The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-07-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] China: Angry Uighurs Take to the Streets

Hundreds of ethnic Uighurs, who are a Muslim minority, took to the streets of the western Chinese city of Urumqi, protesting the arrests of their relatives, following an outbreak of violence that claimed 156 lives and injured more than 800. The Chinese police seized 1,434 people for their involvement in the clashes. Beijing has blamed the violence on Uighur exiles, who have accused police of making use of disproportionate violence.

According to information, of the 156 dead, 127 are men and 27 women, with information on the ethnicity of the victims being rather sketchy.

The White House expressed its grave concern and called for restraint.

Source: Reuters, ANA/MPA

BBC: Angry Uighurs defy Chinese police

News item: 24521

[02] âNew Eraâ in US-Russian Ties

The Russian Press hailed the resetting of the US-Russian ties following the signing of several agreement s between the US President and his Russian counterpart. Obama and Medvedev signed an agreement to cut their stockpiles of nuclear weapons, while Russia agreed to allow the US military to fly troops and weapons across its territory to Afghanistan. The US President was welcomed Tuesday by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Obama-Putin Meeting

Among the issues to be brought up at the meeting of the two leaders is the US plans to base parts of a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe, plans that have come under fire by Moscow.

Upon receiving Obama at the Prime Minister's residence, Putin said that his country looks to Obama for the improvement of the Russian-US relations. "We link hopes for development of our relationship with your name,â said Putin.

Obama, on his part, praised Putin for his work as president and prime minister. "I am aware of not only the extraordinary work that you've done on behalf of the Russian people in your previous role as prime minis-, uh, as president, but in your current role as prime minister,â argued Obama.

Agreements Achieved

Obama's visit to Russia is set to yield some promising results. The USA and Russia agreed to cut their stockpiles of nuclear weapons. The agreement will replace the 1991 Start I treaty, which expires in December. Months of marathon talks culminated with the talks of the two Presidents in Moscow, who spoke of the beginning of a new era.

In yet another effort to smooth ties between the two nations, Russia and the USA agreed to reset their military cooperation.

Dmitry Medvedev underlined that the US plans to base parts of a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe still remain a thorny issue between the two, yet there has been some progress. The Presidents merely said they had agreed to a joint study into ballistic missile threats and the creation of a data exchange centre.

The Russian head of state hoped the two nations would achieve a level of cooperation worthy of the 21st century and that the improvement of their ties would yield positive results both on the two nations and on the rest of the world.

Barack Obama, on his part, spoke of really constructive talks. He referred to the agreement allowing the US military to fly troops and weapons across its territory to Afghanistan in the most glowing terms, describing it as Moscow's major contribution to the anti-terrorism campaign.

As for Georgia, whose possible NATO membership has sparked a brawl between Russia and the USA, Barack Obama said that its territorial sovereignty should be respected.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA, Reuters

News item: 24519

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