The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Black Gold Soars

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

Brent oil prices keep running high, standing at 72.34 dollars per barrel in London. US crude fell to 70.89 dollars a barrel, posting a 46-cent drop. Analysts estimated that prices will hit new record highs amidst intense concerns over a US-led military campaign against Iran. All options are on the table, stated US President George W. Bush, avoiding ruling out a nuclear hit against Iran in case diplomacy falls through. The USA failed to gain the consent of the Security Council member states, which convened late on Tuesday, to impose sanctions. Speaking on NET 105.8, Development Ministry secretary general Nikos Stafanou underlined, "The Government is in constant contact with the petrol station owners to avoid profiteering phenomena.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Oil Prices Hit Record High

[02] For a Flying Visit Rice in Athens on April 27

Sources: NET 105.8 - NET

US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice will pay a flying visit to Athens on April 27, before she arrives in Sofia to attend the proceedings of the NATO Foreign Ministers Summit, scheduled for April 27 and 28. During her visit in the Greek capital, Mrs Rice will hold meetings with PM Kostas Karamanlis and FM Dora Bakoyannis. The latter briefed the President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, on Mrs Rices visit, as well as the course of Greek national affairs. KKE and SYN voiced their objection to Rices visit and announced demonstrations.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

State Department on Rice's Visit

Related Links:

State Department

[03] Successive Meetings

Sources: ΝΕΤ

The imminent constitutional review is at the focus of the meeting being held between PM Kostas Karamanlis and Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos at Maximos Mansion. Earlier, Mr Karamanlis met with Culture Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis. Upon exiting Maximos Mansion, Mr Voulgarakis said he briefed the PM on the action plan in the light of the events the Ministry of Culture has scheduled for summertime, while he argued they touched on issues relating to his Ministry. When asked on the art smuggling ring broken up on the Aegean island of Schinoussa, he repeated his Tuesdays statements.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] To Attract Investments Chinese President Visits the USA

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters, BBC, ANA

The Iran issue and Beijings strategic aspirations are to top the meetings Chinese President Hu Jintao will hold with the US leadership. Jintao has been in the USA since Tuesday in the context of his four-day tour in the USA. Earlier, Hu Jintao met with Microsoft founder Bill Gates, while he is to visit the premises of Boeing. Upon his arrival at the Seattle airport, the Chinese President was welcomed by hundred members of the areas Chinese community.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Chinese president begins US tour

Reuters: China's Hu meets Bill Gates as US trip begins

[05] Anti-Monarchy Protests in Nepal

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: Reuters, ANA

Anti-monarchy protests raging Nepal for two weeks have left six people dead, hundreds of injured and numerous arrests. Protesters demand the king restore multi-party democracy. As per India, the situation is out of control, since the king has come up against mass rallies. Apart from the demonstrations backed by a seven-party alliance, workers are also staging a general strike. Due to the strike, food and fuel in the Nepali capital of Kathmandu are running short, and anger against the king is growing, since he appears uncompromising.

Gyanendra Won't Back Down

Indian diplomats are of the opinion that unless King Gyanendra steps up actions soon, he may be ousted.

The King has already contacted the ambassadors of the USA, China and India, to whom he stated that he could meet some of the claims the protesters have set.

Up until now, the army is faithful to the King, yet demonstrations have already expanded to the Public Sector. Interior Ministry officials staged a rally and some 12 of them were arrested.

The USA and India have repeatedly made appeals for democracy to be restored. The fact that Indias Premier sent a special advisor to Kathmandu to meet with the King and the rest of the countrys political leaders to assess the situation is indicative of the constant pressure applied to Gyanendra.

In the meantime, the international community is considering halting the financial aid to Nepal to further put pressure on the King.

When King Gyanendra seized absolute power in 2005, he had promised to quell the 10-yearl Maoist rebellion that had claimed some 13,000 lives.

Although he has said he will call elections by April 2007, activists claim that no one should trust him and that he should immediately turn the power over to a coalition government.

On their part, the Maoist rebels are in an alliance with the parties. Based upon this alliance, they will have a say in the political arena as soon as the pro-monarchy government is toppled.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters: Nepal events near climax: diplomats

Guardian: Nepal police fire on protesters as more defy king's rule

[06] To Make the Best of the Funds Biministerial Committee Convenes

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The Biministerial Committee is to convene on Wednesday noon to pave the way for the exploitation of the funds emerging from the fourth Community Support Framework. The bulk of the funds will be channelled towards regional growth, while particular emphasis will be placed on the promotion of human resources and new technologies.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] On May 9 at the Athens Concert Hall Rock Concert by ERT

ERTs Musical Ensembles have scheduled a concert at the Athens Concert Hall for May 9. The Contemporary Music Orchestra and Filippos Pliatsikas will join forces under the baton of Andreas Pylarinos, performing Pliatsikas old and new songs. Stathis Drogossis, Efstathia, Vasilis Kazoulis, Lavrentis Maheritsas, Margarita Syngeniotou, Dionissis Tsaknis, Theodossia Tsatsou, Manolis Famelos and Filippos Pliatsikas rock band will also participate in the concert. Tickets are available at the Athens Concert Halls box offices. The concert starts at 20:30.

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