The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-07-13

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Message to Turkey on Illegal Immigration

Turkey has to realize and be convinced that it must cooperate with Greece and the EU more constructively and effectively said the Prime Minister.After his meeting with the Spaniard Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis touched on illegal immigration, describing it as a growing problem, and noted that it is an EU affair that requires a specific European policy.

Zapatero, on his part, underlined that it takes a specific policy, as well as cooperation with the countries of origin.

Asked about tax measures announced, Kostas Karamanlis said they mean to introduce structural changes and noted the financial crisis that hit Greece was milder than the crisis that hit the rest EU nations, despite the huge public debt.

Earlier, Kostas Karamanlis had met with Spain's opposition leader Mariano Rajoy. No comments were made after their meeting.

News item: 24765

[02] Deal on Nabucco Pipeline Signed

Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria signed Monday in Ankara the intergovernmental deal to allow the EU- and U.S.-backed Nabucco pipeline to cross their territory, as uncertainty about potential gas suppliers continues. The pipeline aims at breaking Russia's near-monopoly on natural gas supplies to Europe, making Turkey an alternative energy route between Central Asia, Middle East and Europe. Russia controls the current network of pipelines that supply Europe with natural gas.

Four EU nations and Turkey signed a deal to build a natural gas pipeline. The deal is expected to help a consortium led by Austrian OMV AG to find clients and resources for the Nabucco pipeline that aims to break Russia's monopoly.

The project, long delayed by lack of commitment from suppliers, is planned to become operational in 2014 at an estimated cost of 7.9 billion euros ($10.9 billion), and a capacity to pump 31 billion cubic meters of gas from the Caspian Sea to Austria via Turkey and the Balkans, bypassing Russia.

News item: 24766

[03] Athens E-Crime Unit Averts 17 Possible Suicides

The reasons that pushed them to the above decision were psychological problems stemming from unemployment, family issues, love problems. Police informed their families so that they could look for professional help.

Source: NET, 105.8, ANA

News item: 24761

[04] Measures against Corruption within Prison

Dendias said he gave Chania First Instance Prosecutor M. Koukaki to wrap up the preliminary investigation he is carrying out regarding the role of Agia prison head Michalis Kyriakakis.

The new deadline was set because, following Kyriakiakis' testimonies, authorities decided to interrogate the witnesses he suggested.

In the meantime, by Dendias' decision, two prison guards from the Larissa prison were suspended, because their names were mentioned in the phone conversation between the members of the gang.

The Justice Ministry intends to use the current case as the spearhead of its campaign to combat corruption within the prison system. It also intends to open past case in a drive to shed light to corruption case within and outside the prison system.

Statements by Ch. Markogiannakis

Deputy Interior Minister Christos Markogiannakis lashed out at those who linked his name with Vlastos' activities.

News item: 24758

[05] Reception Centres Key to Immigration Problem

The demolition of the shanties housing illegal immigrants in the port of Patras was demolished Sunday, and the immigrants were transferred to reception centres. The fire that broke out in the area, due to inflammable materials, was contained by the firefighters that rushed to the site.

Police brought 15 minors and 44 adults, who lacked legal documents, to the police station for questioning.

Some of the measures against illegal immigration had been taken long before the European elections. However, such matters never made the headlines, commented head of the Immigration Institute Al. Zavos.

Bakoyannis: Immigration Is a Complex Matter

�In case of refugees, the reasons they flee their countries are of weighty importance. They seek security because they are in danger. Any national or regional system for the management of immigration should take into consideration this matter. Without depriving those who need protection of their right to petition for asylum and get it,� stressed Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, while addressing the kickoff of a UN awareness campaign on refugees.

Bakoyannis then added that identifying the real origins of those who petition for asylum is usually an uphill task. Our position, she said, is that the burden of immigration should not be left on the shoulders of the nations that suffer the most from it.

News item: 24757

[06] USA to Spend Another $1bn for H1N1 Vaccine

The USA decided to spent another one billion dollars for an H1N1 vaccine, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on Sunday. She also noted that the vaccine is expected to be ready in October. In the meantime, an aide to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was found positive to the swine flu virus. According to figures released, Britain has the most swine flu infections, after the USA and Mexico, urging the government to considering the vaccination of the country's entire population.

Source: NET, ANA

News item: 24754

[07] Fighting Tax Evasion Is Key Priority

Fighting tax evasion and enhancing economy are the key pillars of the government's economic philosophy, underlined Finance Minister Giannis Papathanasiou in his interview with NEA paper. Urged by the European Commission to impose permanent and structural measures, the Finance Ministry has already lain down the foundations for its autumn moves.

The government is considering a new package of measures. �They will be few, fair and simple, and apply to those who report extremely low income, however, they live lavishly,� Papathanasiou told NEA paper.

The government is also working on pension measures. The government wishes to promoted an attractive package of incentives against retirement, added the Finance Minister.

News item: 24751

[08] CIA Planned to Kill Al-Qaeda Targets

Citing unnamed former intelligence officials familiar with the matter, the newspaper said the precise nature of the highly classified effort remained unclear, and the CIA would not comment on its substance.

According to current and former government officials, the agency spent money on planning and possibly some training of its operatives for the mission, the report said.

It was acting on a 2001 presidential legal finding, which authorized the CIA to pursue such efforts. But the initiative had not become fully operational at the time Panetta ended it.

Citing three unnamed former intelligence officials, The Journal said that in 2001, the CIA also examined the subject of targeted assassinations of Al-Qaeda leaders. But those discussions tapered off within six months.Neither Panetta nor members of Congress provided details, said the Journal, adding that he quashed the CIA effort after learning about it on June 23.

News item: 24748

[09] Japans Holds Snap Elections

The Japanese Prime Minister decided to call general elections for 30 August, media said. Taro Aso and his government officials reached that decision after the crushing defeat they suffered in local elections.

Parliament to Be Dissolved

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) decided to dissolve the House on 21 July and set an election day on 30 August. Elections will have taken place by October the latest, Japanese media said.

The opposition Democratic Party (DPJ) looks set to win the general elections and put an end to the dominance of the Conservatives, who have been ruling Japana for about half a century.

In the local elections held on Sunday, the DPJ won 54 seats to 38 for the LDP.

Source: AFP, ANA/MPA

News item: 24746

[10] Greek PM Arrives in Madrid

Source: NET 105.8

News item: 24744

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article