The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 03-04-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

Partly cloudy to mostly sunny in Athens, 9C to 16C. Partly cloudy in Thessaloniki, 7C to 14C.

(6/4/2003 11:57:00 ��)

[02] Pressure on Baghdad increases

In attempt to bolster their position round the Euphrates river, the American forces

Crossed the river at dawn. At the same time, more troops that had took place in fights round Karbala are arriving in Baghdad, while marine forces are being deployed east of Baghdad.

Fierce fighting continues to take place at the Baghdad airport, where according to American information the Americans have gathered 7,000 men and are trying to establish a military village 20 kilometres south west of the center of Baghdad.

A representative of the American command in Qatar stated that situation at Baghdad airport is secured.

From their side, the Iraqis stated that they had they airport under their control, while both sides speak of hundreds of dead in their opponents' files.

In southern Iraq 17 civilians were killed out of which 9 were children due to the American and British bombings in Basra, which according to Al Jazera TV network are continuing until now.

Air attacks were also launched today against Mosul, where strong explosions were heard in the town.

At the same time, the Kurds in northern Iraq announced that they had taken over the town of Ain Sifni north east of Mosul.

Moreover, the Iraqi TV announced that the Iraqi forces at the Baghdad airport shot down a Cobra helicopter the pilots of which were killed.

Meanwhile, in a televised message the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein called on the Iraqi people to intensify their attacks against the American and British forces in the region so as to ease off pressure against Baghdad.

From his side, the American President George W. Bush stated at a radio address that the Iraqi President is loosing control of his regime and that his days are numbered.

On a relative development, the Kremlin announced the Russian ambassador to Baghdad would leave Iraq, while following an American demand, Turkey extradited 3 Iraqi diplomats.

Following the end of the ECOFIN meeting in Athens, Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis stated that the EU's utmost priority is the forwarding of humanitarian aid to Iraq, adding that it is extremely difficult to assess exactly the financial consequences from the war.

(6/4/2003 1:01:00 ��)

[03] Annan blames Turkey and Denktash for failure of Cyprus talks

The Cyprus issue will be discussed next Thursday so as a new resolution passes, which may adopt Mr Annan's report.

(6/4/2003 12:00:00 ��)

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