The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-06-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Event of Refuge Dump Opening not Ruled Out Seeking a Solution

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET 105.8

At the time when garbage has literally drowned the capital, all eyes are turned to the meeting of all relevant bodies at the Athens Prosecution after an intervention and plea by Head Prosecutor Dimitris Papagelopoulos. The meeting is attended by Mayor of Ano Liosia, Nikos Papadimas, Prefect of West Attica, Aristidis Arkoudaris, President of Local Union of Municipalities and Communities of Attica, Nikos Mastorakos, SYN MP, Thanasis Leventis, Mayor of Aspropirgos and representatives of bodies and West Attica Municipality authorities that decided the closing of the refuge dump. Mr Papagelopoulos has asked for the refuge dump to open, for public health protection reasons, warning that he is ready to start indictments. "The inhabitants of West Attica are not second rate. They have the same rights. Areas were developed against us. There is justified doubt towards any announcement," stated Prefect of West Attica, Aristidis Arkoudaris to NET 105.8, adding "the refuge dump cannot take anymore garbage. We can agree to it being opened up for a certain time. But nothing further." Minister of Tourism, Dimitris Avramopoulos also made reference to the issue of the Ano Liosia refuge dump during his meeting with the Prime Minister. Mr Avramopoulos said that this picture causes damage not only to public health but also to tourism, and noted that all the relevant bodies should rise to the circumstances and give solutions.

Sending the Garbage Away

Already, from Sunday, the crews of the Municipalities have started spraying the large masse of garbage, since fears over public health have been expressed.

Yesterday, during a visit to the kiosk of Public Works in the Piraeus central square on the occasion of World Environment Day, on his part Minister of Public Works, Giorgos Souflias has reassured that the method of creating a landfill for sewage sludge, which will take place in the refuge dump until 2007 when the drying unit in Psitalia is completed, is harmless to the health of the areas inhabitants

In the meantime, specific Municipalities such as Cholargos seem to have found a temporary solution to the problem by transporting refuge out of the capital.

Mayor of Cholargos, Dimitris Nikolaou, speaking to NET 105.8 and the radio show "Akros Radiofoniko kai Aporito," noted, "the citizens health is my priority. I found a solution, and took the garbage 240 km away from Athens and I will do the same today. It is a cooperation issue with the other Mayors and also of the capacity of the refuge dump where garbage is transported. The regional design that has been made is wrong, i.e. in Paris, garbage is transported 480 km away from the city."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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Suffocating from the Rubbish

[02] ICC's Biggest Case Inquiry Starts for Darfur

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA- BBC

The International Criminal Court is launching a formal enquiry over alleged crimes against humanity in Darfur, Sudan. A committee of the United Nations conducted a relative inquiry and has given the names of 51 suspects to the Court. According to the UN, more than 2 million people have fled their homes and more than 180,000 have been killed in the clashes between paramilitary forces, supported by the Khartoum government and rebels, during the biggest humanitarian crisis of the past years. It is noteworthy to say that this is the biggest case of the ICC.

Rapes and Murders

Darfur is the first case that the Security Council is committing to the Court, which is already investigating crimes in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Specifically, the United Nations accuse Sudan of not taking enough measures to disarm Arab paramilitia accused of the rapes and murders of non-Arab inhabitants and the destruction of villages in Darfur the past two years.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

International Criminal Court

[03] No Country is Ready for Public Recognition Referendum Freezes in Great Britain

By Despina Hristopoulou

After the rejection of the Euroconstitution by the French and the Dutch, Great Britain is expected to freeze the referendum procedure. Today, as it all seems, British Foreign Minister, Jack Straw will indefinitely freeze the referendum for the European Constitution. This move is a breath away from the public recognition of the EU Constitutions death by EU Member-States, from fear of being accused as responsible over the action. "I will be surprised if Straw does not directly or indirectly state that Great Britain will not go forth with the referendum procedure. My prediction is that he will state, although not in the same words, that he and the British government consider the EU Constitution dead," states Anthony King, a Professor of Politics in the University of Essex.

Great Britain Waits for Summit Meeting

Today, Mr Straw is expected to speak in the House of Commons, at 17:15 Greek time.

Last year, when the government had announced the plan for the referendum it was clear that is would take place in the beginning of 2006.

Officially, Great Britain, which will take on the EU Presidency in July for the next semester, insists that everyone should wait for the Summit Meeting, which will take place on June 16, presided by Luxembourg.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Satisfaction in PASOK

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET- ANA

The party has expressed its satisfaction over the participation of members and friends of PASOK, in Sundays elections for the emergence of new bodies of the party in a local and regional context. According to data presented by Secretary of the National Council, Mariliza Ksenogiannakopoulou the renewal of the members in the organizational sector of PASOK reached 75%, while the participation of women 40%. The participation was great and thus the closing time was extended in many cities, initially until 19:00 and following at 21:00, (the polling stations closed at 18:00).

Women's Participation at 40%

The exact number of members and friends of the party that participated in the elections is expected to be announced today. Mrs Ksenogiannakopoulou stated that according to data in her disposal, the participation exceeded 200,000 members and friends.

From the elections 8,500 officials in a local and municipal context will emerge. From these officials, 3,600 will be women, which is an unprecedented number for the party facts of PASOK and in general.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Internal Elections in PASOK

[05] Until June 17 Registration for WSBO Holidays Starts

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET 105.8

The registration for the summer vacation program of the Workers Social Benefits Organization (WSBO) will begin today and will last until June 17. The ones that are entitled to participation are individuals who did not receive social tourism coupons last year and individuals who this year have not part in the programs of the Workers Social Benefits Organization (WSBO).

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] At Least 25 Dead Bloody Morning in Nepal

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: Reuters

Military authorities express fears that at least 25 people were killed in south Nepal, when, according to an Army official, armed men, suspected to be Maoist rebels, ambushed a bus in the town of Madi, early in the morning. The village is located in the province of Chitwan, around 150 km south of the capital Kathmandu and is considered a stronghold of the rebels fighting for the overthrow of monarchy.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] South Lebanon Votes Pro-Syrian Hizbollah Wins Elections

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

According to unofficial data, the pro-Syrian coalition of Hizbollah and Amal has won all 23 seats of the south Lebanon region, during the second round of the elections. As analysts state, the crushing win of the Hizbollah will reinforce the decisiveness of the organization to not surrender arms, besides international pressure for its disarmament. Last week, the son of murdered former PM, Rafik Hariri, achieved a crushing win in Beirut. In the meantime, on Sunday, President of Lebanon, Emil Lahoud rejected the demand of the Opposition for his resignation that was placed after the recent murder of journalist Samir Kasir, a criticizer of the Syrian regime.

"The Fight Continues"

Head of Amal and President of Parliament, Nabi Berri, stated that the coalition like a "steam roller" crushed everyone and received all of the seats.

Thousands of Hizbollah supporters, waving yellow flags of the organization and green for Amal, flooded the streets in their vehicles in order to celebrate the great success of the election.

Analysts in Lebanon evaluate that many Shiites voted for Hizbollah, which the U.S. file under terrorist organizations, sending the message that it should not surrender its arms but to continue the fight against Israel. "The aim is to defend Lebanon not the weapons of resistance, but in order to support Lebanon we have to defend the armed fight," stated Sheikh Naim Kasem, a leader of the Hizbollah. "Today the south has sent this message and the international community has to listen to it," he added.

The leader of the Amal party and President of the Parliament is reinforced by this win as he is seeking another term in office.

Berri, an ally of Damascus, is considered to be one of the pylons of the pro-Syrian system after the civil war.

According to an official announcement turn out in south Lebanon reached 45%. This is the first time that elections take place after the withdrawal of Syrian troops.

The elections are taking place per province every weekend and will be completed on June 19.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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