The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] "Above All Healthy Sports"

By Ampelakis Spyros

Sources: ANA

Referring to the recent doping scandal in Greece, Culture Minister Michalis Liapis said from Dion today that "healthy sports" is more important than medals.

"Of course we are interested in medals. But above all we are interested in "healthy sports", clean athletes and the protection of our youth. This is what I told the prime minister on Friday. Within the next 10 days I will table an amendment in the protection of sports and our youth, so that we shall be proud that Greece is the cradle of Olympism," Mr Liapis said.

The amendment will also concern the combating of violence in stadiums.

Mr Liapis had visited Dion at the invitation of professor and head of excavations in the area in the last 35 years Dimitris Pantermalis.

He reported that he was deeply moved as he had visited the archaeological site before 25 with President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine Karamanlis, who had channeled the first funds for the museum.

As for the FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) name issue he appeared optimistic, since as he stated when the Greeks are united they have nothing to fear.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Fresh Boost to Reforms

Sources: ���-��� 105.8

Prime-minister, Kostas Karamanlis announced new boost to reforms in his speech to the ND party Central Committee. He stressed that reforms is the only road for the countrys development and referred in detail to reform plans in all sectors, placing emphasis on energy agreements, which have upgraded the countrys geopolitical role ,as he said. He also underlined that the social security bill was a necessary precondition to keep the system going, stressing that the government was determined to continue with the necessary reforms. Addressing the opening of works the 4th Congress, the secretary of the ND party Central Committee, Lefteris Zagoritis launched an attack against PASOK saying that the main opposition party is overcome by feeling of defeat and fear not to loose the post of main opposition party.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] High Temperatures and Dust

Sources: ���

High for the season temperatures and dust from Africa have created a heavy atmosphere in the city of Athens. According to experts the dust from Africa will not create special problems, however, people with breathing problems should take precautions and avoid outing if not necessary. Despite cloudy weather, some Athenians took advantage of the warm weather to go to the beach. Temperatures will remain high for the season on Sunday despite forecast for drop in temperatures but we will see return to normal levels as of Monday

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Dalai Lama against Olympics Boycott

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: �NA/�PA

In an interview with American television network NBC , Dalai Lama, Tibets exiled spiritual leader, said on Friday he did not support a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games. He made clear that the human rights case did not only concern Tibet but also China itself where the report on human rights was very poor. Asked what his message to China was, he said: "My main point is: We are not against you. And Im not seeking separation." In the meantime, Chinese President, Hu Zintao stated that Chinas conflict with Dalai Lama is not an ethnic problem, not a religious problem, nor a human rights problem, it is a separatist issue not related to human rights.

President Hu said Beijings conflict with the Dalai Lama was purely a question of national unity and nothing to do with ethnicity, religion or human rights. "Our conflict with the Dalai Lama is not an ethnic problem, not a religious problem, nor a human rights problem. It is a problem either to safeguard national unification or to split the motherland " Hu Jintao said during his meeting with visiting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Mr Hu also reiterated Chinas position that it was open to talks with the Dalai Lama, but that Tibets exiled spiritual leader was blocking the way.He said China was ready to meet the Dalai Lama provided he desist from trying to "split the motherland", "incite violence" and "ruin the Beijing Olympics".

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Historic China-Taiwan Meeting

By Athina Saloustrou

For the first time China and Taiwan held top level talks with the historic meeting of Chinese President Hu Jintao and Taiwanese elected Vice President Vincent Siew, as per journalists. The meeting was held on Hainan Island, where the Boao regional economic forum had taken place on Saturday. Taiwan hopes to restore relations with China after the two countries had broken off their relations at the 1949 civil war. President-elect Ma Ying-jeou, who will resume his duties on 20 May, has stated that he wishes the two countries to sign a "peace agreement". China has described todays meeting of vital importance.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters: China's Hu, Taiwan VP-elect hold historic meeting

[06] As Per the "Washington Post"

12 Apr 2008 16:51:00

The recent incidents in Basra have convinced US President George Bush administration that Iran has replaced the Al Qaeda terrorist organization as a top threat of US interests in Iraq reports the "Washington Post". With "al-Qaeda in retreat and disarray" in Iraq, said one official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record, "we see other obstacles that were under the waterline more clearly. . . . The Iranian-armed militias are now the biggest threat to internal order." Partly in response to advice from Petraeus and Crocker, the administration has initiated an interagency assessment of what is known about Iranian activities and intentions, how to combat them and how to capitalize on them. The review stems from an internal conclusion, following last weeks fighting, that the administration lacked a comprehensive understanding and a sophisticated approach.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Double Murder in Megara

Sources: ANA-MPA

The police are interrogating a 51-year-old man who killed two men and injured a third one at Perivoli Megara at 11:00 Saturday. The culprit, carrying a rifle had climbed on the roof of his house and was demanding that 57-year-old friend with whom he had differences to be brought to his house.

When his friend visited him, they two men began talking. Then, the culprit began chasing his friend in the street and shooting at him. His friend was injured in the back.

When two men aged 27 and 29 tried to stop the culprit he murdered them in cold blood.

Finally, the culprit went to a monastery, where he handed his rifle and told a monk to call the police. Later, he was arrested by the police, while the 57-year-old man was hospitalized.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[08] Bloody Clashes in Iraq

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: �NA/�PA

At least 13 Shiite members of cleric Moqtada-al Sadr army militia were killed in heavy battles overnight around Baghdads Sadr City. Clashes broke out overnight after the murder of al- Sadr top aide Riyiant al Nuri in the holy city of Najaf. Iraqi police said that clashes broke out when Sadr army militia members launched attack against US military base in Saab, northwest of Sadr City.U.S. forces fired at least one Hellfire missile from drone aircraft and two rounds from the main battle gun of an M1 tank against fighters who targeted them with roadside bombs, rifles and rocket-propelled grenades. As the fighting raged overnight, loudspeakers on mosques blared out speeches in support of Sadrs Mehdi Army fighters. Police erected barricades in Najaf, called shop owners to close their shops and people to go home after top aide was shot dead on Friday.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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