The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens Insists on Dialogue with FYROM

15 Apr 2008 14:20:00 (Last updated: 15 Apr 2008 16:10:36)

Sources: ���-��� 105.8-�NA/�PA

UN envoy Matthew Nimetz is commencing a new round of talks on the FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) name issue in two days. On Thursday, he will visit Skopje and on Friday Athens to see whether the two sides agree to meet anew in New York. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis criticized the statements made by the Head of the Skopje Liaison Bureau in Athens at a conference held at the Hellenic Air Training Command, sending once more a clear message to FYROM leadership.

Intransigent Stance in Skopje

A few hours before the new round of deliberations are held between Athens and Skopje under Matthew Nimetzs mediation, FYROM continues insisting on its intransigent stance.

At the same time, the incendiary statements made by FYROMs diplomatic representative in Athens at a Conference at the Hellenic Air Training Command yesterday caused sensation, as he accused Greece of intransigence.

Mr Blagoi Hazinski stated he had been insulted because he received an invitation addressed to him as Ambassador of FYROM and not of Republic of Macedonia, stressing that the proposed solution by Greece means that FYROM should abandon its national identity. In parallel, he argued that his country has compromised on several issues but Greece had not given its consent for FYROMs entry to NATO.

Meanwhile, Ms Dora Bakoyannis has sent a clear message from Thessaloniki to Skopje, replying to Mr Hazinskis provocative statement.

"Everybody is entitled to present his views in a democratic country such as Greece. Our position is clear. FYROM will join NATO and the EU provided it helps in settling the name issue," she stressed.

Politicians and party leaders denounced Mr Hazinskis statements in a NET programme.

Meanwhile, in an interview with NET 105.8 ND MP described Mr Hazinskis statements blusters, stressing that Greece reacts to such provocations with calm and if Skopje continues adopting the same stance it will neither join NATO nor the EU.

Moreover, Tourist Development Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos stressed from his side that it is to the benefit of the two sides for a solution to be found. Greece has made efforts to reach a compromise and Skopje will have to do the same thing so that a mutually accepted solution is reached.

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussoupos also made similar statements, stressing that a mutually accepted solution should be reached through the UN.

In reply to Irelands decision to sign a cooperation agreement with FYROM under the name "Macedonia", Mr Roussopoulos stated that FYROMs course to NATO and the EU passes through Greece.

Finally, in the middle of the pre-electoral period, a fresh rally held on Monday proved that the name issue will play an important role in the pre-election period.

PASOK Press spokesman George Papakonstantinou described Mr Hazinski's statements infelicitous, attributing them to the general climate prevailing in the neighbouring country after the NATO Summit Meeting.

Mr Papakonstantinou added that no excessive importance should be given to such statements, stressing that Greece should adopt a calm stance.

Finally, he rejected any talks on a bilateral framework and supported only UN-sponsored negotiations.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

With Clear Positions in the Talks

[02] Karamanlis-Alogoskoufis Meeting

15 Apr 2008 12:57:00

Sources: ���

Chaired by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, the Cabinet has approved the Interior Ministrys bill proposing the unification of the border guards and special guards bodies with policemen and the settling of ranks. The bill will stand vote before June. Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos described it a bill within the framework of Law of Justice, pointing out that it is very important that crime index had dropped, the number of discovered crimes had risen and deadly crimes have dropped by 16%. Earlier, Mr Karamanlis had met with Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis.

[03] On the Doping Case

15 Apr 2008 12:17:00 (Last updated: 15 Apr 2008 13:12:26)

Sources: ��� 105.8-���

Greeces National Organisation of Medicines (EOF) chairman Vasilis Kontozomanis testified Tuesday morning to First Instance Court Prosecutor Andreas Karaflos, who is investigating the doping scandal. Pharmacology Professor Nikos Choulis is also expected to testify on Tuesday, while the 11 weightlifters tested positive to illegal substances will testify on Wednesday as suspects of committing punishable deeds. General Secretary of the World Weightlifting Federation Giannis Sgouros, coaches and doctors have also been summoned to testify on Wednesday.

In the meantime, the Special Control Directorate searched the headquarters of the Hellenic Weightlifting Federation and recorded the Federations recent purchases. At the same time, about 91,200 illegal drugs that had been imported from Bangkok were confiscated.

Related News:

Doping Scandal: Testimonies Expected

[04] G. Papandreou Visits OTE

Sources: ���, ANA-MPA

PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) leader George Papandreou visited Tuesday morning the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) headquarters in Maroussi and dismissed OTEs sell-out as a modern tragedy. Papandreou claimed that only in third-world countries the sale of state property would benefit private enterprises and not the state. In fact, he said that PASOK is considering proposing the setting up of a committee of inquiry as soon as they get hold of the sell-out agreement document.

"Scandal and Tragedy"

The Socialist leader dismissed the Governments handlings with regard to state property as a scandal and modern tragedy. Addressing Tuesday morning the OTE staff union, Papandreou said, "We are here to stop a modern tragedy," noting, "The way the Government is handling state property and OTE is a tragedy."

Only a third-world country would sell its state assets to the benefit of private enterprises, stressed Papandreou, also adding, "My being here means that I stand by you on this struggle. We are together in this struggle and we are going to win."

PASOK President then went on to claim that there are three key reasons that will not allow OTEs sell-out. The first reason is that it constitutes a chief national planning tool, noting that its sell-out will deprive Greece of its right to make plans in the telecommunications sector. The second reason, continued Papandreou, is that OTE is present not only in Greece but also in the Balkans. Finally, underlined Papandreou, Greece should not lose the know-how developed by OTE.

Commenting Papandreous statements, Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said that the PASOK Presidents statement was inaccurate.

The seller, as you may know, of a percentage of about 20% is not the state by the private enterprise, which had gathered this percentage from the free market. Sell-outs in free market are free," said Roussopoulos.

With regard to management, he said that the competent Biministerial committee had not yet concluded its talks.

The Greek Communist Party dismissed Papandreous statements as a provocation.

[05] Berlusconi Secures Clear majority

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, �NA-�PA

Silvio Berlusconi has won a third term as Prime-minister. With almost all votes counted after a two-day election, the 71-year-old media magnates election bloc had a comfortable majority in both houses of parliament after seeing off the challenge of centre-left leader Walter Veltroni. After the announcement of election results Berlusconi said "The months and years ahead will be difficult and I am preparing a government ready to last five years".

With only votes cast abroad left to count, the Italian right party has won 46.8% of votes securing 340 seats in the 617 seat House of Representatives against Walter Veltroni center-left party which gathered 37.5% of votes and 239 seats. These numbers do not include 12 deputies elected from votes cast abroad and the Aosta Valley to be announced later. Christian Democrats party UDC of Pier Ferdinando Kasini gathered 5.6% of the votes and 36 seats and Tyrol SVP Popular party 2 seats.

The right bloc has also secured a clear majority in the Senate winning 47.32% of votes and 168 seats against 38.1% of votes and 130 seats of the left coalition, followed by UDC 5.69% and three seats. Six Senators elected from votes cast abroad have not been included.

Big Loser the Italian Left

Silvio Berlusconi is expected to arrive in Rome today to receive mandate for formation of government by the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. Analysts believe that he is not likely to assume office duties before the beginning of May.

Although Berlusconis victory was expected, two surprises emerged from Italian election results: firstly the extreme right North Laegue, Berlusconis ally doubled its percentage from 4.5% to 8.3% and secondly the left was the big loser with the Rainbow Left, made up of communists and greens, fared so badly it did not make the threshold for seats in parliament. Other smaller parties met a similar fate. Berlusconi had promised two ministries to North League.

"For Berlusconi its a double success," wrote "Il Corriere della Sera" newspaper "Not only will he be returning to the prime ministers office, but the novelty is that the mandate comes after an election campaign in which he did not promise miracles or hint at painless solutions for the economy." "Walter Veltroni left the radical left out but failed to win conservative votes".

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Italy returns Berlusconi to power

Related News:

Berlusconi Victory

[06] Digital TV Enters Second Year

At a Press Conference, ERT S.A. President Christos Panagopoulos, the Presidents Advisor Panos Loukakos and Technical Manager Nikos Michalitsis referred to the boosting of ERTs infrastructure with the developing of its digital and interactive services. After two years of service, digital TV is entering its second phase, utilizing its experience, its human and technological potential at the service of Culture and individuals facing vision and hearing problems.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Wandering with his Mother's Cut Head

By Andreas Roditis

The police in Santomera in south-eastern Spain arrested a 35-year-old man, who was wandering in the streets of the city, holding in rag his mothers head Monday evening. A police spokesman stated that the culprit was stopping passers-by informing them that he was what he had in the rag was his mothers head. After being arrested, he confessed that he had beheaded his mother with a big knife in a bar owned by the victim and managed by him. The assassin had been hospitalized several times for psychiatric treatment in the past.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[08] On Thursday

15 Apr 2008 15:29:00

Sources: ANA/MPA

Public transport will be disrupted on Thursday 17 April due to the work stoppage called by public transport employees in a means to express their solidarity with their two colleagues fired by TRAM SA. In particular, there will be no tram services from 8am to 12pm. No buses will be running from the beginning of the morning shift to 7am and from 10pm to the end of the shift, while there will be no underground services from 11am to 3pm. Trolley buses will run smoothly, while suburban railway employees have yet to decide.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Hotels to Get EOT Signs by End of 2008

By Vivian Papastefanou

The Tourist Development minister has announced today that hotels must get or renew EOTs (Hellenic Tourism Organisation) special sign by the end of 2008, otherwise they will face the law. This what Mr Aris Spiliotopoulos stated at a Press Conference in view of the new tourist season that begins in a few days. In parallel, design competitions will be proclaimed for the creation of four new tourist ports in Malia, Crete, Mytilini, Argostoli and Zakynthos. In parallel, he said that 105,000 social tourism coupons will be distributed as of May until March 2009. Finally, in reply to criticism launched against him on fastidious political conception, he reported that he is interested in being useful and not popular. Our work is to travel abroad promoting Greece and not sit in our offices, he stated.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[10] Tragedy in Uganda

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA-MPA

Nineteen girls aged 9-12 lost their life and many were injured in Uganda Monday night in a fire that broke out in a boarding school near Kampala.

As per a spokesman the number of victims may rise.

The police are investigating the causes of the fire.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[11] Papandreou's Timely Question on Rural Income

Sources: ��� 105.8-�NA/�PA

PASOK leader George Papandreou has tabled a timely question to Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis on the farmers and stockbreeders "terrible economic situation". Mr Papandreou pointed out that farmers and stockbreeders feel disappointed, insecure and uncertain. Due to the governments "anti-rural policy", farmers and stockbreeders are in terrible economic situation, finding it difficult to meet their obligations, since their income is decreasing. Moreover, the production cost is continually increasing, while the prices of fuels, fertilizers, pesticides and propagating material are going up freely and due to the high prices of animal feed and low prices of meat and milk Greek stockbreeding is being led to disintegration. In parallel, he points out that farmers are selling cheap and consumers are buying at high prices due to the cartel and middlemens profiteering, stressing that delays are being recorded with compensations and subsidies due to bureaucracy. Finally, he accuses the government of being unable to negotiate with the EU, something which affects negatively production and reduction of funds in the province. At the same time, he holds responsible the prime minister for the lack of policy and a development plan in the rural sector that is facing serious problems and challenges. Furthermore, he argues that the government is responsible for the high production cost of rural products and its inability to protect the farmers income.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[12] By the Opposition

15 Apr 2008 11:26:00

By Vivian Papastefanou

The Zimbabwean opposition has called a general strike, urging people to stay indoors and avoid clashes with the security forces. The call for a general strike did not mean to unleash a clash with the dictator, said an opposition leading figure.

Security measures have been stepped up throughout the country due to the strike, while authorities threatened to stiffly sanction agitators.

Zimbabwes opposition Movement for Democratic Change has claimed it won the first round of the presidential elections held on 29 March, and the call for a general strike came after the High Court ruled against an MDC demand for the release of presidential election results.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC News: Zimbabwe braced for strike action

[13] Crete: Three Killed in Crime of Passion

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ��� 105.8-�NA/�PA

Three killed in a crime of passion in Heraklio Crete last night. A 36 year-old Rumanian killed his former girlfriend and the driver of the car she was on while he slightly injured his Greek rival. The incident happened outside the house of his girlfriend, where she worked as housekeeper. The young Rumanian was monitoring her moves and shortly after she got in the car, he fired against the passengers in the car. The driver died at the wheel, the youn Rumanian woman dropped dead as she came out of the car while the third passenger who was slightly injured ran away panicked. The tragedy ended at the house of the 36 year old Rumanian where he returned and shot himself.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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