The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] "There Are No Deadlocks" States Nimetz

17 Apr 2008 21:00:00 (Last updated: 17 Apr 2008 23:12:05)

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

After his separate meetings with the FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) PM and President after the Bucharest Summit Meeting the UN mediator discovered that the neighbouring country is ready to continue talks on the name issue. Mr Matthew Nimetz, who is visiting Athens Friday, reported "there are no deadlocks". His visit to Skopje found the local leadership divided. For this reason he held separate meetings with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and President Branko Crvenkovski, who for the first time stated clearly that a compromise should be reached with Greece. Earlier, the Skopje president had stated in the presence of his German counterpart that his country is ready for a compromise with Greece, in order to secure its entry to NATO and the EU. However, he pointed out that that compromise could not take place at all costs. It appears, that the number of civilians in FYROM, who believe that their country should abandon its intransigent stance on the name issue has been rising.

Talks with No Fresh Proposal

After his separate meetings with the FYROM PM and President Friday evening, Mr Nimetz stated that he had been assured by the leadership that it will continue participating in the talks for a solution on the name issue. He also added that he is not submitting any new proposals to Skopje and Athens, adding that a fresh proposal will follow when only the two sides first present their views. Furthermore, he said that the proposals submitted until now have been rejected by either sides. "I will submit a fresh proposal when the right time comes," Mr Nimetz said.

He also added that he had submitted a proposal one month ago (note "Republic of Macedonia-Skopje) that was rejected by Greece, which is expected to present its positions during his visit to Athens.

In reply to a question as to whether a solution could be reached by 1 July Mr Nimetz did not rule out such a development.

He stressed that after the Summit Meeting in Bucharest many international diplomats have suggested that a solution should be found the soonest possible.

In reply to a question as to any versions on the name such as a geographic qualifier, a double formula, one name for all uses etc had been discussed Mr Nimetz replied that all versions had been discussed.

Present at his separate meetings with the FYROM PM an President was Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki. FYROM negotiator on the name issue Nikola Dimitrov was only present at Mr Nimetzs meeting with Mr Crvenkovski.

Climate of Consent in Athens

The National Council of Foreign Policy met in Athens 24 hours before Mr Nimetzs arrival in Athens in a climate of consent except for the KKE (Greek Communist Party) party which did attend the meeting. Party spokesmen that attended the meeting that was chaired by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis stated that all agreed on how to handle the name issue and what stance the Greek side should adopt. Only the LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) spokesman disagreed with the governments policy.

Meanwhile, in an interview with ALPHA TV station on Thursday Ms Bakoyannis reported that the chances for a solution to be reached on the name issue by June are slim.

She also added that we are expecting Mr Nimetz in order to reiterate our positions and listen to Skopjes reactions and positions.

Finally, she reiterated that the objective is a mutually accepted solution, stressing that the negotiations are in progress and that no solution had been reached on the name issue yet.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

New Round of Talks

[02] Oil Surges, Inflation Threatens

Sources: NET

The financial crisis is expected to last longer than originally expected, since the European Central Bank has reported that the threatening inflation does not allow any interest reductions. This means that loans will be further burdened. Meanwhile, crude oil prices have reached the historic record of US$115 per barrel, triggering fresh increases in the prices of products and services. Reliable analysts maintain that powerful speculative groups will take advantage of the crisis, putting in jeopardy the stability of the world market.

The oil continued its upward trend in New York on Thursday reaching US$115 per barrel for May deliveries. Brent in London hit an all time record high reaching US$113.38 per barrel.

The new surge followed the US governments report on substantial drop of crude oil and petrol reserves.

At the same time, the eurozone is struggling to face the inflation, which reached 3.6% in March. CNN reports that foodstuffs prices have risen by 6.2% in March and oil prices by 11.2%.

The European Central Bank verified forecasts that it will not drop interest rates in order to combat inflation. Its report reads that inflation will remain well above 2% in the coming months and will drop gradually within 2008.

Furthermore, it reports that the turbulence in the financial market may last longer that originally believed and its repercussions may be more serious in real economy than originally believed.

Meanwhile, the euro has gone up with the euro-dollar parity being fixed at 1.5982 dollars.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Oil Prices Near $115

[03] K. Papoulias: "In Greece We Feel Self Pity"

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÁNA-ÌPA

Greek President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias statement as per which we feel self pity in Greece in contrast to expatriate Hellenes has caused sensation after his three-day visit to the Ukraine. Mr Papoulias visited villages inhabited by expatriate Hellenes and after his three-day visit to the Ukraine he described his meeting with the Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko very successful and sincere. He also praised the expatriate Hellenes accomplishments there, reporting that he was astonished with their love for Greece. The two men discussed bilateral issues. Mr Yushchenko is to visit Athens in November.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Athens

17 Apr 2008 18:35:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8

Tobacco producers are reacting to Common Agricultural Policy measures that propose cuts on subsidies to tobacco producers as of 2009. They held a protest rally to the Parliament demanding that the status of 100% of withheld subsidies until 2013 remains unchanged. The rally was held within the framework of the a Common Agricultural Policy reform, proposing the reduction of farmers income by 50% after 2009. Specifically, the total amount to be withheld from 2010-2012 from the tobacco producers income will be transferred to rural development and will amount to 567million.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Suicide Bombers Kills 51 in N. Iraq

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

A suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd of mourners in Diyala province, north of Baghdad yesterday, killing at least 51 people. The bomber detonated an explosives vest in the Sunni Arab village of Bu Mohammed a around 11:00 local time and the victims were villagers attending a memorial service held for two brothers, who belonged in the in local organisation figthing Al Qaeda in Iraq. The two brothers had lost their life two days ago. The Iraqi and US army have been launching operations against extremists in Diyala, Salahedin, Niniv and Kirkuk for months.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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