The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-01-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] NASA unable to communicate with Mars rover

NASA scientists said today they had lost contact with the robot rover Spirit on Mars and were unsure what had caused the problem. Spirit project manager Pete Theisinger told a news briefing that there was a "very serious anomaly" in communications with the six-wheeled craft, which landed on Mars on Jan. 3 on a planned three-month mission to explore the geologic history of the planet.

[02] Guerilla attack in Iraq, 3 dead

Guerrillas attacked an Iraqi police post with assault rifles and a grenade today, killing two policemen and a civilian, hours after a mortar attack on a U.S. base killed two soldiers and wounded one.

[03] IKA doctors continue strike Friday

State Insurance Fund IKA doctors are striking tomorrow for a third day. Only emergency cases will be treated at IKA clinics until tomorrow. The doctors are demanding higher pay and better employment conditions.

[04] D. Avramopoulos return to New Democracy

The return of Dimitris Avramopoulos to the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy was announced in a joint statement issued by party President Kostas Karamanlis and former Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos after a meeting held today at the partys central offices.

The ND leader underlined that Mr. Avramopoulos contribution to the common effort is very significant and observed that the decision by Avramopoulos to participate in the election battle given by New Democracy at this turning point is a responsible decision. The former mayor expressed the view that the countrys future depends on the March 7th election outcome.

[05] Greek-Lebanese cooperation

The certainty that his visit to Lebanon will contribute decisively in strengthening Greek-Lebanese relations particularly in the economy and investment sectors was expressed by the president of the Hellenic Republic, Kostis Stefanopoulos who is conducting a three-day visit to the country.

Speaking at a forum, deputy foreign minister Andreas Loverdos underlined that Lebanon comprises a gateway to the Arabic world and added that the two countries may successful achieve a greater access to the markets of the EU, the Balkans, southeastern Europe and the Middle East.

Mr. Stefanopoulos also met today with many representatives of the Greek community in Lebanon.

[06] Mobility for Cyprus-Annan says progress may be achieved

Rival sides on ethnically divided Cyprus have issued signals they could be ready to resume talks to end a deadlock over the decades-old conflict, according to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. For the first time in months, Annan left open a glimmer of hope for progress in a interview to be published Friday in Germanys Zeitung newspaper.

Meanwhile, in an interview to the Associated Press Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey would work until the «last second» to meet a May 1 deadline for reuniting Cyprus. Erdogan meets with U.S. President George W. Bush next week and plans to bring up the Cyprus issue. Turkeys National Security Council, which includes the nations top politicians and generals meets tommorrow to finalize Turkeys position on Cyprus.

Erdogan will consult with occupational leader Raouf Denktash Sunday, hours before his flight to the United States. On Saturday, Erdogan meets with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.

[07] Papandreou meeting with British counterpart Jack Straw

Mr. Papandreou also met today with his British counterpart, Jack Straw who committed that his country would seek for the reunification of Cyprus prior to May 1st. Mr. Straw added that his country supports Turkeys EU accession bid and Ankaras efforts to secure a start date for EU negotiations by years end.

[08] G. Papandreou in London

The Parthenon Marbles the Cyprus issue and Greeces domestic developments were the main issues of discussion during the meeting Pasok party presidential candidate and Foreign Minister George Papandreou had today in London with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Mr. Papandreou presented Greeces position on the return of the marbles to the British Prime Minister and announced that a meeting between Greek Minister of Culture Evangelos Venizelos and his British counterpart will take place on the same issue.

On the Cyprus issue, the Foreign Minister appreciated that the UK has shown a very great interest in the matter, especially after the elections on the occupied side of the island, while underlined out that a new momentum has been created, one that must be utilized.

Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Blair also discussed political developments in Greece. Later the Greek Foreign Minister met with his British counterpart Jack Straw, and in the afternoon he will depart for Germany, where he will meet with his German counterpart Joska Fischer.

[09] Weather Forecast

Clouds and snow are forecast throughout the country, primarily in the east and south. Winds northerly, northwesterly strong to very strong. Temperatures in Athens will range between -1C to 3C and in Thessaloniki from -4C to 1C.

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