The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] New Power Cuts Ahead

08 Mar 2008 17:14:00

Sources: ���-��� 105.8-ANA/MPA

Public Power Corporation head Takis Athanasopoulos call for a Prosecutors intervention to shed light to GENOPs accusations on the duration and extent of power cuts has flared up tension anew. The power supply system has been brought to its limit, although yet another plant resumed operation. However, the ongoing problems forced merchants to threaten to file lawsuits against the Corporation on the damage they have suffered.

[02] Serbia in a Political Crisis

08 Mar 2008 17:53:00

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA/MPA

Vojislav Kostunicas surprise resignation is threatening to plunge Serbia into a political impasse. The Serbian Prime Minister called for snap elections on 11 May, following the crisis that broke out within the governing coalition over Kosovos independence and Serbias future in the EU. The Serbian government lacked political unity on a major issue linked to the nations future, said he, further adding that such a government could not be functional.

Earlier this week, Kostunica had claimed that his government had been in a deepening crisis and had blamed his coalition partners for abandoning the drive on defending Serbias claim to Kosovo.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Strict Traffic Measures Effected

08 Mar 2008 09:41:00 (Last updated: 08 Mar 2008 17:36:05)

Sources: ���

Mass exodus of holiday-makers on the occasion of the Ash Monday long weekend came at its peak on Saturday with increased traffic-but not bumper to bumper- in the capitals two exits to the national road networks. Traffic police are out in force, having taken all necessary measures to facilitate motorists. Traffic was also heavy at the Maliakos area, due to the works in progression.

Olympic Airways flights are 85% booked, just about the same are ships heading to the Cyclades from Piraeus port while ships to the Argosaronikos islands are fully booked. In the meantime, Carnival events organized in many parts of the country are to culminate tomorrow. In reference to Lenten foods, prices have picked up 5% to 10% compared to last years prices while authorities have intensified inspections to prevent profiteering and secure high quality of products.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Greek FM's Contacts in Ankara

The Greek-Turkish ties, the Cyprus standoff, as well as matters pertaining to economy and energy, topped Saturday the talks Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis held in Ankara, Turkey. Following her successive meetings with her Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Bakoyannis stressed that Athens is a firm supporter of Turkeys EU prospects, provided that the neighbouring nation live up to its obligations. The Greek Foreign Minister attended the 4th International Meeting on Women in Local Governments organized by Erdogans political party.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] And Garbage on the Streets

08 Mar 2008 11:25:00 (Last updated: 08 Mar 2008 17:57:55)

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8, �NA

Debate of draftbill on social security system reforms opens in the Parliament on Tuesday in the mid of Power Company DEH industrial mobilizations creating many problems with power cuts while many other trade unions have announced mobilizations. Local administration employees are already staging a strike till next Wednesday. Mayors have appealed to people to keep garbage at their houses while abstention of cleaning workers from work will create serious problems in towns and cities where carnival events are to be held. In an interview with state radio NET 105.8, GSEE president, Yiannis Panagopoulos strongly criticized the governments policy on the social security system. Engineers, lawyers and judicial employees are staging a strike on 12, 13 March while OTOE (Bank Employees Federation) has announced that the Bank of Greece will stage a nationwide 24-hour strike on Tuesday, March, 11 while all banks will join with work stoppages on Wednesday and 48-hour strike on Thursday and Friday. Due to Clean Monday holiday, problems might arise with bank ATMs during the three-day holiday. Economics Minister, George Alogoskoufis had a meeting with the Bank of Greece governor, during which they sought solutions to the problem that has arisen. The government has described as mild and mandatory reforms in the social security system in order to prevent the system from reaching a deadlock and has indirectly but clearly called ND deputies to indicate party discipline. PASOK has called for the withdrawal of social security draftbill, the GCP described it as against laborers, SYN party spoke of a joke and LAOS of accounting greediness.

Following instructions by Development Ministry, DEH president, T. Athanassopoulos has called on Public Prosecutor to look into GENOP charges about unjustifiably many and long duration power cuts.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Malta Votes in Tight Election

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: �NA, FRENCH, GERMAN

Parliamentary elections are held in Malta today, the first elections after 2004 when the tiny Mediterranean state joined the EU. Some 250.000 people are registered to vote. Parliamentary seats are 65 while poll stations will close at 22:00. Rivals in todays parliamentary elections are conservative Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, 54, leader of the ruling Nationalist party and Labour party leader Alfred Sant, 60. According to polls the main parties are running neck to neck with 11% of voters stating that they have not decided which party to vote for. In the previous elctions, the Nationalist party had won 34 seats while the Labor party 31 seats.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Today, March, 8

08 Mar 2008 10:28:00

Sources: ��� 105.8

To mark International Womens Day today, Interior Minister, Prokopis Pavlopoulos has issued an announcement stressing the states obligation to listen to womens needs and formulate a promising prospect that they deserve. In his message he refers to the political parties obligation to include women in their forthcoming elections lists so the number of women deputies to reach 1/3 of the total number of deputies, ensuring a strong women voice in the Parliament. Also in his message, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon underlines the need for investment on women because their education and strengthening are necessary prerequisites for increase in production, economic growth and reduction of infant mortality rate and poverty. On its part, UNISEF stresses that we must not forget the problems of girls and women in many parts of the world due to intimidating treatment, reminding that women are murdered, set on fire, raped, amputated or abused to maintain familys honor or for financial and political disputes or local traditions.

In North Korea, International womens Day was celebrated with an article in a newspaper supporting the ruling Labor party, encouraging women to actively contribute in the strengthening of the countrys defense. In parallel, North Korea Womens Union marked the day with the opening of Cooking contest.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] End to Border Crisis

08 Mar 2008 10:16:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: �NA, REUTERS, FRENCH

Venezuela President, Hugo Chavez announced normalization of his countrys diplomatic relations with Colombia and agreement to end border crisis. In parallel, Venezuela Interior Minister, Ramon Rodriges said that there are indications that the ten Colombians held hostage by FARC, are alive, stressing that efforts to free them will continue. Colombian rebel leader Ivan Rios was killed this week by his own men (aiming at the 5 million dollar reward promised by the authorities) not in combat with security forces, as the army originally reported. According to Colombian Defense Minister, Juan Manuel Santos three men of Ivan Rios guard handed his right hand, his passport and laptop to Colombian security forces as evidence that they had killed him. Colombian authorities were trying to find the 40 year-old rebel leader charged with terrorism, manslaughter and blackmailing. He was commander of FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) central unit numbering 1.200 forces.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] In Turkey Today

08 Mar 2008 12:11:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ��� 105.8, �NA

Greek Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyianni met with Turkish President, Abdullah Gul, Prime-minister, Tayip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ali Babacan in Ankara today within the framework of her two-day visit to Turkey. In her statements after the meeting with Ali Babacan, Mrs. Bakoyianni stressed that talks centered on improvement and normalization of Greek-Turkish relations on the grounds of international law with the Cyprus issue and Turkeys European orientation also included in the agenda of talks. On the occasion of International Womens Day, Mrs. Bakoyianni delivered a speech at the 4th Conference of Women in Local Administration in the presence of Prime-minister, Tayip Erdogan. In his statements today, Cyprus President, Dimitris Hristofias stressed that Mrs. Bakoyianni will bring up the Cyprus issue during her talks in Ankara but belied that this was the particular target of her visit to the Turkish capital. He also denied that Mrs. Bakoyianni was conveying Cyprus President message to the Turkish leadership. According to the Cyprus President international interest in the Cyprus issue raises well-grounded hope to act as a strong pressure level for Turkey to reconsider its intransigent stand and called on Turkish-Cypriots to indicate confidence in common efforts for a solution which will serve the interests of the Cypriot people and nobody else.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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