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

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

CONTENTS

[01] At NATO Summit in Bucharest

03 Apr 2008 15:46:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA

World press speaks of US President, George Bush defeat at the NATO Summit meeting in Bucharest as his targets were not accomplished. Apart from Skopje, NATO also has denied for now giving Ukraine and Georgia a path toward membership due to both Russias objections as well as France and Germanys reactions, which maintain that it is too early for membership. Ukraine and Georgia were not even granted a "membership action plan" that would prepare them to join the alliance over the next five to 10 years. However, there was unanimity over Albanias and Croatias admission.

In his statements, the US President welcomed the alliances enlargement with the incorporation of Albania and Croatia but expressed regret that a consensus was not reached to invite FYROM to join the alliance.

Albanian Prime-minister, Sali Berisha described as historical the decision for his countrys admission to NATO and expressed deep gratefulness to NATO member states which agreed to Albanias admission to the most successful political-strategic alliance. He also underlined that NATOs decision signalled Albanias entrance to the family of Euro-Atlantic member states, with which it shares common cultural values.

According to reports by international mass media "Bucharest battle" ended with the German-French axis victory, which achieved to convince Britain, Italy, Hungary, Holland and Luxembourg.

Prospects for NATO enlargement to the south borders of Russia, Caucasus and the former Soviet Republic of Georgia ended in George Bush diplomatic failure, who is attending the north-atlantic alliances sumit for the last time. It is said that Angela Merkel had warned the American President not to further perplex the situation as the agenda had already gone two hours longer than scheduled. Georgia, however, hailed NATO Summit announcement that it will be incorporated in the future.

In reference to the other issues in the agenda, US officials called NATO member state leaders to ratify US missile defense plans in Europe and called Russia to lift its objections. An hour prior to Vladimir Putin arrival to Bucharest, American diplomatic delegation had called Moscow not put any further obstacles to US missile defense plans in Europe maintaining that there is no dispute on the issue among NATO 26 member states. In the meantime, the US and the Czech Republic issued a joint communiqu&#233; announcing their agreement for the installation of elements of US missile defense system in Czech territory. French President, Nikola Sarkozy announcement to dispatch 700 soldiers to strengthen NATO forces in Afghanistan was labeled as a diplomatic move to bridge unity with the American side of the Atlantic. The French President said that France could return to NATOs military wing in the forthcoming Summit in 2009.

Earlier, G. Bush had appealed for the allies larger participation in the fight against the Taliban. " Europe must remain united and safe "said NATO general secretary after one minutes silence in honor of the 60.000 NATO forces serving in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

Next NATO Summit in Strasbourg- Kiel

A senior French official announced that NATO leaders had agreed that the Alliances next Summit, which also celebrates its 60th anniversary since its foundation, will be held on April, 2009 in Strasbourg and Kiel, on the two banks of the Rhine River on the French-German borders. This will be the first time in NATOs history that two member states will co-organize a Summit Meeting. According to German government spokesman " the two countries leaders intention is to place emphasis on French-German friendship and NATOs significance for peace in Europe".

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] Cyprus Government

03 Apr 2008 22:21:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA-ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8

Cyprus government closed the entrance from and to the crossing to the occupied territories on Ledra Street, in Nicosia, which opened for over 10 hours today after 44 years, when it was confirmed that Turkish police illegally patrolled part of the street by entering the UN controlled buffer zone. Public Order and Justice Minister, Kypros Hsisostomidis said that the Turkish side violated the agreement for the opening of the crossing. The agreement provided that only UN Peace Forces would move within the buffer zone. The Cyprus government appealed to the UN which began deliberations with the Turkish side. According to fresh reports, Turkish police have left the buffer zone.

The opening of Ledra St. crossing in the historical center of Nicosia,- symbol of the islands division, received favourable comments from the UN and the EU. Thursdays opening was meant to serve as a catalyst for peace negotiations and was agreed between Greek Cypriot President, Dimitris Christofias and Mehmet Ali Talat during their recent meeting.

Greek Foreign Minister, Dora Bakopyianni hailed todays opening of Ledra St. expressing hope that this development would contribute to the building of confidence on the island. She described it as a symbolic step for the rapprochement of the two communities and the implementation of the agreements on March, 21 between Cyprus President, Dimitris Hristofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat to lead to substantial progress for the opening of negotiations for a just, viable and functional solution of the Cyprus issue.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Piraeus Prefecture

03 Apr 2008 21:23:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA

Piraeus Prefecture health officials banned the import of 89.4 tones of lentil and 48 tones of oranges. The lentil imported from Canada was stored in four conteiners which did not meet specifications for the transport of non-packaged food. The other ban regarded import of oranges from Egypt in late stage of decay, improper for consumption. The Agricultural Development Ministry and the Piraeus Regional Center for Plant Protection and Quality Control were informed on the two cases.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Call for Urgent Purchase of X-RAY Equipment

03 Apr 2008 21:02:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

Relatives of children suffering from neoplasm diseases in their appeal-through the Floga Parents Society- today called for the urgent provision with high- technology X-RAY equipment to the Aglaia Kyriakou Children Hospital underlining the high significance of radio therapy for the treatment of children suffering from neoplasm diseases. With the great progress in the medical field, it is believed that 70% of the children, who have access to specialized treatment, are cured nowadays. Some 250.000 children suffer from neoplasm diseases worldwide while over 150.000 deaths could be prevented if the disease was early diagnosed and the children had access to specialized treatment. "Floga" Society is organizing a speech on the subject "Organization, use and informatics support of neoplasm archives" in Hania, on April, 5. "Floga" website is www.floga.org.gr.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Toulouse- France

03 Apr 2008 19:58:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA-French News Agency

The Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) Jules Vernes, an unmanned spacecraft developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) to supply the International Space Station (ISS) with food, water, fuel, and experimental equipment docked at 17:45 Greek local time to the ISS according to pictures directly aired from Toulouse ATV operations center. The ATV and the ISS fly at about 28.000 km per hour at an orbit 350 km over the earth. The spacecraft, which weights about 17 tones, docked automatically to the Russian Service Module Zvezda which is in the back side of International Space Station (ISS). Procedure for approaching an docking of the Automated Transfer Vehicle is particularly important for future programs for space exploration.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Turkey

03 Apr 2008 16:19:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ÁNA

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomew expressed hope and optimism for the future of "deeply injured" island of Imbros during his two-day stay in his birth-place. "This time again as it always happens, when I visit my homeland Imbros, I feel revived and stronger to continue my difficult duties" said Mr. Bartholomeos in his address to the clergy, community sectors and inhabitants of the island during a dinner in his honor attended also by Imbros-Tenedos Metropolitan Bishop and the Greek General Consul to Konstantinopolis, Alexis Alexandris.

He also stressed he was grateful to God to be born on the island of Imbros among compatriots and folks loyal to traditions. He also stressed that he was particularly happy that young people love for their island, spend their summers here,modernize their houses get more and more attached to their homeland. He expressed hope that all together will make efforts to revive the island and to give prospects for the return of its people.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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