The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-05-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Jerusalem Committee Authorised Eirinaios Stricken from Diptychs

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA

The Panorthodox Synod in Phanar decided on striking Eirinaios from the Diptychs of the Orthodox Church, by majority vote. The representatives of the Antioch and Poland Patriarchates abstained from voting, while the Patriarchate of Georgia voted against. The decision by the Orthodox Church hierarchs binds even those who did not attend the Synod, while it legally authorised the three-member committee, which is temporarily administrating the Jerusalem Patriarchate Synod, to proceed with appointing a suffragant and electing a new Patriarch. As per Metropolitan Bishop of Caesarea Vasilieos, the committee will see to the above immediately. The Synod meeting was long and despite the hierarchs recommendations to Eirinaios to contribute towards resolving the crisis by resigning, he remained unmoved. However, upon departing from Istanbul, Eirinaios refuted rumours of having made statements commenting on the decision and describing it as "political". In the meantime, Deputy Foreign Minister Panagiotis Skandalakis stated that the decisions of the Panorthodox Meeting have to be accepted by everyone, noting, "Whoever deviates or does not conform will bear the responsibility of any negative developments."

"I Will Remain as the Patriarch"

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew read the official announcement of the Panorthodox Synod, which lasted 8 hours.

As per the announcement, the Synod of the provosts of the autocephalous Orthodox Churches and their representatives convened and discussed the situation created recently at the Church of Jerusalem and after long deliberations it decided on recommending to the Patriarch of Jerusalem to hand in his resignation.

According to Patriarch Bartholomew this was asked of Eirinaios as a self-sacrifice act, so that peace may prevail in Church, however, since Eirinaios denied to do so, the Panorthodox Synod decided to denounce him and strike his name from the Orthodox Diptychs.

Bartholomew went on to explain that this essentially means that Eirinaio will from now on be known as former Patriarch of Jerusalem, while the three-member committee, which is temporarily administrating the Jerusalem Patriarchate Synod, was legally authorised to proceed with appointing a suffragant, as required by Jordanian law.

On his part, the denounced Patriarch told reporters, "I will remain as the Patriarch." As a matter of fact, he reacted intensely when the Ecumenical Patriarch allowed Eirinaios opponents, the Holy Sepulchre clerics, to voice their opinion.

Archbishop Anastasios of Albania declared that every surgery is accompanied by pain; however, the pain would be greater if this decision was not made.

Archbishop Aristarchos of Konstantini declared that the Holy Sepulchre brotherhood would wait for the Palestinian Authority to publicise its decision to denounce Eirinaios, while as soon as everything has been settled he would proceed with appointing a suffragant for the Patriarchal throne.

Letter from Palestinian Authority

In the meantime, a letter from the office of the Palestinian Authoritys PM, Samir Hleileh, was sent to the clerics in Phanar this afternoon, mentioning, "The Palestinian Authority will respect any official and legal decision made by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the leadership of Orthodox Churches." It further noted that great obstacles have hampered the Palestinian Authoritys Investigative Committee, which was formed to check the deals for the sale and leasing of Patriarchal property, thus delaying issuing its findings.

The letter, which was signed by the Cabinets secretary-general and the manager of the PMs office, also confirmed that Patriarch Eirinaios cooperated with the Committee and granted it power of attorney to nullify the contracts.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Moment of Decision

[02] Monkey Guards

By Tina Valaoura

A langur monkey has been employed by an Indian government minister - to scare away other monkeys. The Indian Minister for Human Resources, M A A Fatmi, has taken on the langur, as well as a professional monkey catcher. He hopes their combined efforts will scare off the monkeys that invade his office, trashing light fittings and ripping up documents. "They scare away the monkeys and cage the more naughty ones. So things are better now," a spokesman told the Hindustan Times. Minister Fatmi had to move into the bungalow after the petroleum minister refused to because of the daily simian onslaught. Four langur monkeys and two professional monkey catchers are also employed in parliamentary and government buildings in New Dehli. All offices have been given caged doors and the 'langur force' patrols the buildings at night after a series of official documents were torn to shreds and several civil servants bitten. "We are trying our best. In our drive in March we captured 101 monkeys and sent them to the Delhi government's monkey shelters in Rajokri," Ved Prakash, the municipal supervisor in New Dehli added.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] "Sun Protection" With Vitamin D

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: Associated Press

Lately the "vitamin D" chapter has baffled the American scientific community, as a group of scientists based on new studies dears to add a few "yes, buts" in one of the most common and strict medical advices: never expose yourselves to the sun without using sunblock. Don't rush into conclusions, the matter has caused clashes between scientists, as one group claims that the richest source of vitamin D, which protects or even cures various types of cancer, is the sun, while another group underlines that we should not overdo it with sun exposure and forget the threat of skin cancer. Still, the findings of a recent series of studies cannot be overlooked, a fact which led the American Cancer Society review its sun protection guidelines.

Sunbathing In Moderation

As per Dr Edward Giovannucci, a Harvard University professor of medicine and nutrition who laid out his case in a recent lecture at a major cancer research meeting, even if too much sun leads to skin cancer, which is rarely deadly, too little sun may be worse. As hi research suggests, vitamin D might help prevent 30 deaths for each one caused by skin cancer. Cancer's math is scary, but if these new scientific allegations are proved right, then it would mean the change of deep-rooted beliefs.

Presenting the results of four different studies that were held over the past three months, Dr Giovannucci underlined that vitamin D helped protect against lymphoma and cancers of the prostate, lung and, ironically, the skin.

However, the main problem is that people aren't getting enough of the beneficial vitamin, and it's hard to get it from food and fortified milk, while supplements are problematic. The only pure source of vitamin D is the skin, which produces it from ultraviolet rays, but the continuous use of sunscreen blocks the procedure. What scientists suggest is the implementation of the "safe sun" theory. Fifteen minutes of sun exposure a few times a week without the use of sunblock could prove a very healthy thing to do.

Questions that remain to be answered is how much vitamin D is needed or the best way to get it. Even if sunshine is recommended, the amount needed depends on the season, time of day, where a person lives, skin color and other factors. How vitamin D can curb cancer is still under study, but there are a lot of reasons to think it can. The answer to the riddle lies in the hands of scientists.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Landmark Bill for Public Administration Law Reform Bill Prepared

By Athina Saloustrou

The terms under which Bills of Law are to be composed in the future are laid out in the Bill on Legislative Reform. As stressed by Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, the legislation, which will be submitted to Parliament in the next few days, will prove a landmark in administration, aiming to improve the quality of laws in Greece. In events today organized by the National Centre for Public Administration, the Interior Minister referred to the steps that have been taken towards combating bureaucracy with Citizens Service Centres. As Mr Pavlopoulos stressed, he does not operate on terms of political cost in Public Administration, while he noted that the purging of the public sector presupposes a return to the principle of legality, productivity and counter-bureaucracy.

Translated by Millie Williams

[05] 4.6 Earthquake in Ilia

Sources: NET

A 4.6 on the Richter scale quake was recorded at 9am today close to the Prefecture of Ilia. The epicentre was located in the sea, south of the island of Zakynthos, and was mainly felt in the coastal areas. No damages have been reported just yet. As per the seismologists, this is second tremor of the same magnitude that has been recorded in Ilia over the last two weeks; however, they reassured the public that there is no need for concern.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Turks Against the Panorthodox Synod Protest Outside Phanar

By Athina Saloustrou

A "Committee of Neighbors" consisting of several people holding Turkish flags protested earlier in the area of Phanar over the Panorthodox Synod which is held in the Church of Saint George. "Patriarch Bartholomew is setting a Christian religious court in Turkey," red a hand-written note, which the protestors gave reporters. "This constitutes a confirmation of Ecumenicalism, which means the violation of the Lausanne Treaty and translates into an important step towards the establishment of a second Vatican," said the note. "Its outrageous for this institution (the Ecumenical Patriarchate) that does not obey the laws of the Turkish state to stand on its grounds," also red the note asking for the Patriarchate's removal. The note is signed by the "Platform of Phener and Balat citizens." Similar views have been voiced in the Turkish Press by representatives of the nationalistic movement , known as the "Grey Wolves."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] Half-Yearly Review Made Public Forecasts by the OECD

By Athina Saloustrou

In its half-yearly review, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) forecasts a deceleration in the Greek Economys growth rate for 2005 and a marginal acceleration in 2006. Furthermore, the OECD predicted that the GNP would increase by 2.8% in 2005 and 3.2% in 2006, while the deficit will stay at over 3% for the next two years. As per the OECD, the decrease in the unemployment rate will be marginal, since it will drop from 11% last year to 10.8% this year and 10.5% in 2006. It also recommended public expenditure cuts, greater flexibility in the employment market and boosting competition in products. In the meantime, a 6.3% yearly increase was recorded in the trade deficit, which amounted to 2.4 billion euros as per Bank of Greece data. This deceleration was mainly triggered by the increased costs in fuel imports and the purchase of ocean vessels. At the same time shipping exchange remained at the same levels, while the inflow of Community funds decreased. Finally, foreign investments in Greece dropped significantly, which was also the case with bonds, stocks and repos.

Two-Year Growth Rate above Eurozone Average

As per the OECDs half-yearly report, the Greek Economy will continue to grow over the period 2005-2006, while its growth rate will be above the Eurozone average. Despite this, however, the expenses relating to the Olympic Games, combined with the toughened fiscal policy are expected to curb demand, especially in 2005. This will result in a deceleration of the Greek GNP to approximately 3%.

The international organization further predicted that the inflation rate would probably remain above the Eurozone average, thus decreasing competitiveness. Even in this case, however, the deficit of the running exchanges balance will gradually start decreasing, as its difference compared to the Eurozone is shrinking, and the exportation of services remains strong.

Furthermore, the OECD stressed that the very fragile state of Greeces public finances demands the implementation of a cleansing programme, as was announced recently. It further mentioned that primary expenditure cuts are required, while it noted that the recent proposals concerning the amendments to the tax system should not hamper fiscal cleansing.

It further mentioned that greater flexibility in the employment market and boosting competition in products would contribute towards the countrys employment and competitiveness and would close the gap with other Eurozone members as far as the inflation rate is concerned.

Following the 4.2% increase of the Greek GNP in 2004, the OECD forecasted a deceleration of the Economys growth rate for 2005 to 2.8%, followed by a 3.2% acceleration for 2006.

In addition, it expects a 3.7% increase in inflation for 2005, which will subside to 3.4% in 2006, as opposed to 3.4% in 2004.

The unemployment rate is expected to decrease to 10.8% in 2005 and will continue its downward trend, dropping to 10.5% in 2006, as opposed to 11% in 2004.

Finally, the OECD further predicted a shrinking of the deficit to 3.8% of the GNP in 2005 and 3.5% in 2006,compared to 6% last year.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] Papageridis World Champion

By Ilias Papaioannou

Greek champion Dimitris Papageridis gave the greatest finale for Greek colours today at the 31st Junior World Weightlifting Championship in Pusan, South Korea. The 19-year-old Atlas from Serres won all three gold medals competing in the +105Kg category, while breaking Greek junior records both in snatch with 182Kg and in total with 397Kg. On the contrary, Greek Giorgos Samaras failed to step on the podium, as he ranked 12th overall in Snatch with 145Kg, 13th in Clean and Jerk with 175Kg and 12th in total with 320Kg. In the final rankings, Greece occupied 4th place with 432 points.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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