The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Olympic Flame Handed to Chinese Organisers

30 Mar 2008 11:05:00 (Last updated: 30 Mar 2008 17:05:36)

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8, �NA-�PA

In a glorious ceremony and in the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias the Olympic Flame lit at Panathinaiko Stadium altar Sunday noon and was handed to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games organizers after traveling for seven days.

The Flame was transferred to the Stadium from the Acropolis, where it had spent the night. Last torch bearer was Pigi Demertzi, top athlete for 2007. Deeply moved Demertzi entered the Stadium and lit the altar under the Attica sky.

The President of the Greek Olympic Committee Minos Kyriakou and the President of the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee Liu Qui addressed the attendees and then the former handed the Olympic Flame to the latter.

Receiving the Flame from the President of the Greek Olympic Committee, the head of the Chinese delegation expressed his gratitude to Greece for supporting Chinas request to stage the 2008 Olympic Games.

First Stop in China Monday

Mr Karolos Papoulias, accompanied by Culture Minister Michalis Liapis and Minos Kyriakou arrived at the Stadium at 15:00 and headed to the grandstand, where Mr Papoulias greeted Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, Employment Minister Fani Palli-Petralia, Deputy Sports Minister Giannis Ioannidis, IOC Vice President Lambis Nikolaou, the President the Hellenic Parliaement Dimitris Sioufas and the Vice President of the Greek Olympic Committee and Head of the Greek mission in Beijing Isidoros Kouvelos.

Meanwhile, about 15 persons outside the Stadium shouted Free Tibet, while the Flame was arriving. All 15 were arrested by the authorities.

Related News:

Olympic Flame in Acropolis

[02] Political Council Meets in the Afternoon

30 Mar 2008 12:19:00

Sources: ���- ��� 105.8

In his speech in Kileler to mark the anniversary of Thessaly Farmers Uprising, PASOK president, George Papandreou committed himself to grant farmers with 37 years of work, a pension equal to IKA pensioners regardless of age limit. In parallel, he repeated the Movements position for rise of a single farmer pension to 550 euros and to farmers couple to 950 euros. He also stressed that the message of the gathering is that when people want they can change their fate and change Greece. This he said has three preconditions and one need. First the farmer must know that the state supports him, secondly he must feel certainty, hope and prospect and thirdly farmers must be respected. The need as Papandreou stressed is the reorganization of the farmers movement.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Opposition Proposes Referendum

30 Mar 2008 12:56:00

Sources: ��� 105.8

Draft bill on reforms in social security system is expected to be passed by the Parliament tomorrow while the opposition plans to submit proposal for the holding of referendum. At the same time, GSEE and ADEDY trade unions are to stage a protest demonstration outside the Parliament while collection of signatures for the holding of referendum continues. "The government is exercising a change and reforms policy, change is not a slogan but deeds" said Economics Minister, George Alogoskoufis, in an interview with "Apogevmatini tis Kyriakis" newspaper. He also criticized the opposition saying that challenges ahead demand all parties to indicate responsibility. From Yiannena, ND party secretary, Lefteris Zagoritis stressed that the government has assumed its responsibilities to deal with the problems of the country. Mr. Zagoritis said it was unacceptable to involve the President of the Republic in political competitions, describing SYRIZA move as a superficial move, and expressed hope that it would not be repeated. Meanwhile, Athens lawyers are staging a 48-hour strike, starting tomorrow while Bank of Greece employees continue their strike.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Condoleezza Rice in the Middle East

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, ���, ��� 105.8, �NA-�PA

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Jerusalem that Israel and Palestine share the responsibility for a better reality in the region. Ms Rice, who is holding a new round of talks in the region, stressed that she expects from both sides to take important measures in creating better conditions in the region. After her talks with the Israeli Defence Minister and acting Palestinian PM Salam Fayad, the two sides promised to take specific steps in implementing the road map. From its side, Israel has pledged to remove 50 roadblocks, while the Palestinians promised to intensify their efforts in averting any terror acts. Ms Rice is to visit Jordan later today to hold talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Meanwhile, Israel pounds the Gaza Strip each time the Palestinians launch missiles. On Saturday, three Palestinians lost their life.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Israel to cut W Bank roadblocks

[05] Light Aircraft Crashes in Britain

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ���, BBC

A twin-engined Cessna Citation light aircraft crashed into two houses in Kent, UK Sunday. A fire broke out after the aircraft crashed. It is believed that five people were on board when it crashed near the citys university hospital.

There have been no immediate reports of any casualties on the ground. The Fire Brigade and rescue teams are on the crash spot.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

SkyNews: Private Jet Slams Into Kent Home

BBC: Private plane crashes into homes

[06] Papariga Sees No Cooperation with SYRIZA

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8

In an interview with NET, KKE (Greek Communist Party) Secretary General Aleka Papariga described the ND (Conservatives) and PASOK (Socialists) policies identical, adding that SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) is trying to imitate PASOKs course in the 70s. Regarding the FYROM name issue, he focused on the neighbouring countrys irredentist stance and Kosovos independence. Finally, in its announcement KKE calls all citizens to join forces against the two big parties.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Al. Tsipras in Support of Civilians

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8

Closing the sessions of the Central Political Committee, Alexis Tsipras spoke of an escalation of attacks against SYN (Coalition of the Left) and SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) in the future. The SYN president asked his cadres not to listen to charges on arrogant behaviour, criticizing the government in parallel on a neo-liberal attack against social rights and public property.

He also reported that efforts for a referendum on the Social Security issue would escalate, adding that big parties and the Media are launching an orchestrated attack against SYRIZA because they are afraid of its growing force.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Tsipras' Attack on S.S.S

[08] Situation in Tibet Tense

As per the announcement of the government in exile, protests continue before Ramos monastery, without any reports however on how the authorities are treating the demonstrators in Lhasa. At the same time, demonstrations are held on a daily basis in Nepal. Today, the police has arrested 113 Tibetans. About 200 persons, among whom monks and nuns formed a queue outside the Chinese Consulate in Katmandu shouting "we want a free Tibet." The police proceeded with arrests. Many of the monks were crying, while two of them carried other monks on the back. During his meeting with the Australian PM, US President George Bush asked from China to show self-restraint and commence a dialogue with representatives of the exiled spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[09] In Thessaloniki

30 Mar 2008 12:57:00

The police in Thessaloniki have arrested five minors; two of which nationals and three foreigners aged 14-17 because they used to mug other minors, removing from them their mobile phones. As per the police, the five minors have launched six attacks in eastern Thessaloniki, removing an equal number of phones. A brief was filed against the five, who will be led to the Prosecutor.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[10] Protests in Poland

About 500 people demonstrated in Stolp, northern Poland on Saturday as they are opposed to a U.S. missile shield to be built in the Czech Republic and Poland. The protesters asked for a referendum to be held, so that the people could state if they agree with the installation of the missile shield. The United States wants to build a radar base in the Brdy military district, some 90 km southwest of Prague, and a silo for 10 interceptor missiles in Poland as part of the missile defence shield. As per journalists, the shield is to be installed near the northern Polish city of Slupsk. Negotiations between Warsaw and Washington continue.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[11] To Third Day

30 Mar 2008 12:25:00

Baghdad curfew continues for the third consecutive day in an attempt to contain clashes between Shiite militants and Iraqi security forces that have threatened to spiral out of control. The curfew was to end this morning at 05:00 local time but military authorise have extended it indefinitely. According to a health official 75 people have been killed and 498 wounded in Baghdad in clashes between government forces and the Army of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. About 260 people have been killed since March, 25 in clashes which started in Basra and spread to other Iraqi cities, including Baghdad according to French news agency quoting security forces data.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[12] Chile: Happy-end for German Soldiers Taken Hostage

Nine German soldiers sent to Chile to instruct troops on driving German tanks, recently purchased by Chile, were attacked and taken hostage by a group of youths in an apparent robbery bid. According to police, the soldiers were threatened and tied up in the house where they were staying, in Iquique, 1.800km north of Santiago, early Friday. One of the German soldiers eventually managed to escape and called the police, who quickly surrounded the house and arrested four suspects after a shootout. A fifth fled, but was shot in the leg by police and also arrested. The German soldiers were slightly injured and were transferred to hospital for treatment.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[13] Zimbabwe Counting Votes

Counting of votes from presidential and parliamentary elections in Zimbawe continue with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change ( MDC) claiming victory. "Its a historic moment for all of us. We have won this election" Tendai Biti, secretary general of the Movement, backed by the West and particularly by Britain, told reporters and diplomatic observers. Biti said the MDCs election agents had reported that early results posted at polling stations showed Morgan Tsvangirai was projected to win 66% percent of the vote in the capital Harare, an opposition stronghold. Biti also said Tsvangirai had made significant inroads in Mugabes rural strongholds by leading in the southern province of Masvingo and Mashonaland Central Province, north of Harare, where the MDC has not won a parliamentary seat since 2000. The opposition has accused Mugabe of employing election-rigging tactics in an attempt to stay in power in the country which is suffering grave economic problems. African observers say they detected fraud in Saturdays ballot. Some 5.9 million voters had been registered to vote in yesterdays elections, considered a vote against economic chaos and worlds highest inflation rate reaching 6 digit number from Mugabes policy and chronic shortages of food, medicines and fuel.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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