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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Zahopoulos Testifies Today

Former Secretary General of the Culture Ministry Christos Zahopoulos began testifying to the Examiner, who visited Evangelismos Hospital at 11:00 today. As Zahopoulos will have a lot to say he will also testify on Monday.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Ledra Barricade Opens Again

Ledra barricade in Lefkosia (Nicosia), which opened for the first time Thursday after 44 years, opened again after closing temporarily for two hours. The barricade had closed because Turkish-Cypriot policemen had illegally patrolled the street. The UN peace keeping force assured the Cypriot government that the incident would not happen again. The State Department hailed the opening of Ledra Street, wishing that it would lead to the resumption of talks between the two communities.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Paedophile Arrested in Greek Island

A hotelier, 36, from the NW Aegean island of Karpathos was arrested by members of the E-Crime Unit for organizing trips for orgies between paedophiles with underage kids. With an Interpol warrant issued against him, he was nabbed because, through his website, he called paedophiles from Europe and Canada to visit his hotel and get involved in sexual orgies swapping their children. The arrest was made under a new penal law, whereby organizing trips for sexual orgies is a felony sentenced to more than 10 years. The arrestee will be referred to Rhodes Prosecutor on Friday noon.

[04] Woman in Zakynthos Hit by Tornado

A tornado hit Zakynthos injuring seriously a woman, who was hospitalized in a critical condition in Patra. Dozens of houses and cultivations sustained serious damage and several cars were destroyed. PPC (Public Power Corporation) crews are working to restore damages on electric-power pillars.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Tsipras Tours Thessaloniki

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA-MPA

"Initiatives must be taken so that talks on resolving a problem that should have been resolved long before can open," SYN (Coalition of the Radical Left) President Alexis Tsipras commented on the FYROM name dispute. Touching on the outcome of the NATO Summit in Bucharest and the refusal to extend FYROM an invitation to join the alliance, he noted: "We would be happy were the problem to be settled. And of course, we had said from the very beginning that we did not expect to have our dispute with the neighbouring country addressed within the framework of NATO enlargement, within the framework of the USA aspirations in the area. Aspirations which are rather alarming both for our national interests and for the security and stability prospects in the Balkans." Asked to comment on KKE (Greek Communist Party) general secretary Aleka Papariga, who accused him of ignorance due to his age, Tsipras said: "We have seen those who are older and know about history and politics, what they have done to the country." The SYN leader visited the Thessaloniki Court Hall and met with the chairman of the Thessaloniki Bar Association, Manolis Lamtzides, who briefed Tsipras on the problems of the citys barristers who have been abstaining from their duties since 16 April over the social security issue.

Exiting the meeting, Tsipras said that the pension Act should not be put into practice, because it does not enjoy the societys consent. "The Thessaloniki Bar Association is in the middle of industrial actions, which are to be intensified in the near future, as the society cannot stand a pension Act that shrinks labour rights. We will stand by them. We came here, we met with the newly-elected Thessaloniki Bar Association chairman, and this is a message for us. That the Left can change balances in trade unions and in scientific bodies," noted Tsipras.

He also added that SYN will keep working for its initiative for a referendum, through a campaign to collect signatures, so that the pension Act loses its moral grounds. Tsipras then visited Sidenop and Nestle industries. His agenda includes a tour in the prefectures of Imathia and Pieria.

His three-day tour in central Macedonia will be concluded with a speech at an event scheduled for coming Sunday at the Ivanofio Sports Hall in Thessaloniki.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Hotel Hosting Students Catches Fire

Sources: ��� 105.8

Nafpaktos Hotel in Gribovo of the name-like city, where Third Lyceum Students were spending their five-day excursion caught fire at 05:10. The hotel was hosting 53 students, four professors, a driver, an escort, as well as 11 guests. The fire broke out in the basement of the hotel. The Fire Brigade intervened promptly and evacuated the hotel. A student, who was helping in the evacuation process faced respiratory problems and was transferred to Nafpaktos Hotel.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Obama-Hillary Difference Decreases

As per a New York Times and CBS Channel poll the difference between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton has been decreasing in the last month. Compared to Februarys poll, the Democrats in support of Obama have dropped by seven points to 62%. Men and high-income people are the ones who withdrew their support. In February, 67% of men wished Obama to be the Democrats nominee and only 28% chose Clinton. Now, Obama supporters have dropped to 47%, while Hillarys supporter rose to 42%.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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