The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-02-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karolos Papoulias' Resume

By Annita Paschalinou

Karolos Papoulias was born in Ioannina on June 4, 1929. He is an Athens Law School graduate and has acquired a PhD from Cologne University. He speaks three languages, German, Italian and French. He is married to Maria Panou and is the father of three daughters.

Karolos Papoulias was a close associate of Andreas Papandreou, a champion and President of the National Gymnastic Association.

During the German occupation, as a student in the last grades of secondary school, he participated in the Revolt against the conquerors.

In 1967, a month after the junta, in Germany where he resided, he founded the resistance organization Overseas Socialist Democratic Union in which he was elected General Secretary.

During the junta (1967-1974) he collaborated in the Greek show of Deutsche Welle Radio denouncing the Colonels regime.

In 1974 he joined PASOK and became member of the Central Committee of the party.

From April 1975 until 1985 he was Secretary of PASOKs Foreign Affairs Committee, while from 1976 until 1980 he was a member of the partys Coordinating Committee. In 1977 he was elected for the first time with PASOK in the election Prefecture of Ioannina.

In 1981 he became Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and since then participated in the foreign policy developments in Andreas Papandreous governments.

On July 30, 1989 he was elected Secretary of the Parliamentary Employement Department of the Foreign Ministry by the PASOK Parliamentary team.

In November 1989 he participated in the ecumenical government of Xenofondas Zolotas as alternate Minister of Defense.

On September 24,1990 in PASOKs 2nd Convention he was elected member of the Central Committee and was re-elected on April 17, 1994 in the 3rd Convention of the party.

On October 11, 1995 he was elected for the first time member of PASOKs Executive Office and member of the Political Secretariat.

On June 30, 1996 in the 4th Convention of PASOK he was re-elected member of the Central Committee and on October 22, 1996 he was elected President of the Parliamentary Committee of Foreign Affairs and Defense.

After the 1996 elections he became Head of the Greek Parliamentary Delegation in the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

On March 1999 in the 5th partys Convention he was elected member of the Central Committee.

On June 1999 he was elected President of the Parliamentary Continuous Committee of Foreign Issues and Defense.

On July 2000 he was appointed member of the Administrative Board and Executive Committee of the International Olympic Truce Centre.

On October 2001 in the 6th PASOK Convention he was re-elected member of the Central Committee.

On November 2001, 2002 and October 2003 he was re-elected President of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee of the National Defense and Foreign Affairs of Parliament.

On December 12, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis proposed Karolos Papoulias for candidate for the President of the Republic.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] Target on Baghdad Attacks Continue in Iraq

By Viki Keleri

Sources: REUTERS

Iraq is in turmoil from yesterdays hostilities in Maquba and Mosul, while a new wave of attacks were made this morning. Armed men targeted Iraqi politician Mithal al-Alousi General Secretary of the Iraqi Democratic Nation Party. However the assailants missed and killed his two sons. Mr al-Alousi is considered a controversial figure. In the past he has harshly criticized Syria and Iran and has received criticism over his visit in Israel while he was also expelled by the Iraqi National Congress party.

Multi-Victim Attack at Recruit Centre

A bomb exploded in an army recruiting centre in the Iraqi capital which resulted to the death of 13 people and injured several others. In the meantime serious problems were caused by an oil pipeline blast in Kirkuk, in northern Iraq. The same oil pipeline was blasted three weeks ago and is considered important since it fuels many central thermo-electrical stations in Baghdad.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Harsh Attack to Government

By Annita Paschalinou

Giorgos Papandreou, on Monday night during his speech for the completion of a year since he was elected President of PASOK, made a harsh attack against the government. Mr Papandreou accounted the government with incompetence and zero work, noting that now that ND is in power "masks have been taken off and it has been proved that the governing party only wanted to acquire Ministers seats." He detected signs of distress and fear of responsibility in national issues and accused the PM of small-Greek conceptions. He also denounced the relation between ND and the Church in his speech. Mr Papandreou accused ND that at some point had indicated the Church as a political ally, in the identifications issue while today it renounces their relation.

Messages to PASOK and Left Wing

Giorgos Papandreou supports the separation of the state from the Church stating that this will contribute to the purification of the institution and added that afar from the separation there should be a form of answers of the Head of the Church to the faithful people.

PASOK Issues Making reference to the developments in his party, he stated that there are no old or new PASOK members and sent a message noting that no one in the party is old and needless or new and necessary. "No one is irreplaceable, no one not useful, no one will be forever," he said denying that he is forming a leadership party.

Commenting on the inter-party developments he underlined that the interior clashes in PASOK does not concern figures but the change of attitude. He accepted that in some departments, the attempts of the past PASOK governments were incomplete and not bold.

Opening to the Left Wing He also made an opening to the Left Wing, calling the parties to join in a common fight.

As he said that country is not in need of a phobic Left and warned KKE and SYN to not view PASOK as an opponent because in the end they will not be able to perform an opposition.

Referring to SYN Mr Papandreou proposed the creation of a committee for the promotion of dialogue for the future of Europe and the European Constitution.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Problems are Gradually Restored Greece Freezes Over

By Viki Keleri

Low temperatures are predominant in the whole of the country, a remainder of the wave of bad weather of the past days. The serious problems countered by many areas, especially in northern Greece seem to be restored gradually. In Evros and Evoia 12 villages remain closed-off while snow chain tires are necessary for many parts of the provincial road network. The weather will be chilly in Attica where traffic is being carried out with snow chain tires from the cable railway towards Parnitha. In the meantime Elementary schools will be closed in the communities of Afidnes, Varnavas, Kapandriti and Kalamos while Middle and High schools will be open. As far as the weather is concerned low temperatures will continue until Saturday. In Attica the temperature will range from 2 to 7&#186;C while in the north 2 to 3&#186;C lower. Thessalonica will experience sunshine with chilly cold and the temperature will range from 6 to 3&#186;C. Northern gales will be apparent in the islands.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Greece in the Freezer Once Again

[05] An Announcement of Cease Fire is Expected Historic Meeting Between Sharon and Abbas

By Viki Keleri

The Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will meet at 12 pm at the Egypts Sharm el Sheikh resort. This is the first meeting between the two leaders after four years. It is expected to adjourn with an announcement of a truce treaty for the end of violence and the reinforcement of the peace process. Issues such as the security wall constructed by Israel in the West Bank, Israeli colonial activity and the ban of Palestinian organizations in eastern Jerusalem will be on the discussion agenda.

Will Confirm an Upcoming Truce

According to the evaluations of political analysts the meeting will denote the announcement of agreements for the transfer of security control of many parts of the West Bank to the Palestinians. Todays meeting is in the epicenter of Israelis and Palestinians interest. From his side the Head of the Palestinian negotiators Saeb Erekat states, "a mutual and full cease fire will be announced."

Sources of Ariel Sharon confirm that after the discussions "Israel will announce the end of its military operations while the Palestinians will declare cease fire."

Egyptian President Hosni Mumbarak and King of Jordan Abdullah will commence, with their speeches, the Israeli-Palestinian Summit Meeting.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Chatzipanagis Top Footballer

By Stathis Petropoulos

Sunday's sports show "Athlitiki Kyriaki" broadcast by NET television was a special show dedicated to the history of A1 professional Greek football championship. Beginning from 1980 onwards, Athlitiki Kyriaki (Sports Synday) conducted a poll via SMS regarding various categories, including that of Greek top footballer, which is of course the most important. Vasilis Chatzipanagis was honoured with this great distinction with a percentage of 25.5%, leaving Dimitris Saravakos in second and Vasilis Karapialis in third place. Thomas Mavros and Nikos Anastopoulos followed suit.

In the respective vote for foreign player, Christof Warzycha was of course at the top with a percentage of 34.5% followed by Toni Savevski. However, this was not the only first for the Greek-Polish veteran Panathinaikos footballer, who was also proclaimed top scorer in the history of professional championship with 37.4% followed by Thomas Mavros. For the 25year period of professional football so far, Olympiacos of 1998-99 was proclaimed best team with 29%, while AEK of 1993-94 and Larissa of 1987-88 followed in second and third place respectively. It is worth noting that for this opinion poll, NET received a total of 53,153 messages.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] Hospitalized in ICU of Evangelismos Hospital Student's Condition Critical

By Viki Keleri

The health of the 15-year-old student from Mitilini, who suffers from meningitis and is hospitalized in the ICU of Evangelismos Hospital, is described as stable but critical. The young girl was taken to the hospital with a C-130 aircraft on Saturday night in a semi-comatose state. According to the Hellenic Center for Infectious Diseases Control (KEEL) the student has been infected by meningococcal meningitis and as it is noted in this case the prevention measures are the immediate dispensation of antibiotics to the people in the patients environment. Yesterday morning the doctors, sanitation employees of the Prefecture and the Health Intendant visited the 5th Mitilini Middle School in order to inform the students about the disease. The school functioned normally but for psychological reasons the areas were disinfected.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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