The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] The Political Leadership

27 Apr 2008 10:11:00 (Last updated: 27 Apr 2008 15:24:34)

Sources: ���-��� 105.8

Orthodox Christians are celebrating Holy Easter and Christs resurrection with the traditional spitting of the lamb. However, rain and cold have prevailed in most parts of Greece. The President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias visited two camps in Thesprotia near the border, while Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis visited the Drymades camp near the Greek-Albanian border. Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis , who was accompanied by Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Dimitrios Grapsas and other Chiefs of Staff, visited Avlona camp. An official celebration of the Armed Forces was held there. Present were KKE (Greek Communist Party) Secretary General Aleka Papariga and SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) MP Thanasis Leventis. PASOK (Socialists) spokesman Giannis Ragousis reported from Paros that the resurrection of Christ sends a message of hope and optimism. PASOK President George Papandreou stayed at home after his recent injury. LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) President George Karatzaferis will visit the 24th tank brigade in Pieria.

Peace and Unity Messages

The President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias celebrated Easter at military camps in Thesprotia, where he wished peace to Greece and our neighbouring countries. He advised our neighbouring peoples to live peacefully and cooperate, without the intervention of third countries.

The President was accompanied by Deputy Economy Minister Antonis Bezas.

At the Dryades military camp, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis advised all to secure and expand solidarity and trust among us, adding that we should remain united.

In his message, PASOK leader George Papandreou wished that that Easter would lead to a better life for all. The military leadership visited the camp training centre in Avlona.

The Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Dimitris Grapsas received KKE Secretary General Aleka Papariga and one hour later Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis.

Mr Meimarakis stated that the government is examining the prospect of constituting enlistment to the army obligatory at the age of 18.

Present at Avlona were PASOK MP Vaso Papandreou, SYRIZA MP Thanasis Levendis and LAOS MP Makis Voridis.

Finally, from Paros PASOK spokesman Giannis Ragousis described the message of resurrection as one of hope and optimism, wishing all Greeks all the best.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

The Hopeful Message of Resurrection

[02] Greeks Celebrate Easter

Sources: ���-��� 105.8-�NA/�PA

Greeks visited churches to celebrate the celebration of the Christ. The Easter Mass was held at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Phanar and the Athens Cathedral, as well as in all cathedrals across Greece. Furthermore, celebrations were held in Vrontados, Chios and Lenidio, where hundreds of balloons were released in the sky. However, a 25-year-old man lost his arm from the use of fireworks in Crete. At the same time, celebrations and the spitting of the lamb will have to take place in bad weather conditions, as the weather has deteriorated across Greece.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Marios Tokas Passes Away

Sources: ���-��� 105.8-�NA/�PA

The 54-year-old Cypriot composer died Sunday morning of cancer. He had cooperated with all renowned Greek artists and is the composer of many hits. He was born in Lemesos (Limassol) and studied music in Athens at an early age, as well Literature at the Athens University. He began composing songs when he was a high school student. He came to Athens in 1975. He released his first album "Ta Tragougia tis Pareas" in 1978. Then, he released the album "Mikra Erotika" and later "Sti Leoforo tis Agapis". Finally, other albums released by Tokas are "San Trelo Fortigo", "E Ethiniki Mas Monaxia" and "Theomitor Maria". The composer was married and had three children.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Assassination Attempt against Karzai

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has survived an assassination attempt in the southern city of Kandahar by suspected Taleban members, who were then killed by army fire. The attempt took place during a parade held in Kabul, commemorating the 16th anniversary of the Holy War and the departure of Soviet troops from Afghanistan.

Sound and Safe

Mr Hamid Karzai escaped once more an assassination attempt launched against during a parade in Kabul. The president, as well as other officials and foreign ambassadors were removed from the area, while Mr Karzai delivered a message later. The attack cost the life of a man, while 11 more were injured.

As per a rebel spokesman six men, among whom suicide bombers, were ready to blow themselves up. He also stated that three of the Taleban lost their life during that attack.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Face-Off

Seventeen Mexican drug gang members were killed near the US border today, after one of the deadliest shootouts in Mexicos three-year drug-war. Rival factions of the Arellano Felix drug cartel in Tijuana on the Mexico-California border battled each other with rifles and machine guns in the early hours of the morning, police said. Two of the dead were believed to be senior hitmen for the Arellano Felix cartel and were identified by large gold rings on their fingers. The rings carried the icon of Saint Death, a ghoulish figure that gangsters believe protects them. The police arrested six people, while several members of the gang are believed to have escaped.

Today shows we are facing a terrible war never seen before on the (US-Mexico) border," Baja California Attorney General Rommel Moreno told a news conference.

Some 190 people have been killed in Tijuana so far this year. In 2007, there were more than 2,500 drug killings across Mexico and there have been more than 900 this year.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Incendiary Attacks

Sources: ��� 105.8

Two incendiary attacks took place in Peristeri and Alimos a little after midnight. The culprits planted an improvised explosive device with gas canisters under two ELTA (Greek Post Offices) vehicles on the Sofoklis Venizelos and Miaouli crossroads, causing damage to them. In parallel, another explosive device was planted under three cars that belonged to an electrical company in Koumoundourou Street in Alimos. In this case, the explosive device did not explode.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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