The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Talks in NY

29 Feb 2008 09:30:00

Sources: ��� 105.8-�NA

A new crucial round of negotiations on FYROM name issue opens in NY today. Athens and Skopje representatives, Adamantios basilakis and Nikola Dimitrov respectively are to submit to UN special envoy, Mathew Nimitz, their remarks and objections on his proposal, so to determine the form and length of negotiations.

In the meantime, Prime-minister, Kostas Karamanlis is expected to send a message to Skopje from the Parliament today, responding to a relevant question by LAOS president G. Karatzaferis. The issue will be also discussed during American president, George Bush meeting with NATO general secretary, who is expected to visit Athens, on Monday. It is most likely that FYROM will indicate an intransigent stand, insisting on "double name" solution and will refuse to negotiate on any issues even change of their airports name according to articles in Skopjan press.

Athens, however, has warned of inevitable veto in FYROM-NATO admission, unless there is a solution, at the same time ruling out possibility of Kostas Karamanlis- Nikola Gruevsky meeting. Government spokesman, Thodoros Roussopoulos made clear that Greece will not abrogate any of its rights.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Related News:

Crucial Deliberations

[02] Hitting $103 per Barrel

29 Feb 2008 09:22:00

By Athina Saloustrou

Light crude oil hit $103 per barrel as Ecuador closed a strategic importance pipeline and fire broke out in a European natural gas plant while at the same time there is high concern over profiteering fuelled by a weak dollar against the euro. The dollar-euro exchange rate is close to 1.52 forcing investment organizations to invest in commodities. In Singapore, crude oil went up to $103.05 per barrel to drop later to $102.55, breaking the record of 102.53 reached in 1980, a year after the Islamic revolution in Iran. In New York, a few hours earlier crude oil had closed at $102.59. Brent oil dropped by 6 pence to close at $100.84 per barrel.

The crude oil price race is recorded a few days prior to OPEK Meeting in Vienna, expected to decide to maintain oil production at present levels. It is estimated that a landslide which damaged Ecuador main pipeline-transferring oil to Pacific Ocean ports and a fire that broke out in Bacton Gas Shell plant in Norfolk, England, supplier of 13% of Britains oil needs, have fuelled hikes in oil prices. Shell announced that the fire has been extinguished but the plant closed for safety reasons.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Iraq: "Chemical Ali" Execution Approved

By Athina Saloustrou

Iraqs Presidency has approved the execution of Saddam Houssein cousin Hassan al-Majid, known as "Chemical Ali" who was condemned to death on genocide charges for killing 180,000 Kurds during the 1987-1988 campaign against the Kurds in northern Iraq. This decision lifted the last legal wranglings in Al- Majid execution, who was sentenced to death in June, 2007. Initially he was to be executed last year but the President Council, comprised by the Iraqi President and two deputy presidents had refused to approve his execution.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Fire on Bulgarian Train

A fire swept through two sleeping-carriages on a 9 wagon Bulgarian train travelling from the capital Sofia to the northern town of Kardam overnight, killing at least three people and injuring 9 said a Transport Ministry spokesman. The fire broke out at 23:40 local time while from the nine injured four people- two men, one woman and a policeman-have been hospitalized with problems after inhaling smoke. According to radio reports the dead are four but this information has not been confirmed yet. The Transport Ministry said that over 60 passengers were on board the two coaches.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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