The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-09-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Joint Meeting on the FYROM Name Row

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA-NET

The joint meeting between UN envoy Matthew Nimetz and the negotiators of Greece and FYROM in New York on Thursday is to bring the name dispute at the forefront anew. Commenting on FYROMs stance in the negotiations, Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman G. Koumoutsakos said that the climate under which talks are to take place has been burdened. The recognition of Kosovo by FYROM should make Pristina act similarly and recognise FYROMs constitutional name, the FYROM President said Wednesday. In the meantime, the European Council accused FYROM of systematically employing tortures in the countrys prisons. Athens, on the other hand, does not expect much, because the other sides intransigence and unacceptable claims does not justify optimism over the outcome of the talks, argued Koumoutsakos. Greeces Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis briefed Wednesday President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias on the developments in the issues of FYROM and Cyprus, in view of her talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

[02] Russian-US Ties Remain Strained

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA-ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105,8

The deployment of European observers in the Caucasus has triggered a diplomatic wrangling. Javier Solana stressed that the EU monitoring missions would be stationed everywhere, including Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Russian Foreign Minister, however, said no EU observers would be deployed within the rebel regions. In the meantime, Moscow lashed out again at the US anti-missile shield installed in Poland. Sergei Lavrov warned the balance between Washington and Moscows arsenal had been disturbed, further adding that Poland had not yet realised it has turned into a part of a really dangerous game.

In the meantime, a State Department spokesman said that Moscow violated the French-brokered ceasefire, since it has not withdrew its troops from the Caucasus. It is noted that Russia established Tuesday diplomatic relations with the two breakaway provinces, stressing its intention to keep 3,800 troops in each of the two separatist regions. Tbilisi, on the other hand, said the troops in question rose to 20,000.

Greece Joins the EU Monitoring Missions

Greece will join the EU monitoring missions in the Caucasus, stressed Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman G. Koumoutsakos. Commenting on the developments, he argued that the preparations at EU level had started. He then went on to add that the important thing is all sides to abide by what was agreed regarding the timeline of the pullout during French President Nicolas Sarkozys recent visit to Moscow and Tbilisi

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters:Russia troops prepare to leave Georgia buffer zone

[03] Air Pollution and Obesity

Air pollution may determine whether a child could turn out obese or not, long before it is given birth, a new study that appeared in Acta Paediatrica magazine has suggested. Exposure to chemicals while in the womb increases the chance that a child will grow up either overweight or obese.

It is the first study to relate obesity to pollution. The research measured the levels of common pesticide hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in the umbilical cords of 403 babies before they were given birth. Used to treat seeds, HCB is now banned worldwide. However, it can be traced in food products.

Babies with the highest levels of HCB were more likely to grow obese at the age of six. The researchers highlighted the need to minimize exposure to similar chemicals, like BPA, which is used in babys feeding bottles, and phthalates used in shampoos and cosmetics.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] 6.4 Magnitude Tremor Strikes Atlantic Ocean

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

A strong earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck Wednesday in the Atlantic Ocean some 1500km east of French Guiana. No tsunami warning was issued.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Strong Quake Hits Iran

Sources: REUTERS

A powerful earthquake struck southern Iran on Wednesday near Bandar Abbas, site of a major oil refinery, killing at least four people and injuring 26, officials and state media said.

The U.S. Geological Service said the quakes magnitude was 6.1 and it struck at 1100 GMT about 53 km west-southwest of Bandar Abbas at a depth of 34.6 miles.

Irans official IRNA news agency also put the quake at 6.1 on the Richter scale, after earlier Iranian reports had said it could be as high as 7.5. Any quake above magnitude 6 can cause severe damage.

Iran is the worlds fourth largest oil exporter and Bandar Abbas is a major port with oil installations including a refinery. An industry official told Reuters last month that Bandar Abbas was processing 320,000 barrels per day of crude.

"Fortunately, there was no damage to the oil industrys facilities at Bandar Abbas," Hojjatollah Ghanimifard, vice president for investment affairs at the National Iranian Oil Company, told Reuters.

Iranian state television quoted a Red Crescent official as saying rescue workers were searching for casualties. It said 15 people were injured on Qeshm, an island in the southern Gulf close to where the tremor struck. ISNA news agency said the quake cut off power to the island.

[06] Romania-Ukraine Isle Dispute to UN Court

Sources: ANA

A border dispute between Romania and Ukraine has sparked a court war that was referred to The Hague. The two nations claim a speck of rock, where, as legend has it a hero of another war, the Trojan, Achilles was brought to rest.

The two neighbouring nations claim Serpents Island, as the locals call it. The tiny islet, which is described as deserted by one side and inhabited by the other, stretches for 17 hectares and lies in the Danube Delta in the Black Sea. In antiquity, the isle was known under the name of Leuce (Alba/White, in ancient Greek), while Pausanias called it "Achilles Island," because his tomb was believed to be there.

However, as soon as the case was referred to The Hague, it was made obvious that it was the oil and natural gas reserves that allegedly lie in the region that triggered the dispute and not the tomb of the great ancient Greek warrior.

The status of the island may be decisive in the ruling, since according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, rocks that cannot sustain human habitation have no impact on a states exclusive economic zones.

Ukraine has been in the middle of a campaign to prove that ancient Leuce is inhabited, while Romania claims that only serpents live on the island. Ukraine claims that there are at least seven people living permanently on the island, which also has a post office and two hotels. They also argue that its inhabitants have raised money to erect a church.

Translated by Areti Christou

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