The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-08-14

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] The Russian Troops

14 Αυγ 2008 09:28:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The ceasefire agreement achieved in the Caucasus remains shaky, with Georgia accusing Russian forces of not having stopped operating in its territory, despite the EU-brokered peace plan. In the meantime, a top-ranking Georgian official said that the Russian troops would pull out of Gori on Thursday and the Georgian police would start patrolling the city, which is situated near the border with South Ossetia. Furthermore, the Washington-Moscow relations are to be seriously tested. Should it fail to observe the truce, Moscow is running the risk of being isolated, commented US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice before departing for Paris and Tbilisi. She also noted that Russia has crossed the line. However, the USA denied claims by the Georgian President, whereby the US pledge meant that Georgian ports and airports would be taken under US military control. The White House also denied rumours that the invasion in Georgia has torpedoed the US-Russian relations. Kremlin called on Washington to choose between partnership with Moscow or the Georgian leadership, stressing that were Georgia to earn a NATO membership, that would put the Alliance to the test. In the meantime, urged by the USA, NATO barred a Russian ship from joining a multi-national anti-terrorism patrol in the Mediterranean, in retaliation for Moscows military operations in Georgia. NATO has scheduled an emergency Summit for Tuesday to discuss the crisis broken out between Russia and the former Soviet republic.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged France, which is mediating in the conflict, to encourage Tbilisi to sign a binding agreement not to wage attacks on its separatists region, said Kremlin on Thursday.

Medvedev had a telephone conversation late on Wednesday with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy, who contributed to the wording of the key points of the ceasefire agreement between Russia and Georgia in South Ossetia, continued Kremlin.

In the meantime, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice departed early on Thursday morning (Greek local time) for Paris and Tbilisi, where she is to hold talks with French and Georgian top-ranking government officials on the conflict in South Ossetia and the crisis in Abkhazia.

US President George W. Bush demanded Wednesday the immediate Russian withdrawal from Georgia.

"Observing the ceasefire is what matters," stressed Wednesday Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, who attended the informal Summit of the 27 EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels.

Investigation into Genocide Accusations

Russian judicial authorities have started investigating accusations speaking of genocide in South Ossetia, after being tipped off actions against the Russian citizens living in South Ossetia. Special investigators have already been sent to the breakaway province to collect information.

Russia has also requested the Georgians accused of genocide in South Ossetia be brought to a trial at an international tribunal.

Estimates on human losses during the fighting are contradictory. Authorities in Russia and the Ossetian separatists speak of 1500 deaths, without citing their sources. According to the Russian army, 74 have been killed, 171 have sustained injuries and 19 have been reported missing. Georgia, on the other side, has said that death toll amounts to 175.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters: U.S. flies aid into Georgia, Russia to pull out of Gori

Related News:

Fragile Truce

[02] World Records Set in Swimming

Two new world records were set in swimming on Thursday. Liu Zige of China won the gold medal in the Womens 200m Butterfly with a record time of 2:04:18. The Australians, on the other hand, finished the Womens 4x200m Relay in a time of 7:44.31, a new world record. Furthermore, Asias greatest swimmer Kosuke Kitajima of Japan triumphed, winning two gold medals in the Mens 100m and 200m Breaststroke. He even set a new Olympic record in the second race. Finally, French Alain Bernard earned gold in the Mens 100m Freestyle.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Emergency Measures

14 Αυγ 2008 09:06:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

Excursionists have started leaving urban centres to celebrate the mid-August long-weekend holiday in the countryside and islands. Traffic Police will be on alert until 24 August, when the holidaymakers are expected to move back in cities. Traffic in the ports of Piraeus and Rafina has also been increased since Thursday morning, while port authorities across Greece have stepped up emergency measures.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Water Polo: Greece Defeated

By Thanasis Karlos

In Men's water polo Greece was defeated for the third time in a row by Montenegro (10-6). Greece is in group A and still has not gained any points. Next match is with Canada (Saturday, 05:50).

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Greek Archer Romantzi Eliminated

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Archer Elpida Romantzi of Greece failed to make it to the semis of the Womens Individual event, after losing 115-103 to Park Sung-hyun of the Republic of Korea. Ranking No.2 in the world, the Asian archer was the Athens gold medallist in archery.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Wrestling: Papadopoulos-Tounousides Eliminated

By Thanasis Karlos

Panayotis Papadopoulos of Greece was unsuccessful at the preliminary round Mens Greco-Roman 120kg Wrestling. He was downed 3-1 by Liu Deli of China. Theodoros Tounousides also lost to Georgian Ramaz Nozadze 3-1. The Greek wrestlers chances of claiming the bronze medal rest with the Georgians ability to make it to the semis.

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article