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

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

CONTENTS

[01] NATO Summit Goes On

03 Apr 2008 08:26:00 (Last updated: 03 Apr 2008 09:23:40)

Sources: NET 105.8, ANA-MPA

An invitation to FYROM to join NATO was postponed after Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis vetoed Skopjes entry at the Bucharest NATO Summit late on Wednesday. Karamanlis laid out Greeces positions at the working luncheon of the 26 leaders and noted that Greece cannot give its consent to Skopjes entry unless the name dispute is resolved. Talks on the Alliances enlargement will continue on Thursday, while the wording of the postponement at NATO final announcement is highly anticipated.

Settling the Name Row Is a Prerequisite

Kostas Karamanlis made it clear that only if the name dispute is solved will Greece give its consent to FYROMs entry.

The leaders of France, Italy, Spain, Luxemburg and Iceland championed the Greek positions, while those of Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany appeared pretty understanding. On the other hand, the USA, Turkey, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Lithuania opposed the Greek side, while Denmark, Bulgaria and Norway were also not that keen on giving their backing to Greece. Canada, Britain and Portugal avoided taking a stand on the issue.

The staunchest champion of the Greek positions, French President Nicola Sarkozy argued, "We stand in solidarity with Greeks, we believe that a solution must be found. I have Hungarian roots, but I also have Greek roots and I fully assume them."

The working luncheon was preceded by a short ceremony, during which the Greek Prime Minister had brief talks with all his counterparts, including the US President.

Greece clarified that, although it wished to see FYROM joining NATO the soonest possible, it cannot consent as long as the name row remains unsolved, commented NATO spokesman James Appathurai, also adding that only Albania and Croatia were unanimously offered an invitation to enter the alliance. There was no breakthrough for the former Soviet republics of Ukraine and Georgia, either.

The NATO spokesman also noted that after that the campaign to have the name dispute settled should continue, without, however, certain timelines having been set.

Earlier, EU Commissioner for EU Enlargement Olli Rehn had dismissed the Greek flag insult in FYROM as a dreadful token of hatred against a neighbouring nation.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

"Zero Hour" for Skopje Issue

[02] Disagreements in NATO Summit

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, AFP, ANA-MPA

The conclusion text of the crucial NATO Summit, which entered day two in Bucharest, is highly anticipated. Todays session opened with the 26 leaders of the defence alliance observing a one-minute silence for the 60,000 NATO troops deployed in Afghanistan and Kosovo. NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer called on the leaders to honour the NATO troops and their deceased fellowmen who fought for freedom and democracy. Late on Wednesday, the 26-nation bloc agreed to commence accession talks with Albania and Croatia. However, FYROM, Ukraine and Georgia were put on hold, despite the pressure exerted by the US President. NATO spokesman James Appathurai said he did not expect a Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Ukraine and Georgia. "We are taking decisions relating to NATO enlargement. Europe should by united and safe," stressed Jaap De Joop Scheffer.

"Green Light" to Croatia and Albania

At the working luncheon held late on Wednesday, there was no consensus among the NATO leaders that FYROM, Ukraine and Georgia should be invited to commence accession talks.

However, they agreed to offer Albania and Croatia a Membership Action Plan, said NATO spokesman James Appathurai.

Briefing journalist on the outcome of the working luncheon, Appathurai said the general feeling is that the Membership Action Plan is a matter of time.

Asked to make it clear whether Georgia and Ukraine are likely to be invited to enter NATO after todays talks, the NATO spokesman said that he did not expect it.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated her objection to the US proposal. "We have reached the conclusion that it is too early to give both countries MAP status," stressed Merkel, also adding that Germanys objection is not in principle, neither eternal.

Sounding on the same wavelength, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon voiced Paris disagreement to the balance shift between Europe and Russia.

Germany and France, as well as several other NATO states, believe that Ukraine and Georgia are not that stable democracies to for the alliance.

Bush Calls for Troops Reinforcement in Afghanistan

The US President urged his NATO allies to have a larger share in the fight against Taliban militants in Afghanistan and raise the number of the existing NATO troops, which amount to 47,000.

French President Nikola Sarkozy, on the other hand, reiterated that France will deploy more troops to the east of the country, as part of the campaign to have the alliances peace mission reinforced.

The French President is also allegedly believed to wish for a call for Frances return to NATO military section by the end of the year.

The NATO spokesman said that France had already offered to dispatch 800 troops to eastern Afghanistan. This offer will allow the USA to deploy extra troops to Talibans bastion in southern Afghanistan.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Nato mulls Georgia, Ukraine links

Related News:

Greek Veto

"Zero Hour" for Skopje Issue

Decision Time

Outcome of NATO Summit Uncertain

Mutual Front

[03] Ledra Street Barricade Dismantled

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA-MPA

The ceremony for the dismantling of the Ledra Street barricade, the symbol of Cyprus division, has been scheduled for today. The dismantling resulted from the recent deal brokered between the two rival leaders, new Greek Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehmet Ali Talat.

Movement from and to the occupied section of Nicosia will be allowed on production of an ID or passport

Apart from boosting communication between the two sides, the dismantling of the barricade echoes the will to resolve the Cyprus standoff on the basis of a fair and viable solution, put an end to occupation and reunify the island, Greek Cypriot Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou told Greek state-run NET radio station.

Lynn Pascoe, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who was encouraged by the positive developments in Cyprus, said Wednesday that his report to the UN Secretary General and Security Council would convey the "positive and promising message" emerged from his contacts in the island. The two leaders, he added, laid down their goals for a achieving a fair and lasting solution, and the Cypriots, he said, are right to have high expectations.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Cyprus: Ledra Street Barricade Opens

[04] Juvenile's Rape in Argos

Sources: ANA, MNA

Argos society is shocked by the charge of a police officer who reported that three men drove a juvenile girl to their house and raped her, while the rape was recorded by the mobile phone of one of the accused and was sent to other people. Nafplio security department briefed the Prosecution Office of Nafplio and after judicial order the criminal proceeding will be assigned to a magistrate. Nafplio security department is conducting a preliminary investigation on the case.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Beijing Products Vaccine for H5NI Virus

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: Reuters

Beijing gave permission to a Chinese pharmaceutical company to begin the production of a human vaccine for the H5N1 virus after a successful second clinical trial round, the company said. The vaccine uses an inactivated whole H5N1 virus from Vietnam said an official for Sinovac Biotech, which jointly developed the vaccine with Chinas Centres for Disease Control. "We finished our second trial in November. We checked our 402 participants for antibodies and they met international standards used in the United States and the European Union both for safety and immune response," Sinovacs publicity supervisor Liu Peicheng told Reuters. The vaccine was used in amounts of 5, 10 and 15 micrograms but specialists think that a 10 microgram dose is ideal. Participants in the Chinese trial were between the ages of 18 and 60. Liu said only some minor side effects were recorded, said Liu. The virus has infected 376 people in 14 countries since late 2003 and killed 238 of them, or 63 percent. A vaccine to protect people against a flu pandemic can only be made 4-6 months after the start of such a disaster, when scientist will have identified the virus strain.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] Obama Would Consider Gore for Cabinet Post

Sources: REUTERS

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Wednesday he would consider asking former Vice President Al Gore to become a top adviser should he win the White House. Asked at a town hall meeting if he would look at Gore for a possible Cabinet position, Obama said, "I would." Gore, who lost his own bid for the White House in 2000 to George W. Bush amid the disputed Florida voting, is highly regarded by many in the party. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year for his work to try to halt the warming of the earth. The former vice president, who served with Clintons husband, former President Bill Clinton, is considered one of the most influential of the so-called superdelegates in the Democratic Party who will play a role, along with delegates selected in state-by-state voting contests, in picking the Democratic nominee.

Related News:

Clinton Leading

[07] DEH-Halyvourgiki Agreement Triggers Reactions

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

DEH (Public Power Corporation PPC) board approved its cooperation with Halyvourgiki Inc. for the creation of a unit of electrical power by natural gas burning in the installation of Halyvourgiki Inc. in Elefsina. GENOP DEH PPC will proceed to immediate mobilizations. In this investment Halyvourgiki will be the main shareholder, 51% and DEH will hold 49% of shares. DEH working force is reacting and earlier today gathered outside the hotel where PPC board was convening. They are now outside PPC central offices as they plan to proceed to a sit-in of the presidents office.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] Oil Prices: Rise in NY-Fall in Asia

Oil prices in Asian markets are on a downward path, after the rise posted Wednesday in New York market, following the cut is US strategic petrol stockpiles. In Singapore, crude for May delivery was at 106.61 dollars per barrel downed by 22 cents, while in London, North Sea Brent also slid by 16 cents to 103.59 dollars per barrel. Oil prices in New Work jumped by almost 4 dollars, as the market reacted to weekly announcement of the US Secretary of Energy, whereby petrol stockpiles shrank by 4.5 million barrels. Analysts have suggested that market seems to be dependent on statements by US Federal Reserve Bank Board Chairman Ben Bernanke, who did not rule out recession in the USA.

Translated by Areti Christou

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