The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] In Rhodes, Achaia and Mandra

25 Éïõë 2008 19:51:0 (Last updated: 25 Éïõë 2008 23:16:2)

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA-ÍÅÔ

Despite the firefighers and inhabitants efforts, the wildfire continues raging for the fourth consecutive day in Rhodes forests. Despite the ongoing efforts to contain the fire, hotels in Kiotaria, southern Rhodes have begun being evacuated. Although the area is not threatened by the blaze, the thick smoke prevailing there had caused the tourists concern. Meanwhile, the blaze surrounded Laerma village today. South Aegean Region Secretary General Charalambos Kokkinos, who is still in Laerma, coordinating the firefighters, stated that the village has been saved the last moment. In addition to Greek fire-fighting planes, two more from France, as well as two from Italy and a water-dropping helicopter from Cyprus are fighting the blaze. At the same time, Athens, Western Attica, Piraeus, Corinth, Laconia, Messinia and Chania are running a high risk of fires today, as per the General Secretariat of Political Protection. However, the National Meteorological Services forecasts that the winds will continue blowing tomorrow, hampering efforts by firefighters and fire-fighting planes to put out the wildfire.

Meanwhile, a 61-year-old inhabitant of Agios Isidoros received a four-year prison sentence and will have to pay a 15,000-euro fine as he was found guilty for arson by negligence for the fire that has been burning Rhodes for four consecutive days.

Other Fire Fronts

The fire in Achaia and Mandra, Attica is abating, while many excursionists were cut off on the Athens-Patras national road, which remained closed for several hours. At the same time, two camping sites were evacuated for precautionary reasons. The Patras-Corinth national road opened, while cars to Patras can use the new national road. However, the road to Corinth remains closed for precautionary reasons. In parallel, the Patras-Corinth old national road opened. Moreover, the local railway service was restored.

In parallel, the fire brigade put under control the fire that broke out in Achladochori between Farkadona and Ichalida in Trikala prefecture. The fire had neared Achladochori. Settlements escaped destruction at the last moment when the fire changed direction, burning however 100,000 square metres of olive trees, planes and other trees.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

No End to Rhodes Wildfires

[02] Europe Raises Wall against Gruevski

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA-ÍÅÔ

FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) PM Nicolas Gruevski has failed in involving the European Union with his allegations about a Macedonian minority in Greece. The Commission is not competent in dealing with issues related to minorities identities, their rights, nationality and the restoration of properties in its member-states, stresses in his two-paragraph letter to Gruevski, Jose Manuel Barroso. In parallel, he stresses that good neighbourly relations are a prerequisite for FYROMs progress with he Commission.

He also reports that a country which has European ambitions should be approach such issues in a constructive way and be willing to adopt the agreed outlet.

A. Loverdos' Statement on Barroso's Letter

PASOK Head responsible for the partys Foreign policy Andreas Loverdos stated in relation to Barrosos reply letter that Skopjes fanatic nationalism is unwanted in the EU, especially for the troubled western Balkans. "The blind nationalism of the new FYROM politicians is absolutely dangerours," he states, adding however, that Commissions letter is dominated by a balancing intention. Finally, he urges Skopje to pay attention to the last phrase of the letter on good neighbourly relations for its successful course to the EU.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Obama's Short Visit to Paris

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA-AFP-REUTERS

U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Friday Iran should not wait for the next administration to halt its uranium enrichment programme. Speaking at a joint news conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris, Obama said Iran should accept the trade and technical incentives the six world powers have offered in exchange for ending its uranium enrichment. "Iran should accept the proposals that President Sarkozy and the EU 3 plus 3 are presenting now. Don't wait for the next president because the pressure, I think, is only going to build," he said. Sarkozy and Obama joked about their common immigrant backgrounds as, respectively, the son of a Hungarian and of a Kenyan. By the end of the news conference, Sarkozy was calling Obama by his first name. "France is happy to welcome Barack Obama, firstly because he's American and the French love Americans," he said, before making a long, pointed pause during which the comment drew laughter from the travelling U.S. press corps. He stopped just short of actually endorsing the 46-year-old senator but made it clear he would be happy if he won the November presidential election. "Good luck to Barack Obama. If it's him, France will be happy and if it's not him, France will be a friend of the United States of America,"he said.

[04] Air Raid Kills 40 Taliban

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA-AFP

An air raid of the Allied Forces in Gazni, Afghanistan has killed 40 Taliban, wounding 30 more. The area had been taken by guerillas since Monday. With the support of NATO Air Force, the Afghan army launched an attack in this area on Wednesday, 200 kilometres south-west of Kabul.

As per an area spokesman, 40 Taliban were killed on Thursday and 30 more wounded.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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