The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-08-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] 10.000 more Citizens Insured in IKA

01 ��� 2008 16:11:00

Sources: ���-��� 105,8-�NA/�NA

Premiere today during the second day of the unification of funds. More than 10.000 insured employees are included in IKA social fund. Minister of employment confirmed that there is not going to be a problem regarding the payment of pensions and the service of social insured citizens. "The government not only votes and turns the reforms into laws of state but also applies them in the time ramework it had promised to", state representative stated and added that the raising of funds which remained stagnant for years was materialized during New Democracys tenure. PASOK competent member for issues of employment and social insurance Mrs. Evi Christofilopoulou said that the government proceeds to dead end and ineffective unifications of Funds. "Far-reaching governmental reforms in the social security system soon proved to be only promises", Synaspismos president Alexis Tsipras stated.

Satisfaction for the progress of the reforms

Second wave of social security funds merging with IKA started today. Employment Minister, Fani Palli Petralia visited IKA headquarters, where she had a meeting with IKA chief, George Mergos. In parallel, new chief of Free Lance Professionals Organization, Konstantinos Papathanasiou assumes his duties today, replacing former chief for several years, Konstantinos Kontos.

Mrs. Petralia expressed her satisfaction for the progress of the social reforms and making a brief estimation, also expressed her satisfaction and spoke of the 23 funds that were unified in 5 and of the 80 administrative decisions issued related to distribution of sources, transportation of services, removal of employees and unification of archives.

In addition, Mrs. Petralia confirmed that the state guarantees to safeguard pensions and underlined "there is no worry for pensions as all social funds deficits will be covered."

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] Elia Fire Contained

01 ��� 2008 14:08:00

Sources: ���-��� 105.8-�NA/�PA

A fire that broke out in Aigio, Koumari region, is burning farm and forest land. A strong force of 25 firefighters, 11 fire engines, two aircrafts and one helicopter are battling against flames. Air and land firefighting forces are making strong efforts to bring under control the fire in Zante, Koiliomenos region, which is still raging. Strong winds in both regions make firefighting efforts even more difficult. The fire in Lehaina, which broke out yesterday afternoon and threatened Simiza, Pigadi and Mastoreika villages, has been contained. The Civil Protection General Secretariat has issued warning for high risk of fires today, mainly on the islands and the south part of the country. On Saturday regions of high risk of fires are East and West Attika, Piraeus, Boiotia, Fthiotida, Magnisia, Korinthia, Argolida, Lakonia, Eboia, Ebros, Lesbos, Limnos, Hios, Samos, Ikaria and the Cyclade islands

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Solution to Olympic Airways

01 ��� 2008 13:51:00

Reforms in the administration system and solution to Olympic Airways issue are among the governments next priorities. The Prime-minister referred to these issues during the dinner he hosted in honor of ND party deputies- participating in the a and b summer sessions of the Parliament- at Piraeus Nautical Club last night. The dinner was attended by over 50 ND party deputies, accompanied by their wives. Absent for different reasons, but had informed Mr. Tragakis, were Byron Polidoras, Petros Tatoulis, Yiannis Lambropoulos, Miltiadis Barbitsiotis, Anna-Psarouda Benaki, Hristos Markoyiannakis and Olga Kefaloyianni.

Priorities for next Period

The secretary of ND party Parliamentary Group, Yiannis Tragakis welcomed the Prime-minister accompanied by his wife at the Piraeus Nautical Club last night.

During the dinner, Mr. Karamanlis expressed satisfaction at the governments work during the last 11 months while he said that reforms in the administration system and solution to Olympic Airways are the next priorities of the government. Talks among deputies touched several issues such as recent fires, front page news, football while Hmathia deputy, Elias Fotiadis cracked many jokes. The dinner was attended by over 50 ND party deputies, accompanied by their wives

Yiannis Tragakis said that a dinner will be hosted in honor of deputies attending c summer session of parliament at the end of September, at the same place.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Zorbas Steps Down-Leaves Hints

Sources: ���-��� 105,8-�NA/�NA

Giorgos Zorbas head of the Authority for the Fight against "illegal money" officially stepped down. In his interview he said that he sent letters to the Prime Minister and the president of Parliament briefing them about the work of the authority. Mr. Zorbas left hints against the minister of Economy and branded the draft bill on the set up of a new committee, anti institutional.

Draft Bill Anti Institutional

On reference to the work of the Authority, Mr. Zorbas revealed that he has been investigating Siemens since 1995 and was conducting controls to OTE contracts for supply of material, while he denied referring on the case and the report on structured bonds.

Circles of Ministry of economy made clear that for once more Zorbas case is an institutional issue and not personal, adding that if Mr. Zorbas had some evidence from his investigations he should have released it to public directly and submitted the report to the prosecution.

State minister Mr. Roussopoulos also referred on the issue making clear that this issue has been resolved in the framework of the control conducted by Parliament.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] The Australian that Passed Away-Organ Donor

By

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8

The young Autralian Doujon Zammit meaten to death outside a bar in Myconos, was disconnected from life support tonight just before 10pm Australian Eastern Standard Time in "Errikos Dynan" hospital. The tragic father deeply moved everyone as he took the brave decision to donate the heart of his son to a thirty years old Australian who is being hospitalized in "Onaseio" hospital while his other organs will be donated through the National Organization of Transplantations to Greek patients. "Me and my cousin were walking when we were attacked. We had not seen the men. Nothing happened earlier in the bar", the cousin of the unfortunate 20 year old young man said to journalists. Thousand of fans in Facebook support the family and they demand the punishment of the criminals, the 25 years old and the 18 years old who were working in the bar. The murderers received a new deadline to testify. They are being charged with attempt of murder which will be turned to murder.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] Briefed on the Sector's Problems

01 ��� 2008 12:58:00

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ��� 105.8

SYN party president, Alexis Tsipras met with GSEBE presidium today to be briefed on the problems of the sector. In his statement, Mr. Tsipras blamed the government for its social security policy, underlining that the governments real intention is not tidying of the system but change of redistribution system to capitalization. On its part, GSEBE announced mobilizations in September within the frame of International Thessaloniki Fair and in October due to problems small industries are facing.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Mass Exodus Begins

01 ��� 2008 12:44:00

Sources: ��� -��� 105.8

In view of mass exodus of August holiday makers, traffic police have taken increased measures to facilitate motorists in the highways. There is also increased passenger movement in ports, airports and KTEL coach terminals since early morning. Ferries to the Aegean islands set off at 100% capacity, however, winds are strong, locally reaching force 8 of Beaufort Wind Scale.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] FLPO New Chief

01 ��� 2008 11:58:00

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8

Second wave of social security funds merging with IKA starts today. Employment Minister, Fani Palli Petralia visited IKA headquarters, where she had a meeting with IKA chief, George Mergos. In parallel, new chief of Free Lance Professionals Organization, Konstantinos Papathanasiou assumes his duties today, replacing former chief for several years, Konstantinos Kontos.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] Dispute in the Parliament Yesterday

01 ��� 2008 10:51:00

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8

Debate on Education Ministry draft-bill providing for foundation and operation of private colleges, expected to be passed today by the B summer session of the Parliament, continues. During yesterdays debate, education Minister, Evripidis Stylianidis criticized both Messrs. Papandreou and Alavanos for their stand, stressing that the draft-bill puts an end to chaos on post-lyceum education. He also referred to older statements made by Papandreou, Benizelos and Alavanos which indicated that they did not have substantial objections to the governments proposal. PASOK party supports state universities and the foundation of non-profit tertiary education institutions and not foundation of universities through agents said PASOK party Parliamentary spokesman, Evangelos Benizelos.

GCP deputy, Konstantinos Alysandrakis said that the implementation of the draft-bill will create employment hopes and degrade university studies while Alekos Alavanos spoke of constitutional deviation government. LAOS President, George Karatzaferis underlined that Syn party must clarify its position on private universities.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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