The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-08-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] In Brussels

19 Αυγ 2008 12:00:00

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, BBC, REUTERS, ΑNA-ΜPA

International interest is focused on Brussels, where NATO Alliance 26 Foreign Ministers, Dora Bakoyianni included, are holding an extraordinary meeting to asses developments in Caucasus. Upon arrival in Brussels, American State Secretary, Condoleezza Rice called Russia to re-examine the dangerous game it has been involved and the West to avert Russia from achieving its strategic target. In their todays meeting, NATO member states are expected to reconfirm their support to Georgia in its dispute with Russia. Political analysts, however, underline difference of views on whether there may be consequences to Kremlin or not.

In the meantime, Russia started pulling out its troops from Georgias territory amid charges from both sides. "Russian troops are not moving out but deploying in other areas and leaving burned land from where they pass" says Tbilisi. On its part, Russia stresses that it has the right to maintain peacekeeping forces in a buffer zone around South Ossetia while Georgia insists on an international peacekeeping force. However, Russian and Georgian forces started exchange of prisoners today in a gesture of goodwill despite continued tension over Russias promised withdrawal. A Russian pilot, whose war aircraft was shot down by Georgian forces, was among the prisoners.

Diplomatic Fever

NATO is expected to ensure its support to Georgias territorial integrity. US State Secretary, Condoleezza Rice wants to secure commitment of NATO member states regarding the Ukraine and Georgias admission to the alliance aimed to avert Moscows "strategic target", that is NATOs extension to the region Moscow considers its zone of influence. Speaking to reporters aboard a flight to Brussels, Mrs. Rice stressed "We will never allow Russia to draw a red line in front of the states that have not been admitted to the north-Atlantic structures, such as Georgia and Ukraine". "We are determined to refuse Moscows strategic targets", she said adding that top priority of Brussels meeting is to ensure that Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev keeps his promise on withdrawal of Russian troops from Georgian territory.

NATO member countries, however, appear divided over "hard line" of US, Britain, Poland and Baltic Sea countries against Moscow and moderate stand expressed mainly by Germany and France. On her part, US State Secretary said that she will not try to accelerate Georgias admission to NATO till revision of the issue in December.

Georgias Foreign Minister will also visit Brussels today for bilateral contacts with her counterparts, among them Condoleezza Rice. Mrs. Rice will fly to Warsaw tomorrow to sign the official agreement for the installation of the antimissile shield in Poland. Russia appears particularly dissatisfied, stating that it will review its ties with the Atlantic alliance.

Slow Pace Withdrawal

NATO meeting is taking place in Brussels amid delay in withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgia. Russian permanent representative in NATO, Dmitri Rogozin in his statements to France Inter radio network repeated "Withdrawal of Russian troops has started. Apparently, we have to wait a few days for the implementation of the 6 terms peace plan. Full withdrawal depends on Saakasvili policy and actions of his forces". The Russian official added "We want to put an end to this nightmare as soon as possible but Russian peace forces will remain in South Ossetia according to Moscow-Tbilisi peace agreement". In Tbilisi, spokesman of Georgian Foreign Ministry said that there is no indication about withdrawal of Russian troops.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] Says the Greek Government

19 Αυγ 2008 12:53:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA-MPA

The Greek athletes continue struggling for good performances at the Beijing Olympic Games, amid a doping scandal. Greek champion Fani Halkia was kicked out of the Olympics, since the second sample was also tested positive to M3.

The International Olympic Committee referred Halkias case to the IAAF, also requesting Greek Justice shed light to the role of her coach, Giorgos Panagiotopoulos. For the first time ever, IOC high-profile officials have started speaking of a ring trafficking performance-enhancing drugs in Greece.

First Instance Court chief Panagiotis Poulios ordered an emergency preliminary investigation into the doping cases involving Fani Halkia and Tassos Gousis to see if the Doping Act was breached.

The Hellenic Amateur Athletic Association (SEGAS) said that from now on athletes to be tested positive will be stripped of their privileges. Culture Minister Michael Liapis said that as soon as the Parliaments Plenum opens, new harsher provisions aiming to a doping crackdown will be submitted.

PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) held the state accountable. KKE (Greek Communist Party) claimed that the Greek miracle of the dozens medals was achieved through doping. SYN (Coalition of the Radical Left) underlined that those who are involved in the case are to be held responsible.

Related News:

Halkia's Second Sample also Positive

[03] Greece vs Argentina

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The time for the Greek national basketball team has finally come. Four years after its defeat by the team that later won the Gold medal at the Athens Olympic, Argentina, Greece is to play against the South Americans at the preliminary of another Olympic tournament. Panagiotis Yannakis squad seems to be ready and qualified to win the game.

At the Athens Olympics, Panagiotis Yannakis and his boys could have avoided Argentina, but no one in the team was in favour of choosing opponents.

At the Beijing Olympics, it was not a matter of choice. Argentina landed second place in Group A and Greece third in Group B, after suffering two losses.

On 20 August, the Greek team has a unique opportunity to avenge the 69-64 defeat it suffered in Athens from the Argentineans.

After the training session, calm, serious and moderate, Panagiotis Yannakis appeared optimistic about the games outcome, saying:

"I believe we are in a good condition. We have clean mind and I think we are ready to play against a team that has achieved a lot over the last years," commented the coach of the Greek team.

When the journalists reminded that the Greek team has failed twice to make it to the semis of an Olympic tournament, Yannakis said: "True, but I think that our game and the way we act as a team deserves it and we will do our best. Our team deserves to make a step forward in the Olympics. The people see that we are a team playing qualitative basket. What is left is to make it to the semis and test ourselves against great opponents."

"I disagree that Argentina is not as strong as it was in the past. It is a very strong team that knows how to handle the games and this is probably its biggest advantage. Those who think that Argentina is not one of the worlds best teams are wrong."

Commenting on the similarities between Greece and Argentina, Yannakis argued that both squads have team spirit.

Greek captain Thodoris Papaloukas, one of the players that had experienced the loss by Argentina back in 2004, argued, "This was four years ago. Some 80 games have taken place ever since. The point is what we are going to do tomorrow. The past is history."

[04] Greeks in Successful Course

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA-MPA

Despina Solomou and Evi Markygianni qualifed in Synchronized Swimming Duet final on Monday. On Tuesday on the Technical Routine they scored 45.834 points ranking ninth, and in todays Free Routine they ranked 10th with 45.584 points. In the semi-finals they earned 91,418 points ranking ninth. In Athletics, Kostas Douvalidis qualified for Wednesdays semifinals in Mens 110m Hurdles (16,30) with a new Panhellenic record.

In Mens RS:X Sailing, Nikos Kaklamanakis came seventh, ranking sixth with 75 points.

In Mens Canoe/Kayak Flatwater C1 500m Andreas Kilgaridis qualified in the semifinals, ending fifth with 1:54.541

Chrysopigi Devetzi did not qualify in the long jump finals and Savva Lika in javelin finals. In the first round in Mens Table Tennis Singles, Panagiotis Gionis prevailed over Brazilian Gustavo Tsuboi 4-0 (11-7, 11-3, 11-5, 11-5). In Womens RS:X Sailing Antonia Fray came 11th, ranking 15th with 107 points. In Laser Sailing Vangelis Cheimonas ranked 15th, while in Womens Laser Radia Efthychia Mantzaraki ranked 18th.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Petrol Stations in Chania Closing

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ANA-MPA

Petrol station owners in Chania will close their petrol stations Wednesday as although state officials supported oil ceiling prices to petrol stations, they refused to set oil ceiling prices to oil companies

After a two-hour meeting among Chania Prefect Grigoris Archontakis, the Secretary General of the Development Ministry Dimitris Skiadas, the Prefects Trade superintendent and Petrol Station Owners Secretary, Mr Skiadas promised to convey the petrol station owners positions to Athens.

Petrol Station Owners' Reactions

Petrol station owners will close their petrol stations as of tomorrow in reaction to the governments decision to set oil ceiling prices only to petrol stations and not to oil companies. The President of petrol station owners in Chania Evangelos Kotsos stated that petrol station owners would continue with their strike unless the government accepts their positions. Specifically, they have asked for the abolishment of oil ceiling prices, the implementation of oil ceiling prices in all stages of the fuel market and thirdly the implementation of oil ceiling prices in retail prices, with petrol station owners getting the legal profit.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Reactions against Fuel Price Ceiling

[06] Causes of Death Remain Sketchy

19 Αυγ 2008 16:03:00

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ANA-MPA

An ELDYK (Greek Corps of Cyprus) serviceman breathed his last shortly before taking part in a military drill. It is Themistocles Giannakakis, 19, from the Greek northern city of Thessaloniki.

The Press spokesman of the Cypriot Defence Minister said that Giannakakis fainted shortly before the drilled commenced. Despite the doctors efforts, Giannakakis passed away. An autopsy is expected to determine the cause of his death.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] He Was 139 Years Old!

19 Αυγ 2008 15:27:00

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ANA-MPA

An Indian man who was reported to be the oldest in the world has passed away in Indias western city of Jaipur at the age of 139.

Habib Miyan, who had been suffering from fever and dysentery, breathed his last in the early hours of Tuesday at a local hospital, said PTI news agency.

His ID card said he was born on 20 May 1878. However, he claimed he was much older, a claim which was accepted by Indias Limca Book of Records in its 2005 edition.

Perhaps he was the oldest man living in the world, but the Guinness Book of Records never recognized him because of his official age on ID, the NDTV network reported.

Habib has left 140 grandchildren and great-grandchildren behind, while his four sons and his wife died several years ago.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Stolen Picasso Recovered

Sources: REUTERS

Brazilian police have recovered a Pablo Picasso print that was stolen with three other valuable artworks from Sao Paulos Pinacoteca Museum in broad daylight in June.

The print, "Minotaur, Drinker and Women," was found on Friday night at an undisclosed location in the west of Sao Paulo, a spokesman for the citys Public Security Secretariat said on Monday, without providing further details.

The 1933 print by the late Spanish artist was stolen on June 12 by three armed robbers, who calmly strolled into the Pinacoteca Museum in downtown Sao Paulo and held security guards at gunpoint while they completed the heist.

They also made off with another Picasso print, "The Painter and the Model," from 1963, and two famous works by Lasar Segall and Emiliano Di Cavalcanti, both prominent Brazilian artists in the 20th century.

The police already recovered those pieces and arrested two suspects.

[09] Support to Three-children Families

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

Support of three-children families was the focus of todays meeting of Prime-minister, Kostas Karamanlis with Health Minister, Dimitris Abramopoulos and Health undersecretary George Konstantopoulos. In his statements, Mr. Abramopoulos said that the government kept its pre-election commitment and announces that procedures for the granting of allowance to 141.400 three-children families have been completed. He added that this measure aims to strengthen social cohesion and partially resolve Greeces demographic problem.

In response to question regarding imposition of ceiling on medical tests and rises in drug prices, Mr. Abramopoulos said that these issues are being reviewed but announcements will be made in October.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[10] Reactions against Fuel Price Ceiling

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

A meeting of Commerce general secretary, Dimitris Skiadas, Hania Prefect and the Hania Petrol Station owners is being held in Hania as an ultimate effort to avert closing of Hania petrol stations tomorrow. Petrol station owners in the prefectures of Hania and Rethymno react against imposition of fuel prices ceiling while Rethymno petrol station owners have decided to close their shops from today till the measure is recalled. Ceiling on fuel prices was imposed on 11 prefectures in Greek islands because petrol station owners did not reduce prices despite drop in international oil prices told NET radio Development Ministry general secretary, Kostas Mousouroulis. He also added that they must give information on the discounts they receive.

Development Minister, Hristos Folias will have an extraordinary meeting at 16:00 with the president of the Competition Committee, Spiros Zisimopoulos to be briefed on the committees report regarding purchase of oil products in all its stages from refineries to retail market.

In the meantime unleaded petrol dropped one cent to sell under 1.2 euros per liter. In Asian Stock markets light crude has dropped below $112 per barrel.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[11] Gary Glitter off Prison

Sources: ANA-MPA

Gary Glitter, an English rock and pop singer who came to prominence in the glam rock era of the early 1970s, was released from prison, after serving two years and nine months in a Vietnamese jail, for molesting minors, said his lawyer. He is due in Britain on Tuesday.

Having been seized in November 2005, he was sentenced to a three-year jail term for sexually abusing two Vietnamese girls, aged 11 and 12. His term was then reduced by three months.

Translated by Areti Christou

[12] Douvalides Sets New Record in 110m Hurdles

By Nasos Bratsos

Kostas Douvalides of Greece set a new Greek record in the preliminaries of the Mens 110m Hurdle, clocking 13.46. Finishing fourth, the Greek athlete made it to the semis. "I feel Im in a really good shape. After this great performance, I feel ready for the next race. If I fix some technical problems, I may manage to clock below 13.40. I want to dedicate my record to an old fellow athlete of me who passed away. I guess my preparation in Japan yielded results. I wanted the record badly, and I hoped I could set it here, in Beijing. In the semis, I will be stress-free and I want to clock an even better time. Maybe 13.43 or 13.44," commented Douvalides.

[13] Kiligarides in the Canoe/Kayak Semis

By Ampelakis Spyros

Canoeist/Kayaker Andreas Kiligarides of Greece managed to advance to the semis of the Mens C1 500m at the Beijing Olympic Games, after landing fifth place in heat three.

[14] Wrestling: Bentenides vs Gentry

By Nasos Bratsos

Emzarios Bentinides of Greece will fight against Mat Gentry of Canada in the Mens Freestyle Wrestling 74kg class. The Canadian wrestler earned his participation in the Beijing Olympics, after clinching bronze in the 2008 Pan-American Cup. Should the Greek athlete makes it through, he will probably play against Soslan Tigiev of Uzbekistan, who landed third place at the 2006 FILA Wrestling World Championships held in Guangzhou, China

[15] Greek Duo at the Synchronized Duet Final

By Giahanatzis Dimitris

The Greek duo Despina Solomou and Evi Makrygianni will be present at the final of the Synchronized Swimming Duet. On Tuesdays Free Routine, the Greek champions finished tenth, scoring 45,584 point, concluding the preliminary Deut competition with a combined score of 91,418. So they landed ninth place, booking the ticket for tomorrows final. Makrygianni, 22, and Solomou, who turned 18 on Monday, wowed the spectators, introducing their routine under the music of "Sing Sing Sing" by Benny Goodman and Fire Below.

[16] Nicolaides: "Craving to Reach High"

By Thanasis Karlos

Ready for a new great performance, Alexandros Nicolaides of Greece said he would do it best to repeat his remarkable performance at the 2004 Olympic Games and claim a medal at the Olympic tournament of Taewondo, which opens on Wednesday.

"I will do my best for Greece in this game and Ive been properly prepared to make it. I already know my foes and I believe that Ill leave them behind in the preliminaries. But, we should always bear in mind that their participation in the Olympic Games means that they are good athletes. I have a strong craving to reach high, yet I should face each opponent at a time," commented the Greek champion. "The truth is that the first week was a little disappointment to us, because our athletes did not do well. But things have been improved after the three medals we clinched and I hope that we will have claimed more by the end of the Games," added Nicolaides.

Aware that he needs to concentrate to achieve his goals, Alexandros Nicolaides said: "My training has been concluded. I have to be concentrated on my effort. A few days before my participation, I want nothing to distract me I dont wish to make big promises, because it is the Olympics we are talking about. I just want to be okay and run against no problems. I believe that Kouvari and Mystakides have been prepared well and will manage to achieve something big," concluded he.

Translated by Areti Christou

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