The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-03-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather: Gradual Deterioration

Meteorological Service has forecast gradual deterioration of weather with heavy snowfall on high ground in the continental shelf as well as on low ground in Macedonia, thrace and Epirus. Snow chains are already necessary in the road network , in the prefecture of Florina. There is also forecast for heavy rain and storms in the south-west and strong winds up to 9 Beaufort force. Weather will start improving on Tuesday.

Sources:ÍÅÔ 105.8 News item: 34064

[02] Dispute in the Parliament- Draft-bill Passed

Draft-bill on new fiscal measures was passed by the Parliament on Friday in the mid of strong disputes. PASOK and LAOS voted in favour while the GCP walked out of the debate. Finance Minister, George Papakonstantinou, described as unrealistic the stand of leftist parties, underlined that there would not be need for further measures if the current measures are implemented. ND deputy Mihalis Kefaloyiannis predicted new measures in six months while Alexis Tsipras, president of SYRIZA Parliamentary Group spoke of crime against Greek society. LAOS president George Karatzaferis stressed that his party was not doing a favour to the government but to Greece.

Sources:ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8 News item: 34061

[03] Tension in US-Turkey Relations after Armenia Genocide Vote

Congressional committee vote passing resolution condemning Turkey for Armenian genocide puts at risk relations between the United States and Turkey. Although Obama administration objects to the resolution, Turkey's president described the resolution as offense to history. Immediately the Ankara government withdrew its ambassador to Washington

"God condemns American imperialism. We did not commit genocide, we defended our land"

Following Turkey's reaction, the US administration, which regards Turkey as an important ally, Is seeking to defuse the row. It expressed its frustration with the House of Representatives' foreign affairs committee, which voted 23-22 yesterday in favour of a resolution labelling the 1915 massacre of up to 1.5 million Armenians a "genocide".

The administration of president Barack Obama strongly objects to the resolution passed by only one vote by the Foreign Affaisr Committee and I will work hard to stop the resolution going to the floor of the House for a confirmation debate and vote said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton from Guatemala where she is paying an official visit.

Hillary Clinton had urged the House committee not to vote, saying that it would damage reconciliation efforts between Turkey and Armenia. "We do not believe that the full Congress will or should act upon that resolution, and we have made that clear to all the parties involved," Clinton advised lawmakers.

Turkish Prime-minister Tayip Erdogan went on to warn that "Turkey will not be responsible for the negative results that this event may lead to," saying that Washington's decision will "harm Turkey-U.S. ties" and could derail talks aimed at opening the border between Turkey and Armenia.

Immediately after the vote, Ankara recalled its ambassador from Washington, condemning the US Committee's decision and warned the U.S. government of lasting diplomatic consequences.

Armenians, an estimated 6 million of whom have emigrated and have well-organized lobbies in their new homes, maintain that 1.5 million of their relatives were purposefully killed by Turkish troops in what amounted to the 20th century's first genocide.Turkey admits that many Armenians died, but denies it was a genocide. It says the number has been inflated and that most of the people died of disease and famine in the chaos and civil war of the time.

Turkey is an important NATO ally of the U.S. and Western Europe. Washington has also come to rely on Turkish support in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2007 the Bush administration lobbied forcefully to stop a similar resolution reaching the floor of the house.

The issue has sparked tension in Turkey's relations with EU member states, particularly France. News item: 34060

[04] GSEE President Released from Hospital-Police Investigation

Police are carrying out investigations on the attack against GSSE president Yiannis Panagopoulos. He was released from hospital, where he was admitted for preventive care, on Saturday morning. Manolis Glezos, historical member of the GCP is still in hospital but he is expected to be released on Sunday. They both were injured during GSEE and ADEDY demonstrations. Yiannis Panagopoulos is said to have been attacked by SYRIZA groups while Manolis Glezos fainted when security forces fired tear gas against him. Minister for Protection of Citizens, Mihalis Hrisohoidis apologized for the incedent involving Manolis Gleezos, underlining that it was an accident and in no case he was targeted. Also Security Forces Federation apologized to the national resistance fighter. Of the 12 people brought to police station, five were arrested and will face public prosecutor on Saturday.

The secretary of PASOK National Council, Socratis Xynidis visited Manolis Glezos and Yiannis Panagopoulos on Friday evening.

Face Public Prosecutor

In the meantime, the five people arrested are facing charges of assault against policemen, disruption of peace, illegal weapon possession and use. A law- suit was filed against unknown people for possession of explosives. GSEE and ADEDY are staging new mobilization on Thursday.

Sources:ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8-ÁNA/ÌPA News item: 34058

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