The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tourists Fleeing by the Thousands Manhunt

By Athina Saloustrou

As per security sources, the Egyptian authorities proceeded with dozens of arrests, following the multi-fatality bombing attacks in the early hours of Saturday morning at resorts in Sharm el-Sheikh and Naama Bay. At least 88 people were killed, many of whom were foreign citizens, while another 200 were injured. The investigations commenced on Saturday afternoon and continued well into the night, both in north, as well as south Sinai. Among those arrested are also some men who had been released recently, after being arrested as part of the investigation into the attacks in Taba, also on the Sinai Peninsula, which resulted in the death of 34 people. The trial of the three Egyptians accused of the attacks in Taba commenced on 2 July and will continue as scheduled today, Sunday.

Earlier, Egyptian news agency Mena broadcast statements by Interior Minister Habib el-Adli, who claimed that there are indications connecting the attacks in Taba to those in Sharm el-Sheikh. In the meantime, the authorities fear that there are people still trapped under the rubble. The group "Abdullah Azzam Brigades, al-Qaeda, in Syria and Egypt", which is affiliated to al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The international community condemned the terrorist attacks, while Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak appeared determined to continue the fight against terrorism, without giving in to blackmails. In the meantime, draconian security measures have been implemented on the Sinai Peninsula, while the cancellations at travel agencies all over the world have skyrocketed and thousands of tourists are abandoning the Sinai seas resorts.

Greeks and Cypriots Safe

As per the Greek Foreign Ministry, the approximately 140 Greeks who are in the area are all safe, while only the ones scheduled to do so returned to Greece yesterday. The Cypriots tourists are also well, although two couples were staying in one of the hotels that were attacked. Furthermore, 160 Cypriots who were holidaying in Sharm el-Sheikh returned home yesterday which a Cypriot airlines flight, chartered by the Cypriot Government. Another 167 Cypriots stayed in the area to continue their holidays.

In the meantime, there are concerns for the safety of many Italian citizens, while the Netherlands advised its citizens to stay close to their hotels. According to information, the first charter flight carrying 219 French tourists from Sharm el-Sheikh landed today in Paris. Most of the passengers seemed relieved to return home, while dozens of relatives were waiting for them at the airport. The plane, which was scheduled to arrive at 5:40am (local time), eventually landed with a two-hour delay, at 7:45am. As announced by the director of Paris airport, an emergency support group (CUMP) was standing by to assist the French tourists who were returning home.

In addition, 19 Italian tourists, twelve of whom were injured, arrived this morning at Ciampino Airport with a military plane. The Italian C130 departed for Sharm el-Sheikh, where one Italian was killed and another 21 were injured by the attacks, last night

As per the news agency Telenews, seven out of the 12 who were wounded were transferred to Celio military hospital in Rome to undergo medical exams. Many of the Italian tourists were limping, while their legs were bandaged. A group of seven doctors accompanied the wounded on their flight home.

The Italian Foreign Ministry announced that it still has no information for a number of Italian tourists, who have been reported as missing by their families following the attacks, while earlier it had confirmed the death of 34-year-old Sebastiano Conti from Sicily. The Ministry also announced that three people who were travelling with Conti were unaccounted for.

The Ministry further added that many Italian citizens have not contacted their families or the authorities yet, without specifying the exact number.

On its part, the Dutch Foreign Ministry advised its citizens to stay close to their hotels and not to wander the streets of Sinai, following the attacks at the resort. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson declared that a directive concerning terrorist acts has been in place, however, they adjusted it to reality now.

However, the Dutch Government is not advising its citizens against travelling to Egypt.

An Egyptian police source declared on AFP that one Dutch tourist is among the victims. The Dutch Foreign ministry, though, announced that the Hague was not in a position to confirm the information, since all the Dutch casualties have not been accounted for yet. They also added that they are in contact with the local authorities, while the Dutch Embassy in Cairo has sent a three-member delegation to Sharm el-Sheikh.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry declared that it had no information on any Swiss citizens being among the dead. A representative of the Swiss Embassy in Cairo has already arrived in Sharm e-Sheikh, where approximately one thousand Swiss tourists are holidaying. Furthermore, emergency flights have been scheduled for those wishing to return home.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

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The Greeks Are Safe

"We Do not Fear the Egyptian Tyrant "

Terror in Egypt

[02] The World Stands by Egypt Intrenational Condemnation

British FM Jack Straw described the culprits of the Sharm el-Sheikh attacks as evil. "Almost certainly, they [the bombers] are evil people who will claim, wrongly, to have done this in the name of Islam," he mentioned in his announcement. According to Egyptian hospital sources, two Britons were killed in the attacks; however, the British FM has not confirmed the information. Jack Straw mentioned that eight British citizens were injured and unfortunately two of them are in very serious condition. He also declared that he has not altered the policy with respect to travel advice for British tourists travelling to Egypt. "We are saying to people yes we all know theres a threat of terrorism in Egypt," declared Jack Straw, who added that the Foreign Office only warned against travel to areas if there was an imminent threat of terrorism, an endemic threat or where law and order have broken down.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan reacted with sorrow and anger to the news of the multiple car bombs in the Sinai Peninsula, which have cruelly struck the brave Egyptian nation on its National Day

"The United States stands with our friend and ally Egypt. Together we will confront and defeat this scourge that knows no boundary and respects no creed," stressed the US State Secretary, Condoleezza Rice, who is currently touring Israel and the Palestinian territory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a message of support to his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak.

French President Jacques Chirac and Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi condemned the attacks and voiced their determination to combating terrorism, while Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi sent a telegram to his Egyptian counterpart, conveying his deepest condolences.

From Brussels, the European Union expressed its repulsion and declared that it is ready to offer assistance to the Egyptian authorities.

Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Iraq and Iran issued announcements condemning the multi-fatality attacks in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Sweden advised its citizens not to travel to the afflicted areas, while Switzerland, Spain and Slovakia expressed their solidarity and condolences to the families of the victims and the Egyptian people.

On its part, Israel condemned the attacks, describing them as inhumane actions, while it offered Egypt its assistance, in the context of the peace agreement, which has been in force since 1979. At least one Israeli was injured in these attacks. Another 10,000 Israeli tourists are holidaying in the Egyptian resort at the moment. Israelis continue spending their holidays at the Red Sea resorts, despite the repeated warnings issued by the Israeli Government concerning their safety.

The leader of the Palestinian negotiators, Saeb Erekat noted, "We are condemning the attacks and conveying our condolences to the Government and the Egyptian people, as well as our wishes for the quick recovery of those injured."

The German Foreign Minister announced that a 4-member delegation from their embassy in Cairo was sent to Sharm el-Sheikh to assist any Germans who may have fallen victims to the attack. Up until now, no Germans are among the dead.

Egyptian Interior Minister Habib el-Adli stressed that the culprits of the attacks in Sharm el-Sheikh are probably linked to the ones who were responsible for the terrorist attacks in Taba, Sinai, last October, when 34 people were killed. The Minister said that they had clues at hand which could lead the security services to the culprits, while he added that the clues indicated that todays attacks are linked to those in Taba.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry announcement mentioned that the international community has to start an outright war against terrorism.

The President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus described terrorism as one of the worst phenomena of our era, while he conveyed his condolences to the relatives of the victims.

The Queen of the Netherlands also sent her condolences to President Mubarak, as did the countrys PM Jan Peter Balkenende.

Pope Benedict IX called on the people who perform such heinous acts to repent and give up their weapons, while he sent his condolences to Egypt.

The brotherhood of the Muslim Brothers of Egypt, the main Opposition power of the country, condemned the multi-fatality attacks, stressing that such acts destabilise the country, solely benefiting the Americans and the Zionists.

The Greek Government condemned the terrorist attacks in Sharm el-Sheikh and noted that there are no Greek citizens among the dead or injured. The Greek Foreign Ministry, embassy and consulate in Cairo are in constant contact with the Egyptian Government, as well as the travel agencies that organise trips to the area.

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, and the President of PASOK, George Papandreou, condemned the terrorist attacks in Egypt.

"Heinous terrorist attacks against your country, which resulted in the death of many innocent citizens, are condemned by every person. I personally convey my condolences and the solidarity of the Greek people for your country and the families of the victims," stressed Mr Papoulias.

"We are standing by and supporting your determination in your fight against terrorism," was mentioned in the telegram sent by the President of PASOK, who also expressed his disgust for todays terrorist attacks. Mr Papandreou also noted, "Innocent lives perished in this tragic attack," while he expressed his support and deepest condolences for the families of the victims.

In his message to his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Greek FM Petros Molyviatis conveyed the deepest condolences of the Greek people for the victims of the terrorist attack in Egypt, while he declared that Greece is ready to provide humanitarian aid, if asked to do so.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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