The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] On the Sidelines of the Informal NATO Summit Bakoyannis-Gul Meeting

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis met Friday morning with her Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, on the sidelines of the informal NATO Foreign Ministers meeting being held in Sofia, Bulgaria. Their meeting focused on issues relating to bilateral economic relations, as well as the imminent talks between Greek Premier Kostas Karamanlis and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Balkan Summit scheduled to be held in Thessaloniki. The much required cooperation to handle the problem with the Evros River also attracted their attention. The three interested parties, namely Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria, "have to work alongside to protect both people and crops and prevent a repeat of the disaster," argued Ms Bakoyannis. The Greek FM will also meet the Bulgarian FM.

About Turkey's European Course

In her statements, Ms Bakoyannis termed the meeting as usual. "This was one of many meetings we will have. We will be taking every opportunity to resolve outstanding issues and discuss Turkeys European course," she said and added that not political issues were brought up.

When asked to comment on the Greek PMs possible visit to Turkey, Bakoyannis argued that the issue will be settled through diplomacy.

As for Ankaras European prospects, Bakoyannis reiterated that Greece has made bold decisions, while her Turkish counterpart replied that Greeces stance had been appreciated.

The two sides further agreed to activate the Eskisehir phone connection between the two army headquarters.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Inmates at the Jail Yard Greek Jail Uprising

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The deadline the Prosecutor had given the inmates of the Trikala prison, central Greece, after the uprising that tool place late on Thursday, expired. Things have cooled off, however, riot police remains at the site, while the surrounding area has been cordoned off. Some 100 inmates are still at the jail yard and keep denying returning to their cells, demanding better conditions. They also demand a life-convict not be transferred to Larissas prison.

[03] Tehran Remains Uncompromising IAEA's Report on Iran

Sources: Reuters

The international community has been gravely concern over Irans nuke programme, which attracted the attention of the informal NATO Foreign Affairs Summit being held in Sofia. The U.N.s nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei is to deliver Friday the International Atomic Energy Agencys report, according to which Iran keeps refusing to suspend uranium enrichment, a process that can produce fuel for nuclear warheads but also generate electricity. In the meantime, Irans ambassador to the UN Javad Zarif stated that his country will not comply with a possible UN resolution calling on Iran to suspend its nuclear ambitions, for their programme does not pose a threat to the international community. "If the Security Council decides to take decisions that are not within its competence, then Iran does not feel obliged to obey," argued the Iranian ambassador.

Sanctions Are Expected

The UN Security Council demanded March 29 Iran suspend uranium enrichment, because the West fears this process is part of a clandestine nuclear weapons programme. U.S. Ambassador John Bolton stated the United States and its allies want the Security Council to adopt a resolution under Charter 7 of the UN Charter, calling for sanctions against any country that would prove defiant.

US Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns argued Friday that the USA called for strong UN action against Tehran and went on to forecast that Fridays report by International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei would be "strongly negative" for Iran.

Javad Zarif, on the other hand, insisted that Iran had to defy a bad resolution particularly since ElBaradei and others had said Tehrans nuclear program was not an imminent threat.

Should the new resolution be adopted, despite doubts from Russia and China, and Iran defies its demands, Western nations will try to impose sanctions on Tehran, but not military threats, council diplomats said.

Before a resolution could be adopted, senior foreign ministry officials of the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany meet in Paris on May 2. Then their foreign ministers are likely to hold a meeting at the UN headquarters in New York on May 9.

The Iranian ambassador to the UN claimed that several proposals aiming to ease off the crisis were still open to discussion. Among many proposals was one from Russia to enrich uranium for Iran on its territory, which Zarif said was "still alive."

Related News:

Rice Calls On Security Council

[04] To Spill his Real Boss! Parrot Behind Bars!

By Vicky Keleri

A parrot in Argentina was held in prison neither one, nor two, but five days! Mind you, it didnt do something wrong, but it was his charming looks that threw him behind bars! You see, Pepo the parrot was so special that the two neighbours, who were disputing ownership of the bird, took the case to court. Upon seeing Jorge Machado and R Vega squabbling over Pepo, Judge Osvaldo Carlos decided there was only one way to ease off tension. He ordered Pepo be sent behind bars until he told police who his real owner was. So, Pepo lived through several hours under police "investigation" until he spilled the beans! After a five-day detention, Pepo said Jorges name and also sung the anthem of his owners favourite football team San Lorenzo. Deeply touched, Jorge Machado took his favourite parrot back home and said he knew Pepo wouldnt fail him, for he was a real friend and a San Lorenzo fan!

Translated by Areti Christou

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