The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-05-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Eirinaios Declares he Will not Resign Awaiting the Developments

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΝΕΤ

The Ecumenical Patriarchate Exarchy met with the three-member Committee that has temporarily taken over the administration of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, following the renouncement of Patriarch Eirinaios by 13 members of the Synod. Late on Friday night, following the convocation of the Holy Synod, the three-member committee sent a letter containing the decision of the Synod to oust Mr Eirinaios to the governments of Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. In the meantime, as per NET reporter Panos Charitos, Mr Eirinaios remains at his home, guarded by four Israeli police officers and his security men, and refuses to resign. Actually, the Fanar Exarchy visited him at his home and talked to him for a few minutes, without reaching any specific outcomes, though. At the same time, entrance to the Jerusalem Patriarchate has been allowed once again, following the decision of the Hierarchs and Holy Sepulchre members to terminate the takeover they had proceeded with since Friday afternoon. On Monday, the three-member committee will brief the Holy Sepulchre brotherhood during a meeting that will take place at the Patriarchate.

Continuous Meetings at Greek Foreign Ministry

At the same time, Athens is closely monitoring the latest developments at the Patriarchate, while there is an open line of communication between the government and Greek Consulate in Jerusalem, as well as all the parties involved in the situation.

Deputy Minister Panagiotis Skandalakis held successive meetings on the matter this morning at the Greek Foreign Ministry. As per diplomatic sources, the developments at the Jerusalem Patriarchate should not lead to hasty decisions, since the laws binding the existence and operations of the Patriarchate are quite complicated and are based on both international and bilateral agreements.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Eirinaios Ousted

[02] Culmination on Monday 60th Anniversary Since the End of WWII

By Vivian Papastefanou

Celebrations marking the 60th anniversary since the end of WWII and the victory of the Allies took place all around Europe on Saturday. The main event will take place on Monday at Moscows historical Red Square, while the celebrations will be attended by 50 world leaders, including US President George Bush. The President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, who arrived in the Soviet capital at noon, will represent the Greek State, while Deputy Foreign Minister Panagiotis Skandalakis will represent the Greek Government.

Paying Homage

Speaking from Latvia, the US President stressed that the end of WWII in Europe in 1945 signalled the beginning of oppression and Communist occupation in the Baltic countries. The defeat of Nazi Germany was just the start "for occupation and Communist oppression," declared George Bush, in the presence of the Presidents of Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Estonia, Arnold R&#252;&#252;tel, and Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus. He further stressed that the object of his trip to Europe was to pay homage to all those who were sacrificed over the last 60 years for the liberation of Europe from Nazi rule.

On Sunday, the US President will visit the American military cemetery in Margraten, the Netherlands, while on Monday he will attend the celebrations for the 60th anniversary since the German accord.

Messages from K. Karamanlis and G. Papandreou

Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis and PASOK President George Papandreou issued messages for the 60 years since the end of the war.

The Prime Minister described the anniversary as a day of homage for the nations that dared to stand up to the totalitarian forces, as well as a memorial day for the millions of men and women who sacrificed themselves for the human ideals of liberty and dignity. Mr Karamanlis also noted, "Sixty years after the ceasefire, our generations challenge is for the example of a United Europe, an example of peace, democracy and prosperity, to serve as a source of inspiration for all mankind."

In his message, PASOKs President George Papandreou pointed out the fact that the anniversary of the victory over Nazism coincides with European Day, which demonstrates a strong symbolism. The fight against totalitarian forces and intolerance is a continuous fight for peace, solidarity, democracy and human rights in Europe, underlined Mr Papandreou.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

President of Republic in Moscow

[03] As per a Poll by Kappa Research New Democracy in the Lead

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET 105.8

A new opinion poll conducted by Kappa Research for the newspaper Vima tis Kyriakis gives ND the lead. Specifically, the governing party is leading in voter preference by 37.5%, as opposed to 35.1% for PASOK, 6.5% for KKE, 3.5% for LAOS and 3.1% for SYN. In addition, the number of undecided voters has increased significantly to 9%, while the blank and invalid votes are at 3.7%. ND is also in the lead with 51.1% concerning the question "Which party will win the elections?" as opposed to 28.6% for PASOK. In the question "Who is considered as the most suitable Prime Minister among the political leaders?" Kostas Karamanlis is ahead with 43%, followed by George Papandreou with 35.9%. Furthermore, in answering to the question about the reasons for the increase in the deficit, 47.9% of the citizens believe it is due to the Olympic Games, 43.8% to public expenditures, 32.9% to PASOKs economic policies, 25.8% to tax evasion, 11.7% to NDs economic policy and 11.6% to the fiscal inventory. The nationwide poll was conducted between 15 and 25 April, among a sample of 2,034 citizens.

"Government Sets Firm Foundations"

Commenting on Vimas opinion poll, Government sources stressed that such polls record the public opinion trends at specific timeframes, and currently the Government is forced to implement measures that equate to short-term political costs in order to deal with the accumulated problems of the past.

At the same time, they added that the Government is taking reformative initiatives, which damage set views and interests. They also pointed out that citizens acknowledge the fact that the Government is not responsible for those problems, and that is why they respect and welcome the PM and the Governments decision to speak the truth.

Referring to the fact that ND is again in the lead in this opinion poll, the same sources underlined that society is standing by the Government, which in turn, having the citizens as its allies, is setting firm foundations, so that Greece could reinstate its prestige in Europe and the world, aiming towards a society based on cohesion and solidarity, and a fair, transparent and effective State.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] New Blast at the Heart of Baghdad

By Tina Valaoura

Thirteen Iraqis and four Americans lost their lives, while another 33 people, including children, were injured this morning, when a booby trapped car exploded in a frequented commercial street at the heart of Baghdad. The attack was aimed at a convoy, which is usually used to transport prestigious Iraqis, and occurred at 11:00 local time at the Tahrir Square, in the entrance of a tunnel leading to the Saadoun commercial street, as per an Interior Ministry announcement. The US military confirmed the loss of American citizens, without giving further details on the exact number or their identities. The group of Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, leader of Iraqs al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for the attack with a message posted on an Islamic website.

No End to Violence

Many parked cars were wrapped up in flames because of the blast, while several shops sustained damages.

According to BBC, a girls' school is located close to the explosion site and some students may be injured.

The Iraqi capital is afflicted by a wave of bombardments over the past days, while over the past week more than 300 Iraqis have lost their lives to explosions.

Info on Choice of Canbinet Ministers

At the same time, the new Iraqi prime minister Ibrahim Jaafari is trying to fill in the empty ministerial posts in an effort to scale back tension. According to information broadcast by Reuters, an agreement was achieved regarding the faces that will be appointed in the neuralgic ministries of Defense and Oil. These are Sunni Arab Saandun al Dulaimi and Shia Ibrahim Bahr al Ulurn, who will reportedly assume the duties of Defense and Oil Minister respectively. So far, there has been no official announcement on the matter.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Municipal Meetings at End of May PASOK's Restructuring Enters Final Stage

Sources: NET 105.8

The organizational restructuring of PASOK has entered the final straight. In a circular distributed today to all the organizations by National Council secretary Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou, the final stage of restructuring is approaching. It provides for the formation of prefect committees, new municipal organizations, elections of secretaries and coordinators, and regional councils. Specifically, the municipal meetings will take place from 27 until 30 May, while the elections for the secretaries and coordinators of the municipal organizations and prefect committees will take place on Sunday 5 June and will be attended by friends and members of PASOK. Furthermore, the regional conventions will take place from 11 until 26 June. Ms Xenogiannakopoulou mentioned that the aim is to make PASOK a strong party that will guarantee the active participation of citizens. In the meantime, PASOKs Political Council will be convening on Monday, under George Papandreou, while the coordinators of the Parliamentary Group will convene on Tuesday.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Greek Answer to Commission on Monday

By Tina Valaoura

The Main Shareholder issue has taken its course and a common place will be reached, stressed European Commission Stavros Dimas after meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis at the Maximos Mansion yesterday. He underlined that the processes to be followed for the achievement of an agreement will ensure transparency in the process of developing public ventures and Community Law will be respected. It is noted that the Greek side is expected to send a letter of response to Brussels on Monday. This letter will voice the will to open negotiations for necessary changes and a happy medium.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] It Had Illegally Approached Ammochostos Port "Aegean Sun" in Greek Territorial Waters

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ANA

According to sources, the vehicle carrier Aegean Sun, which is registered under Greek flag and had illegally approached the port of Ammochostos, is heading for Crete. Yesterday, the Minister of Mercantile Marine, Manolis Kefalogiannis, issued a strict order to the captain to return to the nearest Greek port immediately, while he asked that the strictest sanctions be imposed on the captain and shipping company. On the other hand, Captain Stathis Stylianos claimed that he was misled by the British interest shipping company, and was eventually forced to sail into the port of occupied Ammochostos, while its initial destination was Alexandretta.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Greek Ship in Occupied Cyprus

[08] President of Republic in Moscow

By Tina Valaoura

President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias traveled to Moscow today to attend the festivities of the 60th anniversary since the allied forces defeated nazism. Mr Papoulias will be honoured by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will offer him an honourary medal for his resistance action during WWII. Tonight, he will attend an event in honour of the Expatriate Greek clubs in Russia and Greeks who fought in WWII. On Monday morning, Mr Papoulias will attend the parade for the 60 years since the end of World War II in the Red Square along with other state and government leaders, and will later dine at the official dinner hosted by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. He is expected to return to Athens on Monday night.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] The Dutch Appear Concerned Problems with Euro Constitution in the Netherlands

By Tina Valaoura

Abstention may prove to be the big winner in the European Constitution referendum, which will be taking place on 1 June, two days after the much-awaited French referendum. Just a few weeks before the ballots open, the opinion polls are predicting that the voter turnout will be below 40%. The majority of the voters who will be turning up have declared undecided, while those who will be voting No seem to be more than those who will be voting in favour of the European Constitution. In an effort to try and settle the indecisiveness, the two major Dutch parties, the Christian Democrats and Labour, voiced their intention to adopt the referendum result, which under normal circumstances does not have a binding effect on the ratification of the European Constitution, provided that the voter turnout exceeds 30%.

'No' in the Lead

In the meantime, as per the opinion polls, the No vote seems to be in the lead. As per a poll conducted by Interview-NSS and which was made public on Friday, 37% of the Dutch voters who are thinking of participating in the referendum will vote No, 22% will vote Yes and 41% are undecided. It should be noted that 39% of those asked declared that they will be proceeding to vote.

As per another opinion poll that was published towards the end of April, 32% of the voters who would be turning up to the ballots would vote No, 30% Yes and 38% were undecided, while the voter turnout was about 37%.

Therefore, the Dutch seem to be concerned over the development of the referendum, which is expected to be significantly affected by the French verdict.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[10] New Contract Notices for Leader+

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: Rural Development Ministry

The Ministry of Rural Development and Food announced eight new contract notices for public works in the context of the Community initiative Leader+. Minister Evangelos Basiakos declared that 787 investment plans, amounting to a total of 224 million euros, have been already approved for Leader+. This amount relates to 87.6% of the programme. Leader+ aims to improve the quality of life of people living in rural areas, as well as attract younger people to the countryside.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related Links:

Leader+ Contract Notices

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