The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 02-09-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

(11/9/2002 1:54:00 μμ)

[02] Events marking the Sptember 11 terrorist attacks in N.Y

The U.N this year observes the anniversary of September 11 attacks with a day of ceremonies honoring the dead and reaffirming support for the campaign against terrorism .The 15 nation Security Council has scheduled a special session starting with a minute of silence and proceeding to speeches from U.N Secretary General Kofi Annan and U.S Secretary of State Colin Powell.

American President George Bush expressed his determination to defeat those who attacked his country and hinted at his intention of extending that war into an assault to remove Iraqui President Sadam Housein.

In the meantime , the U.S went onto its second highest state of alert yesterday , responding to intelligence data that suggested new attacks were possible especially in the Middle East and South Asia. The government has promised extraordinary security and surveillance at events commemorating the attacks.

The State Department closed 15 embassies and several consulates around the world either for security reasons or to allow staff to attend memorial ceremonies. Britain and Australia also closed selected embassies in Asia. U.S Attorney General John Ashcroft said U.S intelligence had information from a captured high official of the militant Islamic al Qaeda movement and other sources that U.S enemies were planning new strikes , possibly suicide attacks.

The Qatar-based &#8211;al-Jazeera station last night broadcast what it said was the voice of Osama bin Laden acclaiming the suicide hijackers as men who changed the course of history. It also broadcast footage which showed bin Laden calling on Muslims to fight the U.S and Israel and praying for the release of two jailed Muslim scholars .

In a joint declaration released in Brussels , the leaders of the 15 E.U member states

vow to cooperate with the U.S on the struggle against terrorism voicing in parallel their support for a just international order.

The U.N General Assembly opened its 57th session yesterday with a call by its new President, Jan Kavan of ther Czech Republic &#8211; to press on with the world body s campaign against global terror . However , he expressed hope that American President George Bush would allow the unconditional return of U.N inspectors to Iraq to avoid war.

In the meantime Brazil yesterday said it opposes the use of military force against Iraq unless the U.N Security Council approves it.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou will attend events in memory of the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

In his message , Prime-minister Simitis said that the September 11 attacks have negatively affected international economy and international relations and stressed that democracy and open society should safeguarded.

The President of the N.D party, Kostas Karamanlis said that terrorists acts could not be justified in the name of any ideology, religion or culture while the President of the Coalition of the Left , Nikos Konstantopoulos said that the September 11 terrorist attacks instead of being the cause for a peaceful world have lead to war polarisation with the American President s doctrine &#8211; whoever is not in our side is our enemy-.

(11/9/2002 1:55:00 μμ)

[03] Opening of the new academic school year

In the meantime the crisis in tertiary education appears to be easing , following the agreement between the Education Minsitry and university deans to set up acommittee to study the salary demands of university teaching staff. Ameeting of the Panhellenic federation on UNIVERSITY teachers is scheduled to to meet today to decide on whether to continue their ongoing strike.

(11/9/2002 1:56:00 μμ)

[04] DNA tests on the 16 terrorist suspects

In the emantime, lawyers for the 16 suspects lodged a joint complaint with the Justice Ministry about the cramped detention conditions.

(11/9/2002 1:57:00 μμ)

[05] Special measures for the relief of flood victims

&#8230;&#8230;.

(11/9/2002 1:58:00 μμ)

[06] Three workers died from fumes inhalation at oil refinery

In an announcement , the Panhellenic workers federation charges that specialised jobs at refineries and chemical plants are assigned to contractors who fail to observe elementary safety regulations turning the facilities into- time bombs-.

(11/9/2002 1:59:00 μμ)

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