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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-06-28The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] New Standards on Illegal ImmigrationThe Greek and European initiatives taken on the sidelines of today's summit on Corfu have given a new boost to the fight against illegal immigration. However, Turkey does not seem to share the European positions, since it has requested the signing of readmission agreements.The problem of illegal immigration that has blown out of proportion not only in Greece, but also in Italy and Malta, as well as the violation of the Greek airspace were brought up at the meeting held between Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and her Turkish counterpart. In her statements, Bakoyannis had sent a message to Turkey, stressing that the existing agreements on illegal immigrations have to be observed. In the meantime, the Turkish Minister of European Affairs told Kathimerini paper that his country has no intention of committing to the 2001 Greek-Turkish protocol for the readmission of illegal immigrants, since no such agreements have been singed with their countries of origin. News item: 24170 [02] Terror Rules in TehranHuman rights activists accused Iran's volunteer Basij militia of spreading fear and terror. Amnesty International said that members of the Basij militia are carrying out night-time raids, destroying property, beating civilians, even kidnapping those who took part in the street protests. In the meantime, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who is attending the OSCE meeting on Corfu, blasted at the arrest of 8 Iranians who were working for the British embassy in Tehran.Day-time protests have been replaced by the night-time ones. From the rooftops, opposition protesters kept chanting anti-government slogans. Amnesty International said that the night-time raids by the Basij militia deter even the bravest ones to take to the streets, while Human Rights Watch spoke of mysterious disappearances of protesters from hospitals. According to Amnesty International, at least 70 scholars, 8 politicians and several journalists are being detained. The last to be added on the list were 8 people working for the British embassy in Tehran, who are accused of taking part in the recent anti-government rallies.Britain demanded their release. Opposition candidate Mr Mousavi called for an annulment of the 12 June presidential vote because of "election rigging,â but Iran's powerful Guardian Council agreed to have only 10% of the ballots re-counted. In the meantime, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed the statements of Western leaders on the disputed election results as stupid. News item: 24167 [03] Albania Holds Parliamentary ElectionsMore than three million eligible Albanians voted Sunday in parliamentary elections, with Prime Minister Sali Berisha and Socialist leader Edi Rama expected to give a neck-and-neck battle. Despite the 2% lead the pre-election polls gave to the ruling party, analysts have estimated that no party will manage to form an independent government..The elections are seen as a test for the country's EU bid. Albania is under international pressure to make sure the vote is fair and free of the reports of fraud that have marred previous elections. The European Union and the United States have stressed Albania must do better this time. About 500 international observers and 3000 local officers were assigned to observe the elections. In his last pre-election speech on Friday, Berisha called on the Albanians to unite under the European dream and make Albania an equal member of the EU.His rival Rama said it is about time for a change, stressing that it is the Socialists who can lead Albania to Europe, since the Democrats lost their chance. News item: 24162 [04] Greek Actor Spyros Kalogirou Died at 87NewsThe âvillainâ of the Greek cinema, actor Spyros Kalogirou breathed his last on Saturday. He was 87. He had been in hospital suffering from brain infection since early May. He will be laid to rest on Monday morning in Markopoulo. Statements News item: 24160 The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |