The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Prior to the Easter Break

19 Apr 2008 11:08:00

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8

Tensions ran high during the Prime Ministers time on Friday, the last Parliament sitting prior to the Easter break. The Agricultural policy, the fire protection, the doping scandal and the politics relations to media were the key issues that topped the wrangling among the political leaders. PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) President George Papandreou blasted Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis for abandoning farmers and that he went back on his pledges for the battle he would fight in Brussels. The Prime Minister, on the other hand, defended the farm sector policy, stressing that the absorption of EU funds was unprecedented. Touching on the doping case, the Prime Minister heralded a stricter institutional framework. On his part, Alekos Alavanos, chairman of the SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) parliamentary group, noted: "We have to reject the idea of limitless professional sport." LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) leader Giorgos Karatzaferis blamed the Government for controlled information.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Farmers Escalate their Mobilizations

19 Apr 2008 17:37:00

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8, �NA-�NA

Farmers of Northern Greece escalate their mobilizations targeting at controlling the illegal import of lamb and goat meat in Greece. Farmers proceeded to a sit in of Evzonon custom station while during the night they will guard Niki and Promachonas custom stations.

"Their colleagues in the nearby prefectures are getting ready to block any possible entrance of lamb and goat import in Niki and Promahonas custom stations during the night" the president of the co-ordination committee Dimitris Kamouris stated in Athens and Macedonia News Agencies. In addition, speaking to NET radio station he said that farmers target not at controlling the meat market but to control illegal imports.

Farmers are asking from traders for better prices for the Eastern dinner. They have announced protestations and gatherings outside stores and Athens and Thessaloniki meat markets on Monday and Tuesday

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] At Least 14 Dead

19 Apr 2008 17:01:00

Sources: Reuters, ANA, MNA

Rebels from Burundis last guerrilla group fired mortar bombs at government positions in clashes that killed 10 rebels and four soldiers, an army spokesman said on Friday.

The militarys deputy spokesman Colonel Justace Ciza said the fighting, which started late Thursday and continued into Friday morning, was centred on the rebel stronghold of Bubanza some 50 Km (30 miles) northwest of the capital Bujumbura.

Despite a September 2006 peace deal, the rebel Forces for National Liberation (FNL) continue to mount sporadic attacks. Last month 20 people, mainly soldiers and rebels, were killed in fighting on the outskirts of Bujumbura.

"They are not committed to peace. Every time we take as step forward to a permanent peace, they take a step back", a governmental spokesman said in BBC.

The FNLs persistent insurgency is regarded by many as the final barrier to lasting stability in the tiny coffee-growing nation, where 300,000 people were killed in more than a decade of ethnic conflict.

UN general secretary Ban-Ki Moons condemned the clashes calling on everyone to put en end as soon as possible. North Koreans head of the organization called on the government and Burundi guerillas to agree on an immediate seize-fire of clashes, to restart talks and to complete the peace procedure.

[04] On Sunday

19 Apr 2008 16:51:00

Sources: ANA-MNA

IF THE poll numbers hold, the worlds longest-ruling political party will be dismissed by Paraguays voters on Sunday April 20th. The Colorado Party, which came to power two years before Chinas Communist Party, has governed for 60 years by Colorado. However, according to gallops, his main opponent Fernando Lugo, a Catholic bishop who gave up his job preaching liberation theology to the poor in order to stand for office, is on the lead. For in addition to the Colorado candidate, Mr Lugo faces Lino Oviedo, a former general accused of planning a coup in 1996 and of being involved in the assassination of Paraguays vice-president in 1999. Gallop stations will open at 7:00 (local hour), 13:00 (Greece Hour) on Sunday and will close at 9:00 the latest. Exit polls are expected shortly after the electoral procedure. The winner has to gain majority in order to succeed Nicanor Duarte Frutos. Registered voters come up to 1,8 million. Voting is obligatory in Paraguay for everyone aged 18 to 75 years old. Paraguays population rises to 6,8 million residents.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] To PASOK National Meeting

19 Apr 2008 15:41:00

Sources: ��� 105,8

PASOK president Mr. Giorgos Papandreou talking to PASP (PASOK-affiliated Students Union) national meeting spoke of conflict of strong interests and their representatives through New Democracy on the occasion of the resignation of Mr. Kladas. As per OTE he stressed that the plan of handing over the public sector is in progress through non transparent procedures to non specific interests. In addition, he underlined the need of releasing Greek Universities from professor and bureaucracy oriented establishment while he accused the government that it tries to control Education through the private capital.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] Against 3 Policemen

19 Apr 2008 14:49:00

Sources: ��� 105,8

A group of about 15 people attacked three police officers in Exarchia police department. Unidentified men tried to steal their guns and a receiving set. The two special guards as well as the policeman resisted and got into clashes with the group of anarchists who managed to steal a receiving set and then disappeared. This incident occurred in Panepistimiou and Ipokratous road a little while after the march that took place initiated by unionist organizations protesting for GSEE National Collective Labor Contract which they branded insufficient for the employees needs.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] Says Iran

19 Apr 2008 11:26:00

Sources: AFP

Even at 115 dollars a barrel, oil is priced too low, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in comments published on Saturday adding that the commodity "should find its real value."

"Oil at 115 dollars a barrel in todays market is a deceiving figure, oil is a strategic commodity and should find its real value," the state broadcasters website quoted Ahmadinejad as saying on Friday.

New Yorks benchmark contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, surged 1.83 dollars to a record close of 116.69 dollars a barrel on Friday. It had earlier hit an intra-day all-time peak of 117 dollars.

Iranian Oil Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari, whose country is OPECs number-two oil producer and exporter, on Wednesday rejected calls from oil consuming countries for the cartel to take action to bring down prices.

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