The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-04-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Ratification by Vive Voce Curtain Falls for EU Constitution

By Athina Saloustrou

In Parliament, the curtain of the Euroconstitution falls today with the speeches of the Prime Minister, the political leaders and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The issue of the referendum, asked for by the opposition parties, is expected to be at the focus of todays meeting. ND and PASOK agreed for a vive voce and not a nominative vote for the ratification of the Treaty for the enactment of the European Constitution since both of the two big parties support it. However, the demand for the conduct of a referendum submitted by the opposition, KKE and SYN, started intense discussions during yesterdays meeting. The proposal is expected to be submitted to the Parliamentary Plenary Session in the coming week.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] Hotel Was Destroyed Tragedy in Paris Centre

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA- AFP

On Friday morning, a great fire broke out that resulted to the death of at least 20 people, among them ten children, and more than 50 to be injured, 12 of which are hospitalized in a critical condition. However the fear is expressed that the number of victims will increase, since the firemen have not reached the last two floors of the six-story hotel. The fire broke out in the central hotel Paris-Opera, which is located near the busy shopping centers of Gallery Lafayette and Au Pritemps. The building was boarded by 76 tenants and was rented by the Paris municipality and the social services in order to host immigrant African families Up to this moment the causes of the fire remain unknown.

One of the Worst Fires

A number of injured people had suffered fractures as they jumped from the windows to avoid the flames, while others are suffering from burns and respiratory problems due to the fumes.

The alarm was sounded at 3:20 (Greek time) and the Fire Department arrived at the scene 10 minutes later.

Around 250 firemen and 57 fire engines tried to counter the fire which is one of the worst fires that has broken out the in the past twenty years in the French capital and which destroyed the hotel.

The authorities have set up a first aid station in the Galleries Lafayette shopping centre for the transport of the injured.

The victims are French, Senegalese, Portuguese, American, Ukrainian, Tunisian and citizens of the Ivory Coast.

French President, Jacques Chirac expressed his grief over the tragedy as well as his solidarity to the victims families, noting that this is one of the worst disasters that has occurred in Paris. French Foreign Minister, Dominique de Villepin and Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe visited the scene of the fire.

The Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry informs the interested parties that for further information they should contact the General Consulate of Paris at the following telephone numbers: 0033-1-47239027 and 0033-1-47204064.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Valinakis Will Pose Issue to EU Foreign Ministers FYROM Issue in Luxemburg

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8

During his two-day contacts in the context of the informal Council of EU Foreign Ministers in Luxemburg, Deputy Minister, Ioannis Valinakis will pose the FYROM name issue. Deputy Foreign Minister, Ioannis Valinakis, will represent our country since Petros Moliviatis will undergo a programmed surgical operation. Yesterday, the Greek Foreign Minister stated that the negotiations for the FYROM name should continue based on the Nimitz proposal and stated, "For the first time, Greece with correct handlings managed to overturn the negative climate imposed on it." In the meantime, PASOK has asked for the national issues to be discussed on the agenda in Parliament describing the developments as "worrying." "Compromises in current events will lead the way to the worst," stated KKE General Secretary, Aleka Papariga, while SYN President, Alekos Alavanos asked for the immediate convergence of the National Council of Foreign Policy. The formal sessions of the Council will commence on 13:30 (Greek time), while the statements of the Deputy Foreign Minister are expected at 18:45.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Operation Garden Gnome

By Tina Valaoura

If you are not a big fan of garden decorations, such as statues, fountains and gnomes you should rethink your view. Maybe they are not your cup of tea, but they have a wide range of use, which you and their manufacturers may have not thought of. A British grandmother discovered one special use: its defensive properties that they can take against unwanted intruders like small ceramic gnomes, that besides being Snow Whites companions also constitute a favorite decoration for gardens in Great Britain.

According to British tabloid The Sun that published the incident, 69-year-old Jean Collop proved to be a super grandmother. At the sight of an unknown man jumping through her roof and into her home, at night, she did not hesitate. She took hold of the nearest gnome in her garden, aimed it at the burglar and threw the decoration on him. The surprised man fell down unconscious.

The policemen, who arrived a little while after, found her guarding her victim with a camera in one hand and a rolling pin in the other. "I photographed him," Mrs Collop immediately informed the policemen, who asked why she was holding a rolling pin."I got my rolling pin in case. I didnt want to break another gnome."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Military Operation in Development PPK Rebels Killed in Turkey

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

At least 21 PKK rebels were killed in clashes with Turkish army men in southeast Turkey, as the governors office in the province of Sirnak announced. In the battles, three Turkish soldiers were killed, according to Anatolia new agency, which adds that the military operations are in development. The clashes broke out when a unit of gendarmerie was performing a routine patrol. The military operation in the province of Siirt is the largest performed by armed Turkish forces during the last five years. Ten days ago nine Kurdish rebels and one Turkish soldier were killed in an exchange of fire in Sirnak.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Four Policemen and A Young Girl Dead Bloody Rebel Attacks

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

As the authorities announced, a large number of left-wing rebels attacked five mountainous towns in southern Colombia, which resulted to the death of four policemen and a young girl, before retreating. From the attacks, eight policemen and 15 civilians were injured. The army and the police announced that the rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) clashed with government forces in the towns of Ricaurte, Samaniego and Gachavez, in Narino province and Jambalo and Toribio in Cauca province. The rebels retreated after a six-hour battle and after the army counterattacked using aircrafts and helicopters.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Guerrillas-Army Bloody Clashes

[07] Television Discussion with Youth on TF1 "We Will Become a Black Sheep"

By Annita Paschalinou

An original television debate between Jacques Chirac and 83 French youth, and not experienced journalists, took place tonight in France. Answering to a series of questions over the Constitutional Treaty, the French President sounded the alarm to the French citizens who are considering saying "no" to the May 29 referendum. "Our rejection will weaken our position in Europe. From one side we will have 24 countries who will say "yes" and from another a black sheep who will block everything," he stated and added "we should be aware of one thing, that in such a case the only thing we will achieve is for the countrys voice to weaken and for our national interests to be affected." Jacques Chirac did not forget to state to the French people that even if the European Constitution is voted down, its will not be possible to be renegotiated. In the beginning of the television discussion, which was broadcast by TF1, the French President stated that through the young people in the studio, he is appealing to all French citizens, from the employed to the unemployed.

Detachment from Turkey Issue

He also made reference to the issue of Turkeys accession in the EU, a prospect that that majority of the French cannot accept.

The French President asked from the citizens to not connect this issue with the upcoming referendum and underlined that the values, the way of life, the function of Turkey are "incompatible" with Europes values. "We ask from Turkey to make a great effort which will take ten, fifteen, twenty years to materialize, if it materializes, " he noted and added:

"It will be deplorable if we reject the Turks as if they do not deserve anything. We are just saying: it is up to you to put the necessary effort to become Europeans as far as the values, the way of life, the traditions, the way of functioning is concerned."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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