The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-09-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Two-Gear Electricity Rates

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: NET

Development Minister Christos Folias stated that the PPC (Public Power Corporation) is hammering out special social electric-power rates for the low income earners. As per the plan, about two million households will benefit from it as those with incomes up to 5,650 euros will be charged with lower rates.

However, those with country homes and electric-power consumption up to 800kwh will be exempted.

"Efforts to Keep Prices Down"

Mr Folias attributed the high cost of living to the rapid increase of oil prices worldwide, describing it imported. In a speech delivered at an event organized by eurodeputy Emmanouil Agelakas, with the participation of the European Commissioner responsible for consumers issues Meglena Kouneva, the minister expressed satisfaction over the markets reaction to his appeal tokeep prices down, adding tha the efforts to that direction would continue.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Plans on O.A. & OSE on Final Stretch

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: �NA-�PA-���

Although the resolution of coacervate problems in Olympic Airlines and OSE constitute a priority for the government, the employees reactions are hamering efforts for their resolution. However, Transport Minsiter Kostis Hatzidakis appeared optimistic over the resolution of the Olympic Airlines problem by the end of 2008. He also added that its employees will enjoy the companys full cover.

Furthermore, he stated that out of the 68 non-subsidized Olympic Airlines flights 54 are loss-making, adding that an end should be put to that situation. Regarding OSE (Hellenic Railways), he described the company exceptionallyu problematic; adding that with the governments streamlining programme the companys operational deficit will drop to 80 million euros in 2010 from 455 million in 2007.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] EU Delegation Visits Moscow & Tblisi

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: �NA-MPA-���

EU French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated today that the Russian troops will fully withdraw from Georgian soil in a month. However, the Russian troops will not withdraw from South Ossetia and Abkhazia. He also added that provided Ru ssia keeps its promise, there will be no reason for talks between Russia and the EU not to proceed in October.

He said that he decided with President Medvedev to remove the road check points between the port of Poti and Sinaki. Russian President Dmitri Medvedev told in a joint Press Conference with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy that international talks as designated by the six-point hammered out on 12 August. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry has announced that Russia will make the first steps to sign diplomatic relations with South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Finally, the Russian President stated that Russias decision to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia is irreversible.

Meanwhile, after end of the Sarkozy-Medvedev talks it was announced that 200 OSCE observers will be deployed on Georgian soil on 1 October at the latest, not ruling out the deployment of more.

Georgia on Monday sought the protection of the International Court of Justice for ethnic Georgians living in the breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, arguing that they are still being driven from their villages by a "systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing" organized by Russia.

Georgias immediate aim is for the court, based in The Hague, to issue an injunction ordering Russia to stop "terrorizing" ethnic Georgians and to allow refugees to return to their homes in South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In an earlier lawsuit, filed in August, Georgia charged Russia with racial discrimination, an issue which the court may address later.

The 15 judges of the highest United Nations court, which deals with conflicts between countries, must first decide if it has jurisdiction over the conflict. If so, lawyers for Georgia said they hoped to obtain the injunction against Russia within two weeks, which would be very fast for this court.

Finally, the USA appears certain that Georgia and the Ukraine will become NATO members, said an American official on the sidelines of Vice President Dick Cheney's visit to Rome today.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Sarkozy Due in Moscow and Tbilisi

[04] Mobile Scales for Trucks

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: �NA-�PA-NET

In an attempt to improve safety in transport, Trasport Minister Kostis Hatzidakis presented Interior Minister Panagiotis Chinofotis and Police Chief Vasilios Tsiatouras nine mobile scales at a special ceremony at the Transport Ministry. The Traffic Police will use the above scales to check trucks if they are carrying excessive weight. Each scale can weight vehicles up to 18.2 tons with � 0.25% accuracy.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Inflation at 4.7%

Sources: ���, ��� 105.8, �NA

For the first time after four months, inflation has deescalated from 4.9% in July to 4.7% due to the drop of fuel prices and the control of prices at super markets. However, inflation is still high cmpared to the average inflation in the eurozone. The highest prices in the last 12 months have been observed in pasta, flour, bread, eggs, petrol and electric-power, while potatoes experienced drop in their price.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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