The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Targeting at an Agreement for the Name Issue

06 Apr 2008 17:20:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΑNA-ΜNA-ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105,8

After the Greek veto in Bucharest Athens states that it is ready for a new round of deliberations with Skopje in the framework of EU. The Prime Minister Mr. Kostas Karamanlis will brief the President of Republic on the outcome of Bucharest and for the new movements of the Greek diplomacy.

Greece does not crow over. On the contrary, it addresses the neighboring country and is asking for a new round of talks in order to resolve the issue, Greek FM Dora Bakoyiannis states in her interview in Eleftheros Typos newspaper and adds that after the finding of a mutually accepted solution Skopje will enter NATO having Greeces full support. In addition, Mrs. Bakoyiannis estimates that the two countries will go through a phase of tension, making clear that she respects peoples feelings.

Talking to ANT 1 radio station, she expressed her countrys will for an immediate re start of discussions on the name issue.

Diplomatic war on Skopje has not been decided yet PASOK president Mr. Giorogos Papandreou said in his interview in Kathimerini tis Kyriakis newspaper pronouncing at the same time his partys participation in the handling of the problem.

General Secretary of ND Civil Planning Mr. Nikos Karachalios, speaking to NET 105,8 radio station stressed that EU and US are moving towards the wrong direction noting that decisions have been already taken. In parallel, he branded the name issue a big problem for the wider area and Greece. He said that our country will express its position with collectedness.

Our neighboring country is trying to preserve its balance between intransigence and collectedness. After his meeting with George Bush in Croatia, Skopje leadership announced that next week intense deliberations will start targeting at the finding of an appropriate solution as soon as possible.

FYROM Leadership Starts Deliberations on Name Issue

FYROM leadership will start next week deliberations for the finding of an appropriate solution in the name issue as soon as possible Skopje President Branko Crvenkovski said after the meeting he had in Zagreb with US president Mr. George Bush. Mr. Bush attended yesterday a working lunch in the Croatian capital with the 3 countries (Croatia, Albania and FYROM) that signed the "Adriatic Charter" having the support of US. Mr. Crvenkovski and Cruevski reported that US remain an important supporter of FYROMs entrance in NATO and added that they have briefed Mr. Bush and US FM Condoleezza Rice on the issue.

As Mr. Crvenkovski said he will take the initiative and will invite the leaders of the biggest FYROM political parties to meet in the following week. He agreed that there is the necessity for immediate talks in order for decisions to be taken. "Certainly Macedonia has the power and will to succeed. Some times only time is important. The next days are not appropriate for a decision to be taken. We must calm down the feeling and the shock we went through in Bucharest first" he said. He also stressed that feelings must not prevail and must not be followed by rush decisions which will put in danger FYROMs Euro Atlantic prospective.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] Nationwide Polls in Sunday Press

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: NET-NET 105.8

Three nationwide surveys that appeared in Sunday Press has suggested that the Greek Governments decision to exercise its veto right at the NATO Summit enjoys the backing of the vast majority of the Greek citizens.

The poll carried out by Public Issue for Kathimerini paper showed that the overwhelming majority of the Greek people (95%) agreed with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis decision to veto Skopjes NATO bid. Furthermore, 74% of the respondents appeared satisfied over Socialist leader George Papandreous stance on the issue, while 53% of those surveyed said that it would be difficult for the two sides to strike a deal in the coming six-month period, as opposed to 40% who viewed such a development as quite possible.

The survey conducted by RASS on behalf of Sunday paper PARON showed that 94.5% of the respondents gave a positive rating to the Prime Ministers decision to stand up to the US plans to offer FYROM an invitation to join the alliance. Furthermore, 88.8% argued that vetoing FYROMs bid to earn a NATO membership was the best answer to Skopjes stance, while 78.3% of the respondents said that the NATO Summit had a positive outcome for Greece.

A third poll recording the appeal of the Greek political parties have in the domestic arena also appeared in PARON paper. The poll showed that the ruling party of ND (New Democracy) is 3.1% ahead of PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement). In particular, in voting intention, ND gains 31.3%, as opposed to 28.2% for PASOK. SYN (Coalition of the Radical Left) trails with 16.8%, KKE (Greek Communist Party) with 6.3% and LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) with 4%.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Greek Socialist Leader's Interview

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA-NET

The diplomatic "war" on the FYROM name row has yet to be determined, argued Socialist leader George Papandreou in his interview with Sunday paper Kathimerini tis Kyriakis. He also urged the Government to not derail from its national "red line."

Commenting on the Socialist partys stance, Papandreou underlined, "We have lived up to our role as the main opposition party with an institutional responsibility." He then went on to described his proposal to visit FYROM as necessary especially following the recent developments.

Shifting his attention to Kosovo, Papandreou claimed that Greece would make a disastrous mistake if it recongised Kosovo.

With regard to a possible cooperation between the Socialist party and SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left), he said, "The possibility of a so-called big coalition has nothing to do with the political reality in Greece." He also reiterated that independence is his partys goal.

Finally, touching on the deal between Deutsche Telekom and OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation), Papandreou stated that unlike the Government, his party is after policies that encourage investments that are transparency-governed and safeguard public interests.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] The USA and Russia

06 Apr 2008 14:39:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ΝΕΤ

US President George W. Bush and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin expressed an interest in creating a missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic under the premise that the USA and Russia "will participate in as equal partners," said the joint statement issued after the meeting of the two leaders in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. George Bush stressed that Washington would offer its backing to Russias drive to join the World Trade Organisation.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] In 21 Greek Cities

06 Apr 2008 15:03:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Each cyclist amounts to a car less in the already packed Greek streets. Therefore, Greek cyclists decided to take to the streets and prove that riding a bicycle is a way of life. Thousands of Greek cyclists poured in the streets of 21 Greek cities, demanding cyclist-friendly conditions in the Greek streets.

The Athenian cyclists gathered in central Athens and then moved towards the Abelokipi underground station, Syntagma Square and then Kotzia Square.

The Athens Mayor promised to do anything in his power for an Athens with more bicycles.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] A. Papariga Tours Northern Greece

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Secretary general of the Greek Communist Party Aleka Papariga is touring eastern Macedonia and Thrace. Addressing a party event held Saturday in the northern Greek city of Alexandroupolis, she stressed that, apart from the FYROM name dispute, the NATO Summit touched on several other crucial matters that were not given attention. Papariga also referred to a possible cooperation between PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) and SYN (Coalition of the Radical Left), noting that such a move is quire possible. Papariga is currently giving a Press conference.

[07] In Australia

06 Apr 2008 12:33:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

Australian Health Minister Nicola Roxon is due to suggest a national ban on flavoured cigarettes throughout Australia. As per the findings of an international symposium held in Melbourne, flavoured cigarettes, ranging from ranging from chocolate, honey, liquorice and fruit-flavours, are not only carcinogenic but they are used by tobacco industries to lure teens and women.

Dr Nigel Gray, a member of the World Health Organisations cancer research division, said that flavoured cigarettes could be dangerous, as not all their contents are labelled.

Flavoured cigarettes have been banned in NSW, SA and Tasmania, while they are still available in Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory. Nicola Roxon stressed that she would suggest her state and territory counterparts, who are to meet in Melbourne in a fortnight, banning such products.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Charlton Heston Passed Away

Sources: REUTERS

Oscar-winning U.S. actor Charlton Heston, whose chiselled features and commanding presence won him epic roles from Moses to Michelangelo, died on Saturday night at the age of 84, his family said.

Heston, a former president of the influential National Rifle Association lobbying group, died at his home in Beverly Hills with his wife Lydia at his side, the family said in a statement. The actor, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar for the title role in "Ben Hur" in which he did many of his own chariot race stunts, had announced in 2002 that he was suffering symptoms of Alzheimers disease.

"To his loving friends, colleagues and fans, we appreciate your heartfelt prayers and support. Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life," the family said. "No one could ask for a fuller life than his. No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country. In his own words, I have lived such a wonderful life! Ive lived enough for two people," the statement added.

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