Athens News Agency: News in English, 04-04-12

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] At least 45 killed in traffic accidents over Easter period

[02] President Stephanopoulos visits island of Samos

[03] PM visits Dekelia air base

[04] PM and Greek EU commissioner discuss latest developments on Cyprus

[05] Deputy FM says Cypriots must decide on Annan plan without coercive

[06] Weather Forecast: Partly cloudy on Tuesday

[07] Arsonists destroy car of Deputy Consul of Cyprus in Thessaloniki

[08] PM visits Dekelia air base

[09] Chios wildfire under full control

[10] DM visits military units in border areas

[01] At least 45 killed in traffic accidents over Easter period

At least 45 people have been killed in traffic accidents in Greece over the Easter holiday period, according to a traffic police announcement on Monday.

Since the start of the mass exodus on Thursday until Monday, 45 people were killed an 462 injured in more than 361 traffic accidents throughout the country.

This year's exodus was greater than last year, given that about 800,000 cars left Athens.

Last year, 34 people were killed and 395 injured in 466 traffic accidents.

[02] President Stephanopoulos visits island of Samos

President Kostis Stephanopoulos visited the outpost of Psili Ammos on the island of Samos on Sunday, which lies only 1,300 metres away from the Turkish coast.

Speaking during his visit to the outpost, President Stephanopoulos referred to the recent tragic accident in which five soldiers were electrocuted while trying to position a flag pole.

''I wish for their families that Easter day will bring for them as much consolation as possible and a greater strength of soul,'' he said.

President Stephanopoulos also referred to his own days in the military and added that serving in the military provides one with the opportunity of acquiring more knowledge.

He visited the gunboat ''Tolmi'' and the Poulman army camp and wished the crew and recruits well on the occasion of Easter.

President Stephanopoulos also visited military units in the northern prefectures of Evros and Xanthi later on in the day.

[03] PM visits Dekelia air base

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis visited squadron 123 at Dekelia air base on Sunday, according to a press release issued by his office.

''The spirit of these days promotes the values of love and collectiveness and the need for national consensus,'' he said in a statement.

Karamanlis also said Greek men and women, united more than ever, are prepared to handle existing challenges with self-confidence, as well as opportunities appearing before them.

''All women and men are working together for Greece of peace, development and creation and for prosperity for all citizens,'' he added.

[04] PM and Greek EU commissioner discuss latest developments on Cyprus issue

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Greece's European Union Commissioner Stavros Dimas discussed the latest developments on the issue of Cyprus at the Maximos Mansion on Friday.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Dimas said the Cypriots must decide with sobriety and with full awareness of circumstances, regarding the April 24 referenda on the Annan plan for Cyprus, and this must be honoured by all.

[05] Deputy FM says Cypriots must decide on Annan plan without coercive dilemmas

Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis, referring to referenda to take place in Cyprus on April 24 on the Annan plan for a solution to the issue of Cyprus, said in an interview with the Sunday newspaper ''Ethnos tis Kyriakis'' that ''it is important that we leave the people of Cyprus to express their judgement without talk of danger and coercive dilemmas.''

Valinakis conceded that a ''no'' vote on the part of the Greek Cypriots will cause a stir, but did not disclose the position the Greek government will be ultimately taking.

He said the Greek government will announce its decision at the suitable time with a feeling of responsibility and after considering all factors.

''It goes without saying that we will support the decision to be taken by the Greek Cypriots because, first of all, it concerns them directly and because it will be the result of mature and tormenting thought,'' Valinakis added.

[06] Weather Forecast: Partly cloudy on Tuesday

Partly cloudy weather is forecast on Tuesday, while scattered showers are mainly expected in the west and north of the country. Winds variable, moderate to strong. Temperatures in Athens from 15C to 24C and in Thessaloniki between 12C and 18C.

[07] Arsonists destroy car of Deputy Consul of Cyprus in Thessaloniki

Arsonists late Sunday night destroyed the car of the Deputy Consul of Cyprus in Thessalonik, northern Greece, Panagiotis Georgiades.

According the firebrigade, an explosion occured shortly before 10 p.m. in front of the block of flats where the diplomat lived, resulting in the destruction of the car which belonged to the Consulate of Cyprus.

The fire was caused by gas canisters which were placed underneath the vehicle.

[08] PM visits Dekelia air base

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis visited squadron 123 at Dekelia air base on Sunday, according to a press release issued by his office.

''The spirit of these days promotes the values of love and collectiveness and the need for national consensus,'' he said in a statement.

Karamanlis also said Greek men and women, united more than ever, are prepared to handle existing challenges with self-confidence, as well as opportunities appearing before them.

"All women and men are working together for Greece of peace, development and creation and for prosperity for all citizens," he added.

[09] Chios wildfire under full control

A wildfire destroying forest land and crops in the region of Leptopodas on the island of Chios since Saturday was reported under full control shortly after 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Firemen, who were assisted in their efforts by two firefighting aircraft and a helicopter, are remaining on standby in the area to prevent the fire from rekindling.

[10] DM visits military units in border areas

Defence Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos visited military units in the border prefectures of Evros and Limnos on Sunday to exchange wishes and gifts with staff on the occasion of Easter, according to an announcement issued by the ministry.

He called at the outpost at Kastanies, as well as at the outpost at Kornofolia where an accident took place recently in which five soldiers were electrocuted while trying to position a flag pole.

By decision of the defence minister, who ordered two days of mourning in the armed forces all over the country for this reason, no artistic events or the use of musical instruments took place during the Easter holiday.

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