The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-02-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Ugandan rebels kill 44 people in dawn raid-priest

Ugandan Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebels killed at least 44 people today in a dawn raid on a camp for people fleeing fighting in the north of the country, a priest in the area said.

[02] US soldier killed in Iraq

One U.S. soldier was killed and another wounded in a mortar attack on U.S. military installations near Baghdad airport today according to a U.S. Army spokesman.

[03] Beijing festival crush kills at least 37

A Chinese Lunar New Year lantern and fireworks display ended in disaster today when at least 37 people were crushed or trampled to death on a bridge packed with spectators, officials said.

The accident happened in Mihong Park in a northern suburb of Beijing where hundreds of revellers were packed on a metal, rainbow-shaped bridge decked out with ribbons and pictures of monkeys, heralding the beginning of the Year of the Monkey.

[04] New round of auditions for opening and closing Olympic Games ceremonies next week

The certainty that the Athens Olympic Games ceremonies would go down in history was expressed by ATHOC president, Gianna Angelopoulou today during rehearsals by volunteer entertainers for the opening and closing ceremonies that were taking place under the artistic direction of Dimitris Papaioannou.

The second round of auditions for volunteers wishing to participate in the opening and closing Olympic Games ceremonies begin next week. A total of 8 thousand volunteers are participating in both ceremonies of the 2004 summer games in Athens. Auditions will be held on February 14, 15 and 28. Interested parties must be at least 16 years of age.

[05] Parliament to disband Feb 11th

Premier Costas Simitis held a final meeting of his Cabinet today and said he would ask Greeces president to disband parliament next week before the March 7 elections. The Prime Minister told his Cabinet he would ask President Costis Stephanopoulos to disband parliament on Feb. 11 - stopping all legislative activity - to allow for campaigning. The first session of the new Parliament will be held on March 18.

Following Parliaments dissolution, Foreign Minister George Papandreou will resign and will be replaced by Alternate Foreign Minister Tasos Giannitsis. Minister of Interior Kostas Skandalidis and Minister of Press Christos Protopapas will also resign and be replaced by caretaker ministers.

[06] Pasok congress begins tomorrow

The final preparations are being made for the extraordinary Pasok congress beginning tomorrow, Friday at the weight-lifting installations in Nikaia. Members and citizens throughout Greece will elect the partys sole candidate George Papandreou for party president on Sunday.

During his first televised interview on state television last night, Mr. Papandreou underlined the extraordinary congress would not be a simple procedure but a contract of honor and stressed his aim would be to secure a strong mandate in order to proceed in the materialization of Pasoks goals.

[07] ND leader meets with Turkish FM Gul in Brussels

New Democracy leader, Kostas Karamanlis met with Turksih Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul today in Brussels on the sidelines of the European Peoples Partys 16th conference.

Mr. Karamanlis expressed the support of the Greek side for the negotiations based on the Annan plan and the United Nations decisions concerning the European standards. Mr. Karamanlis also reiterated his partys firm positions concerning Turkeys European orientation.

[08] UN Secretary General calls for Cyprus talks in NY next week

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to come to New York on Feb. 10 for a new round of talks on ending the 30-year division of Cyprus. Annan said the aim of the negotiations is to put a completed peace deal to a referendum by April 21st so a reunited Cyprus can join the European Union on May 1. In his letters, the secretary-general appealed to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, the Greek Cypriot leader, to summon the political will needed to bring about a result in the short time available.

[09] Weather Forecast

Fair weather throughout the country with winds northwesterly light to moderate. Temperatures in Athens will range between 6-19 C and in Thessaloniki from 6-16 C.

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