The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-06-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] International Cooperation to Resolve Cyprus Issue

Cyprus President D. Hristofias, who received the head of the Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI at the Presidential Mansion on Saturday morning, asked his intervention for international cooperation for the resolution of the Cyprus issue. On his part, Pope Benedict XVI expressed his appreciation to the Cyprus State and Church for their significant services to society and their efforts to build a safe future. The Pontiff will attend a dinner in his honour at noon hosted by the Archbishop of Cyprus Hrisostomos.

"Compliance to International Law"

Cyprus President D. Hristofias on Sunday morning had private meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, who is paying an official visit to Cyprus since Friday.

The Pope visited the monument and paid tribute to the first president of the Cyprus Republic, Archbishop Makarios , where a wreath had been laid shortly before.

"We honour our commitments and are free from national prejudices. We propose positions that serve the interests of the whole Cyprus people regardless of national and religious identity". D. Hristofias

"The international community should exercise its influence on Turkey. Its high time all realized top priority is to comply with international law and not To serve narrow interests linked with the geo-strategic position of Turkey", said D. Hristofias addressing the Pope during the official reception ceremony.

He also referred to the recent sad developments in Gaza which should give rise to serious concerns. He also underlined the political willingness of the Greek-Cypriot side to reach a solution.

President Hristofias said it was a big honour for the Cyprus government and people to receive the Pope at the Presidential Mansion which is the House of all Cypriots.

In his address, the Pope said peace in troubled regions could be achieved through the promotion of moral truth in three ways.

"Firstly, to examine dispassionately the concerns of all involved parties to the specific dispute so to reach an objective and comprehensive approach. Secondly, the decoding of political ideologies and third continuous effort to support the law of the moral principles of natural law", said the Pope.

He added individuals, communities and States without guidance from objective moral truths would become selfish and dishonest and make the world more dangerous.He also asked everyone to respect the rights of individuals and peoples and defend promotion of human dignity.

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΑNA-ΜPA

News item: 37301

[02] ND Multi-Issue Conference

ND leader Antonis Samaras is attending a multi-issue conference regarding policy units. The congress is organized by ND party secretariats in view of June's Congress.

Πηγή: ΝΕΤ News item: 37300

[03] Rachel Corrie Seized

Israeli forces seized Irish owned ship Rachel Corrie bound to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid. An Israeli military spokesman said the operation was carried out in international waters AND Israeli forces took control of the ship without use of violence. In the meantime autopsy results show that the nine Turkish men were shot a total of 30 times from a close distance. Greek Prime-minister G. Papandreou had a telephone contact with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to discuss the Gaza issue. Demonstrations against the Israeli continue in Europe, US and Latin America.

Refused to Change Route

"The ship has been boarded and there was full compliance from the crew and passengers on board There was no use of violence" Israeli military spokesman" said.

According to Israel, Rachel Corrie repeatedly ignored orders to change route to Israeli Ashdod port and tried to reach Gaza.

Rachel Corrie - carrying 15 Irish and Malasyan nationals and 1.000 tones of aid- initially was part of the international humanitarian flotilla seized on Monday by the Israeli forces.

Nine Turkish Men Shot 30 Times

Autopsy results show that the nine Turkish men were shot a total of 30 times from a close distance. "London Times" says that one Israeli soldier shot dead 6 of the nine victims to defend the other soldiers from the activists as he said.

UN High Commission has described Gaza's blockade as illegal and requested its lifting. Greek Prime-minister George Papandreou and US State Secretary Hillary Clinton have exchanged views on Gaza issue during a telephone contact .

Πηγές: Reuters, ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ

Related News: BBC: Israeli troops 'board Rachel Corrie Gaza aid ship'

News item: 37298

[04] Papandreou -Clinton Phone Talk

US State Secretary Hillary Clinton had a telephone contact with Greek prime-minister G. Papandreou during which they discussed "situation in Gaza, Iran and other regional issues, said P. J Crowley State Department spokesman.

Mr. Crowley said that Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Papandreou discussed "some ideas" on the handling of Gaza issue and added that the US were holding talks with several countries on a broad spectrum of selections that would allow the international community to help Israel on the one hand to offer further assistance to Gaza residents and on the other hand to respond to its reasonable concerns. Within this context, Mrs. Clinton wants to know both Israel's intentions and how the US and the international community can help , said the US official.

ANA News item: 37296

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