The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Skopje To Continue Negotiating

18 Apr 2008 08:40:00

Sources: ��� 105.8

UN mediator Matthew Nimetz is arriving in Athens today to discuss the FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) name issue with the Greek leadership. Yesterday, he was assured by Skopje that it will continue participating in the negotiations. Mr Nimetz appeared especially happy that Skopje is ready to continue negotiating during the elections period. Mr Nimetz, who will meet with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis at 17:00 and PASOK (Socialists) President George Papandreou at 18:30 stated that he is not going to submit any fresh proposals but just listen to the views of the two sides. However, he did not rule out the possibility for a solution to be reached by June. Yesterday, the UN envoy held separate meetings with FYROM PM Nikola Gruevski and President Branko Crvenkovski, who disagree on what stance to adopt during the negotiations. Mr Crvenkovski has reiterated that a compromise should be reached with Greece.

Regarding chances for a solution to be reached until June, Ms Dora Bakoyannis told ALPHA TV station that they are slim, adding that the negotiating process is in progress and that no agreement has been reached on the name issue.

Meanwhile, KKE (Greek Communist Party) abstained from yesterdays meeting of the Foreign Policy Council, while LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) disagreed with the way the name issue is being handled.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Open Dialogue

[02] Testimonies after Easter

The pharmacist in Kolonos and importer from Larissa involved in the doping case will finally testify on 12 May as their deadline has been extended by Prosecutor Andreas Karaflos. In parallel, the Weightlifting teams doctor will testify on 6 May. Besides, former federal coach Christos Iakovou and Olympic Champion and coach Valerios Leonidis will testify on 5 May. The 11 athletes of the National Weightlifting Team that have been found positive on the doping check will testify on Friday 2 May.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Investigations Continue

[03] New Oil Surge

The price of light crude has broken the US$115 barrier per barrel in electronic trading in Asia, as fears rose on the supply of the market, due to the reduction of US strategic reserves. Light crude in the morning transactions in the Singapore market roles by 19 cents to US$115.05 per barrel from yesterdays US$114.86 in New York. North Sea Brent also rose by seven cents, reaching US$112.50 per barrel for June deliveries. The surge has been attributed to the weakening dollar and reduction of US strategic reserves by 2.3 million barrels in the last week. Oil prices have risen over US$50 in New York in the last year.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Japanese Temple Rejects the Olympic Flame

By Athina Saloustrou

Zenkoji Temple, in the city of Nagano has withdrawn from plans to host Japans opening stage of the Olympic torch relay due to the situation in Tibet announced the committee that is staging the torch relay in Japan. Nagano had hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and that is where that torch relay would from. That is why the Organising Committee had asked since autumn from the officials of the Buddhist temple to welcome the Olympic Flame and allow the torch relay to commence from there on 26 April and cover a 18.5-kilometre distance.

A Zenkoji Temple spokesman stated that the request had been originally been accepted by in the meantime the situation changes and the monks are very concerned for the situation in Tibet. He also reminded that they are also Buddhists just as the Tibetans. As a result the starting point of the torch relay will change.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Japan temple rejects torch relay

[05] "Together We Can"

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8

With the slogan "Together We Can" and with the objective to boost UNICEFs programmes, NET 105.8, ERA regional stations, ERT and private radio and TV stations joined the programme for the radiothon on Thursday.

Hundreds of donations took place, while the big campaign for the combating of trafficking in children will continue with spots and events. ERT is supporting the campaign.

Every year more than one million children all over the world are the victims of coercive labour and sexual abuse. Their protection is in our hands. We can..

Donations can be made to the following Bank Accounts:

NATIONAL BANK OF Greece 169 / 480020-64 AGRICULTURAL BANK 017 04 0044 16-70 COMMERCIAL BANK 031 / 80 191 081 BANK OF GREECE 5049-022842-011 ATTICA BANK 069 / 54799691 BANK OF CYPRUS 000012163468 CITIBANK 55 02 346484 ASPIS BANK 101-03-0006583 MILLENIUM BANK 51 98 29 HSBC 002-066694-130 EUROBANK 0026-0102-14-0100540998 GENIKI BANK 3603003908-9 ALPHA ���� 115 00 2002 017649 (Procedure �03),

NATIONAL BANK ��� machines, on no 901 11 17 17 17 and site www.unicef.gr

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Palestinian Territories Blocked

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: �NA-�PA

Due to Jewish Easter, Israel will block Palestinian territories as of today and for one week. Nobody will be allowed to enter or leave the Gaza Strip or the West Bank without as special permit. Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers have killed a Palestinian gunman, arresting many others during a raid at the occupied West Bank, eyewitnesses have reported.

The man was killed when he refused to surrender to the Israeli troops, which had discovered him in a hideout near Balata refugee settlement in Nablus.

An Israeli spokesman verified the fact, adding that one more Palestinian had been arrested.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Prefectures Closed Today

Sources: ��� 105.8

Among the 20 prefectures to remain closed today will be those of Athens and Piraeus. A rally will be held before the Interior Ministry at 11:00 and a protest rally outside the Interior and Economy Ministries. The prefects are reacting because they are assigned fresh responsibilities and tasks without however receiving the necessary funds.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[08] Diplomats' Vehicles Set on Fire

Sources: NET 105.8

Groups of anarchists used self-made explosive devices to set on fire two 4X4 vehicles that belonged to diplomats in Papagou and Neo Psychiko.

One of the vehicles was completely destroyed and an organization called "Antistate Action" assumed responsibility of the explosion with a call to a station in favour of Giannis Dimitrakis, who is detained for armed robberies.

The second explosion in Neo Psychiko took place at 02:30 and caused damages to a vehicle of the diplomatic mission of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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