Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-03-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] State Dept. on FYROM 'name issue'

[02] Train derails, 28 injured

[01] State Dept. on FYROM 'name issue'

"I can tell you that Secretary (of State Condoleezza) Rice and all of us in the administration have been very consistent in our message to both the government of Greece and the government of 'Macedonia'," the spokesman said, using, in fact, FYROM's contentious constitutional name, which lies at the heart of the problem.

"We believe that the way forward is for them to work with (UN mediator) Mr. (Matthew) Nimetz and his good offices and the UN to resolve the name issue. That is still our policy. That's what we want to see happen."

The Bush administration abruptly recognised FYROM as "Republic of Macedonia" days after George W. Bush was re-elected in November 2004, a move that infuriated Athens and the Greek public opinion.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of UN meditator Matthew Nimetz.

[02] Train derails, 28 injured

The train, which had departed Athens and was due to reach the far northeast city of Alexandroupolis via Thessaloniki, left the tracks under as yet undetermined circumstances.

According to reports, power cuts were recorded in the area where the accident occurred, amid ongoing strikes by unions representing power utility employees -- although initial reports point to human error.

The single track was cleared in roughly two hours.

Eleven people remained hospitalised in Larissa.

Both engineers aboard the train were due to appear before a local prosecutor.

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