The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-29

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Contradictory Messages from FYROM

29 Mar 2008 15:15:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

With a few days left till the crucial NATO Summit, in Bucharest, negotiations on the Skopje name issue continue. Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyianni has briefed European partners on Greeces positions on the sidelines of the informal EU Foreign Ministers Council, in Slovenia. In response to whether the UN special envoy last proposal was final, Mrs. Bakoyianni stressed: "There are no final proposals in negotiation procedures. We wish for final solutions. Negotiations are continuing and we will continue it in good willingness, which Greece has adopted from the very first moment". On Friday, Mrs. Bakoyianni had a telephone contact with US State Secretary, Condoleezza Rice, to whom she reiterated that firm bases are necessary for stability and development in the region, adding that NATO should not proceed to enlargement just for the sake of enlargement. It should be noted that the meeting of Greek Foreign Minister with her Skopjan counterpart did not take place. In the meantime, senior level talks are being held in the neighboring country in order to give a response to Mathew Nimitz latest proposal. During Fridays talks at political party leaders level, in the presence of FYROM President, Branko Crvenkovski there was no such convergence of views to bridge party differences. However, FYROM Foreign Minister, Antonio Milososky had earlier stated that Skopje has taken Mr. Nimitz last proposal as final.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] Tsipras' Attack on S.S.S

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

Opening the sessions of the SYN (Coalition of the Left) Central Political Committee, A. Tsipras criticized the government on the Social Security System and its police in general, presenting SYRIZAs (Coalition of the Radical Left) next objectives. Mr Tsipras ruled out any cooperation with PASOK (Socialists), announcing fresh rallies on the Social Security reforms. Commenting on the governments position on the referendum issue, he stated that the prime minister had said that one cannot answer to a such complex issue with a simple "yes" or "no", forgetting that he had answered with three "no".

On Cooperation with Other Parties

Mr Tsipras accused the prime minister of not having kept his pre-election commitments, adding that the government is trying to widen social inequalities in every way.

Furthermore, he said that his party would continue fighting on every level, accusing in parallel Trade Unionists inclined to ND and PASOK, as well as DAKE and PASKE of signing a shameful collective work agreement.

He referred to SYNs objective to form a Left Wing party, with SYN and SYRIZA included that would express the employees and youths hopes and defeat todays governmental policy.

Referring indirectly to PASOK he ruled out any cooperation with it, as the main opposition party has served interests contrary to those of SYN and SYRIZA.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] The Olympic Flame Arrives in Athens

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

The Olympic Flame will travel today from Marathon Tomb to the Acropolis, with the Traffic Police taking extra measures in Athens streets.

Specifically, the Olympic Flame will set off from Marathon Tomb and pass from Marathone Avenue, Nea Makri, Rafina, Anthousa, Attiki Odos, exit 10, Pefki, Marinou Antypa, Spyrou Loui, Kifisia Avenue, Alexandras Avenue, Mavromateon, Panellinios, Alexandras Avenue, Vassilis Sofias Avenue and Vassileos Konstantinou Avenue.

Torchbearers Vassilis Goumas, Markos Spyridonidis, Theodora Pasalidou, Vaso Karantasiou, Lefteris Papadopoulos, Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis with Paralympic Champion Athanasios Barakas and Vasilis Kikilias will carry the Olympic Flame from Dromeas statue in Vassilisis Sofias Avenue to the Parliament.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] George Papakonstantinou

29 Mar 2008 17:46:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8 -ÁNA

According to PASOK Press Office, Kozani deputy, George Papakonstantinou is the partys new spokesman, Maria Karaklioumi, alternative spokeswoman and Dimitris Droutsas in charge of international mass media and the PASOK President activities in his competence as Socialist International President.

In the meantime, on Sunday Mr. Papandreou will visit Larissa where he will deliver a speech at Kileler, at 12:00 on the occasion of the anniversary of the Farmers Uprising. He will next dine with farmers and discuss their problems while he will chair a meeting of PASOK Political Council, in its new composition, to be held in Larissa, in the afternoon.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Tourist Bus Crashes in Austria

By Vivian Papastefanou

One man was killed and at least 30 people were injured on Saturday when a Polish tour bus careered off an Austrian motorway and rolled down an embankment, police said. The early-morning accident on the A-1 autobahn near Linz, in Upper Austria province occurred apparently after the bus driver dozed off at the wheel, the national news agency APA quoted a police official as saying. The bus was packed with people in their 50s and 60s heading to a ski holiday in the Italian Alps near Bolzano.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Never-ending Violence

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: AFP, ÁNA-ÌPA

In clashes between armed Shia and Iraqi troops Saturday morning, 12 armed men were killed while an air strike in Basra killed eight Saturday dawn. Besides, a US spokesman said today that blasts took place in the Green Zone in Bagdad, which under curfew. The Green Zone includes government buildings and foreign embassies.

As per the latest official announcement 75 people have been killed in clashes between armed Shia and Iraqi troops in Sdry City, Baghdad in the last four days, while over 180 have been killed across Iraq since Tuesday. The injured number hundreds.

Radical Shiite Moqtada Sadr appealed for a peaceful solution on the violent incidents that had broke in Basra on 25 March and which spread fast to other towns.

Meanwhile, the Austrian Foreign minister confirmed today that the Austrian hostage and security agent in southern Iraq, abducted in November 2006 with other four Americans is dead.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Dalai Lama Appeals for End of Crisis

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, AFP, ÁNA-ÌPA

At a Press Conference in New Delhi, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Saturday appealed to the world community to "please help" resolve the crisis in his homeland, reiterating his appeal for a dialogue with Beijing. The Nobel Laureate Dalai Lama, who won the Peace Prize in 1989 for leading a non-violent struggle for the liberation of his homeland, reiterated he was "fully committed" to China hosting the Olympics Games in August. But the 72-year-old added it was important "to remind the Chinese that in order to be respected hosts of the Games" human rights in Tibet must improve. Meanwhile, the European Union appears to be divided over the stance it will have to adopt regarding Beijing Olympic Games, following the riots in Tibet. From its side, China has announced that it will compensate the victims families. In parallel, diplomats from 15 countries are visiting Lhasa today at Beijings invitation.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Foreign diplomats on Tibet visit

AFP: Dalai Lama appeals to world community to 'please help' Tibetans

Related News:

Tibetan Monks in Lhasa Protest

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article