The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-09-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Premiere for 70th TIF

By Tina Valaoura

The government, political parties and unions are up in arms, waiting for the 70th International Fair to open in Thessaloniki tonight. Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis will make the start with a speech as part of the inauguration ceremony at 20:00 in the "Ioannis Vellidis" Conventional Centre. His speech is expected to focus on the reforms for the purification of Economy and the Public Sector. On Saturday, Mr Karamanlis will visit the Fairs stands and preside in a meeting of the citys bodies, while in the evening he will present the Governments economic policy for 2006. On Sunday noon the PM will give the standard Press conference to reporters. At the same time, unions set their own date at the heart of Thessaloniki. Employees in Security Forces will start collective actions tonight with a rally outside the White Tower heading for the "Ioannis Vellidis" Conventional Centre, before giving their place to GSEE and ADEDY on Saturday.

PASOK Speaks of "Black Bible of Unreliability"

In the meantime, PASOK is up in arms. It is planning to attack in the afternoon, just a few hours before the opening ceremony and the PM's speech, presenting ND's "Black Bible of Unreliability." PASOK Press Spokesperson Nikos Athanasakis will make the relevant announcement, which will also include ND's pre-electoral promises that never came true.

Yesterday, George Papandreou completed the cycle of contacts with his social partners in view of the TIF and met with the boards of the FGI, GSEVEE, merchants and KEDKE.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Excellent Relations

Unions Start Collective Actions

All Eyes on Thessaloniki

Papandreou's Meetings In View of TIF

[02] Between Greece and Russia Excellent Relations

By Anna Kourti

The economic partnership between Greece and Russia, the Cypriot issue and the Balkans were at the focus of the meeting between Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday night. The two men reconfirmed the excellent relations between the two countries, while in their statements they voiced their joint direction in a series of bilateral and global issues. "We share the same principles of peace and stability in the area," said the Prime Minister, while the Russian President called on Mr Karamanlis to "synchronise initiatives on the Cypriot issue," after his contacts with the Turkish PM, in Moscow. Furthermore, he stated his support for the resolution of the Cypriot issue in a UN context, noting that a solution will benefit the Cypriot people. Moreover, Mr Putin voiced the acknowledgement of his country to Greece for the constructive stance on the relations between Russia and the EU. On his part, Mr Karamanlis stated "Greece values Russias stable and unconditional support to the efforts for a full and fair solution of the problem."

Putin: "Greek Russian Views Coincide"

The PM noted the common Orthodox belief and stated that with President Putin "like today, and before a few months ago in Moscow, we will have the chance to exchange views and I am certain we will reconfirm our excellent relations." Moreover, Mr Karamanlis referred to the economic partnership between the two countries, adding, "in the context of economy and the wider political partnership we support the need for the reinforcement of EU-Russian relations which will benefit both sides." He also underlined that issues of the west Balkans and the wider region will be on the agenda, as many coinciding views are apparent.

On the other hand, the Russian President prioritised economic issues and especially in the areas of energy and high technology, not only in a bilateral level but a multilateral one. However, he stated, "Greek and Russian views on many global issues coincide as well as on Balkan issues." He described Greece as a serious ally of Russia and thanked it for its stable support in the development of its relations with the EU.

Mr Putin underlined "if the works and plans are materialised then the natural gas duct can be transferred to other countries," while he spoke on the cooperation in the electrical energy department, noting that an electrical ring can be created and advanced in other countries. In closing, the Russian President referred to the advancement of the oil duct Burgas-Alexandroupolis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived at 22:15 in Porto Karas, Chalkidiki, where PM Kostas Karamanlis welcomed him. Mr Putin will arrive at Mount Athos in order to visit the Russian Monastery of Agios Panteleimonas on Friday. Mr Karamanlis described Mount Athos as the watchtower of Orthodox faith.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

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[03] The Pain of Being Off Key

By Vagelis Theodorou

During his vacation, a 40-year-old British man obsessed with music attacked two Bulgarians as they were off key in a karaoke stint! The night was just beginning for the Bulgarians and the British man in the karaoke restaurant "Techhouse" at a tourist resort of the Black Sea. The two Bulgarians, 28 and 31-years-old, wanted to try their talent in singing and started to utter the first lyrics of Queens "We Are the Champions." But by that time, Kevin Tester had enough. He got up from his table and attacked the two wannabe singers kicking and punching them. The Police rushed to the restaurant and Tester explained that the bad performance of the song and the bad English of the two talented young singers made him see red. On their part, the two Bulgarians filed a claim for compensation, while the 40-year-old ended spending the night in jail.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] New Orleans Sealed Off Nightmare Under Water

By Vagelis Theodorou

New Orleans authorities are preparing themselves for the worst, two weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit the southern city. Even though the official death toll speaks of 334 victims and taking into consideration there are no accurate figures, there are fears that thousands of dead bodies lie under the waters, which are contaminated with bacteria and toxic waste, and the death toll will probably exceed 10,000. At the same time, roadblocks have been set at the city exits and nobody can enter without a special permit, while the mandatory evacuation process has already started, as diseases are affecting those who refuse to leave their homes. In fact, deputy sheriff in Saint Bernard, Anthony Fernandez, said some inhabitants have blisters and their skin colour is changing. In the meantime, hurricane Katrina continues to sweep through George Bushs popularity. 67% of Americans criticised his handlings for dealing with this disaster, politicians continue to launch attacks and protestors in Washington have asked for his resignation. However, George Bush proceeded with a televised message, while the Senate approved the 51.8 billion-dollar fund he had asked on Thursday to help New Orleans.

Criticism Continues

And while army and police officers remove those remaining in New Orleans by force, as the danger of epidemics from the contaminated waters is fast growing, the American president continues to be in the eye of the hurricane.

According to an opinion poll conducted by the Pew Institute, two out of three Americans feel that George Bush did not do all he could, while 67% supports he could do more. It is remarkable that views between white and coloured people are divided: 71% of African Americans think that the disaster showed racial discrimination remain the number one problem of their country and 66% feel the government would have acted more immediately if the majority of victims were white.

What is more, Bush's popularity has take a downfall and has dropped to 40% from 44% in July and 50% in January, while 52% of Americans do not approve of his handlings, as opposed to 48% in July and 43% in January.

In fact, for the first time after the Twin Towers hit, 56% of Americans believe the President should be more interested in the interior policy, rather than the war against terrorism.

On Thursday, some 150 people protested in front of the White House, accusing Mr Bush he did not all that was possible for the victims and asked for his resignation.

"There have been many failures in many levels," said Collin Powell on CNN, criticising Bush's handlings.

Additional Help

In the meantime, the Senate approved additional financial aid for the hurricane-affected people, a fund rising to 51.8 billion dollars, thus adopting George Bush's relevant proposal. The decision was made unanimously, a while after it was voted by the House of Representatives. This is the second fund after hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans (the first was 10.5 billion dollars)

In a televised message, G. Bush stressed his government will remain by the victims' side and asked for the dead to be treated with respect and dignity, while he declared September 16 into a national day of prayer for the hurricane's victims. Earlier, speaking at the White House, the American President announced that every affected family will receive a 2,000-dollar benefit.

However, these expenditures cause problems to the US government's effort to reduce deficits in the federal budget, which has increased because of the cost of the war in Iraq, while the people do not cease to launch accusations.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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[05] Support to Employees Papariga Visited Sex Form

By Vagelis Theodorou

KKE Secretary General Aleka Papariga met on Friday morning with the women working at the Sex Form industry in Ilion, who have proceeded with labour retention, demanding to be fully paid for their work. Mrs Papariga voiced her support to the employees and stressed that governments only care for the profit and arrogant behaviour of employers," wondering the way in which workers' right will be ensured. At the same time, she also accused ND and the way they support the capitalistic system and do not provide for new job openings, while stressing the need for high unemployment benefit, free social services and education "so that people can live according to their needs and rights."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] Victims Are Illegal Immigrants Multi-Fatality Accident in Volvi

By Vagelis Theodorou

On Friday morning a car accident occurred at 07:15 at the 19th km of Redina-Lagadas Highway, between the communities of Megali Volvi and Nymphopetra. A mini-van carrying 24 illegal immigrants swerved and overturned after crashing into another vehicle driven by Turkish immigrants, when the truck driver tried to overtake four cars. Four illegal immigrants lost their lives and another two were injured and were taken to Thessaloniki by EKAV ambulances. As per the first findings, the car accident is due to excessive speed, while sources state that the driver picked up the immigrants from a border area in Evros Prefecture, and following was to transport them to Thessaloniki. The two slavers, driver and the passenger escaped while later on were arrested and taken to the Prosecutor.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Nursing Staff on Strike

By Tina Valaoura

Today, nursing staff around the country is holding a 24-hour nation-wide strike demanding for more medics in hospitals and their profession to be included in the heavy and health hazardous occupations, as well as to be integrated in the single university education. As the members of the National Federation of Nursing Staff (PASONOP) stressed yesterday in a Press Conference in Thessaloniki, the proper operation of hospitals requires three times the number of medics now working and this lack of personnel is responsible for providing bad-quality services to patients. As part of its collective actions, PASONOP will hold a demonstration on Friday at 11:00 at Aristotelous Square in Thessaloniki and will then rally towards the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[08] Bombs in Fast-Food Restaurants in Karachi

By Tina Valaoura

Two homemade explosive devices went off in two American fast-food restaurants in Karachi resulting in the injury of a four-member Pakistani family. The first blast was reported in a KFC restaurant in Difens shortly after midnight (local time) and the second one a few minutes later at a McDonalds restaurant, only two kilometres away from the first. Police Chief Tariq Jamil described the bombs as "homemade, low intensity devices."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] "Christening" in Thessaloniki

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

The State Museum of Modern Art will be renamed to State Museum of Contemporary and Modern Art, while the Cosmopolis Exhibition is turned into Modern Biennale which will belong to the main care of the Museum and will be exhibited in partnership with the Macedonian Museum of Modern Art every two years. The above was stated by Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis whilst inaugurating the exhibit "Light and Colour in Russian Avant Garde Art."

The Cosmopolis Exhibition will be directed to all Balkan countries and wider southeastern Europe and will be based in Thessaloniki. The next event is programmed in 2007 with artists from 10 Black Sea countries, areas that have close ties with Hellenism.

On the renaming of the Museum, Mr Tatoulis spoke of a choice that has been made in many corresponding museums in Europe and the US.

In relation to the exhibit "Light and Colour in Russian Avant Garde Art" which is returning to its home base, Thessaloniki, after visiting Berlin and Vienna, he underlined its special value and the importance of it being owned by the State Museum of Contemporary and Modern Art, its main exhibit being "the Costakis Collection which managed to exit the geographical borders of Greece and respond to the vision of the Ministry of Culture and an outward looking heritage."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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