The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-05-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis-Erdogan Meeting on Thursday SEECP Summit at Focus

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, NET Radio 105.8

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister traveled to Thessaloniki, where he is to preside the SEECP (South-East European Cooperation Process) Summit. On the sidelines of the Summit on Thursday, the Greek PM will meet with his Turkish counterpart, Tayyip Erdogan, and the Albanian Prime Minister, Sali Berisha. The Summit proceedings opened in the morning with a meeting between Foreign Ministers and focused on Kosovo. Later in the afternoon, Greece, Croatia and Romania are to give a joint Press Conference.

The Greek Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyannis, met with her FYROM counterpart, Ilinka Mitreva, on Wednesday. No statements were made after the meeting, however Greek Foreign Ministry spokesperson Koumoutsakos said talks were held in a warm climate and focused on the two countries economic cooperation, as well as on the neighbouring countrys European course, which Mrs Bakoyannis said is supported by Greece.

On her part, Ilinka Mitreva said FYROM has pledged to follow the European course and is prepared to make all necessary reforms. Regarding FYROMs name, both sides have already stated their positions and negotiations are held under the UN.

Heavy Agenda of Talks

Among the topics to be discussed are the importance of regional cooperation between southeast European countries for their full accession to the EU, the prospects for the Western Balkans, the role of the SEECP Summit in view of the future revision of the Stability Pact, as well as current affairs of special importance to the wider Balkan area.

A total of 10 state leaders will attend the Summit in Thessaloniki on Wednesday and Thursday. The Presidents of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia-Montenegro, FYROM and the Prime Ministers of Bulgaria, Albania and Romania are expected to arrive within the day, while the Turkish Prime Minister will be arriving late at night. The Prime Ministers of Moldavia and Croatia will arrive on Thursday morning.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] Ongoing Upward Trend Oil Prices Surge to New High

By Athina Saloustrou

Oil prices surged to new record high reaching 75 dollars a barrel amidst havoc. On the one hand there is increased concern over the crisis with Iran's nuclear programme, as major countries do not seem to share a common point of view, and on the other hand US oil reserves have started to run out. The overall situation has triggered new concerns over the outcome and the consequences of expensive oil on the global market and its growth perspectives. In Singapore, light crude reached 74.95 dollars in the morning and prices continue to move on an upward trend for the fourth day now. On 24 April, light crude had reached 75.35 dollars a barrel and analysts voiced fears that historic record will be broken. Brent also recorded a historic price yesterday at 74.97 dollars a barrel and later dropped at 74.80. Darius Kowalczyk, senior investment strategist at CFC Securities Ltd. in Hong Kong, said, "The situation in Iran increases the limit of geopolitical danger, which the market creates on oil prices." Prices have increased by 5 dollars over the last four days. Iran, which threaten to first attack Israel if the USA took military actions, announced it has reached a level of 4.8% in the uranium enrichment process.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Armenian Plane With 113 Passengers Crashed Tragedy in the Black Sea

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, Reuters, AP, BBC

An Airbus 320 of Armenian air carrier Armavia Airlines, en route from Yerevan to Russian resort Sochi with 113 passengers on board, crashed 6km off the south coasts of Russia in the Black Sea. Rescue crews rushed on site and searches confirmed the worst-case scenario; there was no chance of recovering survivors. As per news agencies citing the Emergency Ministry, the majority of passengers, including eight crewmembers and five children, were Armenian citizens. 26 Russians, a Georgian and a Ukrainian were also on board.

Citing Emergency Ministry official Victor Beltsov, Itar-Tass news agency broadcast their jet disappeared from radar screens at 02:15 local time near Adler airport in Sochi, a popular resort in south Russia, near the borders with Georgia. Debris from the jet, oil spots, luggage and the dead bodies of at least 12 passengers were located 6k off the coasts a few hours after the crash.

According to an Armavia Airlines high-ranking official, the airbus was in perfect technical condition and the crew were well trained and experienced. The pilots had asked permission to land but the control tower had originally declined the request because of adverse weather conditions. However, a while later the jet was allowed to land. As per the first indications, the plane was making another emergency landing attempt before it plunged into the sea. Armavia Airlines, the biggest Armenian air carrier, has a history of three more Airbus 320 accidents.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

BBC - Armenian jet crashes near Sochi

Reuters - Jet crashes off Russia, no survivors seen

[04] Of his Statements about Corruption Kefalogiannis Claims Distortion

Commenting on Wednesdays press articles, Mercantile Marine Minister Manolis Kefalogiannis claimed that his statements regarding corruption and vested interests were distorted. "The current Government is making a great effort in the area of corruption and vested interest. It is self-evident that this effort constitutes an obligation for all of us, including the parties and the politicians, the reporters and finally, the citizens. As I pointed out in my statements to some reporters, it is the only way towards a qualitative democracy. Those who interpret and misinterpret part of the statements and the notions are simply creating impressions that are far from the truth," noted Kefalogiannis. Speaking from Qatar, where he is accompanying Greek President Karolos Papoulias, the Mercantile Marine Minister allegedly spoke of vested interest in some relations and accused reporters, editors and politicians of corruption.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] 14 Bodies Recovered Dead Morbid Finds

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, Reuters

The Iraqi Police discovered the dead bodies of fourteen adult men with gunshots and evident signs of torture at a Baghdad quarter. The bodies (blindfolded and with tied arms and legs) were discovered at the Shaab quarter in the Iraqi capital. The dead men were aged 20 to 30, clarified the Iraqi Police. Violence between the Shias and the Sunnis has dramatically increased after the attack against a Shia mosque last February. According to US estimations, attacks against civilians have doubled since then. Meanwhile, the formation of a new Iraqi Government with the participation of Shias, Sunnis and Kurds is expected to put an end to bloodshed.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] Meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch ERT's President in Phanar

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET - ANA

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with the President of the Hellenic Public Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), Christos Panagopoulos, in Phanar and discussed ways to strengthen collaboration between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and ERT. The Ecumenical Patriarch welcomed Mr Panagopoulos, who was accompanied by ERT advisor Panos Loukakos, at the Patriarchate. Bartholomew referred in detail to ERTs contribution in uniting the Ecumenical Patriarchate with its flock in all four corners of the globe. On his part, the President of ERT presented to the Ecumenical Patriarch the plans for ushering ERT into the era of new technologies.

The Patriarch hosted a luncheon in honour of Mr Panagopoulos, which was attended by Metropolitan Bishops Evangelos of Pergi, Konstantinos of Derki, Michael of Austria, Genadios of Sasimi, Iakovos of Prince Islands and Dimitrios of Sevastia, as well as the Abbot of the Chalki Monastery, Metropolitan Bishop Apostolos of Moschonisia, and Pavlos Magdalinos, Professor of Byzantine History at the University of St Andrews, Scotland.

In addition, Mr Panagopoulos toured the Patriarchate, the library and the Patriarchal Cathedral.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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