The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Serbs Paid Last Respects to Milosevic End of Era

By Athina Saloustrou

Slobodan Milosevic was buried in the yard of his family home in Pozarevac shortly before dusk and while the local Philharmonic was playing in the pouring rain. The burial took place under draconian security measures in the presence of the former President's political friends, but without his family. Milosevic's political funeral was held on Saturday morning outside the Federal Parliament in Belgrade before thousands of people. It took the convoy taking the corpse from the Serbian capital to Pozarevac, 70km east of Belgrade, 5 hours, while Milosevic's coffin was covered by a slate of granite, stating his name and dates of birth and death. The burial service was held in a calm climate and according to public television, over 150,000 people escorted the former President from Belgrade to Pozarevac. However, the Socialist Party said the procession numbered over 500,000 people. Milosevic, 64, died of heart attack last Saturday in his cell at the Hague, while on trial for crimes of war.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] 2 Million People Rallied in 160 Cities French Students on the Streets

By Athina Saloustrou

Two million French, 500,000 in Paris alone, protested on Saturday in 160 cities throughout France asking the De Villepin Government to repeal the law on youth employment. The law in question, i.e. the First Employment Contract, allows employers to end job contracts for under-26s at any time during a two-year trial period without having to offer an explanation or give prior warning. The First Employment Contract was designed to combat youth unemployment, which has reached 23% in France, the highest percentage in Europe. The biggest rally in decades was staged in Paris, as students, trade unions and the Opposition joined forces against the new law. The Police deployed 25,000 policemen in Paris alone to ensure the march was carried out smoothly. The protestors, which exceeded half a million, originally gathered at Denfert-Rochereau on the left bank, and marched for over 5 hours towards Nation, which was 4km away. The rally was held in peace, while parents, students and other citizens were united under the same cause. However, incidents occurred after the end of the march at Nation Square, when young masked men started throwing rocks and bottles against the Police, which answered back using teargases. Some of the rioters even torched a parked car. The situation is still unsettled, as several injuries have been reported, while the Police are worried what could happen overnight.

Under the pressure of the situation, Prime Minister De Villepin agreed to open talks as soon as possible, but the students refuse to hold any form of dialogue with him. De Villepin might even suggest changes in the law by decreasing the trial period to one year rather than two. As a matter of fact, the Prime Minister met with his colleagues in the afternoon to go over the situation, following the protest that outdid all predictions.

As per information, De Villepin will wait for the ruling of the Constitutional Court, to which the Opposition had referred, asking it to declare the law unconstitutional. In fact, Justice might help De Villepin escape the tight spot by posing the issue of the law's unconstitutionality.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Job protests grip French cities

[03] He Personally Accused the Prime Minister Papandreou Launched Harsh Attack

George Papandreou described the two-day National Council Convention as a new beginning that would bring PASOK closer to power. Mr Papandreou promised a different government with moral transparency and fair distribution of revenues, while he launched a personal attack against Kostas Karamanlis. He accused the Prime Minister of covering Mr Alogoskoufis on his statements whereby Greece's accession to the European Monetary Union (EMU) was a political fraud, and hence he is personally responsible for the insult at the expense of the country and the Greek people. "Mr Karamanlis holds personal responsibility for the insult at the expense of the Greek people," stressed George Papandreou. "The ND Government and Mr Karamanlis act in panic and are consumed in attacking PASOK instead of govern," he added. Ending the proceedings of the Convention, Mr Papandreou voiced his optimism over PASOK's victory in the coming elections, whenever they are held. What is more, on the occasion of collective actions in France, he called on the Greek youth to be rebellious with a cause. Government spokesperson T. Roussopoulos and Economy Minister G. Alogoskoufis answered back to George Papandreou. Mr Alogoskoufis insisted on his statements and spoke of black propaganda on behalf of the Main Opposition.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Thousands of Hectares Have Flooded Evros Water Level Dropping

By Anna Kourti

The floods in Evros have started receding, but the water levels of the river and its tributaries remain high. Thousands of hectares of land have flooded from Trigono to Feres, while major damages have been recorded to livestock, infrastructure and greenhouses. In addition, problems have arisen with irrigation and the railways. According to the latest measurements at 11am, the water level of the River Evros is as follows: 6.12m in Pythio (alarm limit of 5.70m), 6.48m in Petalo (alarm limit of 6.00m) and 4.70m in Kipoi (alarm limit of 4.00m). In addition, the level of water of the River Adras dropped to 4.80m (alarm limit of 5.20m). The relevant regional authorities believe that some 16,000 hectares of land have flooded from the surging waters of the rivers Evros, Adras and Erythropotamos. Furthermore, the Prefecture of Evros authorities estimate that another 8,000 hectares throughout the prefecture remain underwater from the flooding of local streams and the rain. Moreover, some 30,000 hectares have flooded on the Turkish side. Deputy Culture Minister for Sports Affairs, Giorgos Orfanos, who is touring the Prefecture to review matters pertaining to his responsibilities, visited the affected areas of Praggio and Petrades on Friday evening.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

River Subsiding

[05] 2nd Sarakatsani Convention

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET - ANA

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias opened the proceedings of the 2nd Convention of Sarakatsani of Greece and the Diaspora. The Convention took place in Thessaloniki and was attended by the presidents of Sarakatsani Associations from Bulgaria and FYROM. "The Sarakatsani [nomad shepherds] constitute a significant part of our nation. They have been roaming the mountains and plains of Greece and the Balkans, where Hellenism flourished, for centuries," declared the Greek President. The Sarakatsani welcomed Mr Papoulias, who was accompanied by Employment Minister Savvas Tsitouridis, with their warmest applause. The President of the Panhellenic Federation of Sarakatsani Associations gave Karolos Papoulias the Sarkatsani pennon that used fly in Tseligata during the Turkish occupation. Others who spoke at the convention included the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace, and the Prefect and Mayor of Thessaloniki. The Convention was dedicated to Greek Revolution hero Georgios Karaiskakis and was also attended by Metropolitan Bishop Anthimos of Thessaloniki. The 1st Sarakatsani Convetion had taken place 10 years ago.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Three Years since the Allied Invasion of Iraq Anti-War Rallies

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET - NET 105.8

Anti-war rallies are being staged Saturday in many cities around the world on the occasion of the three years since the allied invasion of Iraq. In Athens, a rally was organised by GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour), ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) and the Greek Social Forum, in protest over the occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan the Palestine. Moreover, as per an opinion poll published in Greek newspaper Kathimerini, 85% of the Greeks believe that the USAs decision to invade Iraq was wrong, while they consider that the reason for the attack was to control the Middle Eastern oil. At the same time 87% of the citizens believe that the war in Iraq has increased the chance of terrorist attacks, making the world more dangerous than in the past.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] 12 Dead - 25 Injured Tragedy in Mexico

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Associated Press - �ercury News - ANA

A bus carrying dozens of school pupils toppled off a bridge on the outskirts of Mexico City, resulting in the tragic death of 12 and the injury of another 25, with many of them in critical condition. According to initial information, the bus driver accelerated as he was crossing the bridge and the bus fell on the highway below, crashing with cars. The pupils, who were on a field trip, were aged between 15 and 18. As per the police, the bus had set off from Mexico City and was en route to Toluca.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

�ercury news: Bus crash kills 12 on Mexico City outskirts

[08] Rebel Attack in Iraq

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters - ANA

Two US soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division were killed and another wounded in an attack northwest of Tikrit, Iraq, on Thursday. As per a US statement on Saturday, the soldiers were killed and wounded in an "indirect fire attack" on Contingency Operating Base Speicher, which is northwest of ousted former President Saddam Husseins hometown. The wounded soldier is being treated in a local military medical facility. The names of all the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin," the military said.

[09] Serbs Pay Last Respects to Milosevic Final Farewell

By Athina Saloustrou

At least fifty thousand people paid their last respects to the mortal remains of Slobodan Milosevic outside the Federal Parliament in Belgrade. The family of the former Yugoslavian President, who died in his cell last Saturday in the Hague, where he was tried for war crimes, did not attend the funeral. According to Socialist Party officials, Mira Markovic did not receive adequate guarantees she would be able to depart the country without problems. The convoy carrying Slobodan Milosevics corpse departed from Belgrade en route to Pozarevac, 70km southeast of Belgrade, where the former president will be buried. The coffin is draped in a Serbian flag. As soon as the hearse arrives in Pozarevac, the coffin will be put to public display at the central square, before burying the former President in the grounds of his family house on 14 Nemanjina Street. The burial will take place at the local cemetery, while Archbishop Filaretos will officiate the burial service.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Serbs say farewell to Milosevic

REUTERS: Tens of thousands rally to bid Milosevic farewell

[10] Against the Villepin Government New Protests in France

By Anna Kourti

Students, trade unions and the Opposition are joining forces against the French law that allows the dismissal of youths under 26 without severance pay. New protests are being staged Saturday in many cities throughout France. According to estimates, some 1.5 million protestors are taking to the streets in 160 major rallies. In Paris, the march commenced at 2:30pm at Denfert-Rochereau on the left bank, and will end at Nation. The title of newspaper Liberation read "We Are Demonstrating Today," while Le Figaro wondered whether there was a solution. "We are prepared for a long arm-wrestle with the Villepin Government," warned the president of the French students Union, reminding that 68% of the citizens are in favour of the law on youth employment being abolished. The students and trade unionists will meet in the afternoon to decide on future actions.

On the Brink of Anarchy

After meeting with PM Dominique de Villepin at Matignon on Friday night, the deans of French universities asked that the law be temporarily repealed. "We are on the brink of anarchy. I am afraid that if we delay too long in repealing the law, the students movement will not stop at anything," declared the vice-president of the deans Union, Yanik Vallet.

The students and the trade unions are refusing to hold discussions with the Villepin Government, unless the CPE (First Employment Contact) law is repealed. On the other hand, the French PM declared willing to talk, wishing for a way-out to the crisis.

As per the French Press, the PM has been under pressure for the last week, while his interview to the Media this week failed to convince anyone.

Saturdays protests throughout France are expected to play a decisive role in the outcome of the confrontation.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Million urged for French protest

Related News:

Tension in France Escalates

[11] 9 Killed - 3 Injured Mine Explosion in Afghanistan

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters - ANA

Nine Afghan police officers were killed and another three were injured in a mine explosion on the Kandahar-Helmad provincial limits. As per Kandahars Governor, the officers were killed during an operation to recover the bodies of four FYROM nationals, who had been abducted and executed by the Taliban. The vehicle carrying the four bodies hit a mine. The violence in Afghanistan, and especially the southern and northern part of the country, has soared in the last few months, as the Taliban and allied militants are escalating their struggles to drive away foreign forces and overthrow the Western-backed government.

The Taliban had announced that they had abducted the four nationals of FYROM, who were working for Ecolog (German Services Company), on 11 March. A Taliban spokesperson later said they had been killed on the orders of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar.

"These people had come to Afghanistan at Americas behest, therefore they should be sentenced to death," Taliban spokesperson Qari Mohammad Yousuf quoted the order as saying.

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