The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-03-21

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Focus on Economy and National Issues Meeting Between Karamanlis and Schroeder

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8

The Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis and German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, who are expected to meet in Berlin in a few hours, on the eve of the impromptu EU Summit Meeting, will discuss critical issues concerning Greece. According to information, Kostas Karamanlis will ask of Gerhard Schroeder to support Greeces demand to not decrease the funding of our region, while Berlins main priority is to reinforce the former Eastern countries. As far as the EU finances are concerned, Greece supports the proposal of the Presidency for the Unions budget to increase to 1.24% of the GDP. In the meeting between Karamanlis and Schroeder the issues of purchase of Eurofighter and the developments in Kossovo are also expected to be discussed.

Meeting with Erdogan Tonight

After Berlin, the Prime Minister will arrive in Brussels where he will attend a dinner with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Greek side gives special importance to the meeting with the Turkish PM, in which emphasis will be given to relations between the countries, the protocol of customs union and the Cypriot issue, while the event of Kostas Karamanlis visit in Ankara is not ruled out. Tomorrow evening, in the context of the Summit Meeting he will hold discussions with the President of the Cypriot Republic, Tassos Papadopoulos.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] In Asia Water Dolphins Threatened

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC

The scientists are sounding the alarm for river dolphins in Asia, on the eve of the U.N. International Decade of Water for Life celebration. According to WWF the species is threatened by extinction from the uncontrollable water pollution and the bad quality of water. The once-thriving species is now threatened by human activity. Specifically, only 13 dolphins live in the Yangtze River, in China. The mammals are key indicators of the rivers health, not only because the water pollution is evident on their bodies but also because they feed on fish, which are also sensitive to environmental changes. The dolphins are found in Yangtze, Ganges and South East Asia rivers.

Danger for Humans

The industrial and agricultural pollution are important and damaging factors since traces of pesticides and herbicides have been found in dolphins tissue.

However, the WWF warns that humans are also in danger from the water pollution.

The Fund underlines that the solutions that can help the dolphins can also help hundreds of people that live on the coasts of the biggest rivers in Asia.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

WWF

[03] Agreement for Stability Pact

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8

Last night, after 12 hours of discussions, the EU Ministers of Economy reached an agreement for the reform of the Stability Pact in order for the 3% of the fiscal deficit to become more flexible. The agreement is expected to be ratified at the Summit Meeting, on March 22 and 23. "I am satisfied by the agreement. The founding rules of the European economic and monetary policy have not changed," underlined President of the EU and Prime Minister of Luxemburg, Jean Claude Juncker, while he added, "we reinforced the preventive side of the Pact, while the initiative right and the power of the Committee have been preserved." In the meantime, today, Minister of Economy, Giorgos Alogoskoufis will submit to the Commission a three-year revised Stability and Development Program, which materializes the commitment of the Greek government for the counter of the exaggerated deficit.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Tension in Jerusalem Continues Metropolitan Bishops at Holy Synod

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8

In todays meeting, the Continuous Holy Synod will discuss accusations against hierarchs. According to information it will discuss the case of Corinth Metropolitan Bishop after his felony indictment, for embezzling 30 thousand euros from the Cathedral. Also, it will be decided if it will give Zakinthos Metropolitan Bishop the complaint evidence, which was submitted by a journalist, which Chrisostomos has asked for in order to give written explanations. It is also expected to discuss the case of Metropolitan Bishops, Didimoticho, who is accused of a sexual scandal and Peristeri, who is accused of using clergymen for irrelevant work.

Difficult Times for Eirinaios

In the meantime, a Greek Foreign Ministry committee will arrive in Jerusalem today, in order to investigate information concerning the sale of real estate belonging to the Patriarchate to Jewish investors.

At the same time, according to exclusive NET Radio 105.8 information, the Amman government is expected to state its position on the demand of 53 Jordanian MPs for a lift of repeal of recognition of Patriarch Eirinaios. Yesterday, orthodox Palestinians who had gathered outside the Resurrection Church were asking for Eirinaios

KESO President Removed

On Sunday night, with Archbishop Christodoulos order the President of the Family Support Centre (KESO), lawyer Eirini Dokofiki was removed from the seat of President. The Archbishopric announcement speaks of a deplorable and sad, in every aspect, censurable involvement of the lawyer in an article in To Thema newspaper concerning Nikos Konstantopoulos relations with this ex-wife.

The announcement underlines that the verdicts of the article that are related to the Centres function are deplorable "given the great and impeccable quality of the social service of the specific organization in which the abused womens house comes under."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Tension in Jerusalem

[05] In Volos Tempi Accident Trial Begins

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8

Today, the sensational trial for the tragedy in Tempi begins in the Volos Jury Court. With an order by Minister of Justice, Anastasis Papaligouras a courtroom was set up in a special area at the Volos Municipality Council. In the tragic accident that shocked the country on April 13, 2003, in the Athens-Thessalonica national road, at Tempi, 21 high-school students from Makrochori Veroia, lost their lives, returning home from a school trip in Athens. The accused are committed to trial on the charges of manslaughter, bodily harm and disruption of transport security with intention and are: the driver of the bus, Dimitrios Dolas, Fotios Kavelidis, Anastasios Kameas, Dimitrios Chambouris, Polichronis Dardabounis and Moisis Alexakis. However, the relatives of the victims express the fear that the lawyers of the accused will ask for the postponement of the trial.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Denounce Rigging in Elections Clashes in Kyrgyzstan

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC- Reuters

On Monday morning, around 3,000 followers of the opposition in Kyrgyzstan took over the headquarters of the regional government in Osh, the second biggest city of the country, without meeting resistance from Police forces. The opposition demands the resignation of President Askar Akayev, accusing him of winning the February 27 elections by rigging. On Sunday, four policemen were killed in the city of Jalal-Abad, in southern Kyrgyzstan during clashes between Police forces and opposition followers.

Bloody Clashes

"On Sunday, four associates of the special forces were injured in the clashes and later died from their wounds," stated an advocate of human rights.

From its side, the opposition spoke of the death of four of its followers, a claim that was denied by the Foreign Minister and blamed Rosa Otunbayeva, leader of the opposition, of spreading rumors to the Mass Media.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Chances of Success are Slim Died to Save Her Sons

By Despina Hristopoulou

A 37-year-old woman from India made a final effort in order for her two blind sons to see the light. The mother of the two boys committed suicide in order for her eyes to be transplanted to her blind sons, 15-year-old Koumar and 17-year old Koumaran. The womans family insists that her corneas can be used exclusively for her children and not on other patients. As The Indian Express newspaper states, the doctors evaluate that the chances of such an operation taking place are slim. They state that Koumars condition will not get better from a cornea transplant while they suspect that his bigger brother does not have a problem in the cornea. "We had earlier said to the family that a cornea transplant was not needed for the youngest son," stated a hospital spokesperson to the newspaper.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Victims of Rebels, For the First Time Peacekeepers Killed in Haiti

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA- BBC

Tension in Haiti is escalating. Two UN peacekeepers, from Sri Lanka and Nepal, were killed yesterday from the fire of rebels, former officers, who control large parts of the country. This is the first time that peacekeepers are killed in Haiti. The two soldiers were killed in two separate incidents from clashes between rebels and peacekeepers. In the first case, the former officers attacked the peacekeepers in the area of Terre-Rouge, which is under the control of rebels and in the second, UN forces and Haitian Police attempted to oust rebels from a police station in the town of Petit-Goav. During the exchange of fire another two squatters were killed and 11 injured, three of which were peacekeepers. The UN peace corps counts 7,400 soldiers and arrived in Haiti after the exile of Jean-Bertrand Aristide on February 2004. The former officers had helped in the exile of Aristide but have turned against the interim government, and are asking for compensations, as they remain unpaid since1995, when Aristide dismembered the army.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article