The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-05-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Bakoyannis-Larijani Meeting Favouring Diplomacy

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ANA

Following their meeting, Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis and Irans chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani voiced their conviction that there is still room for a peaceful solution to the crisis. Larijani underlined that Iran has no intention of developing nuclear weapons and noted that it is not too late to launch a dialogue via the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Ms Bakoyannis, in turn, made it clear that Greece favours peace and stability, as well as the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Turning Point

Larijani reiterated Tehrans long-established stance against the development of nuclear weapons, yet he championed his countrys right to nuclear technology.

He dismissed the decision to refer Iran to the UN Security Council over Irans nuke programme as a mistake, underlining that the IAEA is by far the most appropriate body to handle the issue.

Bakoyannis, in turn, said, "We have reached a turning point, seeking for a diplomatic arrangement," stressing that Greece wishes for a safe world and that the appropriate policy will provide a peaceful solution to the crisis.

She further called on the Iranian authority to cooperate with the international community to the benefit of all the people and hailed Russias proposal that allows Tehran to enrich uranium on Russian soil.

Referring to the Russian proposal, which requests no reference on Chapter 7 of the UN Charter be made, Larijani argued that Iran would like to be given more time "to get a positive result with the Russians.

He concluded that a constructive dialogue could as well ease off the crisis.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Feverish Discussions

[02] By the UN Security Council Feverish Discussions

Sources: ANA, BBC, Reuters

The informal discussions on Irans nuclear programme by the five permanent UN Security Council members (China, Russia, France, Great Britain, US) and Germany, in the presence of EU Commissioner for Foreign Policy Xavier Solana, ended with no substantial result. On Tuesday night, the issue will be discussed anew in a formal meeting of the permanent UN Security Council members, in New York. Diplomatic efforts are focused on overcoming differences between the US, France and Great Britain, which are requesting a decision based on the Charter that foresees sanctions, as well as taking up military action against Tehran, if it does not conform to international orders for suspension of its nuclear programme and Russia and China, which have a veto right and are promoting a diplomatic solution.

Agree in Principle, Disagree on the Way

An agreement over the joint announcement is not expected during the meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday.

A high-ranking US official said: "I think the prospects for an agreement this week are not substantially good .Clearly we had a ways to go."

The same source said the meeting agreed that Iran must pay a price for not complying with UN resolutions, but did not come to terms on what form that would take.

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy stated "We are still considering our work."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said "All of us agreed that Iran must not have nuclear weapons." He stressed Moscows desire to draw Iran into "fruitful" negotiations on the issue.

Chinas foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing urged Iran to cooperate with the global nuclear watchdog and also said the deepening dispute over Irans atomic activities should be defused by negotiations, as Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday.

Newly-appointed British Foreign Minister Margaret Beckett said "No one has the intention of taking military action against Iran. That was not discussed. It was not an issue."

Ahmadinejad's Letter

In an unexpected action on Monday, Irans President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with a letter sent to US President George W. Bush via the Swiss Ambassador in the Iranian capital, proposed new ways of exiting the crisis.

In the 18-page letter, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters news agency, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defended the scientific research as "one of the basic rights of nations," but did not pose specific proposals on the resolution of the crisis with the West over the Iranian nuclear programme.

Moreover, he insisted on enriching uranium and improving nuclear technology solely for producing electricity.

In closing, he condemned US foreign policy, claiming that there are similarities between the US military invasion in Iraq in 2003 and the current threats by Washington against Iran.

He also noted that the US lied to justify the war in Iraq and is now suffering the consequences.

Washington dismissed the letter, stating that it does not add anything new to the given facts, while as it noted, it does not ease international concern.

Read the story on other sources:

BBC:US dismisses Iran leader's letter

Related News:

Iran's Proposals to Bush

[03] Social Security Discussion Begins at Parliament Dialogue Amid Strikes

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

On Wednesday, the Government is posing the issue of social security to the Economics and Social Affairs Committee, at Parliament. On Tuesday, the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions (ADEDY) set preconditions on their participation in the dialogue, stressing the need of determining an agenda of issues up for discussion. In addition, they announced collective actions in the Public Sector, DEKOs and banks for Wednesday. Speaking on NETs show Proti Grammi, Minister of Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis gave reassurances, stating that if there are changes in pension programmes they will not affect the currently employed or at least those who have mature pension rights and have been working before 1993. Furthermore, he warned that if partners do not attend the dialogue they will have to take up responsibility of their actions to society.

Problems by the Strike

On Tuesday, employees of the National Bank of Greece are staging a three-hour work stoppage from 12:15, reacting to the integration of their subsidiary insurance fund to the Mutual Social Security Funds for Bank Employees.

Due to the strike, on Wednesday all Means of Public Transport will be immobilised, while disruptions are expected in the operation of DEKOs, banks and the Public Sector.

In addition, there will be disruptions in airports, as Olympic Airways announced that 101 domestic and international flights have been cancelled and only routes to Rhodes and Heraklion will be performed.

The National Federation of Radio and Television Company Staff Unions (POSPERT) has announced work stoppages from 11:00 to 14:00 for Wednesday.

GSEE is staging a demonstration rally at Kotzia Square at 10:00 and ADEDY at Propylaia at 11:00. A march towards Maximos Mansion will follow.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Preconditions for Dialogue

[04] Messages Send by 1,150 Students from Evros Student Initiative for Nature Conservation

By Athina Saloustrou

"Residents of Evros: it is up to you to save the rare species, such as the black vulture, so stop the use of poisoned bait. It is a responsibility of the Evros residents to protect the environment, because we have borrowed this land and someday we have to deliver it to our children. Protect our regions environment." This was the message send by 1,150 students participating in the environmental educational action with the subject of consequences of poisoned bait to humans and wild fauna. The action was planned by WWF Greece and materialized in cooperation with the Secondary Education Secretariat and Evros Prefecture. The children were briefed on the consequences of baits watching an interactive electronic presentation in the computer rooms of their schools.

Following, with the help of their teachers they discussed the issue and wrote messages, aimed at raising awareness to social groups on the issue of baits. The messages were printed on cardboard leaves and collected by WWF members, who transported four wooden trees from school to school. The students put the leaves with their messages on the trees.

On 11 May, the decorated trees will be exhibited in the open-air theatre of Alexandroupolis, where the students will present a short message from their assignment and together with other environmental protection bodies will voice their thoughts on the issue.

[05] By an Armed Three-Member Gang Series of Robberies

Sources: NET 105.8, ANA

On Monday night, a three-member gang made three armed robberies in Neo Iraklio, Chalandri and Maroussi. In particular, at 09:30 the robbers broke into Venetis Bakery on Marinos Antypas Street, in Neo Iraklio and with the threat of gun stole 1,000 euros. Fifteen minutes later they run off with 700 euros from a fuel station at the intersection of Vasileos Georgios and Grivas, in Chalandri, while at 10:05 they stole 300 euros from a mini-market on Agias Eleousis Street, in Maroussi. The robbers got away with a private vehicle. At 00:30 another armed robbery took place. This time the victim was a taxi driver at Iliako Chorio, in Pefki. As per the story of the taxi driver, two men and a woman who hailed down the cab from the junction of Kifissias Avenue and Spiros Louis Street, with the threat of a knife snatched 100 euros, his mobile phone and got away on foot.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] New Road Map in Greece

Sources: ΝΕΤ

The final countdown for the construction of two major highways, aiming to alter the road map of SW Greece, has begun. It is about the Ionia Odos (Ionia Road) and the extension of the Corinth-Tripoli highway towards SW Peloponnese. The temporary construction companies were announced on Monday. The Ionia Odos will span 196km and will connect Antirrio with the Egnatio Odos, near the NW Greek city of Ioannina. The construction works are expected to conclude in 72 months time. The extension of the Corinth-Tripoli highway will run for 100km, leading to Kalamata and from Lefktro all the way to Sparta.

[07] School Bus Fell Into Irrigation Canal Thirteen Children Dead in Nepal

By Athina Saloustrou

At least thirteen children were killed, nine taken to hospital while three are missing, when a school bus on the way to school fell into an irrigation canal, in eastern Nepal. A policeman reported that the vehicle transporting 25 students, under 10 years of age, overturned and fell into an irrigation canal in the region of Sunsari, 500km east of Kathmandu. The bodies of the thirteen children were recovered by rescue crews, while nine other children were taken to hospital, while they are still searching for the three missing children. The exact causes of the accident have not been clarified.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Lowest Popularity Since 1992 Labour Popularity Falling

By Athina Saloustrou

On Tuesday, as per an opinion poll published in The Times the popularity of the Labour Party and PM Tony Blair has fallen to the lowest levels of the past 14 years. Regardless of the British Governments reshuffle last Friday, only 30% of the persons questioned in the Populus opinion poll said they will vote for Labour; the lowest percentage since 1992. On the other hand, David Camerons Conservative Party received the support of 38% of the electoral body, while the New Liberal Democrats, the third party in power, received 20%.

Actually, only 31% wished for Tony Blair to remain in power after December. More than half of the British people considered that "the main problem of the Government is Blair himself."

The opinion poll was conducted from Friday to Sunday to 1,509 persons throughout Great Britain.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

The Times: Support for Labour at lowest level since 1992

[09] Among them Five Young Students Nine Injured in Fatah-Hamas Clashes

By Athina Saloustrou

As hospital sources announced, nine Palestinians were injured during new clashes that broke out in the city of Gaza, between followers of Islamic movement Hamas and Fatah. As per the same source, among the injured are five children, who were on their way to school, three members of Fatah and one Hamas follower. The armed clashes began in the neighbourhood of Tuffah, in the north-eastern part of the city. As per a Fatah spokesperson, the clashes began "when gunmen fired at a car carrying bodyguards of a senior Fatah official." A Hamas spokesperson claimed that Fatah armed men attempted to kidnap members of the Ezzedin Al Kasam Brigade. On Monday, three Palestinians were killed and 11 injured in clashes between Fatah and Hamas at the settlement of Abasan, in southern Gaza.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Australian Miners Freed

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: AFP, ANA

Following two weeks of efforts, rescue crews managed to approach the two miners, who were trapped in a small cage, at a goldmine in Tasmania. Todd Russell, 35 and Brant Webb, 37, were freed after 14 days. They had been trapped one kilometre underground in a small cage at the Beaconsfield goldmine, following a cave-in caused by a small quake. The rescue crews had reported that they tried to dig a tunnel between the rocks so to reach the small cage, where the two miners were trapped. Another miner lost his life, while 14 others exited the mine unharmed.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Gen Hayden Nominated CIA Chief

Sources: ΝΕΤ

US President George W. Bush nominated Monday Air Force General Michael Hayden as the new CIA chief, amid reactions by Congressmen. Michael Hayden served as principal deputy to National Intelligence Director John Negroponte and was the mastermind of the surveillance programme activated by the Bush administration after the 9/11 attacks. Political analysts spoke of an imminent war and saw Haydens nomination as part of a plan to incorporate the CIA into the newly-established, yet almighty, National Security Agency (NSA). However, both Republican and Democrat Senates termed the nomination of an army officer to that post as unwise. Congressmen pointed out that this move expands the jurisdictions of the Pentagon, which controls 80% of the US intelligence services budget.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Hayden named as Bush CIA choice

CNN: Bush nominates Hayden as CIA chief

Related Links:

CIA

[12] Faster Transportation in Athens

Sources: NET

The parking meter network, due to kick off in summer, is expected to create more parking lots in the heart of Athens. Residents will have their own lots in exchange of a symbolic price, while steep fines await the offenders. As for those who prefer the public transport system, things will get a lot easier, since two additional bus lanes will have been incorporated in the existing network by the end of June.

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