The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Major Ecological Disaster on Rhodes

27 Ιουλ 2008 12:19:0

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: NET-NET 105.8

Battling with the wildfire for six days running, firefighters managed to have it contained. The wildfire have reduced more than 40,000 square metres of forest land into ashes, causing a huge ecological disaster and delivering a crushing blow to the islands tourism industry. Hotels located to the south of the island were evacuated for precautionary reason and as many as 3,000 tourists were transferred to the city of Rhodes.

In the meantime, the blazes in Aspropyrgos, Gavrolimni and Xerolaka in Achaia have been brought under partial control.

Another fire broke out on Sunday morning in the area of Psaxna in Evia. Firefighters, four water-scooping planes and a helicopter are operating in the area.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Raise Minority & Language Issue again

27 Ιουλ 2008 17:29:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8-ΑNA/ΜPA

Skopje insists on "Macedonian minority" issue despite stern response letter by Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. In a letter to EU Commissioner for Multilingualism, Leonard Orban, FYROM Foreign Minister, Antonio Milososki asks him to support the "requests of representatives of the Macedonian minority in Greece regarding protection and promotion of Macedonian as minority language". In reference to pending name issue, Antonio Milososki says that Skopje is participating in negotiations under the UN auspices.

Content of the Letter

In a letter to EU Commissioner for Multilingualism, Leonard Orban, FYROM Foreign Minister, Antonio Milososki asks him to support the "requests of representatives of the Macedonian minority in Greece regarding protection and promotion of Macedonian as minority language".

"Located in the heart of the Balkans, Macedonia has a number of minority groups who freely organize in the political sector, use their language in official communication as well as nurture and promote their cultural values. Within the frame of this policy, Macedonia contributes to consolidation of European values" FYROM Foreign Minister says among others in his letter to Orban.

Mr. Milososki also expresses the conviction that the "European Commission, through its mission to protect these conditions, will persuade Greece-as an EU member state- to draw a constructive model for implementation of human rights, among which are the language and other rights which express the identity of linguistic minorities".

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] "No More Money-Collecting Measures"

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Greek Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis assured that no extra money-collecting measures would be taken in 2008. The Finance Ministry is working on measures to address the problems brought about by the world economic crisis and the pricey oil, measures meant to boost revenues and curb spending.

In his interview with Eleftherotypia daily, Giorgos Alogoskoufis said that the only coalition acceptable in case no political party proved capable of forming an independent government would be that between the Conservatives of ND (New Democracy) and the Socialists of PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement). However, such a coalition could only be built upon an agreement on the promotion of some really thorny reforms, added he. Touching on the cases casting a shadow over the nations political life, the Finance Minister noted that Justice should be left alone to perform its task, while he spoke of backstage mechanisms vying to tarnish the entire political world. Alogoskoufis also assured that 2008 would not witness any extra money-collecting measures.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] A Preliminary Investigation Is Underway

27 Ιουλ 2008 12:31:0

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: NET

Aiming to give answers to the causes that led to the loss of eight dockworkers, the search operation into the inner cabins of the Panamanian-flagged Friendship Gas tanker is in full swing, while it is still possible that another unregistered dockworker may be trapped. The ships captain and security officer, who have been charged with unintentional homicide and bodily harm, are to be brought before the Piraeus magistrate within the week. In the meantime, a preliminary investigation is underway to determine whether the chemist marine, who has been temporarily let loose, is to be held accountable, as well.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Facing Prosecutor

[05] Ukraine-Kiev

27 Ιουλ 2008 13:34:0

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ΑNA

Within events to celebrate 1020th Anniversary since the Baptism of Russia, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew officiated a divine service at Vladimirskoi Hill, in Kiev, jointly with Patriarch Aleksei of Moscow and all Russia, Archbishop Ieronimos of Athens and all Greece, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and all Albania and other representatives from Orthodox Churches. Hardly could spiritual vibrancy hide political tensions accumulated on the occasion of festivities to mark the baptism of Russians. Ukrainian President, Victor Yushchenko faithful of the Orthodox Church hopes that festivities will contribute to the creation of an independent "Local Church" in the Ukraine, which will not belong to Moscow Patriarchate

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Anonymous Tip Gave Karadzic Away

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

It was an anonymous telephone call that put the Serbian intelligence onto Radovan Karadzics trail. The former leader of the Bosnian Serbs had been under surveillance for six weeks before being arrested, read Blic paper.

Citing sources wishing to remain secret, the paper read that the anonymous caller urged the Serbian secret services to seek for a white-bearded alternative medical practitioner who travelled across Serbia giving lectures. "His voice sounds like Karadzics," said the caller.

Serbias secret services confirmed they had been stalking that person for six weeks before making sure that it was fugitive Bosnian Serb war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Holly Mass at Saint Vladimir's Hill

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

Russian Patriarch Alexy II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos, Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania Anastasios, reps of the other Orthodox Churches celebrated a Mass along with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Despite the devoutness, the gathering could hardly hide the political tensions that have been accumulated on the occasion of the anniversary of the conversion of Ukraine and Russia to Christianity in 988.

Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko, an Orthodox Christian devotee, hopes that the celebrations will pave the way for the creation of the independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The Moscow Patriarchate, on the other hand, a significant number of Ukrainians wish to keep their ecclesiastical bonds with Moscow intact, for they see these bonds as the most important element connecting them with the Russians.

"I am confident that... an autonomous national Church will see the light in Ukraine as a historical truth," Yushchenko told Bartholomew I in front of thousands of people in the centre of the city on Saturday. "I ask the blessing of Your Holiness for this dream, for truth, hope, for our State, for Ukraine."

Bartholomews answer came later, while addressing a reception, where he wished that the next anniversary would be celebrated by all the Orthodox Christians. Working "to protect and restore the unity of our Church represents a duty that transcends any political or religious objective."

Many in Ukraine believe that the five-year timeline Bartholomew has set for the solution of the Ukrainian ecclesiastical issue is too long. Ukraine is an independent nation, just like Bulgaria or Georgia, and having its own Church makes perfect sense, commented the head of the department of Ecclesiastical Studies at the Kiev National Academy of Science. There is nothing strange to that, he added. Others have said that they have been waiting for 300 years for the recognition of an independent Prelate of the Ukrainian Church, which is suffering enormous pressure by other tendencies: dissident Orthodox Churches and Ukraines main Orthodox Church, the only one loyal to Moscow.

The latter wanted to boost the Moscow Patriarchate by inviting Alexy II to take part in the celebrations.

Despite the letters Alexy II had sent to the other Prelates asking them not to turn out at the celebrations, he arrived in Kiev and celebrated a Mass along with the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Archbishops of Athens and Tirana.

The Russian Press read that Patriarch Alexy II was benefited, because he claimed a victory: Cypriot independent Churchs refusal to attend the celebrations.

It also termed the presence of Ieronymos as expected, following the defeat the pro-Russian party of the Greek Church suffered in the recent elections.

Finally, it called the pressure the Moscow Patriarchate exerted on Georgia by threatening to recognize the independent Church of Abkhazia as effective.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Yushchenko: "Landmark in Ukraine History"

[08] Unemployment Is the Main Problem

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Unemployment, growth and high cost of living are the issues that will play a key role in the 2009 elections of the European Parliament, has suggested a Eurobarometer survey appeared in Eleftherotypia paper. The majority of the EU citizens, namely 47%, termed unemployment as the main problems, with the relevant percentage amounting to 83% for the Greeks. Economic growth and high cost of living trailed with 45% and 41% respectively.

In the meantime, summer vacations for the Greeks tend to be a "night summer dream." A survey conducted by the Greek Consumers Federation and KAPA RESEARCH and appeared in Ethnos daily, 47% of the Greeks will not have summer vacations this year, while 69% of those who can will either spend them in a place of their own or of their relatives.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] For Sergianopoulos' Murder

27 Ιουλ 2008 13:01:0

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ΝΕΤ

The Georgian national, 30, who confessed to murdering popular Greek actor Nikos Sergianopoulos, is expected to be referred to the magistrate on Monday. He has been charged with premeditated murder, robbery, weapon possession and illegal entry to the country.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Sergianopoulos' Murderer Confessed

[10] 16 Blasts in India Kill 45

Sources: REUTERS

Indias major cities were put on high alert on Sunday, with fears of more attacks after at least 46 people were killed in two days of bombings that hit a communally sensitive western city and a southern IT hub.

At least 16 bombs exploded in the Indian city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state on Saturday, killing at least 45 people and wounding 161, a day after another set of blasts in Bangalore killed a woman.

Two more unexploded bombs were found in the city of Surat on Sunday, one of the worlds biggest diamond-polishing centres, located in Gujarat state, police said.

A little-known group called the "Indian Mujahideen" claimed responsibility for the Ahmedabad attack on Saturday. The same group said it carried out bomb attacks that killed 63 people in the western city of Jaipur in May.

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