The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-06-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Escalation of Crisis in Teheran-Death Toll Rises

State media reported at least 10 more deaths in post-election unrest and said authorities arrested the daughter and four other relatives of ex-President Hashemi Rafsanjani, one of Iran's most powerful men.The reports brought the official death toll for a week of boisterous confrontations to at least 19. State television inside Iran said 10 were killed and 100 injured in clashes Saturday between demonstrators contesting the result of the June 12 election and police throwing, tear gas and water cannons.

Iran's regime continued to impose a blackout on the country's most serious internal conflict since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

World leaders have voiced mounting alarm over the unrest, which has jolted the pillars of the Islamic regime and raised concerns over the future of the oil-rich Shiite Muslim powerhouse.

But Ahmadinejad bluntly told the United States and Britain to stop interfering after Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki accused London of plotting for the past two years to sabotage the election.

In his latest comments on Saturday, US President Barack Obama, who has appealed for dialogue with Tehran after three decades of severed ties, called on Iran to stop "all violent and unjust actions against its own people.

"The Iranian government must understand that the world is watching."

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he rejected the charges that protesters were being "manipulated or motivated" by foreign countries and denounced what he said were Iran's effort to turn the election dispute into a "battle" with the outside world.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said his country was "worried" by the loss of life in Iran, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for a recount.

Mousavi, leading the massive wave of public opposition to the vote that returned Ahmadinejad to power, accused the country's rulers of "cheating" and warned of a dangerous path ahead. He demands a new election after his landslide loss.

Source: Reuters, Associated Press, BBC, AFP

News item: 23905

[02] Blast in Iraq's Kirkuk: Death Toll Rises

The victims had been leaving a mosque at the time. Major-General Turhan Abdul Rahman, deputy chief commander of police in Kirkuk province, said the toll had risen from 67, and that the blast flattened 45 homes. Casualties are expected to rise as more people are pulled from the rubble.

Source: Reuters

News item: 23902

[03] Bloody Clashes in Somalia

Ethiopian troops have reportedly crossed into neighbouring Somalia after it made a plea for foreign troops to help it battle opposition fighters seeking to overthrow the government. Somalia's parliamentary speaker made the request on Saturday after several days of heavy fighting in the north of the capital, Mogadishu.

"The government is weakened by the rebel forces. We ask neighbouring countries - including Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Yemen - to send troops to Somalia within 24 hours," Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur, the Somali parliamentary speaker, said.

Ethiopian troops last entered Somalia in late 2006 to support the then-government and drive out Islamic Courts Union fighters led by Sharif Ahmed, the current president.

People living in Somalis said that they saw Ethiopian soldiers moving into the country. However, the government of Ethiopia denied the claims.

Kenya announced that it will not remain passive and will not allow the escalation of the crisis in the neighboring country because such a situation could jeopardize the stabilization of security in the whole area. Kenya as other African countries express concerns that if chaos continues in Somalia, organizations linked with Al Qaeda will threat the stability of the wider area.

Source: Reuters, ANA, MNA

News item: 23900

[04] Papandreou: We will Support Papoulias after National Elections

"The Country Needs a New Strong Government"

In his interview to "Proto Thema" newspaper, Giorgos Papandreou estimates that early elections will take place soon noting that the best way to honor the president of the Hellenic Republic is for him to be elected by a Parliament that will have just received peoples' mandate. "The country needs to change route with a new strong government", Papandreou stressed and exercised severe criticism to the government and to the Prime Minister in person, noting that he is responsible for a country that is withdrawing in every sector.

PASOK president committed to investigate all scandals. He stated: "I have committed to investigate all cases. We want the truth and responsibilities will be attributed to all people held responsible, even if these people are members of our party".

Papandreou branded the governments' handlings of terrorism, criminal and supported that "with serious work, with choices made with meritocracy, education, investment to modern means and co operation with everybody", citizens will find the sense of security they lacking today.

On reference to economy, he accused the government of applying a one-side financial policy. PASOK leader spoke of a fair distribution of wealth, "fighting against parasites that have emptied state funds".

Fresh Gallop

According to Public Issue gallop conducted for "Kathynerini tis Kyriakis" newspaper PASOK is on the lead gaining 27% of votes, New Democracy follows with 24%, while 45% of people asked think that both governments are incompetent to govern.

Costas Karamanlis is considered most appropriate Prime Minister (38%), Giorgos Papandreou is second with 35%. 24% of people asked consider both non appropriate.

Source: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌNA

News item: 23899

[05] A/H1N1 Flu: Greece confirms two New Cases

H1N1 Flu Cases Rise over the World

The World Health Organization, in an update on the spread of the new flu strain earlier Saturday, said the number of worldwide cases had risen to 44,287, with 180 deaths.

Algeria has reported its first case of the new H1N1 flu in a woman who arrived from the United States via Germany, the official APS news agency said Sunday.

Thailand confirmed 73 new cases of swine flu Saturday, taking the country's total to 662, the Thai Health Ministry reported. Public Health Ministry said no one has died from the virus in Thailand and only 11 have needed to be hospitalized.

Qatar announced on Tuesday two cases of the H1N1 flu virus in two foreign children who arrived from the United States and Austria, the first cases in the small Gulf Arab country. The two boys showed flu symptoms on arrival were given treatment and were recovering.

Most deaths have been reported to Latin America. The Argentine government on Sunday reported 99 more confirmed cases of the deadly new A/H1N1 flu in the nation, which raises the total infected there to 569. South America now has 3,249 confirmed flu cases. Chile is the worst hit country in the region with 2,335 confirmed and two dead, followed by Argentina and then Colombia with 40 cases and one death.

Source: Reuters, Associated Press, AFP

News item: 23896

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