The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-03

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Bryza's Statements Sparked off Reactions

03 May 2008 11:17:00 (Last updated: 03 May 2008 15:46:10)

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: NET-ÍÅÔ 105.8

The exploratory talks between UN envoy Matthew Nimetz and Greek negotiator Adamantios Vassilakis wrapped up late on Friday, two days after the formers meeting with FYROMs negotiator Nikola Dimitrov. Keeping the talks on the FYROM name dispute open, Nimetz has said he means to visit Athens and Skopje again in the near future, without, however, expecting any breakthroughs before the 1 June elections in the neighbouring country.

In the meantime, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza has called on the two sides to "do more than just simply wait for Prometheus Nimetz to appear with the fire."

Reactions to Bryza's Statements

Socialist deputy Andreas Loverdos commented on Bryzas recent statements. "The repeated statements by State Department official Matthew Bryza do not contribute to the resolution of the name dispute between Greece and FYROM. Instead, they reveal the completely unorthodox way the USA perceives SE Europe and its affairs," said Loverdos. "The Greek Foreign Ministry is undoubtedly responsible, for it has encouraged the USAs arrogant attitude by accepting low-ranking US officials," concluded Loverdos.

Intransigence Attack on Greece

FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, on the other hand, blasted Greece, arguing that the obstacles it is raising in the way of FYROMs NATO aspirations clash with the interests of both NATO and the EU, but they will not derail its country from its strategic goals.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul offered his backing to FYROM. He is to meet with the neighbouring countrys leaders on Sunday.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

New Round of Contacts

[02] 48 Hour Strike by OTE Employees on 6/5 and 7/5

03 May 2008 17:42:00

OTE issue is at the final stage as the last details of the agreement between the government and Deutsche Telekom will be settled next week. According to information, both sides have agreed on the power of the president and the administrative board as well as on the price of the buy out of 3% additionally of the companys shares. Finance minister Mr. Alogoskoufis noted that "even though the difficult issue have been settled those that remain open are not non important". On the other side, reactions triggered by OTE employees continue. They have staged a 48 hour strike next Tuesday while a protestation rally is going to take place in Klathmonos Square at 13:00.

PASOK president in his interview in "Kosmos tou Ependyti" newspaper, stressed that New Democracy is handing over OTE in a scandalous way while he branded Mr. Alogoskoufis statement who said that the economy is in a positive route, a "joke".

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] At Harilaou Trikoupi Street

03 May 2008 11:32:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8

Gangs of masked youths attacked late on Friday the offices of the Greek Socialist party located at Harilou Trikoupi Street, hurling petrol bombs. PASOK spokesman Giorgos Papakonstantinou spoke of attacks against institutions and Democracy that will fail to meet their goals. In the meantime, rioting broke out outside the premises of the Agricultural University of Athens, when groups of anarchists clashed with riot police. Several parked vehicles and dust bins were torched.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] In "Kosmos tou Ependyti" Paper

03 May 2008 12:15:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA, NET

PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) President George Papandreou touched on the entire spectrum of current affairs in his interview with O Kosmos tou Ependyti paper. The Socialist leader put down the economic crisis to the Governments policy, arguing that the ruling party of ND (New Democracy) failed to cement Greece against foreign pressures and undermined the Greek peoples income. "For us, the redistribution policy means higher wages, less taxes and proper market prices," he added.

Commenting on the developments in OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation), George Papandreou said that ND is blatantly selling it off to a state-run German company. "We [PASOK], on the other hand, want OTE to be a strong Greek player in the Balkans and not a subsidiary of a foreign company controlled by another country."

Regarding the outcome of the investigation into the Siemens scandal, the PASOK President claimed that were the ruling party to play a party-orientated trick, it would merely prove the Prime Ministers inability to set things clear within his own party.

Shifting his focus on the FYROM name dispute, George Papandreou requested the Government lay down the terms and timelines for the resolution of the problem, and he went for a name with a geographical qualifier for all uses.

The Socialist head then urged the Government not to recognize Kosovo. "It would be a disastrous mistake that we will come up against in the future," he said.

Touching on a potential cooperation scheme with ND, Papandreou utterly dismissed it, saying, "We are two different worlds." He also blasted SYRIZAs (Coalition of the Radical Left) on the same issue, arguing, "It [SYRIZA] fails to shoulder serious responsibilities toward Greece and has embarked on a course of easy protest, denouncing everyone."

Commenting on the intra-party front, Papandreou state: "I have been elected by PASOKs popular political base for as long as the partys statute provides for, with a crystal clear mandate for victory and change. This decision is binding. In any case, no one can lay down limits and terms." He further reiterated that he wishes to have things changed, "to usher a new ethos in power, a new mentality that I believe a modern nation needs in a global economy and society."

Papandreou termed the energy deal struck between Greece and Russia as positive." He also favoured the development of renewable energy sources that can earn Greece autonomy and safety.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Serious Damages

03 May 2008 17:03:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105,8-ÁNA/ÌNA

According to police, incidents were reported around and inside the campus of Athens Geoponics School by young people who participated in a protestation in favour of the legalization of cannabis. Just before 3:00 in the morning unidentified people attacked police forces who were present at the protestation and set barricades using Molotov bombs. Then they launched attacks inside the Geoponics School, throwing stones, woods and other objects against policemen. As a result Athens Av. closed until 7:30 in the morning. Up to this moment no one has been arrested. Early in the afternoon a protestation march was scheduled heading from Thiseio to the Geoponics School.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] By the "White Strike" of Propeller Plane Pilots

03 May 2008 16:47:00

Sources: ÍÅ 105,8-ÁNA/ÌNA

The situation in Olympic Airways flights is smoothed today after the strike of pilots of propeller planes who are protesting for the new collective contract which was signed by Aviation Pilots Union (EXPA) and Aviation Trade Union Federation (OSPA). 11 flights departing for Aegean Islands were cancelled yesterday but today the situation was better as all flight except of Paros Island flight departed as scheduled. Olympic Airways in its announcement expresses its sorrow for passengers discomfort and assures that they do whatever possible to smooth the situation so as flights can depart as scheduled.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] US Rocket Strike Near Baghdad

Saturday, wounding 20 people and damaging a number of ambulances, a senior Iraqi hospital official said

Sources: Reuters

The U.S. military fired rockets at a target near a major hospital in eastern Baghdad on Saturday, wounding 20 people and damaging a number of ambulances, a senior Iraqi hospital official said. No patients were wounded at the hospital in the Sadr City but 20 people at the scene of the blasts were wounded, said the official. In a statement, the U.S. military said: "We did hit the target, which was a criminal command and control centre, which was near a hospital. We are still assessing battle damages."

[08] Indonesia

03 May 2008 13:39:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA, AFP

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake jolted Sumatra, said the local geologist agency, also adding there had been no reports of casualties or damage. The US Geological Survey also clocked the quake at 5.7 off the west coast of Indonesias Sumatra island. The tremor was felt in the city of Padang, some 244 kilometres northwest of the epicentre, authorities said. Sumatras west coasts suffer from a frequent seismic activity.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Volcano Erupts in Chile

Sources: REUTERS

A volcano erupted in southern Chile on Friday, triggering earth tremors and spewing a cloud of ash 3 km into the air that prompted the evacuation of hundreds of people from the remote area, officials said. Residents said ash fell over the picturesque Patagonian town of Chaiten, 1,220 km south of the capital Santiago and just 10 km from the volcano.

Trucks with drinking water were dispatched to the area after ash tainted water supplies, authorities said. Some schools were closed and hospitals treated people for irritated eyes and breathing difficulties.

Local television broadcast aerial footage showing ash cloaking mountain ridges. Visibility was poor, and in some areas thick ash settled on the ground and caked vehicles.

The governments National Emergency Office (ONEMI) said it was evacuating up to 1,500 people, starting with the elderly, pregnant women and nursing mothers. They would be taken to shelter in Castro on the southern island of Chiloe.

In Santiago, President Michelle Bachelet urged calm. "Chile is a volcanic country, and I want to say that we are working and coordinating with all our might at a local and national level," she said.

[10] World Press Freedom Day

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA

Today is the World Press Freedom Day. However, figures on freedom of Press and the journalists are not at all pleasant. In 2007, some 875 journalists were arrested, 95 were killed and 127 were sent behind bars. The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) holds an annual global campaign for the promotion of freedom of press. This years campaign has shifted its focus on journalism in China.

China has been topping the list of 24 nations that throw journalists in prison for nine years in a row. Cuba, Eritrea, Iran and Azerbaijan complete the top five.

Attacks on freedom of press are attacks against international law, stressed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day. He also requested the perpetrators of attacks on journalists not go unpunished.

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Britain: Resounding Defeat for Labour

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA-ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8

The council results in England and Wales were nightmarish for Gordon Browns government. The crushing defeat Labour Party suffered signals a turning point in Britains political life, however, Prime Minister Gordon Browns hopes have not yet been dashed, the British Press has read. As per BBC, Labour Party landed third place garnering 24% of the vote. The Liberal-Democrats received 25% and the Conservatives 44%.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Crushing Blow on the British Labours

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