The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-05-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek National Team Groups Up

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Today, the countdown for the games against Turkey (June 4, Istanbul) and Ukraine (June 8, Karaiskakis Stadium) has begun for the European Champions that gathered today in the hotel before the start of the Greek national teams games. As Otto Rehhagel had stated, the aim is to acquire four points in order for Greece to hope for the first place of the group that will lead it straight in Germany, and to increase its hopes for the second place that will lead the team to the decisive matches. Traianos Dellas and Thodoris Zagorakis will not play in the critical game against Turkey, as the first is injured and the second is punished due to yellow cards. There is concern over Kostas Katsouranis, who has a problem with his leg, and last week followed a personal training session with his team, AEK.

Players are Optimistic

The absentees are Takis Fyssas of Benfica who is playing at the Portugal Cup final today, Zagorakis and Karagounis that are playing in the Italian Championship and Stathis Tavlaridis and Zisis Vryzas who will be joining the team during the next days.

The common conclusion is that Greece for another year will achieve the results it wants in order to make a strong presence in the stadiums of Germany and the finals of the World Cup.

Most of the players, in statements, claimed that a tie in the game against Turkey is possible, if they play according to their capabilities.

"June will be a good month for the Greek National team, just like the previous years. This time last year, with the logic that every game is different, we were found celebrating being European Champions at the end. Hopefully something equivalent will happen this year," stated Giannis Goumas and added "a tie will be a positive result in Turkeys home turf."

Kostas Katsouranis, besides his injury, had the same views and believes he will be ready for the critical game. "If we acquire two wins we will be near a qualification, but it will be a positive result if we receive a tie in the game in Istanbul," noted the captain of AEK and went on to add that the team must win Ukraine.

Kostas Chalkias spoke of a game with particularities that will take place with a fanatical audience present, and noted that the tense atmosphere will not affect their performance.

In closing, Bolton player, Stelios Giannakopoulos, in statements to Superspor FM, described the two games against Turkey and Ukraine as the Greek National teams most critical games on the road to Germany. "These two games are the most critical in our course. If we manage to pull it through in Turkey we will be in a good position. Following, at the game with Ukraine we have the advantage of playing in our home turf," he said.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] Political fire and friction between trade unionist Complaints Against Redundancy

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: ANA, NET, NET 105.8

Reactions in the trade union and internal party friction in the Opposition continue to arise over the agreement between administration and workers at OTE on voluntary redundancy and the lifting of the permanent status of employees. A fierce attack on the government was launched by George Papandreou, who stressed PASOKs opposition to "an agreement which will strike at the taxpayer." The chairman of GSEE Christos Polyzogopoulos did not rule out the possibility of expulsion for members of PASKE who signed the agreement in question, while trade union members with PASOK state that Mr Polyzogopoulos was informed on the contents of the agreement, as he participated in all the preceding negotiations. For their part, government ministers continue to highlight the benefits of the agreement, which is expected to be submitted to Parliament in June.

Divisive Agreement

Speaking at the founding convention of the municipal organisation of PASOK in Peristeri, Mr Papandreou voiced his support for reforms and privatization, but with social consensus, and he accused the government of attempting to use the OTE agreement to plaster over the holes it had itself created in the Economy, with a view to selling state assets.

At the same time, the president of PASOK appeared open to social dialogue on the issue of permanent positions in the public sector, and claimed that ND is attempting to transfer the problem to trade union movements.

In the meantime, it appears that PASOKs relations with OME OTEs leaders, part of PASKE are suffering a deep rift, while Opposition MPs also attacked the contents of the agreement on Sunday.

"The OTE case will develop into a second Main Shareholder for ND," stated Apostolos Kaklamanis, while Milena Apostolaki opposed the expulsion of trade unionists. Tougher than everyone else, Kimonas Koulouris said that PASOK is suffering from political disability and he called on senior members to respect the history of the party.

Translated by Millie Williams

Related News:

OTE Unionists Divided

[03] 202 Year Celebration of the Kougi Holocaust Karolos Papoulias in Souli

By Annita Paschalinou

The President of the Republic attended the celebrations for the great 202 year anniversary of the Souli Holocaust by Monk Samuel in Kougi. In his speech, Karolos Papoulias stated that the people of Souli, years before the reveille of Rigas for national unification, fought with a passion inspired from their faith to the ideals of freedom and national dignity. He added that in places like Souli the love for the nation finds its clearer meaning. The President of the Republic attended the doxology in the Paleochristian Church of Agios Donatos, and following watched the celebrations from the amphitheater on the side of the mountain.

"Courage is the Power for Tomorrow"

The celebrations came to an end with the reenactment of Kougi being blown up by Monk Samuel.

"The blow up of Kougi by Monk Samuel," noted Mr Papoulias "was a heroic and poetic act, an act that surpasses human measures and thus becomes ultimate."

"I am sure," he added "that this courageousness does not belong in the past, as it comes from the future, and gives us the power to be optimistic about this lands tomorrow." Earlier, at the Parliament, he laid a wreath at the Unknown Soldier Monument, while the President of the Souli community declared him an honorary citizen and offered him the gold key of the town. Hundreds of people attended the celebrations for the 202 year anniversary of the Souli Holocaust by Monk Samuel in Kougi. The government was represented by Minister of Tourism Dimitris Avramopoulos.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Speech to an organisation in Peristeri Two-Sided Attack from Papandreou

By Vagelis Theodorou

New fire against government policy and against the PM personally have come from the president of PASOK, George Papandreou, from the podium of the founding convention of the municipal party organisation in Peristeri. "I will not become like Karamanlis," said Mr Papandreou, accusing the government of making enormous mistakes, saying "it has been like a plague in Public Administration." Government spokesman Thodoros Rousopoulos replied immediately to the statements by the president of PASOK. "Mr Papandreous comments have nothing to do with the new government and instead describe PASOK governments, of which he was himself a member."

Call to Citizens

Spokesman of PASOK replied to Mr Rousopoulos. "The imprint of reality as far that policy of the ND government is concerned," noted Mr Athanasakis "is not just negative comments, when the specific reality for every Greek citizen becomes more visible each day."

Earlier, Mr Papandreou launched a fierce attack on local and major PASOK players, saying that they are attempting to split the party ideologically, politically and socially. "We will fight a fierce Opposition battle," forewarned Mr Papandreou, calling on citizens to take part in the process of reorganizing the party.

He criticised state ideology and voiced his support for major reforms, which, however, he said should not be paid for by the people. At this point, he referred to the agreement between administration and employees at OTE on voluntary redundancy and accused the government of attempting to plaster over the holes it had itself created in the Economy. He asked who would pay the price.

In fact, the president of PASOK spoke of "signs of a quick end" to the government and predicted that his party would soon be in government.

Referring to internal party matters for PASOK, Mr Papandreou described the municipal conventions on Sunday around Greece as a political process, as part of the reorganization of the party.

"Some people think that PASOK is in their hands," he said, among other things, and called on the people to participate in the processes in order to resist practices and attitudes of the past and break the barriers and mechanisms that brought the party to defeat.

After his speech, Mr Papandreou visited Bournazi Square, where he met and talked with young people from the area.

Translated by Millie Williams

[05] 4.7 Richter quake no damage caused Itea Shaken

By Vagelis Theodorou

A weak earthquake, measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale, shook the residents of Itea. The quake occurred at 11:55 on Sunday, with its epicentre in the sea area off Itea, 120 kilometres north west of Athens. The quake, which was mainly felt along the shores of the Peloponnese, did not cause any damage, while seismologists are reassuring and are keeping a careful watch on the region.

Translated by Millie Williams

[06] Extremists arrested in Baghdad Arrests and Attacks in Iraq

By Vagelis Theodorou

The "Lightning Operation" started on Sunday in Baghdad with 500 arrests. American and Iraqi security forces are cooperating in the operation, which aims to arrest extremists. The operation is the largest campaign against the insurgents launched since the fall of Saddam Hussein. About 40,000 Iraqi soldiers, along with 10,000 Americans, sealed off the Iraqi capital and have launched a manhunt in the districts of the capital, searching for Arab fighters and Iraqi extremists. At the same time, bloody attacks are continuing. At least two Iraqis lost their lives in a suicide attackagainst an American convoy in the town Tuz Khurmatu, south of the city of Kirkuk. Eyewitnesses also spoke of victims among the American soldiers, although this has yet to be confirmed by the American forces. Furthermore, a further two Iraqis were killed in a car bomb explosion near the Ministry of Oil in Baghdad, while a British soldier lost his life in the town of Amara, when insurgents attacked the motorcade he was travelling in.

Translated by Millie Williams

[07] An Hour Before the First Exit Polls Oui or Non?

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: Le Monde

Less than an hour remains before the first exit polls for the French referendum are broadcast. The voting was concluded in most polling stations, with the exception of the ones in Paris and Lyon, which will close at 23:00 Greek time. The main protagonist of the developments in France seems to be the participation, which reached 66.24% at 19:00, and is expected to reach 80%. As NETs correspondent broadcast from Paris there is information that states that "Yes" has a slight lead.

Turn Out: A Weapon for Both Camps

Since this morning the French peoples interest in the referendum was great.

Until 12:00 the turn out percentage reached 25.08%, an increase by 5% in relation to the Maastricht Treaty, in September 1992, which had a 20.39% turn out.

The participation was also higher in relation to the European Elections.

In June 2004, until 12:00, 13.56% of the voters had turned up at the polling stations. At the same time a mass abstention is recorded in overseas territories of French Guiana, Martinique and Guadeloupe, where the voting started yesterday.

The latest opinion polls indicated that the abstention would range at around 30% in todays referendum.

It has been concluded that weather conditions affect the turn out percentages in elections.

Usually, good weather favors abstention.

Today, in France, there is sunshine in the south and east parts of the country, while rain and cloudiness is forecasted in the north and the Atlantic Sea coastal areas.

The analysts are studying the occurrence of a high turn out with great interest, which is a development that could reinforce both the "Yes" and "No" camps.

The polling stations close at 20:00 GMT (21:00 Greek time), with the exception of Paris and Lyon where they will close two hours later (23:00 Greek time).

According to the legislature, the evaluations over the result should not be announced before 22:00 local French time.

Will the Dutch be Influenced?

The result of the referendum in France will quite possibly influence the judgment of other Europeans that will be called at polling stations in order to vote for the European Constitutional Treaty. For example, the Dutch who will vote on Wednesday for its acceptance or rejection According to a prediction by the Maurice de Hond Dutch poll institute, in the event that "No" prevails in the French referendum, that fact will keep the participation in the Dutch to a low percentage. On the other hand, if "Yes" prevails in France, the turn out in the Netherlands will range at a very high percentage that will reach 50%. Taking the above parameter into account, the political leaders of the country are sending out a plea to the citizens to decide regardless of the French vote. The Dutch referendum will take place on Wednesday, June 1.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Battle for European Constitution

Moments of Anxiety in France

[08] After Checks by the Ministry of Development Three Super Markets Taken to Prosecutor

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET 105.8

Three well-known super market chains will be taken to the Misdemeanor Prosecutor. The checks conducted by the Ministry of Development, after complaints from consumers, indicated that super markets Carrefour Marinopoulos, Atlantik and Veropoulos made violations to regulations that concerned the sale of imported products as Greek, different prices on the shelf label and check-out counters, and incorrect labels in meat and poultry products.

More specifically, in checks conducted at Carefour Marinopoulos, it was concluded that in the context of the game entitled "magic code," which was advertised on television, from a sample of ten products, two were not priced, while another two had different shelf and check-out prices. For the case, charges will be asked to made by the Prosecutor, and the case will be committed for administration penalties in the relative east Attica Municipality.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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