The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Insists on Intransigent Stand

10 Feb 2008 15:08:00 (Last updated: 10 Feb 2008 19:22:06)

Sources: ΝΕΤ

There was a new provocation on the part of the FYROM President before dozens of NATO leaders at the informal security conference taking place in Munich. Replying to Greek ambassador Anastasios Kriekoukis, who urged him to answer whether his country is willing to take a goodwill step so that a mutually acceptable solution to the name row can be found, Branko Crvenkovski reiterated that the name issue is non-negotiable. Further arguing that a certain country (he avoided naming it) is raising obstacles in FYROMs NATO bid, Crvenkovski turned down the call for a compound name. Present at the conference was Greeces Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis, who sent a stern message to FYROM. "We [Greece] will give the battle and win it," stressed Meimarakis.

In the meantime, the FYROM Foreign Minister will meet with Condoleezza Rice on 13 February. A day later, it will be Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis turn to hold talks with her US counterpart. In late February, Matthew Nimetz is due in Athens to unveil his final proposal on the name.

New talks have been scheduled on 6 and 7 March in the informal meeting of the NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels. The USA has been in the middle of encouraging both sides to reach a compromise, while Condoleezza Rice is expected to visit Greece in early June.

Translated by Areti Christou

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[02] Across Greece

10 Feb 2008 11:50:00

Sources: NET, ANA

State authorities are still on standby, as gale-force northerlies at speed of up to 10 Beaufort, snowfalls even to low-altitude regions and biting temperatures make up the weather throughout Greece. There are no sea services connecting the Aegean islands and Crete with mainland Greece, since the sailing ban has not been lifted. The strong winds cancelled several domestic flights. In the meantime, it has been snowing in the most part of the country, therefore the use of snow chains being an imperative. Authorities are on alert to keep roads accessible. Winds are forecast to drop as of Monday, however, biting temperatures will remain.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] A. Tsipras SYN New President

By Nasos Bratsos

Works of SYN party 5th regular congress concluded on Sunday afternoon with the election of Alexis Tsipras as new president. A. Tsipras succeeds Alekos Alavanos, who along with the announcement that he will not run for the partys presidency, publicly expressed his proposal for Tsipras candidacy, as the most appropriate leader for Synaspismos party new period. Tsipras was supported by the leftist wing while Mr. Koubelis was supported by the renewal wing. Total number of voters was 1.196, with Tsipras gathering 840 votes (70.41%) and Koubelis 342 (28.67%). There were also 3 invalid and 11 blank votes. After the announcement of results, the new SYN party president, A. Tsipras thanked participants for the strong mandate which he described as a mandate of unity, optimism and struggle and thanked his rival Fotis Koubelis for the climate of "political culture" in their confrontation. Finally, he spoke of composition of views to meet high expectations of the Leftist world. In his short speech, Fotis Koubelis stated: "As of tomorrow we are all united in the political struggle" and wished Alexis Tsipras success in his difficult task for the party and the people.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] By Archbishop Ieronymos

10 Feb 2008 13:23:00 (Last updated: 10 Feb 2008 15:13:52)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

At his farewell speech to his congregation at the Livadia Cathedral, where he celebrated his last Mass, Ieronymos outlined the work he envisages to commit himself to as the new Archbishop of Athens and all Greece. Calling himself first among equals within the Church of Greece, Ieronymos stressed that the Ecumenical Patriarchate should be protected.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] In Exarchia District

10 Feb 2008 12:43:00 (Last updated: 10 Feb 2008 17:07:39)

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA-MPA

A newly-born baby girl was found on Sunday morning inside a paper box placed near a dust bin in Exarchia district, central Athens. A woman who happened to pass by heard the babys cry. She immediately took the baby to the police. It was then hurried to hospital. Police, who are investigating the case, think it was probably a woman living in the area that abandoned the baby girl.

[06] Against "Al-Ayyam" newspaper

10 Feb 2008 18:06:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΑNA, FRENCH

A Hamas court has banned the distribution in the Islamist-run Gaza Strip of the Al-Ayyam newspaper, considered close to the Palestinian Authority headed by the rival Fatah faction, headed by Mahmud Abbas. "Today I received a letter from a Hamas court, which said that the court decided to ban distribution and publication as of February 10," said Sami al-Qishawi, director of the papers Gaza office. "Al-Ayyam" newspaper, which is sent to the Gaza Strip every day after being published in the West Bank political capital of Ramallah. Qishawi said the daily only received the copy of the ruling on Sunday afternoon and planned to proceed with distribution as usual on Monday despite the order. "We plan to work normally and will see if Hamas moves to confiscate" the newspaper, he said. The editor of the daily, Abdelnasser Annajar, said the decision "proves that Hamas refuses to accept others and that they continue to prevent the freedom of the press, just like we have warned." The court ruling apparently came in response to a complaint by several Hamas members of parliament after the daily published a cartoon that they said offended Islam.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Kostunica: "Kosovo is Invaluable"

By Athina Saloustrou

"Kosovo is invaluable" stated Serbian Prime-minister, Vojislav Kostunica and repeated that his country will not ratify Serbian provinces independence within the framework of an EU agreement. In his statements to Tanjug news agency, he stressed that dispatch of EU force to Kosovo is "juggle" of 1244 UN resolution that affirms respect of Serbia territorial integrity. The Serbian Prime-minister characteristically said that he will not sign an agreement with the EU for the independence of Kosovo. Finally, Mr. Kostunica underlined that "Kosovo is invaluable and Serbia does not agree with any offer as comoensation". It should be noted that Kosovo Parliament yesterday announced that it will declare the provinces independence on Sunday, February, 17.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] At the Party's Conference

10 Feb 2008 13:00:00 (Last updated: 10 Feb 2008 17:43:02)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

The conference of the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) will wind up on Sunday evening with the election of the partys new President and Central Committee. On Saturday, the two hopefuls Fotis Kouvelis and Alexis Tsipras, elaborated on how they envisage SYRIZAs role in a political scenery, marked, as they claimed, by new attributes. Kouvelis drew his attention to the need of a new policy and social majority, while Tsipras argued it is high time SYRIZA lived up to societys expectations.

"Contrary to a stagnant and frozen two-party system, SYRIZA is taking bold steps ahead," underlined outgoing SYRIZA President Alekos Alavanos after casting his ballot. He then went on to add, "I would like to call on everyone, especially those affiliated with the Socialist ideas, to give their backing to the conferences main political proposal for a new majority, a new administration centred on the Left."

Translated by Areti Christou

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[09] Fatally Burned Woman

10 Feb 2008 12:40:00

By Anthi Ntaousani

Sources: ΑNA, ΝΕΤ 105.8

Outing of policeman, 36, and his girlfriend, 50 ended in a tragedy at dawn, on Sunday. The policeman, who was out of duty, was driving an unmarked police car which deviated from its route, struck on an electricity pole and caught fire. Shortly after the accident, fire brigade crew recovered the fatally burned body of the woman while the policeman, who was slightly injured, was transferred to 401 military hospital. A blood test was taken to see if he was drunk.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[10] OSE Staff on Strike

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA-MPA

Train services will be seriously disrupted by the three work stoppages, from 6am to 9am, 2pm to 5pm and 9pm to 12pm, the employees at the Hellenic Railways Organization have scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. The OSE employees will also join the 24-hour nationwide strike GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) has called against the pension reforms.

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Obama Wins Three States

Sources: REUTERS

Barack Obama easily swept Democratic presidential contests in three states on Saturday, striking the latest blows in a bruising back-and-forth battle with Hillary Clinton for the partys nomination. Among Republicans, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee won contests in Louisiana and Kansas over front-runner John McCain, highlighting conservative discontent with the Arizona senator two days after he essentially sewed up the nomination. Obama scored decisive wins in Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington to gain a small dose of momentum in a deadlocked, state-by-state fight with Clinton for Democratic convention delegates who will choose the partys presidential nominee. The wins by Huckabee, a Baptist minister whose campaign has been fuelled by support from religious conservatives, came in states with big conservative voting blocs and did not change McCains daunting advantage in the Republican race.

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