The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-05-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Over Iran's Nuclear Programme Crucial Meeting

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters, BBC, ANA

The representatives of the Security Councils five permanent members and Germany will be meeting in Paris on Tuesday in an effort to draw up a common strategy and deal with the crisis triggered by Irans nuclear programme. The meeting in Paris comes ahead of a 9 May meeting in New York of foreign ministers from the top Security Council nations and Germany. Meanwhile, Tehrans main negotiator, Ali Larijani supported it would take a "new solution" to overcome the dead-end, as Iran has already announced since 11 April it managed to enrich uranium. Asked whether Tehran is ready to comply with the demands of the international community to suspend uranium enrichment, the Iranian official gave a brief answer, "No madam." Meanwhile, US President George Bush had a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday as the USA try to convince Russia and China that the UN Security Council must take tougher action to curb Irans nuclear program.

Activate Chapter 7 of the UN Charter

What is more, White House spokesman Scott McClellan declined to elaborate on the details of the conversation, but added, "The two leaders stressed the importance of preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons." He also underlined they agreed to remain "in close contact on this important priority."

Regarding the US Government's persistence to activate Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which even allows the use of violence, McClellan said it would be one step in a series of steps. However, the USA and Japan promised to closely cooperate and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, asking North Korea to repeat negotiations over its own nuclear programme. In a joint announcement after the end of the meeting between the two countries' Foreign Ministers, Tokyo and Washington called China to be more transparent with its own military programme, which highly concerns the USA. The meeting was held to seal a deal of withdrawing 40,000 US troops from Japan.

The two delegations called on North Korea to open negotiations again "without preconditions" with China, Japan, Russia and the USA. Negotiations were halted after an original deal last September.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters: Bush calls Putin to discuss Iran

BBC: UN powers to review Iran atom row

Related News:

Iran Accused the USA

[02] With a Letter to the UN Secretary General Iran Accused the USA

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Answering to continuous pressure and threats of military action, Iran sent a letter of protest to the United Nations. Irans ambassador to the United Nations, Javad Zarif, who wrote the letter, called on UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to take immediate measures against "illegal and reckless" threats by US officials. "There are substantiated violations of international law and the basic principles of the UN Charter. It is necessary that the UN and the Security Council pay serious attention to the illegal threats and take decisive action fast." On their part, the United States are in favour of a diplomatic way through the crisis, without excluding though any eventuality. Another important development on the issue is the telephone conversation between US President George Bush and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Although Kremlin sufficed to say the topic of discussion was Irans military programme, analysts estimated Bush aims at finding a common guideline to deal with the crisis.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Karamanlis-Tsitouridis-Alogoskoufis Meeting Social Security at Maximos Mansion

Sources: NET, NET Radio 105.8

After meeting with the Prime Minister and the Economy Minister at Maximos Mansion on Tuesday morning, Employment and Social Protection Minister Savvas Tsitouridis stressed, "The date to discuss the social security issue in Parliament will be set within the week." Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis on the other hand noted, "Social security is an issue that will determine the political and social culture of all of us." Social security legislation will be implemented by the end of the four-year term, underlined Tsitouridis. A legislative amendment for the formation of a Heavy and Health Hazardous Occupations Committee will be soon submitted to Parliament, while "a regulation for IKA contributions will be promoted as announced," said the Minister.

Speaking on NET Radio 105.8, Evangelos Venizelos said the Government is making fun of the Greek people and toys with employees' most sacred right, the right to social security.

GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) President Christos Polyzogopoulos said, "A meeting is pending between the Confederation and the Government. An organised dialogue should take place and the social security system needs to be supported."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Finger Food Indeed! Burger A La Chef

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: AFP

Restaurant chain TGI Friday's has made a public apology after a customer found a piece of a finger in his food. The sliver of skin ended up being served with the hamburger and fries after a chef cut his finger while working in the kitchen of a Bloomington, Indiana, restaurant last week. "In the rush of attending to his medical needs, the team members were unaware that a small piece of skin from the individual's finger tip had fallen onto a plate," the chain said in a statement posted quietly on its website. "That plate was subsequently served to a guest." The horrified customer contacted police who determined that the incident was an accident and found no reason to get involved, spokeswoman Amy Freshwater told AFP Monday. Freshwater would not comment on whether the customer, who had subsequently spoken with representatives of the chain, planned on filing a civil lawsuit. The manager, meanwhile, is expected to recover. "We acknowledge the seriousness of this incident and are truly sorry that this incident occurred," the statement said. "We have revisited safety procedures with our restaurant team members throughout the system to ensure that, although this was an isolated incident, a similar situation will not happen again."

[05] After Easter Holidays Traffic Havoc in Thessaloniki

After the end of Easter holidays, which made all excursionists return to the cities, Thessaloniki is faced with huge traffic problems. Traffic havoc in most major roads with cars forming endless lines. Problems are also reported in both currents of regional roads, as well as in all areas surround universities. Traffic policemen are on alert since early morning trying to regulate traffic, but their work is tough due to the huge number of cars.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] Happy End for Dutch Tourist

Sources: ANA

Hiking on mountain Kedros in Rethymno turned out to be a real adventure for a 33-year-old Dutch tourist. The man got disorientated because of the fog and remained trapped for over four hours, until EMAK (Hellenic Rescue Team) men from Heraklion located him and helped him climb down the mountain. After long hours of hiking with heavy fog and despite trying hard to find his way back, the foreign man got lost. He contacted the local police through his mobile phone and the Fire Brigade was notified at once. Two EMAK vehicles from Heraklion arrived in Rethymno and tracked the Dutch tourist after many hours of sweeping the area. He was taken to the Spilio Health Centre for precautionary reasons.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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