The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Says Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis

20 Apr 2008 12:26:00 (Last updated: 20 Apr 2008 15:19:55)

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΝΕΤ, ANA-MPA, Apogevmatini

The FYROM name dispute is likely to be resolved, as it appears, after the June election in Skopje and provided that the latter responds to Greeces constants calls for talks. Negotiations, however, remain alive, as Matthew Nimetz visit to Athens and Skopje showed. Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, in her interview with Apogevmatini paper heralded a rather bold financial aid to Skopje, as long as it abandons its intransigent attitude on the name row. In particular, Greece will earmark 75 million euros for the construction of road axis 10, connecting the neighbouring country with both Greece and the EU, fund businesses and gradually abolish visa. Bakoyannis also reiterated that Greece is pursuing a solution to the problem the soonest possible, and added that chances of striking a deal amid a pre-election period are rather slim.

The Greek Foreign Minister said the above while asked whether FYROM was expecting specific things at a transnational level in case a solution was found. Bakoyannis noted that the budget of the Greek Plan for the Reconstruction of the Balkans (ESOAB) for the neighbouring country amounts to 75 million euros, which will be mainly channelled into the construction of pan European axis 10, which "will free Skopje from isolation" connecting it to Greece and to the EU.

The above package, added Bakoyannis, also relates to funding and co-funding of small business units that will create new jobs.

Bakoyannis also said that Greece believes in free movement of people. Therefore, it champions a gradual visa abolishment.

"The gains emerging from good neighbourly relation are many, not only for Skopje but also for Greece. Good neighbourly relations are a prerequisite for any further development. Once consolidated, it is a great basis upon which a much more stable and promising future can be built," claimed the Greek Foreign Minister.

In the meantime, after her meeting with the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister held on Saturday, she stressed that the negotiations would continue after the pre-election period in FYROM.

Speaking to state-run NET television, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matt Bryza said that Skopje should considering changing their name on the basis of the recent proposal and that the USAs role is only supplementary.

Scheffer Visits Skopje

NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer is due in Skopje on Monday to hold talks. Scheffer will meet with FYROM President Branko Crvenkovski, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki and Defence Minister Lazar Kitanovski. Scheffer will depart for Brussels on Monday evening.

Scheffer is expected to reiterate NATOs intention to give FYROM a membership status, as soon as the name dispute is resolved. The NATO Secretary General will advise FYROMs leaders to address the pending row the soonest possible, so that the country get engaged, along with Croatia and Albania which have already given invitation to join NATO, in the relevant talks for its accession to NATO.

Scheffer has repeatedly reiterated that NATO has no intention of getting involved in the talks on the name issue, which are being held under the auspices of the UN and envoy Matthew Nimetz. NATO, however, is looking for a compromise that will usher FYROM in the Alliance.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Air of Optimism

"Negotiations Remain Alive"

[02] He Fell off His Bike

20 Apr 2008 15:23:00 (Last updated: 20 Apr 2008 18:09:13)

Sources: ΝΕΤ

PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) President George Papandreou was slightly injured on Sunday noon while riding his bicycle. Sustaining minor injuries in his hand, leg and back, the Socialist leader was hurried to hospital to undergo all necessary precautionary tests. A finger fracture was diagnosed, prompting doctors to have it operated. As per his attending doctors, Papandreou will remain in hospital for about three of four days. Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos wished Papandreou a speedy recovery over the telephone.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] For the 182nd Anniversary of the Heroic Exodus

20 Apr 2008 16:34:00 (Last updated: 20 Apr 2008 18:19:39)

By Nasos Bratsos

President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias visited Messologi to attend the celebrations for the 182nd anniversary of the heroic exodus of the Free Besieged from the town. While delivering a speech at the dinner hosted by the Messologi Mayor, Papoulias stressed, inter alia, that Messologi is an everlasting symbol of the struggles for independence, justice and freedom. He hailed the exodus as a feat beyond human powers and a collective debt to abandon individualism in the name of the finest and highest ideal. "Patriotism has nothing to do with national phobias and bigotry. It has nothing to do with flag-waving and convictions about chosen people. It is mostly an attitude of responsibility and a proof of respect to what we inherited and to what we will bequeath to the next generation," commented Papoulias.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Between Immigrant Workers and Producers

20 Apr 2008 11:36:00

By

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

New extensive incidents occurred early in the morning today in Manolada area between immigrants working in strawberry crops and strawberry producers. Police forces had to intervene and arrested at least 10 people mostly immigrants

Meantime clashes occurred yesterday evening between The All Workers Militant Front (PAME) organization members and strawberry producers when the first visited the strawberry farming and staged protestations for the immigrants living conditions. The General Secretary of KKE (Communist Party of Greece) Christos Giannaros was injured and was transferred to hospital.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] For Security Reasons

20 Apr 2008 16:20:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ANA, AFP, Reuters

True to the Americans popular practice, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived Sunday in Baghdad in a surprise visit, probably for security reasons. Rice referred to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Malikis crackdown on violence in the most glowing terms, putting down her visit to a drive to promote reconciliation between the rival religious groups. Touching on Iraqs ties with the neighbouring nations, Rice said that neighbours could do much more to live up to their obligations, because he Iraqi lived up to theirs. Rice visited Iraq just a day after Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadrs about an "open war" on security forces. In fact, his threats were accompanied by clashes between Sadrs militias and Iraqi and US forces. About 20 Shiite militants were killed.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Growing Food Crisis

20 Apr 2008 16:06:00

Sources: NET, ANA-MPA

The high oil prices, the rise in food demand in Asia, the use of arable land for biofuels, the bad weather conditions and profiteering have shot up food prices, causing violent protests in several poor nations. Experts have warned of a radical food crisis spread, predicting that unless rich nations step up measures, people bordering on famine will amount to two billions up to 2050. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has stressed that nations where families spend more than half of their earnings to get food are running the risk of social instability. Incidents have already taken place in Egypt, India, Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Haiti, where seven people died.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Voulgarakis Calls for Restraint

Mercantile Marine Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis called for restraint, urging shipping companies to hold up sea fares, warning that sea fare liberalisation could be lifted. "Sea fares in view of the Easter break and the summertime are our key priority," said he. Ship owners, on the other hand, insisted that hikes were necessary, as the skyrocketing oil prices have increased operational costs.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Somali Islamist insurgents and Ethiopian forces

20 Apr 2008 10:53:00

Sources: Reuters

Fighting between Somali Islamist insurgents and Ethiopian forces killed eight people in Mogadishu on Saturday

Fighting between Somali Islamist insurgents and Ethiopian forces killed eight people in Mogadishu on Saturday, including two Ethiopian soldiers, residents and witnesses said.

Insurgents opposed to the interim governments Ethiopian allies opened fire on Ethiopian troops patrolling the capitals main livestock market, drawing retaliatory fire.

"As the fighting became heavier, the Ethiopian troops fired tank shells ... killing a young girl and seriously injuring her two sisters," resident Hussein Elmi told Reuters by phone

Several wounded militants were also carried away after an Ethiopian shell exploded. Five other people were also killed by stray mortar round that landed at a restaurant in Fagah neighbourhood in north Mogadishu.

The government is still struggling to impose its authority on the Horn of Africa nation and flush out the insurgents who mount near-daily roadside bombings and grenade attacks in Mogadishu.

Up to 68,000 people are believed to have fled the city since the beginning of the year.

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