The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Nimitz New Contacts on FYROM Name Issue

13 Apr 2008 18:55:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.9-ÁNA/ÌPA

We expect new developments on the Skopje issue to emerge in the coming week as the UN special envoy, Mathew Nimitz is to present his new initiative with visits to Skopje and Athens. In his speech at the ND party Central Committee, Prime-minister, Kostas Karamanlis sent a message that Greece is ready to take part in a dialogue and called on the neigbouring countrys leadership to abandon its intransigent stand. FYROM has decided to hold early elections on June, 1 while its President Branko Crvenkovski said that it was obvious that the country would not be admitted to NATO unless it resolved its dispute with Greece.

Athens Firm on its Stand

Greece states ready to take part in new round of negotiations on Fyrom name issue a few days prior to Mathew Nimitz visit to the region. Kostas Karamanlis once again reiterated Greeces positions. He repeated "no solution to name issue means no invitation" to NATO and EU membership. Referring to NATO Summit in Bucharest, he underlined that Greeces position was adopted by the alliance while he called on Skopjes leadership to abandon the intransigence of the Balkan past.

In the same line was Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyianni speech, who stressed that Greeces position was adopted by NATOs recent Summit and Greece adheres to negotiations for a definite solution to name issue. In an interview with newspaper "To Bima" Defense Minister, Baggelis Meimarakis underlines "we say no to contrariness but nothing has changed regarding our positions".

Stelios Papathemelis, President of the Democratic Renewal party stressed today that Greece must disengage itself from the compound name, characteristically saying that we must stop begging Skopjans to take part in negotiations.

On the part of Skopje, Prime-minister Gruevski insists on his intransigent stand leading the country to early elections set to be held on June, 1. However, FYROM President, Branko Crvenkovski expressed objections to the holding of early elections. He believes that a pre-election campaign during a period when people are annoyed and disappointed after Bucharest will only contribute to the intensification of political tension which does not serve the present circumstances.

The new diplomatic round begins with three important stages in a very short time: Mathew Nimitz will visit Skopje on Thursday, April, 17 and Athens on the day after while he will meet with the two countries ambassadors in NY during the Holy Week to brief them on his new initiative.

A gallop on peoples position on FYROM name issue conducted by MRB on behalf of the newspaper "Tipos tis Kyriakis indicates that 46.9% of respondents want Greece to show harder stand, 18.6% rather harder, 16.3% rather more flexible and 15.4% certainly more flexible. Athens, however, is determined to maintain a clear stand as it has done so far.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] Papariga Speech in Patra

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8-ÁNA/ÌPA

The GCP organized an event in memory of Nikos Beloyiannis, held at Patras Ladopoulos Theater. On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the GCP, Mrs Papariga spoke of the future activation of the peoples movement and expounded the GCP political proposal, stressing that the question raised is not proposal for alternative policy as presented by ND, PASOK and SYRIZA parties but proposal for alternative power based on the level of economy and society.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Britain's Brown Popularity Plunged

By Athina Saloustrou

Britains Prime-minister, Gordon Browns personal popularity ratings have plunged further and faster than any other British prime minister since polling began in the 1930s, a poll revealed on Sunday. The latest YouGov poll in the Sunday Times showed the resurgent Conservatives on 44 % with Labour on 28 % and the centrist Liberal Democrats on 17 %.But the biggest blow was delivered on Browns personal ratings, which have fallen from plus 48 last August to minus 37, on a zero midpoint scale. According to the newspaper, the collapse is the most dramatic of any modern-day prime-minister, worse even than Neville Chamberlain who in 1940 dropped from plus 21 to minus 27 after Germanys invasion of Norway.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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