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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Sharon clashes with ministers over withdrawal plan

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon clashed today with hardline ministers over his plan to withdraw from most of the Gaza Strip and some of the West Bank. Sharon plans to meet with US President, George W. Bush, on April 14, to seek his endorsement for the withdrawal that Palestinians welcome, but want to see carried out through negotiations.

[02] At least 24 killed as Iraquis battle foreign troops

Spanish-led troops and Iraqi police fought a 3-hour gun battle with Shi'ite militiamen near Najaf today, that left 20 Iraqis and four Salvadoran soldiers dead, according to witnesses and medical officials. In Baghdad, clashes between US soldiers and Shi'ites killed at least one Iraqi and wounded many others.

[03] Madrid bomb ringleader killed in blast

The suspected Tunisian leader of last month's Madrid train bombings blew himself up with at least three accomplices, after police cornered them in a suburban Madrid apartment, officials said today. Serhane ben Abdelmajid Farkhet was one of several men who chanted defiant Islamic slogans in Arabic, before detonating a charge that also killed a policeman.

[04] Greek-Turkish relations not affected by Cyprus referendum - foreign ministers

In interviews published today in the Sunday newspaper, Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia, the foreign ministers of both Greece and Turkey have described the final Annan reunification plan as the result of compromise. They also believe that normalization of Greek-Turkish relations will continue, even in the event of negative responses to the separate referendums in both communities on the island.

[05] Greek president advises Greek Cypriots on plan

The President of the Greek Republic, Costis Stephanopoulos, appealed to the Greek Cypriots not to be influenced only by their emotions in the upcoming referendum.

In another development, the UNs legal adviser noted that if the Turkish-Cypriots accept the plan and the Greek Cypriots reject it, Brussels could re-examine its position in relation to the Turkish community and offer them a more favourable relationship with the European Union.

[06] Greek Cypriots mull UN-backed reunification plan

Discussions are continuing among political parties in Cyprus, to determine their final stance in relation to the reunification plan, proposed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. By next Wednesday, at the latest, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, is expected to announce to the Greek Cypriot people his decision on the plan, in view of the referendum to be held on April 24.

[07] Weather forecast

A mainly fine and mild day is forecast, with some cloudy patches in the western part of the country. Temperatures in Athens will range from 7 to 18 degrees centigrade, and in Thessaloniki from 5 to 14 degrees.

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