The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-04-28

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Traffic measures come into force The Great Escape

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET 105.8, ANA

Traffic police are at the ready to facilitate Easter holidaymakers, whose numbers are expected to be the greatest of recent years. Emergency measures on motorways have come into force, while from 3 to 9pm lorries carrying over 1.5 tonnes are forbidden to travel. There is a large increase in traffic and there are 100-200-metre queues at the tollgates of Elefsina and Afidnon, although on the rest of the road network cars are driving at a steady pace, at normal speeds. At tollgates, drivers are being given information leaflets pointing out dangers as well as free CDs with traditional songs. Extra ferries and aeroplanes have been added to schedules. In fact, this year, traffic at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport is expected to see an increase of 5.4% in comparison with last year. Tickets have been sold out for many popular destinations, while in some cases holidaymakers are unable to find return tickets.

Strict Policing

The greatest policing weight, as announced by the Ministry of Public Order, falls on dangerous points on the motorways, where a large number of accidents occur.

At the same time, traffic police at four well known dangerous points, Maliako, Tembi, Kiato Corinth and Aigio are on full alert.

The measures, which will be in force until the Sunday following Easter will be enforced along the national road network by 2626 policemen, 904 patrol cars, 81 police cars, 270 police motorbikes and 20 tow-trucks. On the road network connecting Patra, Athens and Thessalonica, 290 policemen, 96 patrol cars, 18 police cars, 26 motorbikes and 2 tow-trucks will be daily in service.

Translated by Millie Williams

Related News:

In View of Easter Exodus

[02] Positive comments War on Terrorism

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

Greece continued to strengthen its capability to fight against terrorism and hosted the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in 2004 most successfully, with no terrorist incidents. This is the report from the US State Department on terrorism in the chapter concerning Greece. The report notes that high-ranking members of the Greek Police have stated that investigations into 17 November terrorist group are still continuing and that the case is not closed, while the report underlines the fact that appeals lodged by those convicted on terrorism charges are going through the courts. Furthermore, it notes that Greece has adopted new counter-terrorism legislation compatible with EU decisions.

New Anti-Terror Legislation

Regarding the new anti-terrorism legislation, the report states that the law, for the first time, makes clear reference to terrorist crimes and terrorist organizations.

Among other things, the law increases the time lapse before a terrorist crime can be disregarded from 20 to 30 years, adopts a framework for conducting investigation and provides for a fast-track extradition system for suspect terrorists around the EU, with stricter punishments for terrorist leaders and those providing terrorists with material or financial support.

Moreover, as stated in the report, regarding the case of the murder of the security guard outside the residence of the British military attach&#233;, on which point it notes that the case has not been solved, the Greek police considers it to be an act of terrorism.

Translated by Millie Williams

[03] Playing it Mr Somebody Faking it on the Phone

By Annita Paschalinou

Next time you will hear someone speaking loudly on the phone, don't take their word for it. No matter how important things he may be telling, there is a high chance he is faking the call. This is not a personal finding, but the result of a study held in the USA by the Rutgers University Center for Mobile Communications Studies. According to the report, a surprising number of people make fake phone calls on their cell phones just for the benefit of those around them or to cover something up.

Mobile Phones at the Service of Love

What to cover up, you may wonder

James Katz, a professor of communication at the university, proved his point setting examples.

For instance, if they are late for work they will wander into the office pretending to be talking to an important customer. Apparently, the bigger the deal on the phone, the more likely it is to be faked.

According to the study, men will often pretend to be on an important call as they walk over to try and pick up a woman. A woman, on the other hand, will pretend to be on the phone to avoid being picked up. It is a wonder humanity ever gets the chance to breed. It also means that bloke who always shouts in his mobile that he is "on the train" really is trying to announce to the rest of the carriage that we are being graced by his august presence.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] "Aiming for Peace Everywhere"

By Tina Valaoura

The works of the International Democratic Union Executive, which is held in Greece, opened with a speech by the Prime Minister. Mr Karamanlis spoke of the need to establish peace around the world, to eliminate violence, to limit inequalities, to improve the quality of life, while he also referred to international cooperation for combating terrorism. During his speech, the PM put emphasis on the gravity of the situation in Western Balkans and stressed that aim is to turn the Balkans from a tension area to a peace area.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Safe and clean source More Nuclear Power

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

A "safer future in the energy sector in the US must include more nuclear power," stressed American President George Bush on Wednesday during his speech on the need to reduce the energy dependence of the US. "Nuclear power covers approximately 20% of electricity needs in the US, with no atmospheric pollution, or gas emissions responsible for the greenhouse effect," stated Bush before members of the Union of American Middle Businesses. At the same time, the President of the USA proposed installing oil refineries in abandoned military bases.

New Stations Constructed

According to George Bush, nuclear power is one of the safest and cleanest energy sources in the world. He recalled the example of France, which covers three quarters of its power needs with nuclear power, and called for the US to follow this example.

In fact, the American president reminded his listeners that his government has conceived a long-term plan amounting to 1.1 billion dollars until 2010 for the construction of new nuclear stations.

Translated by Millie Williams

[06] Driver's body recovered Over 100 Dead

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

A body likely to be the driver of the train was recovered on Thursday by rescue teams in Japan, three days after the tragic accident in Osaka, when four train carriages derailed and one crashed into a residential area. The body will be officially recognized by the family of the deceased driver. So far, the causes of the accident have not been made clear, but initial evidence brought to light in the investigation shows that the inexperienced 23-year-old driver went round a bend too fast.

Translated by Millie Williams

[07] So states Tony Blair in an interview French Referendum Determinative

By Vivian Papastefanou

Britain is especially interested in the results of the referendum in France to ratify or reject the European Constitution. According to statements by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, if France or other European Union countries reject the European Constitution, then Great Britain will cancel the plan to hold a referendum. In an interview on television network Sky News, Tony Blair stated that if France should vote "no" and "the rest of Europe rips up the Constitution and agrees to forget it," then there would be no reason to hold a referendum in Britain. Referring to Britains accession to the Euro zone, Tony Blair said that this was unlikely, noting that the economic conditions for such a move have not been fulfilled and it does not seem likely for it to happen in the near future. In any case, there will be general elections in Britain on 5 May.

Translated by Millie Williams

[08] Karamanlis Meets with Alogoskoufis

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET 105.8

Current economic issues, as well as the progress of the dialogue on the national insurance issue were the focal point of the meeting between Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and the Minister for the Economy, Giorgos Alogoskoufis at Maximos Mansion. Commenting on the recent decision by the Supreme Administration Court, which ruled that a ministerial decision from 1994 on tax returns was unconstitutional, Mr Alogoskoufis stressed that he is not worried, as it is an isolated case. He added that the governments proposal on the matter is based on different rationale, not only on income, but also on tax returns. Regarding the progress of the dialogue on the national insurance issue, Mr Alogoskoufis commented that if OKE does not undertake to supervise the dialogue, then it will essentially be a waste of time, but he expressed the conviction that the Committee would undertake the responsibility.

Translated by Millie Williams

[09] PPC Does Business in Bulgaria

By Annita Paschalinou

The Public Power Corporation just bought the thermoelectric power plant of Bobov Dol in the like-named Bulgarian city. PPC was proclaimed the winner of an international contest, buying the plant for 70.9 million euros. The Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas spoke of an important purchase that elevates PPC's extrovert orientation, stressing that the policy of the Public Power Corporation will be supported by the general energy policy of the Greek government, aiming to turn Greece into an energy interchange for oil, natural gas and electricity. It is worth noting that this is the first power plant PPC has purchased outside Greece.

Extrovert Orientation

The Bobov Dol power plant partially covers the needs of Bulgaria in electricity, while part of the energy produced is exported to Greece which traditionally buys energy from Bulgaria to cover excess demand. PPC will acquire the 251,000 shares which constitute the 100% of the Bobov Dol capital at a price of 282.09 euros each.

The participation to the Bulgarian contest was part of the wider company strategy, which wishes to expand abroad and increase competitiveness. This is what PPC's New Business Ventures head Sotiris Chatzimichail stressed in his statements on ANA.

At the same time, he reassured that the Public Power Corporation has all means, experience and know-how to operate the Bulgarian power plant with ease.

Russians Bought All Other Stations

PPC offered 229 million euros for the power plant at the Black Sea major port in Varna. However, Russian corporation RAO offered 680 million euros and thus predetermined the outcome. The money offered was a lot more than what Italian ENEL of Czech Public Corporation QEZ offered (263 million and 335 million euros respectively). The same thing happened with the power plant in Russe, where the Russians offered 120 million euros and thus increased their difference from all other bidders.

It should be noted that in Sofia and Burgas, 11,000 coalminers are on strike requesting all thermoelectric power plants to continue operating with domestic coal after their privatization, so that workers dont lose their jobs.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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