The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] Insulting Greek National Symbols

31 Mar 2008 10:52:00 (Last updated: 31 Mar 2008 11:58:51)

In view of the NATO Summit Meeting due to be held in Bucharest Wednesday, diplomacy has been playing the leading role on the FYROM name issue. The Greek government is determined to veto FYROMs (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) entry to NATO if no mutually accepted solution is found, stressed the prime minister and the foreign minister. Ms Bakoyannis has also reported that Greece would not receive or carry out any orders. Meanwhile, Athens reacted with a demarche on the posting of posters in Skopje, depicting the Greek flag with a fylfot instead of a cross. At the same time, the US is intensifying its pressure on a solution, with some not ruling a move on behalf of them on the sidelines of the NATO Summit Meeting.

Greek Ambassador to FYROM Alexandra Papadopoulou proceeded with a demarche at the orders of the Greek government Monday on the posters posted in the streets of Skopje, demanding their immediate withdrawal. The demarche also stresses that the struggles of Greece against fascism and Nazism cannot be questioned by anyone, adding that such acts obstruct the development of good neighbourly relations in the region. Meanwhile, FYROM has not taken any measures on the posters. Pro-governmental newspaper Vetcher carries the insulting poster in its first page with the title "shame". It reports that the posters are falsifying the Greek national symbol, instigating national and religious hatred. It argues that this action is causing amongst others an irreparable damage to Macedonia and its citizens now that the above country is expecting an invitation from NATO. It adds that it expects the foreign ministry to take measures against those who have posted the poster.

The posters also advertise a photo exhibition due to be held in Skopje Cultural Centre from 3 April-3 May. The foundation comes under the auspices of the City of Skopje. The photo depicts a family in its centre.

The organiser of the exhibition told a private TV station in Skopje Sunday that the family depicted in the poster are Slav Macedonian parents, whose grandparents left Greece after the civil war, refusing that the poster serves political expediencies.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Skopje Issue at Crucial Stage

[02] Social Security Bill Vote

The Social Security Bill vote will take place in Parliament Monday to be followed by a three-day debate on the referendum proposed by SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left). GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) and ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) will also stage a protest rally before the Parliament, colleting in parallel signatures in support of a referendum. Meanwhile, Athens and Piraeus lawyers will abstain from their duties Monday and Tuesday, while Bank of Greece employees will stage a fresh 24-hour strike. The payment of salaries and pensions is running smoothly stated the employees president, while Development Minister Christos Folias stated that the strikers rights should not affect the rights of the rest.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Olympic Flame in Beijing

By Athina Saloustrou

The Olympic Flame has arrived in China this morning, the first leg of its journey around the world. In an attempt to prevent any incidents from taking place in relation to Tibet, Beijing is on alert. The official ceremony for the arrival of the Olympic Flame is taking place in Tienanmen Square, where the Tiananmen Square Massacre had taken place in 1989. The Chinese officials received the Olympic Flame at Panathinaiko Stadium Sunday in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias. A small number of activists protesting for the Tibet crisis, tried to prevent torch bearers Chrysopygi Devetzi to enter the Stadium. Ten people, among whom young Tibetans were arrested by the police to be released later.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Olympic Flame Continues its Travel

[04] "Gilad Shalit is Alive"

By Athina Saloustrou

In an interview with the British network Sky News aired Monday Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal said Sunday that abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Palestinian militants in June 2006, was still alive. At the same time he invited the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to visit Gaza for talks, so that a solution on the Gaza and West Bank problems is found. Furthermore, he stated that the objective is for Palestinians to regain their unity and solve the security problem. Besides, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had talks with two Arab leaders in Amman Sunday. The leaders asked from Washington to exert pressure to Israel so that it stops building settlements in eastern Jerusalem and so that the talks with the Palestinians succeed.

Ms Rice had separate talks with the Palestinian president, who had participated in the Arab Summit Meeting in Damascus, and with the Jordan King Abdullah.

The King considers Israels unilateral policy in expanding its settlements in Jerusalem an obstacle for the peace talks in the region, read an announcement issued by the palace.

Mr Abbas, from his place stated that if Israel continues expanding its settlements and attacking the Palestinians the peace talks will be derailed.

Ms Rice told the Palestinian leader the Israel had pledged to withdraw at least 50 roadblocks in the West Bank.

On Sunday, she had met with the Israeli Foreign and Defence ministers, as well as with the Palestinian PM.

Today, Ms Rice will visit meet with the Israeli PM and then he will visit Jordan to hold fresh talks with Abbas, before she meets US President George Bush in the Ukraine.

The US Secretary of State is trying to restore talks between Olmert and Abbas that had ended when Israel launched a deadly attack in the Gaza Strip on 1 March.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Condoleezza Rice in the Middle East

[05] Oil Prices Drop in Asia

By Athina Saloustrou

Oil prices are falling in Asia on renewed concern that a slowdown in the US economy would dampen energy demand. Light crude in Singapore market in the morning for May deliveries traded at US$104.56 from Fridays US$105.62. North Sea Brent also dropped by 53 cents to US$103.24. As per an Argus Media analyst the slowdown in the US economy has raised concerns over oil demand next month.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Zimbabwe's First Results

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, AFP, ÁNA-ĚPA

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is winning four of the six constituencies, as per the first partial results announced Monday morning, while President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF is winning the other two. The delay in announcing results had fuelled speculation about vote rigging.

On Saturday 5.9 million civilians went to the poll stations to elect a new president, MPs and municipal officials.

President Mugabe, 84, has been in power since 1980, whom Morgan Tsvangirai of the main opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change, and Former finance minister Simba Makoni of the Independent party are vying to unse.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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