The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-12-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Mourning over Papadopoulosâ Loss

Three-Day Mourning

Tassos Papadopoulos' death tops the front pages of the Greek-Cypriot Press.

Alithia, a paper that had repeatedly blasted Papadopoulos, read "Three-Day Mourning." Its chief editor Haralambos Haralambous wrote in his column: "Each one of us makes his own history, and Tassos Papadopoulos, a strong political figure that land a leading role in the country's political life for several decades, will leave his own mark in Cyprus' modern history, whether we like it or not."

"Now, we are entitled to pay tribute to the human suffering, despair and last days of Tassos Papadopoulos. To the suffering of his family, the hopes that were dwindling day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute."

Under the title "Farewell," Mahi paper said that the previous days had been sad for Cyprus, since a great leader, Tassos Papadopoulos, breathed his last, after a battling with cancer.

Politis daily, which also used to heavily criticize Tassos Papadopoulos, read on its front cover "Trip to History." Touching on Papadopoulos' relationship with the paper, it read that Papadopoulos had been committed to his beliefs, a tireless politician who offered as much as he could to Cyprus and left his mark on history.

With its front cover reading "Tassos Breathed His Last," Simerini paper wrote that Tassos Papadopoulos had never compromised, staying true to his beliefs and policy, and that for almost half a decade he had been a strong political figure, whose work, stance and participation in the island's political life had been met with praise and attack.

Under the front title "One Man, One History," Fileleftheros daily read that the President who associated his name with the Greek-Cypriots' resounding "No" passed away, after his already ailing health severely deteriorated.

Fileleftheros continued reading that the loss of Tassos Papadopoulos created a gap in a crucial period for the country's future. "In a turning point for the Cyprus raw, in view of significant development within 2009, his presence would have been necessary. That's why his loss is grave. Tassos Papadopoulos worked with consistency in promoting a solution to the Cyprus issue. A solution that would survive through time and cement the rights of the Greek-Cypriots. His persistence brought him against the world powers in 2004, because he stood up to what he believed, having the backing of the overwhelming majority of the people, and rejected an undemocratic solution. He lived though the reaction of those who wanted to impose the Annan plan at any cost."

Source: ANA-MPA, NET, NET 104.8

News item: 16679

[02] New Street Protests

Friday night, protesters holding candles held a sit-in in Syntagma Square, central Greece.

In the meantime, a series of arson hits against banks and stores took place in the early hours of Saturday in Kalamaki district and central Athens. Unknown perpetrators torched five bank branches and the Kalamaki-based ND offices hurling explosive devises and petrol bombs.

Speaking on NET 105.8, the Rector of the National Technical University of Athens, Kostas Moutzouris, said the claims of ill-thought asylum had collapsed, since it is the hooded rioters that are not hurt. "Without riot police, the University suffered a few broken marbles. Damage in Athens has been huge, despite the police's presence," said he.

The Greek National Council for Radio and Television (NCRTV) has recommended television and radio media be extremely careful with the coverage of the recent clashes.NCRTV has called on them to avoid broadcasting scenes of violence that could be interpreted as encouraging anti-social behaviour, substituting police and judicial authorities and releasing evidence resulting from the investigation.

News item: 16677

[03] Gates Warns US Adversaries

"Anyone who thought that the upcoming months might present opportunities to 'test' the new administration would be sorely mistaken," he said at an international security conference.

"The president-elect and his team, myself included, will be ready to defend the interests of the United States, and our friends and allies, the moment he takes office on January 20," he said.

A former CIA head, Gates underlined that security in the Gulf had always been a key priority, and assuring the US allies that the Obama administration would not derail from this stance.

Shifting his attention to Iran, the US Defence Secretary underscored that the USA were after a change of behaviour, rather than a change of regime.

"The president-elect Obama is under no illusions about Iran's behaviour and what Iran has been doing in the region and is doing in terms of its own weapons programmes," he said.

News item: 16672

[04] Night Club Owner Killed in Ambush

Night club owner Babis Lazarides, 40, was killed late on Friday in an ambush. Gunmen, who had been waiting for him outside the hotel he had been living with his partner, singer Aggeliki Iliades, 31, and their child, opened fire at him. Lazarides dropped dead, while his partner was hurried to hospital with leg injuries.

Police has put down the cold-blood murder to personal issues, since Lazarides had repeatedly been involved in crime cases.

A year ago, he was accused of aiding and abetting the murder of his rival Giannis Voutyrakos, owner of Karamela night club. The shooter, a former war navy officer, was sent behind bars, while Lazarides was acquitted.

On 4 March 2008, a blast badly damaged Lazarides' night club Mouses. He had told the police he had been threatened.

News item: 16667

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