The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-05-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Kostas Karamanlis in Warsaw Summit Meeting

By Vivian Papastefanou

The 3rd Summit of the Council of Europe, in which the Greek Prime Minister is participating, has started in Warsaw. In the context of the Summit, Mr Karamanlis will have the chance to exchange views on a series of European and regional issues in individual meetings with the President of the Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko and the Prime Ministers of Slovenia and Portugal Janes Jansa and Jose Socrates. The Greek prime minister will address the Plenary Session of the Council of Europe on the topic: "Challenges for the European Community." In the meantime, in Athens and Washington preparations are continuing for the visit by Mr Karamanlis to the US on 20 May, when he will meet with George Bush at the White House.

Translated by Millie Williams

[02] Instead, Nazareth Bishop, Archimandrite Eirinaios Eirinaios Will Not Go to Phanar

By Athina Saloustrou

A week of constant developments is starting for the Patriarchal Seat of Jerusalem. Eirinaios decided not to go to Phanar, where he was awaited by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, despite his pledge over the phone last week. Instead of Eirinaios, his close colleagues Metropolitan Bishop Kyriakos of Nazareth and Archimandrite Eirinaios will go to Phanar and meet with Synod members and Patriarch Bartholomew. Besides this, tomorrow, the Ecumenical Patriarch is to chair the Holy Synod meeting, in which it is doubtful whether a date will be set to convene the Supreme Synod, as it is now considered pointless, as the decisions have been made by the Synod of the Patriarchy of Jerusalem. In the meantime, the Holy Sepulchre community awaits the official announcement of the ratification of the Renunciation Act for Eirinaios, which sources indicate was signed on Saturday by Jordanian King Abdallah, in order to open the way to elect a suffragan.

Translated by Millie Williams

Related News:

Mystery with Eirinaios

King Abdullah II Has Signed

[03] Vaccine Against Smoking

By Tina Valaoura

A new vaccine formulated by Swiss scientists gives hope for kicking the unhealthy habit of smoking, which costs the lives of five million people every year around the world. The vaccine, which is at an experimental phase, is based on the action of an enzyme that drives the body to build a defense shield against nicotine. The first trials on heavy smokers had positive results in 40% of the cases. The scientists express their optimism over the development of the trials, and evaluate that by 2010 the vaccine will be available in the market.

Full Frontal Attack Against Nicotine

In order to counter the problem, the scientists chose to work on the addictive property of nicotine. As it is known, nicotine, after entering the bloodstream, through the lungs, reaches the brain and causes the secretion of dopamine, creating a euphoric feeling. In the case that nicotine does not have the above result, then the urge of smoking diminishes.

The creation of the pioneer vaccine was based on the action of a bacteriophage virus. The scientists isolated a specific protein, genetically modified it in order to attract the immune system in the presence of nicotine. In other words, it creates the production of antibodies that neutralize the effect of nicotine.

The tests were taken by 341 heavy smokers, 239 of which did not receive a substitute such as gum or nicotine patches. Two thirds received five doses of the vaccine, while one third received a placebo. The people that received the substance produced antibodies against nicotine as opposed to the others. As the antibodies increased, so did the chances for withdrawal. Finally, 40% of the participants have quit smoking for the past six months.

The results of the experiments were made on the account of Zurich based Cytos Biotechnology AG and presented in the meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, by Dr Jacques Cornuz of the University Hospital Lausanne.

Up to now, the safety of the vaccines usage was been checked successfully and now the trials will enter the phase of proving its effectiveness.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Situation in city out of control Korasuv Sealed Off

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: BBC

Government troops in Uzbekistan have set up guard points around the city of Korasuv, the town on the border with Kyrgyzstan, where the unrest spread after the bloody suppression of protests in Andijan last Friday. During the night, there was exchange of fire and the situation appears to be out of control, as government buildings are in flames and local officials fled the city when enraged citizens and hundreds of refugees from Andijan, who sought refuge there and tried to cross the borders, set fire to government buildings and beat up the mayor of the town. The BBC correspondent in the town reports that the crowd chased the hated representatives of the Tashkent government out of town and that the residents participated in meetings to decide how to administer themselves. In the meantime, in Andijan, the relatives of the five hundred and more dead are burying the victims of last Fridays uprising in mass graves.

International Reactions

Thousands of refugees tried to escape into neighbouring Kyrgyzstan over two bridges, which were demolished by government forces and rebuilt by local residents.

The British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, condemned the use of violence by the security forces against the people of Uzbekistan, noting that higher criteria should be used in dealing with protestors.

On the other hand, the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan rejected the criticism from his British counterpart, saying that Mr Straw is too far away to get a clear picture of the situation.

The British ambassador in Tashkent met with the Uzbek deputy Foreign Minister and asked for greater transparency from the government, while the British Foreign Office announced that there is evidence to suggest that hundreds of citizens were massacred in Andijan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov implied that foreign forces, including Taliban supporters, were involved in the demonstrations.

Turkey and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe called on the government and the demonstrators to refrain from acts of violence.

With the military bases they maintain in the country and in the wider region, the US could have exerted pressure to stop the bloodshed, but the Uzbek president has convinced Washington that he is an ally in the international campaign against terrorism, as human rights organisations allege.

"Uzbekistan uses torture, abuse and oppresses its citizens in the name of the war on terrorism. President Karimov tried to claim that local organisations are connected to those abroad, without any supporting evidence," Alison Gill, spokeswoman for Human Rights Watch in Tashkent, told the BBC.

Translated by Millie Williams

Related News:

Thousands of Refugees

Chaos in City of Andijan

Opened Fire Against Protestors

Unsettled Situation in Uzbekistan

[05] Campaign by Tram SA Free Tram Travel

By Vivian Papastefanou

A new campaign, aiming to bring passengers closer to the tram, has been started by Tram SA. From today, the residents of Glyfada will be able to buy free tickets for a week of unlimited travel by tram from special kiosks. The next stations due to be targeted along the campaign "Tram Week" will be Nea Smyrni, Alimos and Palaio Faliro

Translated by Millie Williams

[06] Lessons end today in Lyceums Panhellenic Exams Begin

By Vivian Papastefanou

Thousands of schoolpupils all around Greece are entering the final straight for this years Panhellenic exams, as today lessons finish in all Lyceums around the country. On Saturday 21 May, about 92,000 candidates will join battle in the exams, fighting for about 66,000 places in universities and polytechnics. Exams in evening schools begin on Monday 23 May. According to the Ministry of Education, for students in Year III, the first examinations will be those related to subjects studied at a national level, followed by exams in subjects examined according to schools. In contrast, exams for pupils in Years I and II will run from 20 May to 17 June and will be held according to the programme decided at each Lyceum. Furthermore, from 14 to 18 June, special admission exams will be held for pupils at technical high schools to go on to polytechnics. This will be followed from 21 to 28 June by exams in specialist subjects. This is the last year of admission into tertiary education with no grade minimums, as from 2006 it will be necessary to achieve a grade average of a minimum of 10 to be admitted into university.

Translated by Millie Williams

[07] About 600 people injured Stand Collapses at Brazil Rodeo

By Vivian Papastefanou

About 600 people were injured, including 50 seriously injured, when a spectator stand collapsed shortly before the start of a rodeo show in the town of Varzea Grande, in the state of Mato Groce, in western Brazil on Saturday. At the time when it collapsed, there were 1,100 people on the stand, watching the events that had just started. A fire service official stated that last week his service had inspected the stand, which was constructed from wood and iron, and judged it unsuitable for use. Nevertheless, the organisers decided not to take account of the recommendations of the fire service and use it without making repairs. The rodeo events were to take place as part of the 16th Industrial and Commercial Fair in the Varzea Grande area.

Translated by Millie Williams

[08] Opposition calls for referendum on name Preempting Greece

By Athina Saloustrou

The leader of the biggest opposition party VMRO-DPMNE, Nikola Gruevski, requested the government of FYROM to hold a referendum "on not changing the constitutional name of the country." Gruevski claimed that "such a referendum should be held by the ends of the year at the latest, while pressure from the international community will not have become stronger, nor will Greece have adopted more aggressive policies, in order to gain more allies in the EU regarding support for its positions on the name issue." Furthermore, he states: "the government must hurry in announcing a referendum on the countrys name, so that Greece doesnt get there first with a similar action and preempt developments in this direction."

"Move to Impress," Says FYROM Government

The president of that centre-right party expressed the certainty that in such a referendum the citizens would express their will not to change the constitutional name of the country "Republic of Macedonia" and added that in this way "Skopje will send a strong message both to the UN, the EU and to Greece."

Finally, Mr Gruevski asked parliamentary parties to support the referendum, which will be submitted for vote to Parliament by his party in the next few days.

In the meantime, members of the government and MPs from other Opposition parties, such as the VMRO Popular Party described the actions by Gruevskis party as "a move to impress, which bears no weight, as no party is in favour of changing the constitutional name."

Translated by Millie Williams

[09] Olympiacos: Winner of the Derby!

By Stathis Petropoulos

The times are a-changing and this years Championship has shown that, since the standings are inconsistent, in a good way of course! The scenery started to be set up a few months ago when Olympiacos with a seven-point lead, with routine proceedings was placed in the third place and in danger of not participating in the Champions League. Today, and after the end of the 29th round of matches before the end of the Championship, the "reds" have ensured their participation in the prestigious European event and are a step away from conquering the title, since they are alone at the top. Bajevic cannot use the excuse that the team is not in control of its luck, but it surely has the lead for the Championship and no excuses are needed there, while on the other hand Panathinaikos should find a persuading alleviation on how the Cup was lost. The best thing AEK can do it to perfect its tactic of "we are not after the Championship" and maybe next year it will conquer it.

The Show Hasn't Ended Yet!

Theories and scenarios! For the last month the only thing that has been heard about this Championship is a scenario! Barrages, triple tie-points, set-up matches, a point here, a point there and we are the Champions! This Championship has denied many allegations and it would be a lie for everyone to consider it a done deal before finally Djordjevic, Basinas or Katsouranis holds the trophy! It is agreed that this round of matches was determinative, and the team of Piraeus has the rest of the teams under its thumb, but the thirst of Iraklis for Europe is less than that that of Ionikos for salvation or maybe the title fiesta that the Olympiacos fans held tonight was any different than the one that AEK held in the match with Ionikos? Today in this Championship, many had an advantage and whoever had it, lost it, so lets keep some distance and wait for another week. Then, whoever will celebrate will do it with their heart and soul and for a good reason!

A Great Night for Olympiacos

In reference to the round of matches, the "reds" surely enjoyed their win against Panionios by 3-0, in a match that Olympiacos played very well and was reminiscent of its good old self! It even more enjoyed the score of 0-0 at the Alexandras Avenue! There, where the summer friendly derby, with the exception of the punishment of course, found the "greens" kicking their luck with the double goal miss of Michalis Konstantinou and AEK angered by Vassaras decision to not call a penalty at Bourbos fall by Morris. At the rest of the games of the 29th round the highlight was Aris suicide.

The fans of the historical team did not behave according to the circumstances and did not understand the importance of the game against Iraklis and with the havoc they created tonight, did not have an excuse that they team could use for the foreseeable relegation. The final cancellation of the game will surely have negative results for the "yellow and blacks," at the same time when Apollon Kalaria surprised PAOK and managed to steal three savior points in a minute.

Ionikos and OFI were satisfied but abused football with the score of 0-0 in Nikaia, and as it all seems they will chase after a better future in the A Division next season. In closing, Egaleo and Iraklis will try to gain a place in the UEFA Cup, with the first team taking the lead after todays win against Chalkidona, and the latter having the disadvantage that their ticket to Europe will have to be confirmed by a title match against Olympiacos.

Results

Ergotelis vs. Kerkira 1-1 (88 Dimitris 71 Garozis)

Xanthi vs. Kallithea 1-0 (62 Luciano)

Ionikos vs. OFI 0-0 Aris vs. Iraklis *game cancelled (41 Khouemaha 27 Ioannou, 32 Fortuzi)

Panathinaikos vs. AEK 0-0

Olympiacos vs. Panionios 3-0 (56 Kafes, 67 Okkas, 71 Castillo)

Apollon Kalamaria vs. PAOK 2-1 (68, 69 Cleyton 6 Mieciel)

Egaleo vs. Chalkidona 2-1 (6 Barkoglou; penalty, 54 Nikolopoulos 45 Korakakis)

* Game was cancelled at the 41st minute and while Iraklis was in the lead by 2-1

Next Round of Matches

30th Round 25.05.2005

Ionikos vs. Skoda Xanthi Kallithea vs. Aris OFI vs. Panathinaikos Iraklis vs. Olympiacos AEK vs. Kalamaria Panionios vs. Ergotelis PAOK vs. Egaleo Kerkira vs. Chalkidona

Top Scorers

17 goals: Gekas (Panathinaikos/Kallithea) 16 goals: Luciano (Xanthi) 14 goals: Konstantinou (Panathinaikos), Salpigidis (PAOK) 12 goals: Barkoglou (Egaleo), Machlas (OFI) 11 goals: Soares (AEK), Ogunsoto (Ergotelis), Rivaldo (Olympiacos) 10 goals: Katsouranis (AEK), Giovanni (Olympiacos) 9 goals: Cleyton (Apollon Kalamaria), Iliopoulos (Chalkidona) 8 goals: Lymberopoulos (AEK), Tsigas (Kallithea), Papadopoulos (Panathinaikos), Zacharopoulos (Chalkidona)

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] On Greek Cypriot side Movement on Cyprus Problem

By Vivian Papastefanou

Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos envoy will have exploratory contacts today in New York, to consider the possibility of a new initiative on solving the Cyprus problem. According to information, in his talks, Mr Tasos Tzionis will express just two verbal positions and will not submit any documents on concerns with the Annan Plan. Furthermore, he is expected to stress that condition for the start of a new initiative will be the absence of timeframes, as well as securing guarantees that the Turkish side will accept negotiations for changes to the Annan Plan. In statements, Mr Papadopoulos stressed that his is not setting any conditions for the United Nations for starting new talks on the Cyprus problem. The Assistant to the Secretary General of the UN, Sir Kieran Prendergast will go to Nicosia on 28 May for talks with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Translated by Millie Williams

[11] Between North and South Korea Talks Start Again

By Vivian Papastefanou

As of today, North and South Korea are returning to bilateral meetings for mutual approach, halted for the last ten months following the tension over Pyongyangs nuclear programme. The meetings, which are scheduled to last two days, are taking place in the North Korean city of Kaesong, near the borders between the two countries, in an industrial area created by South Korean businesses to symbolize the approach between the two states, which are in theory still at war. The bilateral talks will mainly centre on North Koreas demand that Seoul provide 500,000 tonnes of fertilizer. However, the South Korean envoys hope to stress that their statement (on 10 February) on possession of nuclear weapons violates the treaty for Korean disarmament, and hope to touch on the nuclear issue, on which the North Koreans state that there is no discussion. "We will stress to them that their 10 February statement on possessing nuclear weapons violates the inter Korea disarmament treaty from 1992, and ask them to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible," stressed one of the South Korean envoys.

Translated by Millie Williams

[12] Stuck in harbour shallows Adventure for Lissos in Argostoli

By Vivian Papastefanou

The ship Lissos remains tied to the port of Argostoli since 7 this morning, after it was successfully freed. The ship had run aground in shallow water in the harbour at about 10:30 yesterday evening, while it had started to leave the harbour. The ship carried 620 people on tickets provided by the Labour Centre and 129 crew members, who are all fine. Within the next few hours, it is expected to be inspected by a team of commercial ship inspectors in order for it to continue its journey. The ship is on a cruise from Piraeus, stopping in Kalamata, Kefallonia, Corfu, Igoumenitsa, Katakolo, Gytheio and return to Piraeus.

Translated by Millie Williams

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