The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Belgrade Hit by Violent Incidents

By Athina Saloustrou

A massive rally staged in Belgrade Thursday evening against Kosovos independence ended in the torching of western embassies and extensive damages in the US embassy. Over 150 people were injured, while the Serb authorities discovered a charred body in the courtyard of the US Embassy. The police authorities told Beta Serb News Agency that the victim had been totally burnt and the DNA method will be used to discover his identity. However, an American Embassy official reported that the body does not belong to an American diplomat. A group of demonstrators attacked the Embassy on Thursday afternoon, within the framework of a massive peach rally staged in Belgrade centre before the Parliament, protesting against Kosovo independence. Participating in the rally were about 150,000 people. US Embassy spokesman Ryan Harris reported that the victim had not been killed in clashes between the embassy staff and the demonstrators. The embassy had been torched during a massive demonstration in the centre of Belgrade by angered protesters against Kosovos declaration of independence. The fire appears to have spread to the basement and first floor of the building.

The demonstrators also tried to set on fire the Croatian, Turkish and Belgian Embassies. The Political Protection Service of Belgrade municipality announced that the National Centre of Emergency Aid offered its services to 150 people during the rally. Three people, among whom a Dutch journalist were hospitalized, while wo more journalists of the Russian TV Russia Today were beaten by protesters while they were covering the incidents outside the US Embassy. The RTS TV crew was also attacked.

The Political Protection Service reported that the demonstrators caused extensive damage against a US fast food restaurant, they three a Molotov cocktail bomb against a caf&#233;, they torched a car and destroyed a bus and a Tram. Moreover, looting followed, shop windows and traffic lights were destroyed and dustbins burnt.

The police arrested 100 people, announcing that more arrests would follow.

The US Embassy protested officially to the Serb government, describing the situation unacceptable, reported State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Storm over Serbia embassy attacks

Reuters: Storming of embassy in Serbia sparks U.S. outrage

Related News:

Violent Incidents in Belgrade

[02] Deadly Floods Hit Indonesia

By Vivian Papastefanou

The floods and landslides caused by torrential rain in Java and Nusa Tenggara Timur islands have killed 11 people in the last two weeks, displacing in parallel thousands in Indonesia. The head of the ministrys crisis centre, said more than 3,500 people have been displaced in Central Java where some cities have been inundated by filthy water up to two metres high for nearly two weeks. Nine people have lost their lives in cental Java and two in the Nusa Tenggara Timur chain of islands, said the authorities. Last December, the Bengawan Solo river in central Java burst its banks due to heavy rains causing widespread flooding and several landslides, which left about 120 people dead.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Aircraft with 46 on Board Crashes

By Athina Saloustrou

The wreckage of an aircraft that disappeared from radar screens after take-off from Merida airport was located at a 4,750-metre altitude at Paramo Piedra, Union Radio reported. Rescue teams are already heading to the crash location 680 kilometres south-west of Karakas to offer their help, despite the fact that access is especially difficult. There is no information on the people on board so far. The wreckage of the aircraft has been located from air. The ATR-42 aircraft of Santa Barbara Airlines with 43 passengers on board and a three-member crew disappeared from the radar screens 40 minutes after take-off from Merida aircraft. The weather conditions were bad during the crash.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Venezuela passenger jet missing

Reuters: Plane carrying 46 believed crashed in Venezuela

[04] Kosovo and Expensiveness at PM's Time

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Within the framework of the prime ministers time, Mr Kostas Karamanlis will answer a question to be set by LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) President George Karatzaferis at Parliament as to whether Greece intends to recognize Kosovo. Furthermore the prime minister will answer a question to be set by PASOK (Socialists) President George Papandreou on the high cost of living.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Petralia-OTOE Meeting

21 Feb 2008 15:12:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8-ΝΕΤ-ΑNA

A few days prior to submission of draftbill on social security reforms to the Parliament anew front has opened, this time with bank employees. During her meeting today with the Administration Board of OTOE ( Greek Federation of Bank Employee Unions), Employment Minister, Fani Petralia announced the merging of all bank health insurance funds into one. OTOE described the announcement as a "bomb", underlining that this is a unilateral move on the part of the government targeting at the Health insurance funds reserves and reduction of benefits.

Bank employees object to government plans and announce that they will stage mobilizations while OTOE Executive Secretariat is meeting tomorrow to reach relevant decisions. During the meeting, the Employment Minister agreed with OTOE proposal to get necessary authorization to commence negotiations to reach 2008 bank employees collective contract, a commitment which OTOE described as positive.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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