'

Related News:

IAEA's Report on Iran

[02] Unsettled Weather on the Three-Day Weekend May Day Excursion with Rain

Sources: NET

The grim weather forecasts of the meteorological service were confirmed, since it is raining in many regions of the country as of Friday, while the weather is not expected to improve during the three-day weekend. However, increased traffic in national highways and ports is not expected, since many of the Easter holidaymakers will stay in the city. In any case, the Traffic Police is on alert to facilitate drivers.

In particular, the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) forecast rainfalls, mainly in the Ionian Islands and mainland, for Saturday.

In Attica, there will be temporary cloudiness and local short showers. The winds will be blowing north-northeast. The temperature will range from 14 to 20 degrees Celsius.

In Thessaloniki, the weather will be overcast with local short showers. The wind will be blowing east. The temperature will range from 12 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Rainy May Day

[03] Held by Leaders of Political Parties Meetings with Iranian Ambassador

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

Iranian Ambassador to Greece Mehdi Mohtashami held a series of contacts with KKE General Secretary Aleka Papariga, President of SYN Alekos Alavanos and President of LAOS Giorgos Karatzaferis. Mr Mohtashami briefed the political leaders on Irans positions, in relation to nuclear weapons, as well as the event of a US attack. At the end of the meeting, Mrs Papariga said that the US, NATO and the EU "make decisions with double standards over which country they should inspect, in relation to the use of nuclear energy" and noted that KKE considers that pressure to Iran comes from "the USs economic, political and military interests in the region." On his part, Mr Alavanos called on the Greek Government to not participate in sanctions, which may be imposed to Iran, and added that Greece should broaden its relations with the Muslim world. Mr Karatzaferis described a dialogue as the only solution, while asking Iran to supply cheap oil to Greece. In the meantime, Stop the War Coalition voiced its opposition to the US policy and staged a demonstration march.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] More Funds for Regional Greece

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The 13th Meeting of Greek Regional Heads, held in Giannena, ended on Friday night with a speech delivered by Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos. On Friday, Mr Pavlopoulos met with Prefects and Mayors to discuss the growth of regional Greece through more funds and gave specific guidelines on how to deal with illegal refuse dumps. As he noted, Epirus will receive over 15 million euros in 2006 and stressed the aim is to maintain the great absorption of funds around Greece.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] For the Phosphoric Fertilisers Issue Solution in May

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

The Ministers of Employment and Macedonia-Thrace Savvas Tsitouridis and Giorgos Kalantzis reassured the union of employees that a final solution will be given to the phosphoric fertiliser plant in Thessaloniki and Kavala by 15 May. In a meeting held in the Ministry of Employment at noon, the operation of the Kavala plant was secured, while three scenarios will be investigated for the 500 employees in the Thessaloniki plant in the coming days. The continuation of operation, voluntary redundancy and the transfer of personnel to the Kavala plant are among the solutions.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Appeals Justified Greece Recovers Funds from EU

Sources: NET, ANA

Greece will receive returns of 10,590,000 euros by the Agricultural Fund of the European Union, in the context of the clearance of accounts of the 25 Member-States by the FEOGA in fixed time periods. The returns concern the justification of appeals on three cases submitted by Greeces authorities to the European Court. It is noted that the amounts of money were deducted from Greece in the previous clearance of accounts. In closing, the Commission requested 10 Member-States to return the sum of 128,200,000 euros because of inadequate control procedures or non-compliance with European Union rules on agricultural expenditure.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Over the Course of Oil Prices Optimism and Rises

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET

Oil prices have slightly slid, standing at about $70 per barrel, easing the worries of the international markets. However, the upward spiralling recently recorded has had an impact on the Greek market. Olympic Airlines raised their ticket prices by 1euros for domestic flights and 5 euros for international ones. The Greek Ministry of Economy is closely monitoring the developments, as the recent market inspections showed that the average price of unleaded fuel surged again. In 42 prefectures, the price of unleaded fuel has exceeded 1 euro, ranging from 1.002 to 1.093 euros. Despite the rise, the price of unleaded fuel in Greece still remains the lowest in the EU.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Oil Prices Cool Off

[08] Ïn-line Tax Inspections

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: NET

The Economy Ministry is looking in the possibility of an on-line connection between tax offices and banks to directly control transactions with businesses. Former PASOK Minister Alekos Papadopoulos had made the relevant proposal and Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis supported it. "It is very positive to see the Opposition is making a serious proposal. All serious proposals are welcomed and discussed over," said Economy Ministry officials. This project will help the Economy Ministry fight the issuing of forged invoices and limit money laundering.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] Appeals Justified Greece Recovers Funds from EU

Sources: NET, ANA

Greece will receive returns of 10,590,000 euros by the Agricultural Fund of the European Union, in the context of the clearance of accounts of the 25 Member-States by the FEOGA in fixed time periods. The returns concern the justification of appeals on three cases submitted by Greeces authorities to the European Court. It is noted that the amounts of money were deducted from Greece in the previous clearance of accounts. In closing, the Commission requested 10 Member-States to return the sum of 128,200,000 euros because of inadequate control procedures or non-compliance with European Union rules on agricultural expenditure.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Until the End of June Caravaggio Exhibit in Cycladic Art Museum

By Vivian Papastefanou

The Cycladic Art Museum is hosting the exhibition "Caravaggio and the 17th Century," which is composed by three of his paintings and 11 works by painters who were inspired or imitated the school of the great artist. The exhibition was inaugurated by President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on Thursday night and will be open until the end of June. The exhibits inauguration was attended by Minister of Culture Giorgos Voulgarakis and Italian Ambassador to Athens Gian Paolo Cavarai. In his address, Mr Voulgarakis stressed that the audience will have the opportunity to come into direct contact with "Caravaggios emotive introversion and the intensity of his contrasts; a great master of painting, who interests the wider audience and not art experts exclusively, the work and life of whom has been depicted in films and books."

The Italian Ambassador to Greece, who conveyed the Italian Presidents address, under the auspice of whom the exhibition is taking place, referred to the event as "an excellent opportunity for Greek-Italian relations to be strengthened even further, which were always based" on a tradition of friendship and cooperation.

Moreover, he referred to Greek actress Irene Papas with cordial words, who, as he said, is considered a symbol of Greek-Italian friendship in Italy, and as he called her "Irene Light Papas."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Over Papadopoulos' Statements Venizelos Launched Attack

Sources: NET, NET Radio 105.8

Internal frictions in PASOK over Alekos Papadopoulos' views on retirement age limits continue. Evangelos Venizelos issued a written statement speaking of ideological domination of conservative views. According to these opinions, stressed Venizelos, social unfairness is deemed as daring and responsible. Speaking on NET radio 105.8, Alekos Papadopoulos said the attacks from other members of the Main Opposition aimed at causing a stir. On Thursday, Nikos Athanasakis said Mr Papadopoulos' views were only personal, not expressing Party beliefs.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[12] Karamanlis-Stavrou Meeting

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ANA

Greek Premier Kostas Karamanlis met Friday with ND Parliamentary Group secretary Apostolos Stavrou and called for a closer cooperation between the ministers and the parliamentarians. Mr Karamanlis also authorised Mr Stavrou to send minister letters asking them to set specific days and hours to make appointments with the MPs, as well as regularly brief the members of the Parliaments Committees. Following the end of the meeting, Mr Stavrou said that NDs Central Committee will convene, presided by the PM and focusing on the Constitutional Review, so that the proposal of the governing party be submitted. Moreover, he said "a tour of all Ministers in regional areas will be planned, in cooperation with the General Secretary of the Central Committee, so that the Governments message is passed around" to all the citizens of the country.

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