The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Crucial NATO Meeting

02 Apr 2008 09:37:00 (Last updated: 02 Apr 2008 11:56:30)

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌNA

The Prime Minister is arriving in Bucharest today for the crucial NATO Summit having the full support of leaders of all political parties in Greece. Mr. Karamanlis is determined to exhaust all time limits in order to find a mutually accepted solution. Before his departure the Prime Minister will have a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Mrs. Dora Bakoyiannis as well as with Defense Minister Mr. Vaggelis Meimarakis. On Tuesday Mr. Karamalis had a telephone contact with President of Republic Mr. Karolos Papaoulias regarding latest developments on Skopje. He also met with PASOK president Mr. Giorgos Papandreou who stressed that we are ahead of a crucial negotiation and that it is time to strengthen the voice of our country. Final decisions were taken by the Governmental Committee. At the same time, the Greek side multiplies its meetings and efforts for the promotion of the Greek stances on its European partners.

Briefing on Greek Positions

The Prime Minister sent letters to countries-members of NATO analyzing Greece's arguments.

Greek FM made a brief reference on Macedonia's history in the US newspaper "Wall Street Journal", vitiating Skopje's arguments.

Mrs. Bakoyiannis stresses that "from the mediate agreement reached in 1995 up until tomorrow the Greek side proceeded to negotiations having good faith and targeting at the finding of a fair and mutually accepted solution in contrast with the negativity and inflexibility shown by the other side".

Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis briefed the European ambassadors of UN, NATO China and Russia in Greece on the Greek stances on the issue. Greek ambassador in Washington Mr. Mallias send a letter to George Bush outlining the current provocative actions made by Skopje.

State Department branded the action of our neighbors who misrepresented the Greek flag insulting and repeated "that the US government is continuing to encourage both sides to solve the issue under the auspice of UN and Mathew Nimetz. Germany said that it is in favor of FYROM's entrance in NATO.

Before his departure to Bucharest, FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said in NET TV station: "In spite the fact that up until now there is not any positive sign by our Southern neighbors, Greece, we leave with the conviction and the hope that justice will be administrated and that the "Republic of Macedonia" will receive NATO entrance invitation".

The Programme of the Meeting

Mr. Karamanlis is leaving for Bucharest today at 15.20. The Summit Meeting will officially start on Thursday. Later on there will be a special meeting of the North Atlantic Council. The General Secretary of NATO, US president George Bush as well as leaders of the invited counties will deliver speeches. At 13:00 the Council of Euro Atlantic Cooperation will host a working lunch and in the afternoon a meeting on Afghanistan will take place.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] Bucharest "Fortress"

02 Apr 2008 10:51:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌNA

Ukraine and Georgias entrance in the Ally is considered by Vladimir Putin as an exchange for the hospitality of the anti missile shield. U.S. President George W. Bush urged NATO allies on Wednesday to send more troops to Afghanistan, supporting the view that the alliance could not afford to lose its battle against Taliban insurgents and al Qaeda militants. Russia and other European countries react on the perspective of Ukraine and Georgias entrance in the UN. France asked for more dialogue with Moscow on the issue. UN assured Russia that the promotion of these two candidacies are not offered as an exchange for the installation of an anti missile system.

"The US President speaking in an exhibition organized in Bucharest by "George Marshall Fund", said that the leaders who are about to accept to the bosom of the North Atlantic Treaty, Albania, Croatia and FYROM will take a "historic decision".

Security measures in Bucharest are extremely severe. The area where the building is going to host NATO Summit has been defined, while during the meeting US aircrafts will patrol the area. Schools and services will not operate during the next three days while the government of Rumania is urging citizens to abandon the capital city.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] At the Parliament

02 Apr 2008 09:37:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

Strong political confrontation prevailed between the government and opposition political parties during the first day of debate on the holding of referendum on the social security draftbill. Procedures will conclude at midnight today with a roll call vote. Yesterday, PASOK President described the referendum as a "vehicle to strengthen democracy" and announced that he will submit proposal for the setting up of Inquiry Committee on the bonds case. Commenting, Interior Minister, Prokopis Pavlopoulos said " PASOK said NO to referendums in the past" and wondered why elected representatives are not legalized to reform a social security system. GCP, SYRIZA and LAOS parties are in favour of the holding of referendum.

Trade Unions' Reactions

Trade unions will stage a protest demonstration outside the Parliament this afternoon while earlier the GSEE presidium will have handed to the President of the Republic, Karolos Papoulias a list with signatures in favour of the referendum. In the meantime, representatives of scientific sectors will be received by the President at 14:00. In relative developments, Bank of Greece employees are staging a 24-hour strike today as well as OTE employees in protest against the selling of the companys shares to Deutsch Telecom. On Thursday, Tram and Metro employees are staging work stoppages from 08:00-12:00 and 10:00-12:00 respectively.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] In Georgia, USA

02 Apr 2008 08:44:00

Nine third-graders, aged 9, from the US state of Georgia, were arrested while plotting to attack their teacher. They had been planning to knock her unconscious for a week, authorities said. The students brought a knife, handcuffs and a duct tape to attack their teacher. The teaching staff of the school found out about the plan when a third grader reported that a school mate had brought a gun at school.

District Attorney Rick Currie said he decided to seek juvenile charges against two girls, ages 9 and 10, who brought the knife and paperweight and an 8-year-old boy who brought tape. He said all three students faced charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, and both girls were being charged with bringing weapons to school.

Read the story on other sources:

CNN:Cops: Third-graders arrested in teacher attack plot

[05] Elefsina Explosion

Sources: NET 105.8, ÁNA-ÌNA

Unknown people planted a bomb outside a caf&#233; on the corner of Athinas and Papayianni streets, in Elefsina. The bomb which exploded at 04:00 destroyed the caf&#233; and caused extensive damage to the nearby buildings and parked cars in a range of at least 40m. According to the police, the caf&#233; belongs to Kalirroi Nastouli, mother of Konstantinos Nastoulis, who was sentenced to imprisonment last year charged with murder, patronage and other criminal actions. A policeman, on guard outside the house of a woman, who had testified against Basilis Stefanakos, on 2002 was slightly injured. The police have provided for the womans protection since her testimony. There was bomb explosion in the same caf&#233; some years ago. Attika Police Blackmail Squad, who are carrying investigation on the case, believe that the bomb was planted by rival criminal gangs in west Attika. Bomb experts are on the site of the explosion as well as police forces to collect data and estimate damage.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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