The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-05-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis Visited the Education Ministry Education Is "National Affair"

By Vagelis Theodorou

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis continues his visits to Ministries with the Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs, where he was informed by Mrs Giannakou on recent matters. "Education is a National Affair" stressed Mr Karamanlis and voiced his satisfaction on the already achieved aims, including the abolition of national exams in the second last year of high school, the establishment of a minimum admission grade in higher education and the creation of a new DIKATSA (Inter-University Centre for the Recognition of Foreign Degrees), which will operate, as the PM said, based on criteria of absolute transparency. Mr Karamanlis also criticised PASOK governments, as their changes had no results and were made without dialogue and planning, while he also announced the next aims of the Government. Lastly, he underlined that national dialogue for Education continues and promoted reforms will span over a period of 20 years.

Next Steps

As announced by the PM, 30,000 computers will be distributed to school labs and 20,000 to students with special needs, while another 5,500 to the top three students of each High School grade.

Furthermore, in the near future, the Government will implement an assessment system for Universities, establish an International University in Thessaloniki, resolve operational matters with Technological Schools, reinforce technical and vocational training and implement new programmes for the Information Technology.

"Investing in knowledge and the new generation relates to the future of the country," said Mr Karamanlis. However, he added that the road ahead is long, concluding "I am optimistic, because this aim will unite everyone."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] K. Karamanlis Most Suitable for PM with 50% ND Steadily in the Lead

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ANA

An opinion poll conducted for the month of May by VPRC on behalf of SKAI gave New Democracy the lead, as opposed to PASOK, with 4.5 percentile units, concerning the intention to vote. Specifically, ND received 43.5%, PASOK 39%, KKE 7%, Synaspismos 4% and LAOS 3.5%. Furthermore, ND led by 42 percentile units as the party most likely to win the elections, with 60%, as opposed to 18% for PASOK. In addition, Kostas Karamanlis was considered as most suitable for Prime Minister, with 50%, followed by George Papandreou with 26%. Finally, the PM is also the most popular political leader with 69%, followed by George Papandreou with 54%, Alekos Alavanos with 48%, Aleka Papariga with 46% and Giorgos Karatzaferis with 36%.

Significant Difference

Speaking on radio station NET 105.8, ND MP Lefteris Zagoritis stressed, "It is very significant that the difference between Karamanlis and Papandreou in relation to their suitability as PMs is greater than 25 units," adding, however, that the polls are also recording a shrinking in the levels of satisfaction. He did say, though, that this is absolutely natural, since "at the moment, the Government is implementing measures to deal with the problems that were left behind by the previous governments."

On his part, PASOKs parliamentary spokesperson Charis Kastanidis noted on NET 105.8 that the shift of voters from PASOK to ND is significantly smaller than the opposite, adding that in the day-to-day matters, the trust towards the Government is just at 28%.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

New Democracy in the Lead

[03] From 7th Heaven to the Police Love Struck Traffic Chaos

By Vicky Keleri

Although they only knew each other for just a few hours, the passion uniting them was so strong that it brought chaos in the streets of Romanian city Craiova. Nineteen-year-old Robert Filip and eighteen-year-old Andrea Popescu decided they could not resist reach other any longer, so they succumbed to their desires, despite the fact that Robert was driving his car at the time. As a result, the young man lost control of the vehicle and hit a parked car. The impact was so strong that crowds gathered to see to the safety of the passengers. However, they were surprised to find out that the couple was so carried away by their passion, that they continued with their business!

The police arrived at the scene immediately and arrested the young man. He was not punished severely, though, since he apologized to the owners of the parked car and offered to pay for the damages.

So, the only consequence he suffered was that the loss of his licence for 90 days, although he also had to promise that he would not be repeating the offence.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] No Lives Were Threatened Helena Hospital Safe

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

A fire that broke out at 9:30am this morning in the Helena Maternity Hospital has been put out. The fire started in a basement corridor, which joins the two wings of the maternity hospital. As per the hospitals administrators, it was a small-scale fire, but some of the women had to be transferred from the old to the new wing, because of all the smoke. A strong firefighting force, consisting of 6 fire engines and 50 firemen, arrived at the scene immediately. Furthermore, Health Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis also arrived at the hospital, while he later noted that there is no cause for concern. Mr Kaklamanis further added that he is awaiting the fire departments findings on the causes, in order to decide whether the Health Ministry has to intervene.

Causes Unknown

On the part of the fire department, deputy chief Andreas Kois stressed that it was a small-scale fire, which was put out immediately, He also noted that he was not aware of the causes of the fire, but did mention that construction work was taking place in the basement corridor. However, according to rough estimations, the fire was probably caused by a short-circuit.

The precise causes will be pointed out by the preliminary hearing held by the competent Fire Brigade department.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Karamanlis' Speech at the SEECP Summit Message to Skopje and Ankara

By Vagelis Theodorou

During the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) summit, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis focused on the European prospects of the SE European countries, the reinforcement of economic collaborations and the regimen in Kosovo. On Wednesday, Greece took over the presidency of the SEECP from Romania. In a Press interview, the PM urged FYROM to take advantage of the "unique opportunity" offered to them by Mathew Nimitzs proposals concerning the name, so that a mutually acceptable solution could soon be found. He also sent a message to Turkey, asking them to conform to the European principles, while he pledged to work towards boosting the collaboration between SE Europe and the EU. On the sidelines of the Summit, Mr Karamanlis met with the Presidents of Bulgaria, Georgi Parvanov, Bosnia, Borislav Paravac and Romania, Traian Basescu, as well as Serbian PM Voislav Kostunitsa.

"Decisive Year" for Kosovo

Mr Karamanlis referred in detail to the situation in Kosovo, describing 2005 as a "decisive year" for the final regimen, and urged Belgrade and Pristina to enter into a new, constructive dialogue.

"We support the full implementation of the policy and criteria set by UN Security Councils resolution 1244," stressed the PM. "More than anything else, Kosovo is a regional and a European problem," he pointed out, while he appeared in favour of a European solution on the matter, so as "to secure that our vision for peace and stability in the Balkans becomes a reality."

Referring to the proceedings of the SEECP Summit, Mr Karamanlis mentioned that the commitments of the SE European countries for closer economic collaboration, as well as their decision to combat unemployment, have been reaffirmed.

Finally, the PM referred in detail to the principles and values of the EU, describing the problems recorded in the democratization of the countries in the area, as well as the violation of some criteria from countries that are already on a European path.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Karamanlis-Basescu Meeting

[06] Investigation into the Polytechnic Incident

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The police are drawing up a brief against police officer Christoforos Patsias, who shot and injured 28-year-old Georgios Chiliarchos inside the Athens Polytechnic School grounds on Tuesday night, using his police gun. Furthermore, they are conducting a preliminary investigation into the case. In the meantime, the Public Order Ministry has ordered an investigation, in an effort to clarify the circumstances under which the drivers of the two PASOK MPs, Evangelos Venizelos and Christos Verelis, who were invited at a book presentation, violated the academic immunity and entered the Polytechnic School grounds armed. The government spokesperson, Thodoris Roussopoulos, referred to the matter on Wednesday, pointing out that the Government handled the incident with coordination and calmness. Furthermore, on behalf of Kostas Karamanlis, he thanked everyone who participated in defusing the crisis.

"The whole incident has to be investigated," stressed Mr Venizelos upon departing the Polytechnic School, while the two PASOK MPs condemned any use of violence and appeared in favour of protecting academic immunity. Mr Venizelos also mentioned that during those hours "we had a political discussion and realized the annoyance and disappointment, which noone can ignore," while he criticized the government for the way it handled the situation.

The 28-year-old man continues to be hospitalized at the Laiko Hospital, but his condition is not critical, while the police officer, who was assaulted, is being hospitalized at the 401 Military Hospital, under guard, and will later be taken before the Prosecutor.

The police officers gun was confiscated and taken to the criminology labs, where it is being checked, while the rest of the police officers who were at the Polytechnic School at the time were asked to hand in their weapons, in order to find out if anyone else had fired a shot.

Following the attack against the MPs drivers, a total of ten shots were fired, one of which hit and injured the 28-year-old.

According to Public Order Ministry sources, the police officers did not have the right to enter the grounds armed, due to the academic immunity; however, their action was attributed to excessive zeal, in order to protect the MPs they were guarding.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Greeks MPs Released

[07] At the Reserves Officers Academy in Crete Gastro in Military Academy

Fifty-three cadets, who are being trained at the Reserves Officers Military Academy (SEAP) in Heraklion, Crete, manifested gastroenteritis symptoms on Wednesday night. As announced by the Army General Staff, 16 out of the 53 cadets were taken to the Navy hospital in Souda, while the rest are being kept at the units infirmary. According to the initial indications, it is a viral form of gastroenteritis, since no other cases have been recorded, while food and water samples have been sent to a lab for analysis.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] May Be Referred to UN's Security Council Iran Resumes Uranium Enrichment

By Despina Hristopoulou

Tehran decided on terminating the negotiations with the EU and resuming a significant part of the activities pertaining to its uranium enrichment programme. As announced today buy the Vice-President of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, Golam-Reza Aqazadeh, "Based on the decisions we made, we will resume a small part of our enrichment-related activities," while he added, "A significant part of the UCF will be repeated," referring to the activities in the Ispahan factory. He further noted that the exact day would be announced soon. Tehran froze all uranium enrichment activities in November 2004, at the request of the EU.

End of Negotiations with the EU

In the meantime, prior to Aqazedahs announcement, the UNs International Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) had expressed fears that Tehran would be continuing its uranium enrichment activities, despite the UNs admonitions. Meanwhile, the US Government voiced its concerns that the uranium could be used in the production of fuel for nuclear weapons.

Actually, as per a Western diplomat, Tehrans decision to continue its uranium-related activities may even lead the IAECs members to refer Iran to the UN Security Council for the imposition of sanctions.

Such a development would signal the de facto end to negotiations between Iran and France, Britain, Germany and the countries of the EU, which applied pressure on Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment programme in exchange for the improvement of the economic and political ties between Tehran and the West.

On their part, Iranian officials declared that Tehran had warned negotiations would not last indefinitely, while they accused the Europeans of not keeping their promises.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] British Scientists' Research Chemotherapy with Drugs?

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: BBC

British scientists studied the effectiveness of some amphetamine derivatives, including Ecstasy pills and other antidepressant, such as Prozac, in the fight against cancer. According to the researchers from the University of Birmingham, Ecstasy, weight-loss pills and some antidepressants were effective at blocking cancer growth in more than half of lymphoma (white blood cell cancer) samples tested. Specifically, the tests focused on 17 samples of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and multiple myeloma. Cancer growth was slowed down in 9 out of the 17 samples when they were exposed to antidepressants, and in 11 out of 17 when exposed to one or both of the amphetamine derivatives. However, in the case of Ecstasy, the problem is that the drug could kill the patient, prior to cancer.

Ecstatic Problems

The research, which was published in the FASEB Journal, demonstrated that a serotonin transporter is located on the cancer cells. Prozac (the equivalent in Greece is Ladose) and Ecstasy act on similar transporters in the brain.

"We are excited that drugs like Prozac are effective in killing these types of cancer cells, as these antidepressants are in such wide circulation and have an impressive safety record," said researcher Professor John Gordon.

However, the researchers stressed that the use of ecstasy was not so straightforward, since the dose required to block cancer growth was so high it would kill the patient.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related Links:

FASEB Journal

University of Birmingham

[10] Responds to his Renouncement Eirinaios Prepares to Appeal

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8

The Holy Sepulchre brotherhood is now dealing with the legalities concerning the renouncement of Mr Eirinaios, as well as his next moves, following the ratification of the decision by Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. In the meantime, the news that the Patriarch will attempt to reverse the decisions by the two countries in Israels Supreme Court has prompted concerns. On the other hand, Ariel Sharons government announced that it would not be participating in the dispute. Furthermore, as per Media sources, Mr Eirinaios was promised that he would be allowed to exit the country, after a secret meeting with the Israeli PM on Tuesday night. Earlier, Jordanian MPs stressed that his renouncement is not enough, as he also has to be tried in court for everything he has committed at the expense of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Eirinaios Renounced

[11] General Strike for May Day

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

May Day strike was celebrated on Wednesday, May 11, with the biggest rally of recent years at Pedion tou Areos, Athens. GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) and ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) also participated in demonstrations. Massive protests and rallies were also held in other major cities, while the Public sector paralyzed and the private under-functioned. Two separate demonstrations were held in Athens. GSEE and ADEDY protested in Pedion tou Areos and then rallied towards the Employment Ministry and the Parliament, while after the PAME demonstration, which was held in Syndagma, a rally followed towards the American Embassy. Three demonstrations and rallies were also held in Thessaloniki, which according to organizers were among the most massive of recent years. In their speeches, unionists spoke against the economic policies followed by the Government, as well as against the confusion caused with regard to the May Day celebration. ERTonline participated in the 24-hour strike called by ESIEA (Journalists Union of Athens Daily Newspapers), which only gave permission for the coverage of the Polytechnic School incidents.

In his brief address, GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos mentioned to the "absolute participation" in the strike and "the great NO" the workers told anyone who tried to undermine May Day, while he accused the government of "irregularities, hypocrisy and deception."

In his speech, ADEDY president Spyros Papaspyros spoke of a "first response" to the government and the employers, while he called a new strike for 18 May, noting that a new circle of workers fights is commencing.

Following the rally, the demonstrators marched towards the Employment Ministry and the Parliament. A union delegation met with Deputy Employment Minister Gerasimos Giakoumatos, who reaffirmed that no measures will be implemented without prior social dialogue, while he predicted that the workers will be in a better condition next May Day.

An ND delegation was also present at the rally, headed by Parliamentary Committee Secretary Evangelos Meimarakis, MP and former GSEE Secretary, G. Manolis and other members.

Top PASOK members were also present including: Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou, Thodoros Pangalos, Christos Papoutsis and Christos Protopappas.

SYNs president Alekos Alavanos also attended the rally.

KKEs general secretary Aleka Papariga participated in the PAME rally, which marched towards the US Embassy. In her address, Mrs Papariga referred to the significance of unity in the unionist movement and condemned the two major parties for their stance towards employees legal matters.

In the capital, all means of public transport were on strike, apart from trolley buses, where employees proceeded with a three-hour work stoppage.

Three Separate Rallies in Thessaloniki

In Thessaloniki, three separate marches met at the Monument of the Tobacco Worker, creating traffic chaos in the city for at least three hours. Many stores in the city centre remained closed, while employees on strike arrived at work in the morning and departed a few hours later, in order to participate in the demonstrations.

PASOK politicians present at the rallies were Akis Tsochatzopoulos and Giannis Magriotis, as well as SYN MP Asimina Xirotiri. The MPs spoke of erroneous economic choices and a mobilization of workers to safeguard their rights.

Workers at Thessalonikis public transport system proceeded with work stoppages, while courts operated with emergency personnel.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

May Day Strike

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