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Monday, 30 December 2024
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-01-15The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] Pressure for Gaza Truce GrowsThousands of Gazans are fleeing the city, as Israeli ground forces have been entering densely populated residential areas. At least 11 Palestinians were killed overnight, while more than 1,000 Gazans have reportedly died as Israel's war on Hamas militants enters its 20th day. In the meantime, pressure for a ceasefire is growing. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who visited Tuesday Egypt, the first leg of his Mideast tour, called anew for a truce, warning that no more time could be wasted. Ban Ki-moon is due in Israel on Thursday. Hamas, on the other hand, appears willing, in their negotiations with the Egyptian negotiators in Cairo, to give thumbs up for a ten-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli negotiator is expected in the Egyptian capital on Thursday. At the same time, Ismail Haniya, the head of Hamas' government, plead Westerners to exert pressure on Israel to end its military offensive.Haniya: "'Yes' to a Ceasefire under Simple Conditions" In his article appeared Thursday in The Independent paper, the head of the Hamas government, Ismail Haniya said he would accept a ceasefire under "clear and simple" conditions, including the lifting of the blockades on Gaza, the opening of the crossings and Israel's complete withdrawal Haniya denied claims he was to blame for the conflict by declining to renew a six-month truce in December, further adding that Israel had made Gazans' life a "living hell" via "economic strangulation." "Whatever the cost, the continuation of Israel's massacres will neither break our will nor our aspiration for freedom and independence." In the meantime, Osama bin Laden called on Muslims to launch a holy war against Israel, while Venezuela severed its diplomatic ties with Israel, a few days after Hugo Chavez deported the Israeli ambassador. Source: Reuters, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA-MPA News item: 17741 [02] Gas Row Sparks Diplomatic FlurryNewsEurope has been caught in between the Moscow-Kiev row on Russian natural gas yet again, with the European Commission encouraging the state-members to take legal actions against Russia's energy giant Gazprom and Ukrainian Naftogaz. In a drive to settle the gas standoff, the Prime Ministers of Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Yulia Tymoshenko respectively, are to meet on Saturday. The Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev has also proposed an emergency sitting of the gas producing nations in the Russian capital on the same day. Nations hosting gas pipeline to facilitate the flow of gas to Europe, Czech Prime Minister Mirel Topolanek, whose country is at the helm of the EU, and European Commission head Barroso have also been invited. "Greece does not risk running out of gas until the end of January," commented Greek Development Minister Kostis Hatzidakis. Putin Wants Pressure to Be Exerted on Ukraine The gas row is mounting, with Ukraine claiming it would not have flow of gas to Europe resumed blaming Gazprom for insufficient pressure and Moscow accusing Kiev of raising obstacles encouraged by the USA. Vladimir Putin said that the Russian energy giant, Gazprom, had lost about $1.1bn.In an interview with German television network ARF, the Russian head of government called on the EU to exert pressure on Ukraine, so that Russian gas shipments resume through Ukraine. News item: 17743 The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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