The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Culture and Entertainment Premiere for Cine+

As of Tuesday 25 April at 6am, ERTs second terrestrial digital channel Cine+ is being broadcast on a 24-hour basis. Dedicated to culture and entertainment, Cine+ will be airing films, sitcoms, childrens shows and news from the film industry. It will have a spectacular quality of sound and image, with a rich programme, without advertisement breaks and with diverse services for viewers. Cine+ will be transmitted in Attica by UHF Channel 48 and from the transmitters on Ymittos, Parnitha and Aigina. In Thessaloniki from Channel 56 on Chortiatis and in Thessaly from Channel 53 on Pilio. A decoder is necessary for the channels reception and can be purchased from electric and electronic appliance stores.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

24-Hour Programme for "Cine+"

[02] En Route to Ankara and Sofia Strict Security Measures

Sources: NET 105.8, ANA

The joint Press Conference given by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her Greek counterpart Dora Bakoyannis after they meeting they held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concluded. Upon entering the Ministry, Mrs Rice stated, "the time for diplomacy in the Iraq issue has not ended," adding that the importance is for the emergence of unity by the international community. Referring on the issue of terrorism, she said that continual alertness is needed. Right now, she is meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis. The Greek-US cooperation in Iraq and Afghanistan, the situation in the Balkans and the prospects for a new initiative in the Cypriot issue will be at the focus of the talks, as she stated during the flight, however, it is estimated that Irans nuclear programme will be also discussed. Strict security measures will be enforced during Mrs Rices short stay in the capital, while already central streets are gradually being closed-off. Meanwhile, incidents occurred on Stadiou Street, where protesters threw Molotov cocktails against policemen. Following, the Secretary of State will depart for Ankara and Sofia for the informal NATO Foreign Ministers Summit Meeting.

Demonstration Rallies

In view of the meetings with Condoleeza Rice, Dora Bakoyannis met with the Prime Minister at Maximos Mansion. Due to the strict security measures and the protests scheduled, the centre of Athens will be impenetrable.

KKE has scheduled demonstration rallies and a march towards the US Embassy at 10:00 at Propylaia, joined by the Greek Social Forum and Synaspismos at Klathmonos Square, while PASOK underlined that the Greek people oppose every prospect of war and wished for the respect of international legality.

In particular, as it was announced by a police official, the marches will be allowed to reach Parliament, while traffic, parking and pedestrian movement will be gradually stopped at the streets that the US Secretary of State will pass by. It is noted that Mrs Rice is residing in Intercontinental Hotel.

As it was announced by the Traffic Police, traffic of private vehicles and Means of Public Transport will be stopped in the following streets: Attiki Odos, Kifissias Avenue, Ymittos Ring Road, Katechaki Avenue, Mesogeion Avenue, Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Herodes Atticus, Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue, Vasilissis Olgas Avenue, Amalias Avenue, Syggrou Avenue, Kokkalis, Gelonos, Dorylaios and P. Kyriakou. Moreover, metro station Megaro Mousikis is closed.

Special police forces and snipers are stationed alongside the streets that Mrs Rice will pass by, while areas will be checked by electronic means.

Measures will be enforced by the police around the house of the US Ambassador, the US Embassy, US services, offices and businesses.

On Monday afternoon, KKE staged a picket march from Omonoia Square towards the US Embassy, while its members gathered outside of Parliament.

At the same time, a group of protesters from the All Workers Militant Front (PAME) hanged a banner at the Athens Concert Hall with printed mottos against the US Secretary of State.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Rice in Athens Tuesday

[03] Pilots are Unharmed Near-Tragedy with Fantom

Sources: NET

The two pilots of the Hellenic Air Forces Fantom, which crashed shortly before 11:00 near the airport of Larissa, are unharmed. The two-seater RF-4 presented serious fault in its hydraulics and the two pilots successfully used the automatic ejection system. The causes of the crash are being investigated by a committee of experts.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Crisis Deescalating in Nepal

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, ANA

The Nepalese opposition announced the end of the lengthy and bloody protests following the statement by King Gyanendra that Parliament, which was dissolved four years ago, will be reinstated. In fact, the seven-party opposition proposed that former Prime Minister Girija Prashad Koirala lead the new government. "All parties have a consensus for him," said Madhav Kumar, General Secretary of the Congress Party, following a meeting of the seven-party coalition.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Opposition calls off Nepal strike

The Guardian: Nepalese king offers to reinstate parliament to head off protests

[05] They Will Continue in Clandestine Tehran Won't Back Down

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA, Reuters

Irans chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani threatened that Tehran would suspend its ties with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), were sanctions to be imposed. "In case of military action against Iran, Iran cannot be expected to act transparently," Larijani argued. The Iranian negotiator also claimed that Iran had no intention of using oil as a weapon, but, if "extreme measures" are taken against its nuclear programme, it will have serious consequences on oil. Former Iranian President Akbar Hasemi Rafsanjani categorically asserted that Tehran would not halt its nuclear programme. "Irans nuclear technology is like a bullet that has already left the barrel and it is impossible to push it back into the barrel," he added and voiced his conviction that the USA was vying to refer Iran to the UN Security Council because it was thrown out of Iran. In the meantime, China called on the international community not to break off negotiations with Tehran.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Iran Stays Adamant

[06] International Condemnation Bloodshed in Egypt

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, BBC, ��� 105.8, �NA

At least 23 persons, among whom a Swiss, a Russian and a baby from Germany, lost their lives and more than 60 injured by the triple bomb attack that rocked the Egyptian resort of Dahab, in the Sinai peninsula, on Monday night. Egyptian television broadcast that the blasts were caused by bombs detonated with a remote control and as per the Government the attacks were made by Egyptian extremists, who are not linked to foreign organisations. However, other security services claimed that al Qaeda is behind the bomb hits. The Egyptian Authorities closed off the borders with Israel so to obstruct the escape of the perpetrators. As per an announcement by the Greek Foreign Ministry no Greek citizens are among the victims. The international community condemned the attacks.

Memories Awakened

The blasts occurred in el-Khaleeg Hotel, where European and Israelis reside in, a super market and a caf&#233;.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned the triple terrorist attack in the Egyptian resort of Dahab, in Sinai, which caused the death of at least 23 persons.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak spoke of a terrorist act, while the US President condemned the attacks.

On its part, the Palestinian Authority and the Hamas Government condemned the attack and Israel underlined the necessity of a bilateral cooperation against international terrorism.

British Foreign Minister Jack Straw condemned the terrorist acts, while French President Jacques Chirac condemned the attacks "in the strongest terms" and voiced his "solidarity" to Egypt.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Koumoutsakos voiced the condolences of the Greek Government and its support to the families of the victims.

Dahab, which is a popular destination for tourists from Egypt, Israel and Europe, is situated near Sharm el-Sheik, which was rocked by a terrorist hit in 2005 and resulted in 88 persons losing their lives, while 30 persons were killed by attacks in Taba in October 2004.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Triple blasts rock Egypt resort

The Telegraph: Three blasts, then came the screams

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