The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] The Agreement Signals

30 Apr 2008 17:33:00

By

Sources: ANA, MNA, NET, NET 105,8

The visit to Moscow by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and the signing of the agreement on the South Stream natural gas pipeline confirms the strategic relation between Greece and Russia, according to statements made by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Karamanlis. Development Minister Mr. Christos Folias spoke of the safeguard of the energy supplies for our country. The construction of part of the pipeline in Greece will create new job positions while Greece will collect royalties too. A representative of the European Union in Brussels stated that the South Stream pipeline is not competitive but supplementary compared to Nabucco pipeline.

Basic Points

Ministry of Development revealed in public the basic point if the energy agreement between Greece and Russia for the construction and exploitation of South Stream pipeline to the territory of the Greek state.

The natural gas pipeline South Stream will start from the Greek-Bulgarian frontier and will carry natural gas to Italy through Greece. The agreement is expected to have effect for 30 years and through the pipeline 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas will be transferred yearly. Part of this amount will be supplied in our country while Greece will also collect royalties.

The agreement also provides for the company which is held responsible for the construction and utilization of the pipeline. The two companies involved will be Greek DESFA and Russian Gazpron. The headquarters of the company will be set in Greece and the project will involve the planning, funding, construction, operation and utilization of the pipeline.

The Agreement

It targets at the upgrading of the energy security of European countries through the mutually beneficial cooperation between suppliers, transporters and energy consumers. It is an important project and it is part of the strategy of diversifying the course of natural gas. Supports the creation of a new system of natural gas pipelines which will transfer natural gas from Russia to Europe through Greece. Wishes to create the right conditions for the planning, construction, operation and utilization of the above system according to legislation of national agreements Russia and Greece has signed. Takes into consideration the fulfillments of obligations which are part of previous agreements between the two countries in the sector if natural gas.

Athens-based DESFA (Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator Company) and Russian company Gazprom are referred as the "Founders". The company that is being founded for the planning, funding, construction and utilization of the natural gas pipeline is referred as the "Company". The plan for the technical and financial specifications for the construction of the pipeline is referred as the "technical and financial plan".

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] According to Gallop

30 Apr 2008 19:18:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA, MNA

A gallop recently released to public showed that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are close at the sight of the Super Tuesday primaries. According to the poll Illinois senator received 47% of votes while Clinton received 45%. The possible margin of error in the survey is 4.1 percentage points. In addition 8% of voters stated that they have not decided yet on the candidate. The gallop was conducted on April 23 and 24 in a sample of 600 people.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] He was 102

30 Apr 2008 16:10:00

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA, MNA, Reuters, AFP

Albert Hofmann, the father of the mind-altering drug LSD whose medical discovery inspired and corrupted millions in the 1960s hippie generation, has died. He was 102. Hofmann died Tuesday at his home in Burg im Leimental, said Doris Stuker, a municipal clerk in the village near Basel where Hofmann moved following his retirement in 1971. The Swiss chemist discovered lysergic acid diethylamide-25 in 1938 while studying the medicinal uses of a fungus found on wheat and other grains at the Sandoz pharmaceuticals firm in Basel. When a tiny amount of the substance dropped into his finger during a laboratory experiment on April 16 1943, he started to feel dizziness, intense anxiety he had visions and he was seeing objects moving around. He said his initial experience resulted in "wonderful visions." Three days later, Hofmann experimented with a larger dose. The result was a horror trip. LSD gained international fane in the 1960 when it was broadly used by hippies. The U.S. government banned LSD in 1966 and other countries followed.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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