The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-11-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] On Kosovo's Future Greek FM at Maximou

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET

Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis met on Friday morning with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis at Maximos Mansion to discuss the FMs visit to Belgrade in early December. Mr Molyviatis will visit the Serbian capital city accompanied by his Romanian and Croatian counterparts. The aim of the visit is to highlight the interest of the neighbouring Balkan countries in the crucial issue of Kosovos final status and to underline the need for constant deliberations and cooperation. It is noted that no deadline has been set for a solution to be reached. Fridays meeting also focused on Mr Karamanlis imminent visit to Barcelona, where he is to attend the Euro-Mediterranean Conference.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Whatever Suits Us

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Justice may be blind, but the saying does not seem to apply to all judges. Some Bulgarian judges were so impressed by a stolen luxurious car confiscated by police. So, under the law provisioning that confiscated cars become state property, they decided to use the 45,000 euros BMW as their new company car. To their misfortune, however, the cars original owner, a German national residing in Oldenburg, has been located and wants it back.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Thursday's Contacts of Transport Minister New Greek Air Carrier Ahead

By Vicky Keleri, Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET

The legislative amendment on the new air carrier that will be carved out of Olympic Airlines is to be submitted to Parliament on Friday. The new air carrier is expected to start its operation as of coming April. Following his meeting with Civil Aviation Trade Union Federation (OSPA), Greek Transport Minister Michael Liapis described the OA issue as "a difficult equation," and reiterated his commitment to safeguard the OA personnels rights. At the same time, he voiced his optimism that the new company is going to be rather viable and profitable. Mr Liapis also met on Thursday with a PASOK delegation. PASOK parliamentarian Evangelos Venizelos welcomed the participation of private investors in the new company and requested the new scheme be transparent and operational. OSPA president, on the other hand, expressed his concern over the personnels future.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Dialogue on the New OA

[04] Weather Conditions Worsen as of Saturday Temporary Weather Recession in Athens

By Vivian Papastefanou

The torrential rainfall that hit the Attica basin on Thursday caused serious problems. Nearly 245 basements were flooded, while traffic jams paralysed Athens. The area of Glyfada experienced the most serious problems, whilst flights and shipping routes towards the Aegean islands and Crete were disrupted. Late on Thursday night, the sailing ban from the ports of Piraeus and Rafina was lifted. Temporary weather recession is expected for Friday. However, a sharp temperature fall is forecast for Saturday.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Traffic Problems

[05] Sri Lankan PM Wins Elections

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters

Sri Lankan Prime Minster Mahinda Rajapakse won the presidential elections held on Thursday. The PM, who is in favour of a harsher stance on Tamil rebels, received 50.3% of the voters, while his moderate challenger Ranil Wickremesinghe, who favours privatisations, polled 48.4% of the vote. In his address, Rajapakse promised to bring about peace and respect all communities. The turnout during the elections amounted to 75%, while 13 candidates ran for president. However, the main opposition party requested the elections be held anew in the northern and eastern regions of the country, due to a Tamil rebel boycott that prevented voters expected to back opposition leader from turning up. In the meantime, two people were killed and some 30 were wounded when two grenades were thrown into a mosque in the city of Akkaraipattu. Army officials blamed the attack on Tamil rebels.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Hardliner wins Sri Lanka election

TamilNet: Rajapakse wins Sri Lankan Presidency

[06] Asian-Pacific RIM Commenced APEC Focuses on Farm Imports

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA, BBC

Amid clashes between policemen and protestors, the Summit of the 21 APEC leaders commenced in the city of Busan, South Korea. The two-day Summit is also attended by US President George W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Hu Jintao. The 21 APEC Member-States, which amount to the 45% of the world population and represent the 57% of the world economy, hope to reach a compromising solution to the issue of farm imports lest the World Trade Organisation Summit scheduled for next month should fall through. The 21 leaders have already pled the European Union to be flexible on the issue of farm imports so that the negotiations can move on. The South Korean Foreign Minister argued that it is the European Union that has to adopt a more active and flexible stance at the WTO Summit in Hong Kong.

Avian Flu on the Agenda

APEC leaders are also expected to agree on a joint action plan against avian flu.

Australian Premier John Howard claimed that he plans to announce a pivotal initiative regarding the avian flu.

On the sidelines of day one of the Summit, the US President met with his Russian counterpart and discussed the nuclear programmes of Iran and North Korea, US sources reported. At the same time, China announced that it brokered a free trade agreement with Chile, the first one with a Latin American country.

Summit Amid Demonstrations

In the meantime, on day one of the Summit, demonstrators tried to reach the conference centre and clashed with South Koreas police forces. The policemen made use of water cannons to disperse the demonstrators, who kept throwing stones and bottles in their effort to cross the security bar.

To guarantee the security of the 21 leaders, South Korean police has deployed 46,000 policemen, since up to 100,000 demonstrators are believed to gather.

The 21 APEC Member-States are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the USA and Vietnam.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Trade issues top Pacific summit

CNN: APEC leaders gather amid protests

Reuters: APEC leaders tackle trade, bird flu

Related Links:

APEC

[07] Addressing Havana University Castro Plays Down Rumours

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA, BBC

Cuban leader Fidel Castro played down CIAs report that he is suffering from Parkinsons disease. "They say that Castro is suffering from this or that disease. The last thing they concocted is that I have Parkinsons disease," claimed Castro, 79, while delivering a five-year speech to the students at Havana University. Castro, who had repeatedly survived assassinations attempts mounted by CIA agents, said that since the Americans failed to kill him, they now expect him to die of natural causes. "They have killed me so many times. The day that I really die, no one is going to believe me," joked the Cuban President and went on to add that those believing that Cubas fight will cease the moment he dies will be proved wrong. "I do not care if I get Parkinsons. The Pope had it and spent years travelling throughout the world," he added and assured everyone that he has recovered after the fracture he had had in his right arm in October 2004. "I work more than before. I feel better than ever," underlined the Cuban leader who appeared robust and in a very good mood. In fact, although he did not dismiss the rumours spread by the CIA, his five-hour speech got across his message. Hi close associates also pointed out that the stamina of their leader has left them stunned. Nevertheless, CIA argued that Castro is suffering from Parkinsons disease and he will have difficulties in performing his duties.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Castro mocks Parkinson's report

CNN: Defying CIA diagnosis, Castro seems fit

Related News:

CIA: Castro Has Parkinson's

[08] Six Dead and 40 Injured Double Bomb Attack in Iraq

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ANA

Two suicide car bombs detonated on Friday morning in central Baghdad near the al-Hamra hotel. Four people were killed, including two children, and further 40 were injured. The Iraqi Ministry for the Interior fears that the death toll is to rise, since nearby building were seriously damaged and a two-storey house collapsed. A police spokesman mentioned that people were located in the ruins and that the rescue teams have already been on the site.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] US Democrat Suggests Pullout

By Vivian Papastefanou

US Democratic congressman John Murtha submitted a proposal to the Congress calling for the immediate US pullout from Iraq. Mr Murtha noted that there is no reason for foreign troops to remain in Iraq following the imminent parliamentary elections. John Murtha, who is a Vietnam war veteran and member of the committee on defence spending and had voted for the invasion in Iraq to oust Saddam Hussein, argued that the US troops "have done all they can in Iraq," and should be immediately withdrawn after the Iraqi elections scheduled for December. He also voiced his belief that such an enterprise may last about six months, while he claimed that the policy followed by the Bush administration proved flawed and wrapped in illusion. His proposal was submitted after a string of harsh statements from Bush and Vice President Cheney on critics of the White Houses policy on Iraq. The Republican congressmen strongly reacted to Murthas proposal, while spokesman for the White House Scott McClellan described that stance of the Democratic congressman as diverting the peoples attention.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] January's Pensions Granted Earlier

By Betty Savourdou

Greek Deputy Economy Minister Petros Doukas decided that the payment of state pensions for January 2006 will commence as of December 21, three days earlier than usual. The competent circular has already been sent to the authorities so that they see to that in good time. In addition, the deadline for the settling of the debts to the Small Businesses and Trades Insurance Fund (TEVE) is to be extended by the end of the month.

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Asian-Pacific RIM Commenced APEC Focuses on Farm Imports

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA, BBC

Amid clashes between policemen and protestors, the Summit of the 21 APEC leaders commenced in the city of Busan, South Korea. The two-day Summit is also attended by US President George W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Hu Jintao. The 21 APEC Member-States, which amount to the 45% of the world population and represent the 57% of the world economy, hope to reach a compromising solution to the issue of farm imports lest the World Trade Organisation Summit scheduled for next month should fall through. The 21 leaders have already pled the European Union to be flexible on the issue of farm imports so that the negotiations can move on. The South Korean Foreign Minister argued that it is the European Union that has to adopt a more active and flexible stance at the WTO Summit in Hong Kong.

Avian Flu on the Agenda

APEC leaders are also expected to agree on a joint action plan against avian flu.

Australian Premier John Howard claimed that he plans to announce a pivotal initiative regarding the avian flu.

On the sidelines of day one of the Summit, the US President met with his Russian counterpart and discussed the nuclear programmes of Iran and North Korea, US sources reported. At the same time, China announced that it brokered a free trade agreement with Chile, the first one with a Latin American country.

Summit Amid Demonstrations

In the meantime, on day one of the Summit, demonstrators tried to reach the conference centre and clashed with South Koreas police forces. The policemen made use of water cannons to disperse the demonstrators, who kept throwing stones and bottles in their effort to cross the security bar.

To guarantee the security of the 21 leaders, South Korean police has deployed 46,000 policemen, since up to 100,000 demonstrators are believed to gather.

The 21 APEC Member-States are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the USA and Vietnam.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

APEC

[12] Olympiacos Lost to Efes Pilsen

By Stathis Petropoulos

After an amazing match that came down to extra time, Olympiacos were defeated by their own mistakes and lost 78-75 to Efes Pilsen in the packed SEF stadium (12,000 fans) on match day three of the Euroleague. The regular period ended in a 71-71 draw, but in the added time Olympiacos could not endure the pressure and made crucial mistakes, thus giving victory to the Turks. In other words, Efes has not lost a single match in this seasons Euroleague, while Olympiacos suffered their second blow. The score per period: 19-22, 32-31, 52-51, 71-71 (regular time), 75-78 (added time).

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[13] AEK Defeated Zalgiris Kaunas

By Stathis Petropoulos

Great victory for AEK today, as they crushed Zalgiris Kaunas 80-65 in Galatsi on match day three of the Euroleague. Lefteris Kakiousis basketball team did not get off to a good start, but compensated their fans from the second period onwards. Taking the lead and increasing the difference in any chance they got, they reached the final score of 80-65, thus forcing Zalgiris in their first defeat in this seasons Euroleague. The score per period: 19-23, 38-36, 60-52, 80-65.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[14] No Damages or Casualties Reported Strong Quake Hit Chile

By Vicky Keleri

A strong earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale spread panic in Bolivia and northern Chile on Thursday night. Despite its magnitude, there were no reports of damages or casualties, but only of power cuts in some areas. The director of the University of Chile Seismology Institute pointed out that the earthquake was fortunately deep and therefore he did not expect reports of significant damages or casualties. As per the Institute, the epicentre was 40km west of the holiday resort of San Pedro de Atacama. However, the residents of the quake-hit areas panicked. "It was really long with a lot of noise and lasted long. Panic prevailed and lights went out," said Jorge Peralta, a government official in Tocopilla, 1.5km off Bolivia.

Translated by Areti Christou

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