The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] With Karamanlis, Liapis & Ioannidis

11 Apr 2008 10:09:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

A meeting to be chaired by the Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis Friday morning in the presence of the Culture minister Michalis Liapis and Deputy Sports Minister Giannis Ioanidis will focus on the latest developments and the legal framework for sports armouring. The Weightlifting Federation holds responsible weightlifting coach Christos Iakovou, who acted on his own will without briefing anyone in the administration. It also rejects his allegation as per which all knew about the Chinese preparation, confiscate in a pharmacy in Kolonos. In parallel, an investigation is under way in the offices of the Weightlifting Federation to locate any relevant documents. Meanwhile, businessman Panagiotis Katselos has asked for an extension of the deadline until next week to testify. Katselos argued that he had ordered the preparation from the Chinese company for the Greek national weightlifting team. At the same time, a spokesperson of the Chinese Medicinal Service has told the Associated Press that the charges holding responsible the medicinal company for the doping scandal in Greece lack evidence and should be investigated further. Finally, Christos Iakovou has announced that he will press charges against the Chinese company.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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[02] Olympic Flame in Buenos Aires

The unique torch relay scheduled to take place in South America is being prepared under tight security measures. The Olympic Flame arrived in Buenos Aires from San Francisco. After the protests launched against the Chinese policy during the torch relay in Paris, London and San Francisco, no rally has taken place at Buenos Aires airport upon the arrival of the Olympic Flame in Argentina. The authorities had forbidden civilians to visit parts of the airport during the arrival of the Olympic Flame, which was transferred to a secret location until the torch relay began in the morning. As the police believe that protest rallies will be held in protest of the Chinese policy on Tibet, they have taken extra measures to avert any incidents. As a result 2,700 police officers have been deployed and an additional 3,000 individuals will see that the order is observed during the first Olympic torch relay taking place in Buenos Aires.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] FYROM: Marathon Debate

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA-MPA

FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) Parliament recessed in the early morning hours and decided to continue its debate at 12:30 Greek time. The debate lasted long because of the big number of speakers and frequent interventions. President Branko Crvenkovski supported the UN-sponsored talks on the name issue, adding that after the NATO Summit Meeting in Bucharest had made it clear that if no compromise is reached with Greece, then FYROM will not be invited to join NATO and also will not receive a date for the beginning of accession talks with the EU.

DUI, the biggest Albanian opposition party proposed the dissolution of Parliament on Tuesday. Its proposal enjoyed the support of VMRO-DPMNE and DPA parties. All three parties have over 61 MPs, a number that enables them to vote for the dissolution of the Parliament. FYROM's legislative body has 120 MPs.

The main opposition party and some smaller parties are against the dissolution of the Parliament.

As per the existing legislation, elections must be held 60 days after the Parliament is dissolved.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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[04] Mass Grave in Iraq

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: AFP - ANA-MPA

Iraqi troops have discovered more than 30 bodies in a mass grave at a house south of Baghdad, the US military announced. Initial reports indicate the remains have been buried for more than a year, at the house in the town of Mahmudiyah.

Mahmudiyah, in the so-called Sunni triangle of death region, has been the centre of intense activity by Al-Qaeda led insurgents in recent years. Human rights group believe there are hundreds of mass graves in Iraq, mostly of people killed during the regime of Saddam Hussein.

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