The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 03-03-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

(26/3/2003 10:32:00 рм)

[02] The Iraqi TV bombed

At the same time, buildings and television stations in central Baghdad have been targeted in dawn raids by American and British forces.

At least 40 explosions were reported south of the city where Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard is reported to be dug in.

Meanwhile, sand storms have prevented the American and British forces that are 90 kilometres out of Baghdad to approach it, while the American tanks that passed Euphrates river yesterday and by - passed Nasariya met with Iraqi resistance.

Air raids were also launched yesterday against the towns of Mosul, Kirkuk and Tikrit in Northern Iraq, where the Americans announced that they had bombed an Al Qaeda base.

On a relative development, it has been reported that American B-52s took off the British base of Fairford and are heading to Iraq.

Yesterday's bombings in Baghdad resulted in the death of 16 civilians and the injury of 95, the Iraqi Information Minister stated, while the American media estimated that during the clashes in Najaf and Karbala 300 to 500 soldiers had been killed.

At the same time, the Americans have announced that 170 Iraqi soldiers, who were using the hospital of Nasiriya as an operations centre, were arrested.

However, the Iraqi forces are resisting well against an uprise in Basra, a development announced by the British side and rejected by Iraq and the TV network Al Jazeera.

The British announced yesterday that two British soldiers from the Queen's Royal Lancers were killed and two seriously injured when their Challenger tank was hit in a "friendly fire" incident during fighting early on Tuesday on the outskirts of Basra.

Meanwhile, the British command announced that Um Quasr was taken, while humanitarian aid will begin allocated as of tomorrow. Washington announced that an American company will undertake the management of the port.

In northern Iraq, an American jet fighter hit by mistake a battery of Patriot missiles, while two American helicopters are reported missing.

According to the Iraqis, 8 Americans and British soldiers were killed during the last 24 hours, while three helicopters and more than 30 military vehicles were destroyed. From its side, the Pentagon announced that 3,500 Iraqi soldiers had been arrested.

On a relative development, the American President George W. Bush stated that he did not know how long the war would last, while difficulties should be expected in the coming days, statements that were shared by the American Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller during an interview with NET yesterday.

Also, an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council will be held today under the initiative of the Arab League and the Movement of Independent countries and China's approval.

(26/3/2003 10:37:00 рм)

[03] Simitis to visit Brussels

From his side, Foreign Minister George Papandreou will brief the Foreign and Defence Committee in the afternoon.

Finally, a summit meeting among France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg will take place in Brussels on April 29 that will focus on the boosting of European defence.

(26/3/2003 10:37:00 рм)

[04] Soto to brief UN permanent members on Cyprus negotiations

(26/3/2003 10:39:00 рм)

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