The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-04-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Sharon seeks US stamp to quit Gaza, hold W.Bank

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon flew to Washington today seeking presidential endorsement of a planned Gaza withdrawal which would go hand in hand with strengthening Jewish settlements in the West Bank. When he meets President George W. Bush on Wednesday Sharon is hoping to win an agreement that he can present to hardline Israeli opponents of his "disengagement" plan as a U.S. go-ahead to keep West Bank land that Palestinians want for a state.

[02] Iraq kidnappers demand Italian troop pull-out

An Islamist group holding four Italians demanded Italy pull its troops out of Iraq, after other kidnappers freed five Ukrainians and three Russians today in the latest spin of the hostage carousel. Italys Foreign Ministry confirmed four Italians were missing and said they worked for a security company. But Russias biggest contractor in Iraq said it was now evacuating all its 370 staff and Moscow said it was ready to help all the roughly 500 Russians in Iraq leave the country. France also urged its citizens to leave Iraq and postpone any plans to travel there while French TV Agency CAPA said one of its journalists was kidnapped near Baghdad on Sunday.

[03] Olympic Games tickets selling like hot-cakes

Despite unsettling global conditions, ATHENS 2004 ticketing has been doing impressively well, with nearly two million tickets (1,820,524) already sold to date (13 April), four months before the opening ceremony, representing a total of 136,7 million euro-or 74% of the budgeted ATHENS 2004 sales target of 183 million. Still available is a limited number of Category A tickets for the Opening Ceremony (950) and Category A (750) and B (500) tickets for the Closing Ceremony.

[04] Turks violate Greek airpsace eight times

Greeces National Airspace was violated today eight times by 12 Turkish aircraft, 3 of which were armed with air missiles, forming four formations over the Aegean.

[05] PM meets with FM Petros Molyviatis-discuss Cyprus

Prime minister Kostas Karamanlis met with foreign minister Petros Molyviatis today with whom he discussed developments in the Cyprus issue. The prime minister is due to meet tomorrow separately with the Cyprus ambassador in Athens, and with US ambassador Thomas Miller, ahead of a noon meeting of the Inner Cabinet, where he is expected to indicate the Greek governments position regarding the Annan plan. The prime minister is also expected to take into consideration all parameters, as well as the situation prevailing in Nicosia, before announcing his decision, which will be revealed on Thursday at the meeting of the council of political party leaders.

[06] Turkish army sees "serious problems" with Annan plan

Turkeys top general expressed concern today that a U.N. plan to end 30 years of division on Cyprus could «lead to great problems,» including the creation of tens of thousands of refugees. Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, breaking the militarys silence on Cyprus, said the plan by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, had a number of good points. But he said it also threatened to create up to 82,000 refugees and could even lead to «great stability and security problems» unless certain exemptions to European Union laws were made permanent.

[07] Annan leaves door open to postponing Cyprus vote

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan left the door open today to a postponement of twin referendums on a U.N. plan to reunite Cyprus, as sought by the islands Communist AKEL party, providing there was agreement from both sides.

[08] US sees Anna plan as only alternative to Cyprus issue

The United States warned Greek and Turkish Cypriots that it saw no alternative to the U.N.-brokered plan to reunify the island and it made no promises to craft a new settlement if they reject the deal. State Department spokesman Richard Bouchers comments seemed designed to pressure Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders who have rejected the plan and to appeal over their heads to the Cypriot people to grasp what U.S. officials call the chance of a lifetime.

[09] Weather Forecast

Scattered clouds are forecast in all parts of the country, turning to showers in the west and the north. Winds westerly, moderate to strong. Cooler weather expected with temperatures in Athens ranging between 14-21 C and in Thessaloniki from 11-16 C.

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