The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-08-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Both Sides Blames for Ethnic Cleansing

09 Αυγ 2008 20:15:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Violence is escalating in South Ossetia with inestimable impact in the broader tense Caucasus region unless international community efforts bear fruit. So far more than 1.700 people have been killed in the fighting between Russia and Georgia according to the Russian army, who maintains that it has taken control of Tskhinvali, capital of South Ossetia, which Georgia belies. A humanitarian drama emerges in the region with both sides blaming each other for ethnic cleansing while international organizations speak of war crimes. The water supply system, infrastructure and the hospital have been destroyed by the bombardments while thousands of civilians have moved to other parts of Georgia. The international community appeals for cease fire and respct to Olympic truce. The EU, NATO and the UN Security Council, which is holding an informal meeting today, have taken initiatives for cease fire.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] Olympics: Greek Participations

Fourteen Greek athletes ( men /women) competed in the first day of the Beijing Olympic Games with 8 of them advancing to the next round. George Gazis made it to the "16" in the boxing 75kg class. Yiannis Hristou, who came third place, advanced into the next round in single rowing.

In "Angling" boat sailing Sofia Bekatorou, Birginia Kravarioti and Sofia Papadopoulou came 12 place in the first race while in FINN boat sailing Aimilios Papathanasiou came 13 place.

In archery, Elpida Pomantzi and Evaggelia Psara came 49 and 50 place respectively in individual ranking round.

In swimming, Basilis Demetis, Romanos Alyfantis, Spiros Yianniotis and Eirini Kabarnou were kicked out. Gymnastics Artistic champion Blasis Maras performance was disappointing.

However, Sunday sounds a promising day for Greece as the national basketball team takes on Spain at 09:30- a repetition of 2006 world championship, provided that the result is opposite. Also the Greek water polo(men)-always taking part in Olympic Games- faces Australia at 09:00

The men/women double rowing has also hope. A common aim is to conquer one of the first two places in the first race to advance to the semifinals.

In judo 66kg class, Tariel Zintiridis faces his American rival Takata. In tennis Lena Danilidou and Anna Gerasimou have difficult task as they are playing against two very good Swiss players, Galiardi and Snider.

Baso Karantasiou and Biky Arbaniti enter the beach volley tournament and must beat the two Austrian sisters Swaiger to have hopes to advance to next round while Koutramanidou and Tsiartani rely on a miracle to beat the Chinese spectacular double Si/Sue, in the last two years.

In swimming 4 Greek swimmers are competing tomorrow, with Aris Grigoriadis, who is competing in 100m backstroke distinguishing. The other three athletes are Efstathiou 400m freestyle, Exarhou 100m breaststyle, Zisimos 200m freestyle. Stefani Bisbikou closes tomorrows program for Greece since her performance in the preliminary round of individual gymnastics artistic begins at 15:00 and ends at 17:00.

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