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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Humanitarian Aid in Tbilisi

13 Áõã 2008 08:33:00

Sources: NET 105.8, ÁNA-ÌNA, Reuters

Russia and Georgia accepted the European plan for peace presented by French president Nikola Sarkozy in Tbilisi. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev ordered a halt to military operations on Tuesday and agreed to the French plan on conditions for a settlement of the conflict. Meantime, FMs are meeting today in Brussels to discuss the crisis that broke out in Caucasus. Yesterday, a Dutch cameraman was killed during Goris bombarding. Hellenic TV Radio network NET was also hit by bomd that injured severely the Georgian driver. Refugees in S. Ossetia have risen to 100.000 while humanitarian aid has been sent today in Tbilisi among which a Greek C-130.

US-Russian Conflict

On Tuesday, Nikola Sarkozy and Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili accepted Sarkozys peace plan late on Tuesday in Tbilisi. Earlier, Russian president ordered halt of military operations in Georgia.

"It is a political document. It is an agreement of principles.and I estimate that we have coincidence of principles", Saakashvili said in a mutual press interview with president Sarkozy.

The plane includes 6 points and provides among other things, for final seize of fire, return of Russians in positions occupied before hostilities as well as provision of humanitarian help.

Just before president Sarkozy arrived in Moscow, Russian president announced the end of Russian military operations and agreed to the French plan on conditions for a settlement of the conflict.

Georgian president Saakashvili announced withdraw of his country form the Common wealth of Independent States. Georgia has filed a law suit against Russia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for ethnic cleansing, the secretary of Georgias Security Council, Kakha Lomaia, said on Tuesday and denounced slaughters of Georgian citizens by Ossetian autonomists.

Moscow on its side insists that 1.600 people at least most of whom citizens, were killed by Georgian troops in S. Ossetia.

At the same time, conflict between US-Russia peaks. US president George W. Bush accused Russia of invading a dominant state underlying that such action "threaten relations with US and Europe". German minister of Defense estimates that hostilities in Caucasus do not put under risk Georgias prospective for NATO entrance.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] New Round of Discussions

Sources: NET 105.8, ÁNA-ÌNA

A new round of discussions starts today in New York between UN envoy Matthew Nimetz and representatives of Greece and Skopje on FYROM name issue. The delegation consists of the prime-ministers chief of staff Mr.Martin Protuger and Ambassador Nikola Dimitrov. The meeting with the Greek side will take place in the afternoon (local hour) with Adamantios Vassilakis being Greeces main negotiator. Meantime, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, representative of Greek ministry of foreign affairs branded the information speaking of new letters sent by FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to UN General Secretary Ban-Ki Moo, Skopjes common practices.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Lebanon Bloody Attack

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA

At least 9 people, among them 7 soldiers, have been killed and 15 injured by an explosion targeting a bus in the centre of the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli. There are no reports so far on whether the bomb was planted inside or near the bus. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Protestors Arrested in China

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA-MNA

Chinese police arrested 7 people, 6 Americans and a Japanese woman, who were protesting in favor of human rights in Tibet, near the Olympic Village. In addition, a British journalist who was broadcasting the incident was also arrested. "Protesting may be illegal but journalistic coverage is legal. This is a blatant violation of journalists rights", journalist John Ray said in German News Agency.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Three People Killed in German Cafe

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA

Three men and a woman were killed in an attack at an ice cream parlour in the German town of Ruesselsheim near Frankfurt on Tuesday, police said. At least four assailants fled the scene and both guns and knives might have been used in the attack, a police spokesman said. The motive for the killings was not known and a manhunt had been launched for the perpetrators, he said.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Judo: Iliadis Defeated

By

Ilias Iliadis, the Athens Olympic half-middleweight (81kg) champion who competed in the 90kg category at Beijing was defeated by 2000 Sydney Games champion Mark Huizinga of the Netherlands and his hopes for a medal went up in smoke. The champion from Sydney eight years ago threw Georgian-born Iliadis. But Huizinga himself lasted only one more round as Swiss veteran Sergei Aschwanden proved his undoing as he countered the Dutchmans uchi-mata with uchi-mata-gaeshi (inner thigh counter).

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] Hrisopigi Demertzi Tested by WADA

By Ampelakis Spyros

Shortly after her arrival to Beijing Olympic Village, WADA visited Greek triple jump silver medal winner Hrisopigi Demertzi to take blood sample for erythropoietin as it happened a few days ago with Judo Olympic medal winner, Elias Eliadis. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) IS waging a battle against athletes use of performance- enhancing drug erythropoietin, previously undetectable drug that by most accounts has been widely used by elite athletes.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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