The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] On 225 Syngrou Avenue

04 Mar 2008 09:03:00

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA-MPA

The blast that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday outside MOUSES, a night club located on 225 Syngrou Avenue, Athens, was blamed on gang violence. The explosive material planted at the clubs entrance damaged its fa&#231;ade and smashed the windows of nearby shops and blocks of flats. Police said the club was owned by a businessman, who had been accused of instigating a homicide attempt against another night club owner. Police are investigating the case.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Ties with Colombia Strained

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, AFP, ANA-MPA

Ecuador and Venezuela broke off diplomatic ties with Colombia in the wake of a Colombian raid against FARC rebels in Ecuadors territory. The raid claimed the lives of 16 rebels, including that of senior FARC rebel Raul Reyes. Ecuadors President Rafael Correa said Monday he had ordered the deportation of the Colombian ambassador and the deployment of troops in the border with Colombia. Bogota, on the other hand, kept blasting Ecuador for giving shelter to the FARC rebels, putting the blame on Correa himself. However, as announced by an Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry spokesman, the severed diplomatic ties between the two nations would not afflict commercial ties. In the meantime, Venezuela also deported the Colombian ambassador, as well as the entire diplomatic mission of the neighbouring country, said the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Neighbours cut ties with Colombia

[03] New Poll

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

A GPO-conducted survey suggested that Greeces two major political parties have lost considerable ground, whereas SYN (Coalition of the Radical Left) post a significant rise. In particular, ND (New Democracy) is still 5% ahead of PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement), garnering 29.7%, as opposed to 24.7% for PASOK. SYN trailed with 15.5%, KKE (Greek Communist Party) with 8.1% and LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) with 5.3%. With regard to the FYROM name dispute, 68.1% of the respondents said no to a composite name that would include the term Macedonia, whereas 52.5% did not view Nimetzs proposals as the basis for negotiations on the name issue. Finally, half of the people surveyed (50.3%) gave a positive rating to Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, thinking that he is the most suitable for the post. Socialist leader George Papandreou received 23%.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Tremors Hit Methoni

Two new minor earthquakes were recorded in the early hours of Tuesday off the south coast of Methoni, some 250km SW of Athens. The first tremor measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale occurred at 2:26am, and the second, a 4.3-magnitude one, struck at 2:53am. Terming the earthquakes as aftershocks, seismologists appeared reassuring.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Focusing on Financial Stability and Oil Prices

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA-MPA

The Eurogroup ministers voiced Monday evening their grave concerns over the rapid spiral of the EU single currency against the US dollar and indirectly called on the USA to do its best to keep its currency from sliding even more. Eurogroup President Jean-Claude Juncker urged OPEC nations to have oil prices cut. Juncker quoted the recent statements of a Saudi officer, whereby the threshold in oil prices should have ranged from 60 to 70 dollars per barrel.

The Council of Economics and Finance Ministers (EcoFin) will discuss Tuesday in Brussels the implications of the rise in oil prices and the current financial situation. EcoFin is expected to give its opinion on the updated stability/convergence programmes of eight nations, including Greece. The EcoFin ministers will also finalise preparations of the European Council scheduled for13-14 March, as well as the interim report on financial stability.

Translated by Areti Christou

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