The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-03-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Next 24 Hours in Evros Critical Hours of Suspense

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8- NET

The water level in the Ardas and Evros Rivers is near the warning limit, while the citizens are called to evacuate the riverside areas. The state mechanism is fully prepared and on alert, reinforcing the dike at a time when 1,000 cubic meters of water are entering Evros from Bulgaria and threatening the villages of Kastanies and Pitheio. The President of PASOK, Giorgos Papandreou will arrive in Evros this noon and will visit the areas of Lavara and Pitheio. Following, the President of PASOK will participate in a meeting in Orestiada where he will be briefed by local authorities on the condition created by the floods. In the meantime the Minister of Rural Development, Evangelos Basiakos is expected to announce measures for the compensation of farmers and stock farmers.

Rivers' Water Level at Warning Limit

According to this mornings measurements the river limit of Ardas in the Kiprinos Dam was 5.10 m, with a warning limit of 5.20 m, in Pitheio the water limit of Evros reached 5.65 m, with a warning limit of 5.70 m, and in the area of Petalo it reached the warning limit of 6 m.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] New Poll Gives Lead to Government Karamanlis' Assessment Speech

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8- NET

It is the first year of ND in the head of the country and on this occasion, the Prime Minister will hold a Press conference at 19:30 and will answer to questions in the dinner given by the Foreign Press Correspondents in a central hotel. With economy and the governments aims in the epicentre of the speech, Mr Karamanlis is expected to state that the program of the social funds within the budgets limits will be enforced and that at the end of the four-year term pre-election commitments will be materialized. He will also give emphasis to the transparency issue. According to sources the Prime Minister will reject the event of a structural reshuffle leaving the possibility a change to government seats open while he will repeat his position over the mild fiscal adjustment and betterment of the citizens everyday life. In the meantime the findings recorded by MRB, on the account of Alpha television station, gives a lead to ND by 4.9% as opposed to PASOK, are studied by the parties.

Difference in Vote Intent at 4.9%

In the intention of vote ND receives 38%, PASOK 33.1%, KKE 6.5%, SYN 3.6% and LAOS 3.3%, while on the question of "who do you consider more suitable for PM," Kostas Karamanlis is on the lead with 45.3% as opposed to Giorgos Papandreou with 33.9%.

On the question of "do you agree in a government reshuffle by Mr Karamanlis" a 49.3% answered yes while the 22.8% considers that the government should remain as is.

In the capability of governing, the 39.5% of the people questioned believes that ND can counter the countrys problems. On the same question about PASOK a 35.2% answered yes, defining the difference between the two parties to a 4.3%.

MRBs gallop poll was made by telephone to 1,200 people in Athens, Thessalonica, urban, suburban and agricultural areas.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Munch's Stolen Paintings Found

By Despina Hristopoulou

The Norwegian authorities were relieved when they located three works of expressionist painter Edvard Much, which were stolen on Sunday from a hotel in southeastern Norway. As the Police announced, nine people who are involved in the case were arrested. "We discovered the paintings in Oslo thanks to the good work of our informers. The intensiveness of investigations, mainly on the thefts of Munch paintings last year, resulted to the positive outcome," stated a Police spokesperson. The stolen works were "The Blue Dress," "Self Portrait" and a portrait of Swede author August Strindberg. Their worth exceeds the amount of 242,000 euros. The Refnes Gods Hotel exhibits hundred of Norwegian artists works, but does not have an alarm system, since the hoteliers state that the halls are guarded on a 24 hour basis.

"The Scream" and "Madonna" Still Missing

As the Police state, they do not know if the arrested group members have any involvement in the theft of the most famous work of the Norwegian painter "The Scream," last August.

Thus "The Scream" and "Madonna" which were stolen in front of several visitors of the Edvard Much Museum, last August, are still missing, while the museum remains closed as an upgrade in the security measures is expected.

Specialists state that Munchs paintings will be hard to sell, since they are very famous and renowned collectors will not risk their prestige.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Edvard Munch Museum

[04] Influenced the Psychiatrist "Insane" Sergeant Condemns Torture

By Despina Hristopoulou

At a time when the continuous revelations of inhumane torture of Iraqi prisoners from American soldiers shock the public opinion, an American soldier was sent to a psychiatrist because he denounced members of his unit for the mistreatment of prisoners. The case, which emerged from Army documents, was made public by the American Civil Liberties Union. The Sergeant, a member of the American counter-intelligence, was forced to undergo a psychiatric examination and was sent back to the U.S. when he condemned members of his unit for the mistreatment of prisoners in the town of Samara. According to the Army documents the Commandant of the 223 Brigade and the Lieutenant, who previously was head of the counter-intelligence unit, met with the psychiatrist who examined the Sergeant and tried to influence her, since she had signed a certificate which stated the man was sane. The psychiatrist stated to the interrogators that she was forced to send the Sergeant back to the U.S.

Threatened him with a Psychiatrist

According to the Sergeants accusations when he was transferred in Samara, in a four-member anti-intelligence group, in mid April of 2003, he discovered that the rest of his coworkers were using violent means in the treatment of prisoners. He claims that he had to intervene in four cases and to resuscitate the prisoners, while there was an eyewitness of an iconic execution. When he asked to be transferred and to begin an investigation over the prisoners mistreatment, the administration of the unit accused him of lying and threatened to send him to a psychiatrist if he did not withdraw his complaint within 30 seconds. Since he refused, his weapon was confiscated and he was put under a 24-hour surveillance until he was examined by a psychiatrist.

The Army stopped the investigation, which had started by the Sergeants accusations and with supporting documents stating that it was not possible to trace the victims and that there were not any serious injuring or a great loss of personal or state property.

Inappropriate Video

In the meantime, a movie filmed by American soldiers in Iraq entitled "Ramadi Madness" in which they are pictured kicking a seriously injured prisoner in the face has been released. The video, excerpts of which were broadcast on Monday, was filmed by soldiers of the National Guard of Florida. On January 24 the creators of the movie made it into a DVD with sections entitled "Those Crafty Little Bastards" and "Another Day, Another Mission, Another Scumbag." The Pentagon has not given the video to the public and has announced that it has been possibly destroyed, although excerpts were presented in the Palm Beach Post newspaper's website.

The soldiers in the video will not be charged. According to the Pentagon, Army interrogators which reviewed the case described their behavior as "inappropriate" but not criminal.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Palm Beach Post

[05] Series of Crimes with Underage Victims Baby Murdered for 7 Euros!

By Anna Kourti

The authorities announced that a nine-month-old baby was murdered by three men, because his father had not paid a debt of 20,000 pesos (7 euros!). On Sunday night the three culprits, who were inebriated, met with a merchant in the suburb of San Christobal in Bogot&#225; in order to receive his debt of 20,000 pesos. Since the father did not have money to pay, the culprits stabbed him and his baby. The father and the baby, who slept in a car outside his store, were seriously injured. The baby was immediately taken to the hospital but died soon after. The Police arrested one of the culprits and is on the search for the other two, who got away. The past weeks a series of crimes with underage victims have been recorded.

Last Sunday, in the town of Kimdo, 500 km northwest of Bogot&#225;, a father upon hearing that his wife was leaving him shot their three underage children, aged 9, 11 and 14.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Culprits Got Away Deadly Attack in Kabul

By Anna Kourti

Steve McQueen, a Briton, adviser of the Afghan Minister of Rural Development, was killed from gunfire when he was driving in the streets of Kabul. "We confirm that a British citizen who worked for the Ministry of Rural Development was killed in Kabul when he was passing from the Dutch Embassy," stated the spokesperson of the Ministry Dud Mohammed Raza. The Briton was shot by unknown men on a vehicle on the street between the Embassy and a UN building. A Police source stated that the culprits managed to get away.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Giorgos Alogoskoufis in Brussels Appointment on March 20

By Anna Kourti

The EU Ministers of Economy, after the marathon meeting on Tuesday with subject the reform of the Stability Pact, set an appointment for March 20. The new Eurogroup meeting will take place two days before the Summit Meeting of the leaders of the EU member states (March 22-23), which will be called to ratify the agreement. The Ministers of Economy of Germany and France, Hans Eichel and Thierry Breton expressed their optimism over the success of the March 20 discussions. The Minister of Ecomomy, Giorgos Alogoskoufis will arrive in Brussels today for the ECOFIN meeting. Yesterday in the Eurogroup meeting Mr Alogoskoufis discussed the law of the main shareholder with the internal market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Alogoskoufis-Almunia Meeting Tomorrow

[08] Eurogroup and ECOFIN to Convene Alogoskoufis-Almunia Meeting Tomorrow

By Vivian Papastefanou

The meeting tomorrow between Greek Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis and European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Joaqu&#237;n Almunia will focus on the review of the Stability and Growth Pact, as well as the Lisbon Strategy. The meeting will take place in view of the European Council, which is set for 22 and 23 March. Mr Alogoskoufis is in Brussels in order to represent Greece in the Eurogroup and ECOFIN, which are convening today and tomorrow respectively. On Monday, Mr Alogoskoufis met with the Charlie McCreevy, Commissioner in charge of the Internal Market and Services, whom he briefed on the main shareholder law.

2006 Budget Priorities in ECOFIN

In the Eurogroup meeting, the Economy Ministers will discuss matters concerning the economic situation, the preparations for the European Council on 22 and 23 March, and Spains reviewed stability and growth programme.

In the ECOFIN meeting, the ministers will mainly discuss matters relating to Spains stability and growth programme, as well as the convergence progarmmes for Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia and Hungary. Furthermore, they will discuss the priorities for the 2006 Budget, matters pertaining to the general guidelines for economic policy, as well as the Economic and Monetary Commissions conclusions draft for the promotion of the European Growth Initiative.

Tomorrow afternoon, the Greek Minister will depart for London, where on Wednesday he will present the Greek economys prospects and the governments economic policy, with emphasis on privatizations, to major inventors. Furthermore, on Wednesday morning, Mr Alogoskoufis will meet with the Governor of the Bank of England, Mr Mervyn King.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Time for a Major Match

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Just one day after the victory against Aris and all eyes in AEK are set on the big match against Olympiacos in Karaiskakis Stadium next Sunday. The result of the match is expected to clear the picture, concerning the Greek football championship, but this does not seem to faze the players or the coaches. During yesterdays Press Conference, Fernando Santos refused to make any comments regarding the crucial match, not revealing any of his moves. The Portuguese coach may keep repeating that the aim is to set firm foundations, so that the team can be ready to contest titles next year, but last week, when he asked for victories in the next ten matches, beginning from the match against Aris, he basically admitted that by accomplishing this goal, the team can win the championship.

Cesar Will Make It

The good news for Santos came today from the teams medical crew, which noted that Cesar, who was injured in the match against Aris, will play in the game next week.

The Brazilian followed a personal training programme today, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will be available to play against Olympiacos.

Meanwhile, Nicola Malbasa, who suffered a fracture in one of the digits of his right hand, participated in the training session along with all the main players, although he did have a cast on his injured finger.

On Tuesday, AEKs footballers will have the chance to relax, as Fernando Santos gave them the day off.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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