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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek Humanitarian Aid Arrives

13 Αυγ 2008 19:36:00 (Last updated: 13 Αυγ 2008 23:06:38)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA, BBC

After six days of bloodshed and devastation, arms hushed on Caucasus as Moscow and Tbilisi accepted the European peace plan.At an extraordinary meeting in Brussels, the EU Foreign ministers agreed on the dispatch of European observers to South Ossetia. However, the European Presidency points out that the UN will have to giver the green light for the dispatch. OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) has already announced that it will increase the number of its observers in South Ossetia. However, the British minister criticized Moscow, proposing EU-Russian relations to be re-examined. Meanwhile, NATO Foreign ministers will hold an extraordinary meeting on the crisis in Caucasus next Tuesday at the request of the US. Meanwhile, the truce appears to be fragile, as Russian army has confirmed that it shot down two reconnaissance planes over Tskinvali this afternoon. At the same time, the Georgian President continues accusing Russia of violating the ceasefire, while the Georgian Foreign Ministry has announced that Russian tanks have cut off circulation on the central road axis connecting South Ossetia with Georgia. Moscow, from its side has rejected Mr Saakasvilis statements. Meanwhile, relations between Washington and Moscow are being tested as US President George Bush has expressed his support to Tbilisi openly.

Bush Supports Tbilisi

In a telephone conversation with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili today, US President expressed his countrys support to the democratically elected Georgian government. As per latest information available to him, he argued that Moscow had not ceased its military operations on Georgian soil, adding that Russian troops should withdraw from Russia. He urged Russia to keep its word and end the crisis, adding that a US aircraft will carry humanitarian aid to Georgia. Furthermore, he stated that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit Paris for talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and then Tbilisi to express USAs solidarity to Georgia.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov issued a message stating that the USA should choose whether it should promote Georgia or have friendly relations with Russia.

Peace Plan Accepted

Russia and Georgia said yes to the European plan for peace presented by French President Nikola Sarkozy, after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev accepted to have any reference to the talks on the future regime of the breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia left out from the text.

Meanwhile, the leaders of Poland, Lithuania and Estonia, as well as the Latvian head of government criticised Wednesday the peace plan pushed forward by the French President, stressing that it failed to make a reference to Georgias right to territorial sovereignty.

The Ukrainian President has signed a memo, setting fresh restraints to the Russian fleet in the Black Sea. The Russian fleet has its base at the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol.

Meanwhile, Georgia has resorted to the International Court at the Hague, accusing Russia of national cleansing, and Ossetia autonomists of massacring Georgians. The Georgian Foreign minister accused the international community of "abandoning" her country after Russian launched its attack.

At a Press Conference in Athens, the Georgian ambassador argued that Georgia targeted the illegally armed areas of South Ossetia, not expecting Russia to over-react.

Moscow, on its part, insisted that at least 1,600 people had been killed by Georgian troops during their attack against South Ossetia. According to a top-ranking official of the Russian armed forces, 74 Russians have been killed, 171 have sustained injuries and 19 have been reported missing since the breakout of the conflict.

Tbilisi speaks of at least 175 Georgian casualties and hundreds of injured. As per estimates, refugees number 100,000.

Greece's Position

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis welcomed yesterday's development, hoping it would finally settle the problem to the benefit of safety and stability in the region.

She described theCaucasus region fragile, demanding special attention and responsibility.

She urged both sides to abide to the cease fire and return to their original positions, allowing a dialogue to begin.

Greece denounces violence as a means of resolving differences and supports the respect of territorial integrity.

The Greek Airforce has announced that a Greek military aircraft, carrying, tents, blankets, medicines etc, arrived in Georgia at 18:10 Greek time. The Foreign Ministry, in cooperation with the Ministries of Defence, Health and Social Solidarity and non-governmental organizations collected the aid.

Besides, Greece will offer 100,000 euros through the UN to refugees, who moved from South Ossetia to the North.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Ceasefire in Caucasus

[02] New Round of Talks

13 Αυγ 2008 20:00:00 (Last updated: 13 Αυγ 2008 22:05:36)

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Following his meeting with the FYROM delegation on Wednesday, Nimetz stated that as per the Interim Agreement and UN Security Council, the New York talks will focus on the FYROM name-issue. Mr Nimetz, who met with Greek ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis later this evening, reported that he intends to visit Skopje and Athens in the coming week. PASOK alternate spokesman Maria Karaklioumi stated that Mr Nimetz should negotiate the name-issue only.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Ceiling Prices to Fuel on Islands

13 Αυγ 2008 23:11:00 (Last updated: 13 Αυγ 2008 23:32:40)

Sources: NET

Profiteering in fuel on islands has forced the government to introduce a ceiling price for unleaded oil there. As per the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE), the price will be a few cents over the average price of unleaded petrol in Athens due to transport costs. The ceiling price will go into force by the end of August.

Ceiling prices will go into force for leaded and unleaded oil in the Dodecanese, for all types of fuel in Chania and Rethymno, for all types of fuel except for diesel oil in Lasithi and for unleaded, super unleaded and super leaded oil in Heraklion. Ceiling prices will go into force for unleaded in Zakynthos, for all types of fuel, except for super unleaded in Kefalonia for unleaded and super leaded in the Cyclades, for super unleaded and super leaded petrol in Lesvos and for unleaded and super unleaded in Chios.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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