The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Limited Supply of Petrol Stations

12 May 2008 15:20:00

Sources: ���-��� 105.8-�NA/�PA

Fuel shortage is at marginal limit in Attika due to the continuing strike of fuel truck owners. The situation slightly improved early this morning after strikers agreed to allow some 200 petrol companies owned trucks to supply petrol stations. Representatives of truck owners union had successive meetings with Economics undersecretary, Antonis Bezas and Employment Minister, Fani Petralia today. Talks with employment Minister proved fruitless, however, there was convergence of views on taxation issues during talks at the Economics Ministry and proposals will be discussed at the general meeting on Tuesday. In his statement, PASOK President called on strikers to suspend mobilizations and the government to find a solution to stop the strike which has had an impact on millions of citizens. Taxi owners are also staging a strike today demanding higher rises in fares to make up for the losses from skyrocketing petrol prices.

Successive Meetings

Representatives of truck owners, whose strike has created problems in transportation and the markets supply with basic foods and consumer goods, had successive meetings with Economics undersecretary, Antonis Bezas and Employment Minister, Fani Petralia. Although there was convergence of views on taxation issues, strikers said that final decisions will be reached at the general meeting, most likely to be held on Tuesday after conclusion of their contacts with all competent Ministers in their field.

During their meeting with Employment and Social welfare Minister, they discussed social security issues. Despite underlining that social security issues are not the top priority among strikers demands, Mrs Petralia agreed to examine their requests within the frame of reorganization of OAEE and proposed the setting up of a work group comprised of truck operators and Employment Ministry officials to examine the issues and draw a new text whose conclusions will be materialized by the new restructured OAEE.

Government spokesman, Thodoros Roussopoulos appeared optimistic, expressing hope that a solution will be found and the strike will end the latest tomorrow.

Political Party Reactions

PASOK president called on strikers to suspend mobilizations for the restoration of market supply in parallel blaming the government for irresponsibility. He also called on the government to find solutions to problems and guarantee road safety within the context of dialogue and understanding.

President of SYRIZA Praliamentary Committee, Alekos Alavanos called the government to start a dialogue with strikers underlining that many of the truck owners demands are just following high rises in petrol prices, adding that a dialogue should have been held to prevent the country from experiencing this situation of panic.

LAOS president said "how can rate of fuel- truck services be state controlled in a country where price of petrol is liberated". The ND party must realize that neo-liberalism can not be in accordance with popular right principals.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Related News:

"Breath of Life" to Drivers

[02] On ���

12 May 2008 14:26:00

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8, �NA-�PA

Hellenic-State - Deutsche Telekom negotiations on OTE issue have entered into final stage and it is most likely that the final agreement will have been signed till the end of the week after the text is previously approved by the Special Privatization Committee. In the meantime, injunction against Economics Minister and OTE Administration Board filed by OME-OTE requesting written briefing on the course of negotiations with Deutsche Telekom was tried today. Relevant verdict is expected to be issued on Tuesday.

Key Points

The Interministerial Committee will approve the final agreement between the Hellenic State and Deutsche Telekom till Thursday. The price for the additional 3% of OTE shares is expected to be decided in the next 24 hours, however, it is said to be about 28.5 euros per share. Greek state financing advisors in negotiations with Deutsche Telekom have agreed on the following:

-Greek State and the German Telecommunications Organization will hold 23% of OTE shares each

-Deutsche Telekom will appoint chief advisor who will exercise management but Greek state can exercise veto twice on the proposed person

-Greek state will appoint the president

-Greek state has veto right on national security and investment strategy issues

The Greek state can not intervene in pricing policy but only the National Telecommunications Committee in accordance with the other EU member states with liberated telecommunication markets.

Greek state- Deutsche Telekom final agreement will be passed by the Parliament till the end of June.

Reactions

OTE employees are staging a 24-hour strike on Thursday while GSEE has announced three-hour work stoppage from 12:00-15:00 in all DEKO.Transport Minister, Kostis Hatzidakis has clarified that vetoes provided in the agreement protect national security issues. PASOK party described the agreement as an "infidelity act" while the GCP described as "nonsense, hypocritical and farcical" the two large parties confrontation as well as the SYN party position on OTE. SYN president labeled OTE issue as crime and big scandal also blaming PASOK for double language.

In response to reservations expressed by ND party senior members, government spokesman, Thodoros Roussopoulos said that above all is that the government is materializing its policy program.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Related News:

Protective Measures Tried

[03] Taxi Owners Go on Strike

By Athina Saloustrou

Taxi owners are staging a 24-hour strike as of 05:00 Monday, demanding higher taxi fares. After staging a rally before Peroke theatre at 11:00, they will march to the Ministry of Transport, where they will present the minister with a protest letter.The strike is expected to create problems to patients using taxis and especially to nephritics. The Nephritics Association has been assured by the Municipal Police and the City of Athens that they can count on their help if nephritics cannot find another means of transport. Thus, in case of emergency, they can call:

EKAV:166 Taxi Owners Association in Attica: 210-52.27.986 and 210-52.42.589 Panhellenic Association of Nephritics: 210-77.71.176.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

No Taxis on Monday

[04] 7.5-Magnitude Quake Hits China

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: �NA-�PA, REUTERS, German Newsagency, Associated Press

Four children were killed and over 100 injured, while buildings collapsed at Wenchuan County, when a quake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale hit China. The epicentre of the quake was located at Sichuan province. No casualties have been reported. Military units arrived at the quake-struck areas, while Sichuan airport closed. The quake was felt in Beijing and Taiwan to Hanoi and Bangkok.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Powerful earthquake shakes China

Reuters: Strong earthquake hits southwest China

[05] University Professors Go on Strike

By Athina Saloustrou

POSDEP (Hellenic Federation of University Teachers Associations) is proposing a 48-hour strike from 20-21 May and a three-day strike from 28-30 May to the local associations of University Professors. POSDEP will meet anew on 31 May to decide on any further mobilizations. University Professors demand higher pay rises, disagreeing with Education Minister Evripidis Stylianidis recent statements as per which the revision of Article 16 will release the Universities creative forces and reverse the prevailing problematic situation in Tertiary Education.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Protective Measures Tried

By Athina Saloustrou

OME-OTEs (Federation of OTE Employees) provisional and protective measures against the board of OTE (Hellenic Tele-communications) and the Ministry of Economy are being tried at 12:00. In this way it will be briefed in black and white on the course of negotiations with Deutsche Telecom. Meanwhile, GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) is staging a 24-hour strike in OTE. The OTE issue, which has sparked wrangling between the ruling party and the opposition, will be settled by the end of week as the Bi-ministerial Privatisation Committee is expected to approve the agreement. Then, the Parliament and the shareholders of the German company will ratify the agreement. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Kostis Hatzidakis has stated from Chios that national security for Greece will be protected with vetos foreseen in the agreement with Deutsche Telecom. PASOK (Socialists) have denounced the agreement, while KKE (Greek Communist Party) described the two big parties wrangling non-essential and hypocritical. The SYN (Coalition of the Left) president described the OTE issue a crime and a huge scandal, criticizing PASOK of bilingualism.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Flights Cancelled and Merged

By Alexandros Moz

Olympic Airlines has decided to introduce changes in the flights for today due to the continuation of a strike staged by propeller-aircraft pilots. Certain flights have been cancelled and others merged. Passengers are advised to call 210 9666666 and 801 11 44444 for further information.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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