The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government-Opposition Confrontation

10 May 2008 17:25:00

By Athina Saloustrou

Government main opposition confrontation on OTE issue still runs high, however, the issue is entering into its final stage as the Inter-ministerial Privatization Committee is expected to approve the agreement text between the Greek State and Deutsche Telecom next week. Referring to OTE issue today, SYN president Alexis Tsipras spoke of crime and big scandal while in parallel he blamed PASOK for double language. Taking the stand in the Parliament on Friday, Alekos Alavanos launched a criticism on the same line. In response, Economics Minister George Alogoskoufis said that OTE- Deutsche Telecom agreement will safeguard Greek interests while it will not be activated unless it is previously passed by the Parliament. In the meantime, the case of injunction measures, filed by OME-OTE against the companys administration board and the Economics Ministry asked to be informed in written on the course of negotiations, will be tried on Monday. In another development, OTE employees are staging a 24-hour strike on Thursday while GSEE has announced a 3-hour work stoppage 12:00-15:00 in protest against the governments policy on DEKO.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] Lebanon: Hezbollah Withdrew its Fighters

By Athina Saloustrou

Eyewitnesses have confirmed the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters after the army overturned government measures against the organization. They said that gunmen, who were in control of the capital after clashes with supporters of the government on Friday, were transferred on cars away from Beirut coastal front and other regions. The clashes broke out after the government challenged Hezbollah earlier this week by declaring its private telephone network illegal and saying it would remove the chief of airport security for suspected ties to Shiite militant group. Lebanese troops were seen patrolling the streets from were Hezbollah fighters and their allies were removed. An earlier Hezbollah announcement said "Lebanese opposition will end all armed presence in Beirut so that the capital will be in the hands of the army". But the statement added a "civil disobedience" campaign will continue until its demands are met. The Lebanese army overturned two government key measures against Hezbollah and called it to withdraw gunmen form the streets. Earlier, Lebanon Prime-minister Fouad Siniora said he would leave it up to the army to resolve the fight over the government measures, which Hezbollah described as "declaration of war" on Thursday.The army offered Hezbollah a compromise. It said the airport security chief would not be sacked and recommended to the government that it revoke the decision to declare the communications network illegal.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Lebanon army moves to end crisis

Related News:

Lebanon Fierce Clashes

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