The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Massive Turnout in the Strike

14 Feb 2008 08:53:00 (Last updated: 14 Feb 2008 11:02:36)

Fridays off-the-agenda Parliament debate on the pension system is much anticipated, as the Prime Minister is expected to lay his cards on the table with regard to the range of the changes. On Thursday, Kostas Karamanlis is due to meet with Employment Minister Fani Palli-Petralia at 1000 hours. In the meantime, turnout at the 24-hour strike staged by GSEE and ADEDY against the governments planned reforms proved massive. Two different demonstrations were held in Athens. "Retirement age limits, pensions and contributions will not be affected," reiterated the Government, while GSEE is planning a new 24-hour strike, probably in early March. Aleka Papariga, head of the Greek Communist Party, will be unveiling her partys proposals on unhealthy and hazardous occupations at a press conference at 1200 hours. Furthermore, Employment Minister Fani Palli-Petralia, Governor of the Bank of Greece Nikos Garganas, Socialist MP Maria Damanaki and ADEDY Chairman Spyros Papaspyrow will address an Economist congress scheduled to take place in central Athens on Thursday morning.

[02] On the Zahopoulos Scandal

14 Feb 2008 09:07:00 (Last updated: 14 Feb 2008 09:44:20)

Sources: ��� 105.8

Allegedly accused of attempted extortion, violation of the personal data Act and participating in Zahopoulos attempted suicide, lawyer Christos Nikolitsopoulos is to appear Thursday before the magistrate. In the meantime, lawyer Makis Tzifras announced he would no longer represent Nikolitsopoulos. In a letter sent to the media, Tzifras explained he cannot defend his client because he is unable to defend himself, and wished him speedy recovery. Furthermore, Evi Tsekou, the only person to have been remanded in custody, is to give an additional deposition on coming Monday.

Related News:

Charges Against Nikoloutsopoulos-Tzekou

[03] Meeting with Condoleezza Rice

14 Feb 2008 09:01:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA-��� 105.8

The talks Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis is to have with her US counterpart Condoleezza Rice early on Thursday noon in Washington are termed as highly important. Prior to her meeting with the US Secretary of State, Bakoyannis will meet with Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicolas Burns and Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte. The Greek Foreign Minister will also hold talks with the congressmen, who offer their backing to Greek affairs, and will probably attend an event to commemorate deceased Tom Lantos Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Following her contacts at the State Department, Dora Bakoyannis will meet with other US officials. Bakoyannis goal is to elaborate on Greeces stance on FYROMs NATO bid. Regional affairs, including the Kosovo row, will also run high on the agenda. At the end of the month, a new round of talks on the name dispute is due between the two sides before Matthew Nimetz.

On Friday, Bakoyannis will meet Carl Levin, Chairman of the Armed Services Committee. She will wind up her three-day stay in the US capital with a visit to the White House, where she will meet with President Bushs National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley.

Related News:

Bakoyannis-Rice Meeting

[04] Throughout Greece

14 Feb 2008 09:46:00

By Anna Kourti

The weather is to turn nasty as of Friday night, snowfalls, gale-force winds and biting temperatures are forecast to sweep across Greece. In several northern Greek cities, the mercury is expected to plunge even below -10 degrees Celsius. Chilly cold temperatures and frost have already caused problems in several regions of the country. Those travelling on the northern regional road network are advised to use snowchains. In the Attica basin, vehicles travelling towards the Penteli Military Hospital and Parnitha should not be without snowchains. Traffic towards the ski resorts of central and western Macedonia runs unhindered.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Shows to Suit All Tastes

14 Feb 2008 09:13:00

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8

The satellite programme of the Greek national broadcaster unveiled by ERT President and Managing Director Christos Panagopoulos, Television General Director Dimitris Gontikas, International Television Shows Director Nikos Kourtis and Presidents Advisor Mimis Papanagiotou, stands for a communication bridge for Greeks no matter where they live. More than three million Greeks living abroad are estimated to watch ERTs satellite programme. "In a two years time, ERT satellite programme has been upgraded in terms of quality, after the expatriate Greeks remarks and needs were taken into consideration," stressed the ERT President. Also referring to the renaming of the channel from ERTsat to ERT world, Panagopoulos said that its key goal is to produce shows meant to live up to the problems expatriate Greeks face and to their need for a direct contact with their motherland.

[06] On Sunday

14 Feb 2008 10:24:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: NET-ANA-MPA

In view of the first round of the presidential elections in Cyprus, the camps of the three hopefuls having been in the middle of feverish preparations, as the polls released have suggested there is going to be a neck and neck race. Foreigner correspondents in Nicosia have also estimated that the battle between President Tassos Papadopoulos, general secretary of the Cypriot Communist Party (AKEL) Dimitris Christofias, and DYSI MEP Ioannis Kasoulidis, is set to be a hard-fought one. Polls give the lead to Tassos Papadopoulos, who is closely trailed by Christofias and Kasoulidis. Therefore the duet to book the ticket for the runoff has yet to be determined. The Cyprus issue runs high on the pre-election agenda.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] To Mark the 3rd Anniversary of Hariri's Assassinat

14 Feb 2008 09:51:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA, AFP

Commemorating the third anniversary of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariris assassination, thousands of pro-government supporters gathered in Beirut. The rally coincided with the funeral of leading Hezbollah commander Imad Mughnieh, who was killed in a car bombing in Damascus on Tuesday. Hezbollah has blamed the attack on Israel, which has denied involvement. Weaving Lebanese flags and photos of Hariri, the demonstrators defied both pouring rain and the tight security measures and demanded the nations Parliament elect a president, a vote that has already been cancelled 14 times due to disputes between the two parties. Lebanon has been witnessing the worst political crisis ever since the civil war.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters:Lebanon crisis simmers 3 years after Hariri death

[08] France Ratifies Lisbon Treaty

By Anna Kourti

Bearing the signature of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon appeared in the Official Journal of the French Government. France is the first among the founding EU members and the fifth of the 27-bloc to ratify the treaty. Hungary, Slovenia, Malta and Romania have already ratified it. Planned to replace the EU Constitution that was rejected by the Netherlands and France in 2005, the new treaty was signed on 13 December 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal. The Treaty of Lisbon is expected to be ratified by the rest EU member states within 2008, while it will take force as of 2009.

Translated by Areti Christou

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