The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-01-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Contacts in Athens and Ramallah

The better and more effective coordination of the Greek humanitarian aid to Gaza was the key point Dora Bakoyannis and Abu Ghazal touched on.

"Immediate aid is required. Following a great effort, the Greek aid finally entered Gaza on Monday," said Bakoyannis after the meeting.

"The goal is to better organise the aid mission, while necessary medical supplies and food will be bought," commented Bakoyannis, since a yet another Greek airplane carrying supplies is scheduled to arrive in Gaza within the week.

Apart from Greece's willingness to immediately alleviate the people of Gaza, Greece, stressed Bakoyannis "continues exerting pressure on the international community, hoping for a truce agreement and the opening of humanitarian passages. She acknowledged, however, that there was still a long way ahead, since things were pretty tough.

"We discussed the Greek government's diplomatic initiatives," argued Ghazala.Also working to achieve unity among the EU, the Greek Foreign Minister had a series of telephone contacts with the EU counterparts, including those of Spain, France and Britain.

"One of our gravest concerns is the lack of unanimity. That was the key point of the discussions I had Monday morning with my counterparts," said Bakoyannis.She also mentioned to the first statements made by the Czech Presidency, claiming, "It created reactions in several European capitals," and voiced her hope that a coordinated effort would deter such an image in the future.

The Palestinian ambassador touched on the Greek government's readiness, saying, "We have been in constant contact with the Greek government, since the very first moment of the crisis."

In the meantime, heading a KKE delegation, Aleka Papariga arrived Monday morning in Ramallah.

The delegation members have already embarked on a series of contact s with officials in Palestine.

On Tuesday, they will pay a visit to the Greek Women Association in Palestine. They will wrap up their contacts with a meeting with Palestine's Prime Minister.SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) called on the government to condemn Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip.

"The government cannot pretend to be a passive observer of a tragedy unfolding so close to us. We urge it to condemn Israel's offensive, take initiatives for a halt to the massacre and terminate the military deal between Greece and Israel," stressed the SYRIZA press spokesman.

News item: 17392

[02] Weapons âIdentifiedâ

Murder attack in Exarheia at dawn was not accidental. Findings indicate the organization "Revolutionary Struggle", which emerged after the dismantling of N17 terrorist organization.

While leaving the crime scene, the shooters threw a grenade used by the Greek army.

The Greek Police chief said that 27 cartridges from an automatic weapon and four from a 9mm revolver were found in the crime secene.

Tsiatouras said that the police did not know the exact number of the gunmen, and he branded the attack as hideous, stressing that the police was cowardly attacked by people who want to hit the police force. He added that he would not rest until the gunmen were seized.

News item: 17391

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