The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Thorns to NATO Enlargement

By Athina Saloustrou

The outcome of the NATO Summit will be beyond any predictions, due to the thorny issues of its agenda, the NATO Secretary General, Jaap De Hoop Scheffer, has claimed. NATOs door would not be closed, meaning that it would not close for Ukraine or Georgia, argued Scheffer. US President George W. Bush, on his part, wishes to see the North Atlantic Treaty expanding to the East. Ukraine and Georgia will try to have themselves ushered in and earn a Membership Action Plan (MAP). However, several EU states and Russia are strongly opposing their aspirations. Bush, on the other hand, arrived in Kiev late on Monday to offer his tacit backing to Ukraines bid. The forthcoming Summit in Bucharest is the biggest in the Alliances history with regard to the number of the participating countries, and one of the most important with regard to the topics to be brought up. Russian President Vladimir Putin escorted and his successor Dmitry Medvedev will also attend the Summit in the Romanian capital.

Ukraine and Georgia are in the middle of talks with the Alliance in their bid to earn the title of a candidate nation. The issue will be discussed at the NATO Summit scheduled to commence on Wednesday. President Victor Yushchenko, on his part, appeared certain that a MAP could be offered to his country.

Russia should not be afraid of Ukraines ties with NATO, claimed George W. Bush. Drilled about the pressure Moscow is probably exert against Ukraine and Georgias NATO bid, Bush argued that Russia would not have veto rights. The US President also said that the prospect of extending the plan to both countries has nothing to do with the US plans to have the missile defence scheme to eastern Europe.

However, just a few hours prior to the Summits official opening, anti-NATO protesters packed the Independence Square in Kien. Polls have suggested that the majority of the Ukrainian people oppose a NATO accession. And it is not just the Ukrainians. Russia views Ukraines possible accession as a threat to its position as a regional power. The issue is going to be a thorny one, as several EU states agree with Germany, which opposes Ukraine and Georgias bid.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel noted that nations involved in regional conflicts, implying Georgias problems with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, cannot enter the Alliance. France also voiced its objections. "We are opposed to the entry of Georgia and Ukraine because we think it is not the right response to the balance of power in Europe and between Europe and Russia, and we want to have a dialogue on this subject with Russia," French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said on Tuesday. "Thats what the president of the Republic will say in Bucharest tomorrow," he added.

[02] China: Threats of Olympic Boycott

By Athina Saloustrou

The countries that are boycotting Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony due to Tibet crisis are undermining their own interests, Beijing announced today. "The Olympic Games is a sports event for the residents of the entire world. Boycotting does not mean isolation for China", a representative of the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry said. "Officers and state leaders that come in China are participating in a gathering of the Olympic family and support their own athletes. If someone is boycotting, he/she is abandoning the Olympic family and is undermining his/her own interests" the representative added. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked from US President Mr.George Bush to examine the possibility of a possible Olympic opening ceremony boycott due to the crisis that has burst out in Tibet.

It must be noted that Pelosi is the first foreign officer that has visited the spiritual leader of Tibet Dalai Lama after Lamas crisis.

The Head of US diplomacy Mrs. Condoleezza Rice stated last week that she is against the possibility of an Olympic boycott.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Molesting a Five-yo

A 45-year-old foreigner, owner of a day nursery in Athens was arrested by the police yesterday because he was molesting a five-year-old girl. The police announced that the girls mother filed the charges against the owner of the day nursery. The police also arrested two women aged 22 and 27 at the day nursery because they lacked work permit, a health book and the proper qualifications.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Developments on Research on Antikythera Mechanism

In cooperation with the Society for the Study of Ancient Greek Technology, TEE (Technical Chamber of Greece) is organizing a special event on the ancient Greeks top technological achievement on at the National Research Centre (48, Vas. Konstantinou Street at 17:30 on 7 April

Scientists will present the new data resulting from the data and research of the Greek-British Team that is examining the find.

Addressing the event will be:

M. Zafeiropoulou, Archaeologist, X. Mousas, Space Physics Professor, I. Siradakis Astrophysics, Astronomy and Mechanics Professor, A. Tselikas, Scholar and I. Bitsakis, Physicist.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] General Share Price Index at 4,063.89 Units

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

The General Share Price Index of the Athens Stock Exchange rose by 1.95%, closing at 4,063.89 units. Transactions amounted to 382.6 million.

Meanwhile, FTSE/20 rose by 2.57%, FTSE/40 by 2.85% and FTSE/80 by 0.94%.

Of the shares transacted, 196 rose, 59 dropped and 35 remained stable.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Papoulias-Kaklamanis Meeting

01 Apr 2008 16:55:00

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8, �NA

Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis visited the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias to brief him on the founding of the Prevention, Addiction Cessation and Rehabilitation Centre for young drug addicts. He Centre will be erected near Sotiria Hospital. The Mayor hoped that the Centre would be ready within his term of office.

Mr Kaklamanis also briefed Mr Papoulias on the Green Charter, as well as on the refuse management problem, which he described on the biggest problems Attica is encountering. He added that a complete environmental refuse management plan would be planned.

Addressing the President Mr Kaklamanis reported that in addition to other things, Athens needs social cohesion and this will be achieved partly by the Centre for drug addicts.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Zahopoulos Ready to Testify

Sources: ��� 105.8

The Examiner will decide when to set an appointment with hospitalized Christos Zahopoulos so that he can testify. As per an Evangelismos Hospital announcement, Mr Zahopoulos is ready to be visited by the judicial authorities. Doctors have reported today that the patients condition is stable, while orthopedic surgeons have concluded that for the time being it is not necessary for Mr Zahopoulos to be operated on his legs.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[08] Text Message Scandal Forces Finish Minister Out

By Athina Saloustrou

Finland Foreign Minister, Ilkka Kanerva was forced to resign after the revelation of an erotic scandal, involving 200 text messages to a strip- dancer. The name of the new Finish Foreign Minister will be announced after the partys meeting today. A government spokeswoman said replacing the minister was a party decision, which the president would later approve. In his initial statements, the Finish Foreign Minister, member of the conservative National Coalition Party had belied reports but on the sidelines of European Council meeting in Brussels on March, 10 he admitted having sent some messages to Johanna Tukiainen. According to Tukiainen, 29, who lives in the US, Ilkka Kanerva had sent her some 150-200 text messages in a month after she had performed a nude dance during his 60th birthday party. Although Kanerva had not violated any law and his wife accepted his excuse his trustworthiness is doubted as this is not the first time Kanerva has been in trouble over his mobile phone use. In 2005, when he was the deputy speaker of parliament, he bombarded two models with text messages.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] In Asian Markets

01 Apr 2008 08:50:00

Oil prices are going down in Asian markets today on worries about the wider economic problems of the United States and drop in oil demand. In Singapure, price of light crude oil for May delivery dropped 18 cents today to $101.40 from $101.58 closing in NY yesterday. Brent went down 1 cent to $100.29. Light crude oil price plunged $4 per barrel in NY market yesterday. Oil prices are going down due to recent statistics indicating lower demand in the US market said Victor Sum analyst for Purvin and Gertz in Singapure.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[10] Zimbabwe: Electoral Results in Slow Paces

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Associated Press, AFP, �NA-�NA, Reuters

Up until now results of the presidential election in Zimbabwe have not been announced yet. A projection by Zimbabwes ruling party shows opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will beat President Robert Mugabe in the countrys election but a runoff will be needed, ZANU-PF party sources said on Tuesday. Independent observers give a 49,4% lead to Tsvangirai while they estimate that votes for Mugabe will reach 41,8%. If these estimations are confirmed then the two candidates will go on a second electoral round in three weeks.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Anxious wait for Zimbabwe results

[11] Iraq: Death Toll Rises 50% in March

By Athina Saloustrou

According to the evidence released by the Iraqi government the number of deaths has risen 50% in relation to February

1.082 people at least lost their lives in violent clashes in Iraq during March. The number of deaths has risen 50% since February. According to evidence released by the Iraqi government and Ministry of Internal Affairs, 925 citizens, 54 army and 103 police officers died in March. Injured people rose to 1.630. Deaths and injuries of Shiites fighting against the Iraqi army are also included in the death toll. These evidences record a rising tendency in victims. In February, 721 Iraqi were killed, that is 33% more deaths than those recorded in January.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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