The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-09-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] D/B on Military Officers Rank

Defense Minister E. Venizelos and Defense undersecretary Panos Beglitis presented draft-bill providing for promotion and rank of military officers - Armed Forces administration issues, recruiting and relevant regulations.

The political leadership of the Defense Ministry underlined that it is an ambitious and integrated draft-bill covering all pending issues in the Armed Forces.

Meritocracy System

Defense Minister Evangelos Venizelos underlined that regulations of the new draft-bill establish full meritocracy system for the promotion of senior officers in the Armed Forces. It is based on transparency and professionalism and strengthens feeling of Justice.

The draft-bill will be tabled to the Parliament on Monday.

Among others, Mr. Benizelos underlined that the government's target is to draw a realistic mid-term and long-term armament program and placed particular emphasis on full parliamentary transparency on armament programs.

In response to prospects for Greece-Israel cooperation in defense sector, Mr. Benizelos said that Greece can exchange know how with Israel, carry out joint military exercises and have political -military cooperation. He also reassured that the government will assist the families of the recent victims in the Air-Force in response to a question regarding the recent accidents.

ANA News item: 40439

[02] S. Kokkalis & A. Spiliotopoulos Give Statements

Giving his statement on Wednesday before the Parliament Inquiry Committee looking into Siemens case, former Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos spoke of a personal attack aimed to damage his political career. Former Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos and businessman Socratis Kikkalis are to give their statements on Thursday afternoon.

Source: ���

News item: 40432

[03] Y. Aggelou �150.000 Bail

Athens Court of Appeal Council has issued verdict lowering Yiannis Aggelou � 300.000 bail to �150.000. Mr. Aggelou, director of former prime-minister K. Karamanlis faces charges for involvement in the Vatopedi case. Initially, Judge Eirini Kalou had imposed a 400.000 bail and ban his exit from the country. Yiannis Aggelou has to submit the 150.000 bail till September, 20.

Source: ��� 105.8

News item: 40431

[04] Minor Quake 4.3 in Boiotia

An earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale was recorded shortly before 07:00 in Lefktra, in Boiotia 60km northwest of Athens. The tremor was felt in many areas in Attica. Seismologists reassured that there was no reason for concern. "The depth of the quake was shallow, south of Lebadia city at the Korinthos gulf coast", said Geology professor Efthimios Lekkas .

News item: 40251

[05] Obama Stands up for Ground Zero Mosque

US President Barrack Obama, in Ramadan dinner speech, endorsed allowing a mosque and a community center near the site of September, 11, 2001 attacks, known as ground zero, saying the country's founding principles demanded no less. The dinner was attended by diplomats from Muslim countries and members of Muslim community in the US.

Obama said, weighing in for the first time on a controversy that has riven New York City and the nation:

"As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable."

The aim of Mr. Obama, who referred to religious freedom in the US, is to improve US relations with the Muslim world.

Obama's stance runs counter to the opinions of the majority of Americans (53%), according to polls. Top Republicans including Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich announced their opposition. Opponents, including some Sept. 11 victims' relatives, see the prospect of a mosque so near the destroyed trade center as an insult to the memory of those killed by Islamic terrorists in the 2001 attacks.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an independent who has been a strong supporter of the mosque, welcomed Obama's words as a "clarion defense of the freedom of religion."

Source: �NA-�PA, Reuters, French News item: 39430

[06] Alternative Scenarios to Raise 1 Billion Euros

The economic staff is examining alternative scenarios to raise 1 billion euros in 2011 in order to avoid transferring products and services from the 11% VAT scale to the high 23% one. Equalization of fuel oil and heating oil prices is the prevalent scenario. Special consumption tax on heating oil will not be lowered from October, 15 therefore its price will remain the same as fuel oil. In the meantime, figures of VAT revenues are optimistic as a 10.8% rise was recorded in August mainly from collection of VAT from businesses on islands.

VAT Revenues Rise

Finance Ministry data indicate rise in VAT revenues in August, 65.96% in Santorini, 35.44% in Kalymnos, 37.8% in Milos, 26.6% in Mykonos, 42.76% in Naxos, 24,6% in Paros, 25% in Tinos, 51.89% in Paxous and 47.2% in Lefkada.

Source: ��� 105.8 - �NA- �PA News item: 40252

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