The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-02-09

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Kerry wins in Maine, keeps heat on Bush

Democratic presidential front-runner John Kerry scored an easy win in Maine on Sunday, to expand his huge lead in the partys nomination fight, and kept the heat on President George W. Bush by questioning his justification for war in Iraq. Kerry, a Massachusetts senator, held a huge lead of more than 20 points over former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who finished second, and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich in third. It was the 10th win in 12 contests for Kerry in the race to find a challenger to Bush and moves him another step closer to the Democratic nomination ahead of primaries on Tuesday in Tennessee and Virginia and on Feb. 17 in Wisconsin.

[02] Two U.S. soldiers die clearing explosives in Iraq

Two U.S. soldiers were killed and six were wounded today while trying to clear explosives in northern Iraq. The explosion, which occurred near the city of Sinjar 400 km north of Baghdad, was an accident according to the top U.S. military spokesman in Iraq.

[03] ELA trial begins

The trial of five suspected members of Greeces oldest urban guerrilla group started today. The defendants are suspected members of the Revolutionary Popular Struggle (ELA), which claimed responsibility for two murders as well as scores of attempted murders and bomb attacks on Greek and foreign targets in Greece going back to 1975. All five face charges of "setting up and participating in a terrorist group".

Due to statute of limitation laws, the five face trial only on crimes dating back to 1986. The trial is expected to last about three months. If convicted, all five face life sentences. The court spent its first day reading out the indictments against the five suspects. They will be tried for the murder of two police officials and the attempted killings of a Supreme Court prosecutor, a police chief, a labor union leader and two journalists in the 1980s.

[04] Communist, DIKKI and Coaltion party leaders campaign trails

Communist Party leader Aleka Papariga addresses gathering of artists in Piraeus this evening where she denounced the downward course in the sector of culture. Mrs. Papariga stressed the commercialisation of art deprives art itself of its actual role which is should express social consciousness. The communist party leader also denounced the censorship of artistic expression stressing that citizens are faced as consumers and not as creators.

Coalition party leader, Nikos Konstantopoulos criticised the Pasok and New Democracy parties of conducting neo-liberal policies. Mr. Konstantopoulos will speak to artists and performers this evening at 9.30 p.m.

Meanwhile, DIKKI leader, Dimitris Tsovolas gave a lengthy interview this afternoon in Thessaloniki.

[05] ND leader departs for Spain on Friday

New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis will speak on A Competitive Greek Economy in the International Environment at a dinner organized by the British-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Athinais conference hall in Votanikos this evening. Mr. Karamanlis will be in Madrid on Friday, February 13 to attend the summit meeting of the International Center of Democrats.

[06] G. Papandreou assumes Pasok reigns

George Papandreou assumed the post of the President of the governing Socialist Party of PASOK today in a ceremony at the party's central offices in Athens in the presence of the Executive Bureau members and pledged he will meet the expectations of the people. Mr. Papandreou took over the post replacing Kostas Simitis who congratulated him stressing that participation in yesterday's vote giving to Mr. Papandreou a popular mandate was unprecedented. He said that the people unanimously approved PASOK's proposal to participate in the election of a party leader who will claim a government mandate. Mr. Simitis characterised the new party president as the most suitable leader for the countrys further course that he associated with the countrys national developments, particularly the Cyprus issue.

[07] ND leader meets with Cypriot president

New Democracys president Costas Karamanlis also met with President Papadopoulos today, in view of what he called, new momentum developing around the Cyprus issue and its upcoming complete accession to the EU.

It is a basic national goal, stressed Mr. Karamanlis, to find a just, viable and functional solution according to the resolutions and decisions of the UN and European acquis.

The Greek Cypriot side, underlined the President of ND, has repeatedly shown its good will and now the other side is obliged to leave behind its refusal and delaying tactics and to come to the table of negotiations based on the Annan proposal.

[08] Cypriot president T. Papadopoulos meets with PM Simitis in Athens

Immediately following a meeting at the Maximos Mansion today with Prime Minister Costas Simitis Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said he was fully prepared today for talks with Turkish Cypriot leaders on a United Nations plan to reunify the island despite a tight deadline to find a solution. Also present at the meeting was PASOKs new President and Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou.

[09] Weather Forecast

Scattered clouds are forecast in all parts of the country, turning to showers in the east and south. Winds northerly, moderate to strong, turning gale force at sea. Colder weather is expected. Temperatures in Athens will range between 7-11 C and in Thessaloniki from 4-7 C.

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article