The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-08-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Unfortunate Father Proves Generous

02 Αυγ 2008 12:23:00 (Last updated: 02 Αυγ 2008 18:42:08)

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: NET-ANA-MPA

The father of a 20-year-old Australian, who passed away yesterday, decided to allow the transplant of his sons organs to seven of our fellow citizens among whom a 30-year-old expatriate Hellene from Australia. The donor had been beaten to death by bouncers in Mykonos. Minister of Tourism Aris Spilitopoulos expressed his admiration of the father of the victim, whom he visited at the Errikos Dynan Hospital today. "The police is doing its job well, but we should not let bouncers overrun Mykonos night life," stated Mr Spiliotopoulos. The minister is presently holding a meeting with the police and local bodies in Mykonos.

The donors heart was transplanted to a 30-year-old expatriate Hellene from Australia, the pancreas and kidney to a 33-year-old man from Kozani, the liver to a 37-year-old woman from Alexandroupolis and the second kidney to a 43-year-old man from Athens. Meanwhile, one of the four accused has been detained while the other three have been released under restrictive terms. The 25-year-old doorman of the club in Mykonos, who is held responsible for the Australians death, has been imprisoned. Although he admitted that he had taken part in the incident he stated he did not intend to kill the Australian.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Other Fires Abating

02 Αυγ 2008 10:40:00 (Last updated: 02 Αυγ 2008 15:15:38)

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

The fire in Vranas, Marathonas is under control, while the fire in Kouvaras is abating. The fire began from Damaria, Stavros in Markopoulo and in the night arrived near Kouvaras, without however causing any damages at houses. Additionally, firemen managed to prevent the fire from reaching Kouvaras forest. Combating the fire are 50 firemen with 23 fire engines, 90 trekkers, a fire-fighting plane and eight water trucks. Prefect of eastern Attica Leonidas Kouris told NET 105.8 that the bold decision should be taken so that the landfill issue in Markopoulo, Mesogaia and landfills operating in the area are resolved.

Meanwhile, the fire in Zakynthos is raging. Fighting the fire are four fire-fighting aircrafts, four water-dropping helicopters 23 fire engines and other forces.

The fire in Zevgolatio, Corinth is abating. It has burnt olive trees, vineyards and pine trees. The fires in Egio, Plaka Alexandroupoli and Trilofo, Thessaloniki have been brought under partial control.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Turkey

02 Αυγ 2008 11:15:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: NET

The fire that broke out in Antalyas Manavgat district Thursday evening has spread fast burning houses. Due to the strong winds blowing in the area the fire front spread at dawn along the coat covering a 20-kilometre area. Over, 1,333 acres of forest land have been turned to ashes and six villages evacuated.

Over 2,000 firemen, supported by water-dropping helicopters are trying to put the fire that threatened the ancient Greek theatre of Aspendos, under control. However, the winds have not abated and the temperature remains high. The fire in Antalya has affected Turkeys tourism and especially Antalyas as this is the most popular destination for tourists in Turkey. The area hosts about seven million tourists per year.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Antirrio-Ioannina National Road Opens

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8-ΑNA-ΜPA

Long queues resulted on the Antirrio-Ioannina national road when a fuel truck overturned near Paliovouna. Meanwhile, the national road opened half an hour ago, after the siphoning of the fuel to another fuel truck concluded. Due to the long queues created on the national road, vehicles had been diverted to the Nafpaktos ring road. However, as the road is narrow long queues of cars were also created there. Cars also had been diverted from and to Ioannina. Specifically, from Antirrio to Ioannina from the first kilometre through the Nafpaktos-Thermos-Gephira Banias regional road and from Ioannina to Ioannina from the 56th kilometre through the Gephira Bania-Thermos-Nafpaktos road. Meanwhile, there is heavy traffic on the national roads.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] In "Eleftherotypia" Newspaper

02 Αυγ 2008 18:16:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105,8

Mr. Skandalidis in his interview in "Eleftherotypia" newspaper refers on the issue of PASOK-SYN, proposing for once more co operation between the two parties. As per PASOKs configuration he states that the historic circle as it stands today has closed. Mr. Skandalidis underlined that a possible cooperation between PASOK and New Democracy can not exist when SYNASPISMOS president claims that this co operation is possible. In the question if PASOK historic circle has closed Mr. Skandalidis said: "The historic circle of the opposition party has closed as far as the configuration, function, relations and practices are concerned".

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] Multi Fatal Explosion in S. Afghanistan

By Vivian Papastefanou

Police say a bus carrying a wedding party in southern Afghanistan has struck a mine, killing 10 people including the bride and groom. A provincial police chief, Matiullah Khan, says six other people were wounded in the explosion Saturday in Kandahar provinces Spin Boldak district. Khan says the victims included children. Southern Afghanistan is the main centre of the Taliban-led insurgency in the country. More than 2,700 people, mostly militants, have died in insurgency-related violence this year, according to an Associated Press tally of figures from Afghan and Western officials.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] Near Koufinissia Islands

02 Αυγ 2008 16:13:00

By

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

An operation for the towage of "Starlight" boat that was found adrift due to mechanical failure is in progress. The boat was traced in the sea area in between Naxos and Donousa islands. 7 people were on board. A super puma as well as local boats are participating in the rescue operations.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] Illegal Immigrants Located

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA-ΝΕΤ 105.8

A vessel carrying 71 illegal immigrants of Arab descent ran aground on rocky coast near Elafonisi yesterday evening. The immigrants have been transferred to Palaiochora. The 18-metre-long metal vessel was located by the port authorities in Palaiochora. All illegal immigrants were men aged under 40. They had set off from Egypt a week ago and were heading most probably to Greece. They were originally transferred to Chrisoskalitissa port, where they received first aid, food and water.

On Saturday morning, they were transferred to Vlatos, where they will be re-examined by doctors. All illegal immigrants will be repatriated in due time. Meanwhile, it is very difficult for them to be hosted in hotels as it is high season. The port authorities have also arrested four Ukranians, who are considered crew-members of the vessel that transferred the illegal immigrants.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[09] Solana-Ferhoigen Appeal to Ankara

By Katerina Ioannidou

Two EU senior officials have appealed to Turkey today to accelerate the implementation of pro-European reforms after the political judicial crisis that had not finally led to the banning of the ruling party. Bild Am Sonntag will carry in its Sunday edition the statements of Press Secretary of the EU Foreign Minister Xavier Solana and Vice President of Eurocommission Guenter Ferhoigen, who are calling Turkey to continue with its reforms to allow its accession to the EU.

Solana told the newspaper today that nothing has changed for Turkey, which remains an EU prospect country after the banning of the ruling party had not proceeded.

From his side, Mr Ferhoigen stressed that Turkeys accession negotiations will depend on the effective implementation of reforms passed by the Turkish Parliament. He also added that Erdogan can do nothing else but accelerate in a more decisive way Turkeys political and liberal modernization. For this reason, Erdogan needs stability in Turkey and loyal friends in Europe, he said.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[10] Qantas Aborts Manila Flight

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA-REUTERS

A Qantas flight bound for the Philippines was forced to turn back to Sydney on Saturday after the pilot discovered a hydraulic fluid leak, just eight days after a major emergency involving another of the carriers aircraft. The Boeing 767-300 carrying 200 passengers from Sydney returned without incident, a Qantas spokeswoman said. "There was no safety issue at any time," spokeswoman Melissa Thompson said. The passengers aboard the aborted flight bound for the Philippines are being put on another plane which leaves Sydney at 1730 (8:30 a.m. British time). Last Friday, a Qantas Boeing 747-400 flying from Hong Kong to Melbourne lost cabin pressure after a hole the size of a mini-van appeared in its fuselage following a blast believed to have been caused by an exploding oxygen canister. The plane had to make an emergency descent from 29,000 feet to 10,000 feet before landing safely in Manila.

[11] Hammas-Fatah Exchange Fire

By Katerina Ioannidou

Hamas-run security forces stormed across Gaza on Saturday, clashing with rival Palestinian gunmen and arresting dozens of people after a bomb killed five of its senior militants and a little girl. The explosion late on Friday near a beach outside Gaza City was the deadliest incident in weeks in the impoverished Palestinian territory which has been ruled by the Islamist Hamas movement for more than a year. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known but Hamas blamed Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's rival Fatah movement, accusing it of collaborating with Israel to undermine the Islamist movement. The clashe between the two sides left 13 wounded.

"The Fatah movement is behind this reprehensible crime," senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Haya told a crowd of thousands of supporters and other senior leaders at a funeral for those killed. "Those who carried out this crime are making war on God, on the security of Gaza, and on the resistance," he said. "They will not be released after six months but will be hanged from the gallows and shot." Thousands of supporters marched through the streets on their way to the funeral, carrying the bodies on stretchers draped with green Hamas flags, firing guns into the air and vowing revenge. "It is up to Fatah to determine their position straightaway, if they are with these criminals, or if they are with the ranks of the Palestinian street in confronting the enemy (Israel)," senior Hamas leader Mahmud al-Zahar said.

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