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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Dedication offered on Sunday Countdown

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

Eirinaios now appears to be isolated, after yesterdays ratification by the King of Jordan Abdallah of the Renouncement Act removing him from the Patriarchal Seat of Jerusalem. The official announcement from the Jordanian monarch, which will give the green light to the election of a suffragan by the Holy Synod of Jerusalem, is expected either today or tomorrow at the latest. On Tuesday, the Holy Synod is convening in Phanar, where they will decide on the date to convene the Supreme Synod, which in turn will decide on Eirinaios fate. As reported by NET, Eirinaios is expected to arrive on Monday morning in Istanbul, despite the denial from his spokesman on Saturday afternoon. The mystery will be solved on Sunday afternoon, when the Turkish airline flight will set off from Tel Aviv for Istanbul. In the meantime, as Patriarch of Jerusalem, Eirinaios received a dedication in todays Mass, awaiting the decision to be made on Tuesday in Phanar.

Translated by Millie Williams

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[02] Crossing the borders with Kyrgyzstan Thousands of Refugees

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, BBC, ANA

The residents of Andijan are leaving en masse for neighbouring Kyrgyzstan. In fact, in the border town of Korasuf, the refugees clashed with Uzbek guards, who set fire to government buildings. The borders are closed, but hundreds have already crossed into the neighbouring country. At the same time, the Uzbeks are burying their dead, who, according to humanitarian organisations, number as many as 500. On Saturday, the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, talked for the first time about the uprising in the city of Andijan, describing the people as criminals and Islamic extremists. A British diplomat, former ambassador to Tashkent, stated that there is small chance of the political unrest in Uzbekistan turning into a general uprising, owing to the tough government in the country.

Calling for Democracy

On Saturday, Karimov described the bloody events as "an armed uprising," while thousands of demonstrators gathered once again in the centre of Andijan, calling for democracy and the right to work.

According to Interfax news agency, the residents of Korasuf fear a strong army intervention there, just as in Andijan.

However, the Foreign Ministry in Tashkent announced that the situation in Andijan and Korasuf is under control.

The authorities in Uzbekistan, which neighbours Afghanistan, support a major American military base, and are considered by Washington to be allies in the "war on terror." They deny using systematic torture.

British diplomat Craig Murray, who served as ambassador to Tashkent, claimed that the West, especially the US, tolerate the oppressive regime of Karimov, because he allowed Washington to create a major air base in the country, as well as owing to the interest in the oil and gas of Central Asia.

A BBC correspondent in the capital of Kyrgyzstan reports that many Kyrgyz sympathise with the uprising in Uzbekistan, as in March the government of Kyrgyzstan was overthrown after mass demonstrations.

International Reactions

The US and Britain called for self-control, stressing the need for democracy in the country.

NATO expressed concern, while it accuses the government of Uzbekistan of a lack of respect for human rights

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke of an attempt to destabilize the situation in Central Asia.

Translated by Millie Williams

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[03] In memory of Lambrakis Marathon Peace March

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

Under banners stating "50 years of GCIDP 60 years of antifascist victories of the people. Forward the people against war and imperialism," the Marathon Peace March, held every year in memory of Grigoris Lambrakis, started out on Sunday morning. Speaking shortly before the start of the march, the General Secretary of the Greek Committee for International Detente and Peace (GCIDP), Grigoris Petropoulos, stressed that the visions of Grigoris Lambrakis are more relevant than ever today. After this, Grigoris Lambrakis children, Giorgos and Grigoris, along with his first supporter, Babis Papadopoulos, symbolically lit the flame at the memorial in Marathon, which is where the marathon race started. In 1663, with thousands of people at his side, EDA MP Mr Lambrakis held the first Peace March, which was violently halted midway, while Lambrakis himself was arrested. Todays march will end at 8pm in Syntagma Square, while traffic police have set some measures in motion.

Translated by Millie Williams

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Traffic Changes

[04] Double suicide attack in Baqubah Surprise Visit by Rice to Iraq

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC, ANA

On Sunday morning, the aeroplane carrying the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice landed in secret in the Kurdish town of Irbil. Ms Rice, who is expected to meet with Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani, stated that she wishes to discuss ways to promote the political process in the country, in order to deal with the uprising that has caused the deaths of over 400 people in the last two weeks. As the military aircraft carrying the US Secretary of State landed in Irbil, five people lost their lives and a further 24 were injured in a double suicide attack in Baqubah, against a courthouse and the convoy carrying the governor of the province of Diyala.

Translated by Millie Williams

[05] Forced landing in Brussels Bomb Hoax Call

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET

A happy end was in store for the 134 passengers on Olympic Airlines flight 270 from London, bound for Athens. The aeroplane made a forced landing in Brussels, after an anonymous phonecall was made warning of a bomb on board. Belgian policemen, with specially trained dogs searched the entire aeroplane, but nothing suspicious was found. After a delay of several hours, the passengers were able to continue to Athens.

Translated by Millie Williams

[06] No to an Independent Kosovo

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

"Serbia considers it unacceptable for Kosovo to become independent," stated Serbian Prime Minister Vojslav Kostunica. Instead of this, he appears willing to offer the Albanians of Kosovo wider autonomy with international guarantees, which, according to the Serbian side, is the best solution for the ultimate regime in the province. However, the Albanians of Kosovo warn that "if the international community agrees to any solution beyond full independence, the region will once again sink into violence."

Translated by Millie Williams

[07] According to an Iraqi doctor Zarqawi Seriously Injured

By Betty Savourdou

The most-wanted terrorist in Iraq, Abu Musab al Zarqawi, is seriously injured, reports British newspaper The Times, in its Cyprus edition, citing the testimony of a doctor in Ramadi, who claims to have treated him last week. According to the doctor, Zarqawi was bleeding when they brought him into the hospital where the doctor works on Wednesday. After seeing to his wounds, the doctor states that he tried to convince him to stay for further treatment, but the Jordanian "emir" of Al Qaeda in Iraq ordered his men to take him away, and they put him into a car and left.

Translated by Millie Williams

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