The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Houses in Laerma Burnt Down

25 ���� 2008 09:36:0 (Last updated: 25 ���� 2008 17:17:2)

Sources: ���-��� 105.8

A blaze broke out on Friday noon in the area of Panagopoula in the prefecture of Ahaia, southern Greece, burning forest land. Traffic at the 190thkm of the Athens-Patras highway has been suspended, while railway services have been restored. According to flash information, the blaze broke out after a car crash. The fire is raging near two summer camps, however, no one is under threat. Ground and air forces have been deployed in the area struggling to put out the fire, but the strong winds blowing are giving them a hard time.

In the meantime, fires are raging for the fourth consecutive day in the southern part of Rhodes, destroying thousands of acres of forest land. Continuous rekindling of fires has created conditions like hell while winds are bringing a fire to Larda village. Flames are approaching Laerma village burning down storage houses and destroying Igou forest. Air and land forces are battling against fires while reinforcement has arrived from Athens and Thessaloniki.

Upon the request of the Civil Protection Authority, two Italian water-scooping planes landed Thursday night at the Rhodes airport. Two French ones are expected to arrive on Friday noon.

Civil Protection Authority head Margaritis Mouzas, who is on the island to better handle the situation, chaired a meeting to assess the situation and coordinate the future actions. Exiting the meeting, regional head Charalambos Kokkinos praised the efforts made by the firefighters and spoke of two arson cases.

In the meantime, Civil Protection Secretariat has issued warning of high risk of fires today in the following regions: Athens, West Attika, Piraeus, Korinthos, Lakonia, Messinia and Hania.

Related News:

Battle with Flames in Rhodes

[02] Labour Relations Change in Public Utilities

Sources: ���-105.8 - ���

In an attempt to put an end to the iniquitous deficits of public utilities, the Ministry of Economys amendment, tabled at Parliament suggests that the labour relations in the private sector will go into effect for the newly hired in public utilities from now on. The changes will go into effect as of the day the amendment was tabled at Parliament.

The competent bi-ministerial Committee of Public Utilities will have to approve salaries, salary increases and allowances, depending on inflation and the enterprises financial situation. The National Collective Work Agreement will serve as the lowest ceiling for salary increases.

Newly hired employees from now on will have to undergo a seven-month trial period and then if assessed positively will sign an indefinite time work contract.

On the basis of the amendment, the labour relations in OTE will extend to all loss-making and subsidized Public Utilities.

Topping the 16 loss-making Public Utilities are those related to transportation (OSE, ETHEL, ILPAP and ISAP).

Reactions

Employee representatives in Public Utilities have described changes in Public Utilities a blow to employees, promising to stage rallies.

As GSEE (Confederation of Greek Workers) considers the amendment anti-constitutional, it will refer to the European Court and the International Labour Bureau.

Deputy Economy and Finance Minister Antonios Bezas told NET 105.8 that the amendment is a must, as they help these enterprises to operate more effectively.

Meanwhile, the opposition is opposed to the amendment.

PASOK (Socialists) spokesman Giorgos Papakostantinou told NET 105.8 that the government should help the low brackets in times of crisis, appearing certain that the VAT will go up.

SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) Eurodeputy Dimitris Papadimoulis told NET 105.8 that Mr Alogoskoufis statements constitute an indirect admittance of the governments financial policy.

Financial Regulations

Mr Alogoskoufis announced measures on capital taxation, new ways of taxation, cross checking to locate those who have not declared their real estate, as well as measures against maritime oil contraband.

Internal revenue should rise admitted Mr Bezas, ruling out an increase on VAT. He also told SEVs Executive Committee that the government is determined to continue with its structural reforms and combat corruption.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Direct Talks in September

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8, ANA-MPA

The UN-sponsored direct talks between Cypriot President Christofias and Turkish-Cypriot leader Talat on finding a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus row are to open on 3 September. The decision was taken at a meeting held between the two sides at the Nicosia airport. "We made a step forward. It is a positive development," commented President Christofias.

In the meantime, newly-appointed UN envoy to Cyprus Alexander Downer is due on the island on Sunday.

Christofias noted that there are issues on which common ground has been struck, as well as disagreements. He also stressed that a solution requires political determination and fair intentions.

Answering a relevant question, President Christofias argued that the decision on whether the working groups will keep on their work will be taken on 3 September.

The agreement was announced by UN special representative Taye-Brook Zerihoun, after Fridays two-hour meeting with the two leaders.

Related News:

Christofias-Talat Meeting Today

[04] Bartholomew I in Kiev

By Alexandros Moz

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I arrived in Ukraines capital Kiev on Friday to an impressive official welcome, with crowds of people turning out to greet him along streets decorated with festive bunting.

The Patriarch was in the country at the invitation of Ukraines President Viktor Yushchenko to take part in celebrations marking the 1020th anniversary of the baptism of Kiev Russians, which marked the start of the Slavic worlds conversion to Christianity.

Giant posters of the Ecumenical Patriarch and President Yushchenko, alongside emblems of the great anniversary, decorated the lengthy route from the airport to the centre of the city and the places that the Patriarch was scheduled to visit. People stood all along the route to see the Patriarch on his first-ever visit to the Ukraine, waving the blue and yellow flags of the Ukraine and the white flags of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Fanar.

The Patriarch was also flanked by a motorcade from the airport to the historic Lavra of the Caves (Pechersk Lavra) monastery, where there was an official ecclesiastical welcome organised by Kiev Metropolitan Vladimir.

"We are come as angels of peace and reconciliation," Bartholomew said in statements at the monastery, expressing hope that his visit will contribute to reuniting the divided Orthodox of the Ukraine into a single, unified Church. The same wish was echoed by Metropolitan Vladimir, who had organised an impressive welcome with hundreds of monks, clerics and laiety in the monastery.

On his arrival at the airport, the Ecumenical Patriarch had been met by President Yushchenko, the chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament Arseniy Yatsenyuk and representatives of the countrys political, social and academic leadership.

There was also an honour guard salute, while Yushchenko stressed the importance of the Patriarchs visit.

[05] It Performed Emergency Landing

25 ���� 2008 16:45:0

By Alexandros Moz

Qantas Boeing 747 en route from London to Melbourne made an emergency landing in Manila on Friday after a dramatic mid-air rupture that left a "gaping hole" in its fuselage. After its stopover in Hong Kong, it continued flying to Australia. While flying above the Philippines, the pilot heard a boom and felt like losing control. It was then that he saw the hole in the planes fuselage. After a successful emergency landing in Manila, the 350 passengers and 19 crew members on board the plane, left it safe and sound. Flash estimations have blamed the hole on the strong winds.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] 23 Were Injured

25 ���� 2008 15:41:0

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters, ANA-MPA

Twenty-three people were injured when a gang of about 40 to 50 men armed with steel bars and machetes attacked residents at a refugee centre south of Oslo, Norway late on Thursday, officials said on Friday. The same sources said that 10 of those injured were hurried to hospital, while another 13 to a local clinic. A refugee centre official told Norwegian news agency NTB that attackers were Chechens and the victims Kurds. He further added that the conflict broke out after a minor dispute between Kurds and Chechens.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Involved in Zahopoulos Case

25 ���� 2008 15:22:0

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA-MPA

The two lawyers facing felony charges for their implication in the extortion case against former Culture Ministry top executive Christos Zahopoulos scandal were released after a relevant court ruling approved their appeals against detention. Both lawyers have to pay a bail amounting to 30,000 euros, while they are not allowed to leave the country. They had been detained for about a month and a half after their deposition. They have been charged with breach of the personal data Act, attempted extortion and participation in suicide.

[08] Congo: 45 Killed after Boat Sank

Sources: Reuters

At least 45 people were killed and another 100 were missing after a boat sank on a remote stretch of river in Democratic Republic of Congo, a local government official said on Friday. "Forty-five bodies have been recovered so far. The 112 people missing are river fishermen," said Mathieu Bela, district commissioner for North Ubangi in the far north of Congo, on the border with Central African Republic.

Another 25 passengers survived the accident but Bela said local authorities had not received any help from either government due to the lack of information and inaccessibility.

"The accident happened on Tuesday night when the boat struck a rock in the dark. There are no signs or signals, which does nothing to help navigation," he said.

The boat sank on the Ubangi river, which forms part of the frontier between Congo and Central African Republic. Congo is a vast mineral-rich nation but roads are almost non-existent outside the main towns so travel is often limited to airplanes and boats plying its huge network of rivers. Accidents are frequent due to over-loading and lack of maintenance.

[09] Pro-Karadzic Rallies, Threats against Tadic

25 ���� 2008 12:15:0 (Last updated: 25 ���� 2008 15:13:4)

Sources: NET, ANA

Exhausting the deadlines offered by the Serbian law, Radovan Karadzics lawyer is expected to file Friday an appeal against the extradition of the former leader of the Bosnian Serbs to The Hague war crimes tribunal.

In the meantime, tension ran high and minor clashes were reported during Wednesdays pro-Karadzic rally. With photos of Karadzic and Mlantic on their hands, demonstrators gathered at Belgrades central square, chanting slogans against Serbian President Boris Tadic, branding him as traitor.

The demonstrators made their way towards the building housing the Serbian Presidency and Parliament, forcing strong police forces to be deployed in the nearby area and around the Turkish embassy. A cameraman working for B92 radio and television network was attacked.

Threats against Tadic, Dacic and Vukcevic

Security measures have been tightened for President Boris Tadi&#263;, the President for the National Council for Cooperation with The Hague Rasim Ljaji&#263;, Interior Minister Ivica Da&#269;i&#263;, and War Crimes Prosecutor Vladimir Vuk&#269;evi&#263;, read daily Blic. After Karadzics arrest, Tadi&#263; and Da&#269;i&#263; have been receiving threatening letters in the form of obituaries. Ljaji&#263; received the most serious ones, which said "you will end up like your beloved &#272;in&#273;i&#263;. Well start by putting a bullet through your kneecaps." Serious threats have also been reserved for Prosecutor Vladimir Vuk&#269;evi&#263; as soon as Karadzic was arrested, wrote Blic.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Karadzic's Extradition to Be Delayed

[10] 20yo Briton Woman Detained

Heraklio Prosecutor has ordered detention of 20 year-old British woman, suspected of having strangled her baby shortly after delivery in a hotel in Hersonisos, in Crete. The 20yo fainted upon hearing the prosecutors rule and was transferred to Heraklion University hospital, where she is being treated. Judicial authorities did not accept her defense argument, that the baby was born dead and she covered him in the blankets to keep him warm. Her father, an aunt of hers and UK Consul in Heraklio were with the 20yo yesterday.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[11] ERT's Contemporary Music Orchestra in Leonidio

By Vivian Papastefanou

ERTs Contemporary Music Orchestra will be giving a concert presenting of Greek composers on 2 August at 9pm in the southern Greek town of Leonidio. Greek singers Petros Gaitanos, Lena Alkaiou and Magda Pensou will perform the songs under the guidance of conductor Andreas Pylarinos.

Translated by Areti Christou

[12] Suicide Attack in Yemen

station in east Yemen's Hadramaut province early on Friday

One policeman was killed and 20 others injured when a car was rammed into a police station in east Yemens Hadramaut province early on Friday according to hospital sources and eyewitnesses. The driver tried to enter the police complex but was stopped at the gate, after which the car exploded, killing the attacker and a police guard, the source said. Earlier reports spoke of 8 people injured The blast wounded 20 people and caused damage to some buildings in the area and power outage. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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