The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-05-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Eirinaios' Counterattack

By Athina Saloustrou

His attempt to change the locks of the Patriarchate was a complete failure. He wants to enter the hall of the Patriarch Throne and convoke a Synod so as to substitute all opposing metropolitan bishops with the 7 archimandrites close to him New tension and behind-the-scenes manipulations in Jerusalem, after archimandrites close to the Patriarch tried to change the locks at the Patriarchate's building this morning with the help of a locksmith and the coverage of Israeli police. The attempt was a complete failure, as Holy Sepulchre monks threw them out. Eirinaios, who visited Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon at his home, proceeded to such an action after the cancellation of a temporary agreement which red that the Holy Sepulchre Brotherhood would give the keys of the Patriarchal Throne hall to the Israeli Police Chief at the Old City of Jerusalem so that Eirinaios would go in. The reason for the cancellation was that Patriarch Eirinaios didn't pledge not to convoke a Synod in an effort to substitute all opposing metropolitan bishops.

He Wants to Make Archimandrites Metropolitan Bishops

Even at the last hour, the Patriarch of Jerusalem is trying to get ahead of any initiatives taken by Phanar, which has called a Panorthodox Synod on Monday, May 23.

One move, then, would be to remove all opposing Hierarchs and try appointing the 7 archimandrites close to him as metropolitan bishops, who along with the three remaining metropolitan bishops, would give him the Synod's majority votes.

What is more, the Continuous Holy Synod of the Greek Church will convene on Friday and which, according to sources, will examine the stance of archbishop Christodoulos and of two high priests, who will escort him to Phanar.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Panorthodox Synod

[02] "Presidential Decree Doesn't Oppose EU Regulation" Interior Ministry Denies Allegations

By Athina Saloustrou

The Ministry of Interior speaks of misinformation and distortion of truth on the occasion of todays article in newspaper Ta Nea, according to which the European Commission states its opinion that the Presidential Decree by Mr Pavlopoulos for the decasualization of Public Sector contract workers is opposed to Community Regulation. The announcement also states that the accusations of the Commission solely concern the previous Decree by Mr Reppas and Mr Skandalidis. The article speaks of a "Commission bomb against the exemptions of Mr Pavlopoulos for contract workers," and claims that " the opinion on the adjustment of decasualization of the contract workers given by Commission rules Pavlopoulos and Reppas Decree as illegal," and adds "the European Committee notes that the ban on modification of contracts to indefinite, opposes the Community regulation of 1999." The issue of the contract workers is being investigated in the European Court, which is expected to decide for the adoption of the Regulation by our country. The relative decision will be binding for all Greek Courts.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] The "Deceased" with the Heavy Hand

By Vagelis Theodorou

Hospital officials in Romania are investigating after a doctor was punched by a 'corpse' in the morgue. The doctor had to be treated for shock after he was punched by teenager Bogdan Georgescu. It happened after the doctor thought he saw Mr Georgescu move and bent over to investigate. The youngster, 16, had been taken to the morgue at Brasov County Hospital in Brasov, after collapsing and showing no signs of life. He was declared dead on arrival and his body moved to the morgue. He said: "I woke up and had no idea where I was, I looked to the left and to the right and saw a dead woman on either side of me, and then I saw this man coming towards me in a white coat. "I just panicked. I thought he was going to kill me." The youngster, from Fagaras, is now being treated in the neurological ward to find out the cause of his collapse. He said: "The last thing I remember is drinking coffee with my brother, and then I woke up in the morgue." The doctor was allowed to take time off work after being treated for shock.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] 60-Year Anniversary since End of WWII Greek Parliament's Message of Peace

By Annita Paschalinou

During a session on the occasion of the 60-year anniversary since the end of WWII, the Greek Parliament paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the victory of freedom and humanism. All the party leaders condemned wars and hostilities and observed a moments silence to commemorate the dead. In his speech, Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis stressed, Greece, which played a leading part in the allied fights, works towards peace, while he also noted, Today, 60 years after the end of the war, Unified Europe is becoming a role model for peace, democracy and collaboration. On his part, PASOK President G. Papandreou pointed out, The message of WWII on the value of war and peace has to be enlisted against the phenomena of racism, extreme nationalism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, while at the same time sounding the alarm for the oversimplifications, which divide the world into good and evil.

Aleka Papariga voiced her concerns over the current situation, because of the lies circulated by the USA concerning WWII, as well as the dangerous Europe of capitalist states.

KKEs General Secretary stressed that we are fighting towards a Europe of united popular movements, while focusing on our expectations and optimism.

On the other hand, Alekos Alavanos spoke of a resurfacing of neo-fascism forces. As per SYNs President, the left-wing forces should no allow fascism to take its revenge 60 years later.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Mid-Air Adventure for MyTravel Aircraft Successful Landing

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET

The charter aircraft of company MyTravel, en route from Herakleion to Glasgow, made an emergency landing without any further problems at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. Shortly after the take off from Herakleion, smoke appeared in the aircraft. The pilot informed the traffic control tower of Eleftherios Venizelos and an alarm sounded. The emergency landing was completed successfully and the problem according to information has been repaired. Thus, the 211 passengers and the 6-member crew will not land and continue their trip to Glasgow.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] "Long-term Opponent of Hussein" Galloway Fire Against US Senate

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC GREEK

British independent Parliamentarian George Galloway told US Senators, who accused him of profiting from Iraq oil dealings through UNs "Oil for Food" programme, their claims were the "mother of all smokescreens." Mr Galloway stressed before the Senate: "I am not now nor have I ever been an oil trader and neither has anyone on my behalf." The Senate drew up a report whereby Saddam Hussein ceded Galloway oil selling rights, a fact that led the British MP to Washington in order to restore his name. In fact, as he said, he had met Saddam Hussein on two occasions, just like US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. "The difference is Donald Rumsfeld met him to sell him guns and maps - the better to target those guns. I met him to try to bring about an end to sanctions, suffering and war," stressed Galloway.

Opposing the War in Iraq

Galloway said the biggest sanctions busters were American companies "with the connivance" of the US Government.

At the same time, he denied being an avid supporter of Saddam Hussein, stressing that he is a long-term opponent of the former Iraqi leader, a fact which he can far better prove than the US and British government.

In the British elections Mr Galloway, who was expelled from the Labour Party for his opposition to the war in Iraq, won the Bethnal Green and Bow constituency, in East London, for his fledgling Respect party.

In December, Mr Galloway won £150,000 in libel damages from the Daily Telegraph over its separate claims he had received money from Saddam's regime.

Accusations Against Russian and French Politicians

On Monday, Russian politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky denied the committee's accusations that he accepted millions of dollars in Iraqi oil allocations.

The Senate's report also accused former French minister Charles Pasqua of receiving oil rights from Iraq, something he has vehemently denied.

The United Nations-backed oil-for-food scheme enabled Saddam Hussein to export oil to pay for essential humanitarian aid to help the Iraqi people cope with UN sanctions imposed in 1991.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] Six Months in Jail Mild Sentence for Tortures

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

A US army reservist was sentenced to six months in jail for attaching electric wires on an Iraqi prisoner covered with a hood. In fact, a photograph of the heinous act has made the round of the world causing rage and horror to the international community. 27-yeat-old Sabrina Harman received one of the lightest punishments to have been imposed with regard to the Abu Ghraib prison scandal in Iraq.

"I Failed my Mission"

The maximum sentence Harman was facing was five years and six months of imprisonment. However, prosecutors asked the jury to give her three years.

The jury found her guilty on six of seven counts including attaching electric wires to an Iraqi prisoner whose face was covered with a hood. Soldiers had threatened the man that if he would step down from the box where he was standing, he would be electrocuted.

"I wish to apologize to any and all detainees," said Harman.

"I failed my duties. I failed my mission. Not only did I let down the people in Iraq, I let down every single soldier that serves today. I take full responsibility for my actions," she said. "The decisions I made were mine and mine alone."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[08] The Rest 75% Won't Leave the Gaza Strip 25% of Colonists Ready to Depart

By Athina Saloustrou

Over 2,000 Israeli colonists from a total of 8,000 living at the Gaza Strip, have signed a secret agreement with Israeli authorities to move to Israel. As per a local newspaper, from the 1,500 families that will have to leave the 21 settlements by summer, 450 have already accepted the compensation granted by the state and have agreed to permanently settle in homes suggested by authorities. These families secretly signed the agreement with the competent Israeli authority so as to avoid clashes with those opposing to the withdrawal, stressed the newspaper. The families that will no agree to leave the Jewish settlements by 20 July, will lose one third of the compensation, which ranges from 200,000 to 300,000 dollars.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] Public Sector Appeal Rejected as Groundless New Positive Outcome for LAFKA

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET 105.8

Vice-Commissary of State Ioannis Sbirounias stated that the appeal of the Public Sector, against the act of Unit A of the Audit Conference that justified a pensioner ruling that the deduction of 5-year contributions for LAFKA is illegal and should be returned to him, to be rejected as groundless. According to the rapporteur, the special contribution for LAFKA contravenes with fist Protocol of the European Human Rights agreement and therefore the clauses of the 1998 bill are powerless and non-applicable. The decision of the court is expected next month.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Kaznaferis: Referee at Cup Final

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Giorgos Kaznaferis of the Argolida Association will be the referee that will conduct the Greek Cup Final between Olympiacos and Aris on May 21, in Patras. His assistants will be Dimitris Bozantzidis (Thessalonica) and Giorgos Tapratzis (Aitoloakarnania). The fourth referee will be Fragiskos Somarakakis of the Athens Association, while the observer will be Mr Messalas of the Achaia Association. Mr Kaznaferis was appointed "archon of the game" after a nomination by Aris and Olympiacos agreement.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Free Entrance International Museum Day

By Vagelis Theodorou

Museums are celebrating today, since May 18 has been designated as International Museum Day. Entrance is free to all archaeological sights and Museums, while the museums that will be recognized for 2005 are the Byzantine and Christian Museum (Athens), Islamic Art Collection (Benaki Museum) and the Byzantine Culture Museum (Thessalonica). The main event of the Greek division of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) with the topic of "Museums-Bridges of Culture," is a round table discussion that will take place at the Byzantine and Christian Museum at 19:00. From May 14 to 23, a wide range of events have been planned for the celebration of the International Museum Day such as exhibitions, educational programs for students, guided tours, musical and other performances which will take place in Museums and Institutions around the country.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Ministry of Culture

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