The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] In View of the Bucharest Meeting

03 Mar 2008 10:01:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will hold crucial talks with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis at Maximos Mansion at 11:15 and at 13:00 he will be received by the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias. He will also meet with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and will give a Press Conference at 15:00. The Secretarys visit is taking place within the framework of the NATO Summit Meeting due to be held in the beginning of April. Talks will focus on developments in the Balkans. From his side, UN mediator Matthew Nimetz stressed that "no solution on the FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) name issue will be found if no compromise is reached first."

Amongst others, in view of the crucial NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels on Thursday the Secretary aims at preventing a fresh deadlock on the name issue after the collapse of the negotiations held in New York.

However, the Greek side will reiterate that if no solution is reached, then FYROM will not be invited to join NATO.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the Skopje programme on the Voice of America Mr Nimetz dissociates the name issue from that of the countrys national identity, describing it political.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Medvedev Elected President

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, AFP, ÁNA-ÌPA

With 99% of the ballots counted, Vladimir Putins favored successor, Dmitry Medvedev won the presidential elections in Russia with 70.22%, when his predecessor had won the 2004 presidential elections with 71.31%. Outgoing President Vladimir Putin congratulated Medvedev on his victory during a concert in Moscows Red Square. Mr Medvedev, 42, stated that he would continue Mr Putins policy and defend Russian interests in the world.

In contrast to Mr Zyuganov who said there had been widespread irregularities at the elections foreign observers described them honest and well-organised. Communist Party chief Gennady Zyuganov came second with 17.77%, ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky third with 9.37%, trailed by pro-European Andrei Bogdanov with 1.29%.

The new president, who will be sworn-in on 7 May, will be the third Russian President after Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Medvedev Well Ahead

[03] In Danger of Black out

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

The PPC (Public Power Corporation) has asked from consumers to limit electric-power consumption during peak hours, from 10:00-14:00 and from 18:30-21:30, as there is danger of a black out due to the 24-hour rolling strikes to be staged by the PPC from 3-6 March. In its announcement the PPC reports that three 900-megawat plants are out of operation as maintenance works have been scheduled. PPC Organising Secretary Rizos Rizos has told NET 105.8 that if the competent minister does accept to hold a dialogue with PPC employees, then more mobilisations should be expected.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] New Prices for Medicine as of Monday

About 47million will go into Social Security Funds with the increase of medicine prices that goes into effect as of today. New prices will go into effect for 666 medicines, while the price of 406 will drop. At the same time, the prices of 212 medicines will rise, burdening consumers with 20million. Moreover, the prices of 48 medicines will remain the same. Medicine prices have been harmonised with the average of the three lowest prices in EU member states.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Blast at YPEHODE Building

By Athina Saloustrou

A self-improvised explosive mechanism exploded outside the YPEHODE building on 239, Mesogeion Street in Neo Psychiko at 02:00. A man had called Eleftherotypia newspaper 20 minutes before the explosion. The area was cordoned off by the police and the circulation of cars was banned. No injuries have been reported. The police and specialists are selecting evidence that would help them with their investigation. Officials believe that the same organisation had planted an explosive mechanism at another YPEHODE building on Amaliados and Pouliou streets in Ampelokipoi last week.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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