The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-06-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Collection of Rubbish Begins Operation Clean-Up

By Vivian Papastefanou

The collection of more than 35,000 tonnes of rubbish in the Attica basin is expected to last two weeks, after the Western Attica Fighting Committee decided to reopen the Ano Liossia refuse dump, but only for the disposal of rubbish. In the meantime, a meeting will be held today in the Piraeus Prefecture on the issue of the sewage sludge transport from Psittalia, an issue set to be discussed anew on June 15 along with Public Works Ministry experts. The Western Attica Fighting Committee has scheduled a demonstration for 7 pm in Klathmonos Square. The president of the Wider Thessaloniki Local Government, Giannis Zournas, speaking on radio station NET 105.8, said that the programme of turning sewage sludge into soil, which was implemented in Thessaloniki, can also be introduced in Psittalia.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Ano Liossia Dump Reopens

[02] Criminal Proceedings for Felonies Vavilis Charged with 13 Offences

By Athina Saloustrou

The Director of First Instance Prosecutions, Dimitris Papangelopoulos, brought criminal proceedings for felonies and misdemeanours against Apostolos Vavilis, concerning his involvement in the Israeli secret services and his actions alongside the former Patriarch Eirinaios of Jerusalem. The charges include offences carried out by Vavilis in Greece, Israel and Italy. Vavilis is being accused of a total of 13 offences, with the main one being the violation of State secrets, which constitutes a felony. Furthermore, the First Instance Prosecutor brought criminal proceedings against Vavilis both for his activities in Greece, as well as those in Jerusalem, regarding forgery, theft, harbouring a criminal, fraud and embezzlement. The Examiner will be issuing a warrant for the extradition of Apostolos Vavilis from Italy soon. Furthermore, criminal proceedings were also brought against retired Police Chief Giannis Traintafyllakis, as well as other members of the non-profit organisation Magna Grecia.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] Focus on Bilateral Relations and Kurdish Issue Bush-Erdogan Meeting Tomorrow

By Vivian Papastefanou

Tomorrows meeting between US president George Bush and Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan is deemed very important, as it is expected to constitute a step towards reinstating the disrupted relations between the two countries, following Turkeys refusal to back the US in the war against Iraq. The discussion will focus on the Kurdish issue, while Mr Erdogan is expected to ask George Bush to take action against the PKK Kurdish rebels, who are launching operations against Turkey from Iraqi soil. As the Turkish PM had declared towards the end of May, the meeting will also provide the opportunity to promote collaboration between the USA and Turkey, in view of the latters expectations for accession in the EU. Furthermore, it would boost their joint efforts for liberation in Iraq, the Middle East, central Asia and Caucasus. It should be noted that the USA and Turkey share common interests in the energy sector, following the opening of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, which has facilitated the transfer of oil from the Caspian Sea to the western markets, avoiding crossing through Russia and easing up traffic in the Turkish straits.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Bomb Blast in Ismir

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANE

A Turkish police officer was wounded last night, after a bomb that had been planted in front of a government building in Ismir exploded, as per Anatolia News Agency. The police officer was wounded in his arm and leg, when the parcel he was examining containing small-scale explosives, blew up in his hands.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Tortured to Death Libyan Journalist Found Dead

By Anna Kourti

A Libyan journalist, who was missing since 21 May, was found dead in Benghazi, eastern Libya, last Tuesday, after being tortured to death. As per the announcement issue by the organisation "Reporters without Frontiers" (RSF), the autopsy showed that 32-year-old Daif al Ghazal had been tortured to such an extent that the process of identifying the body had been very difficult. The culprits had cut off most of his fingers, while the body had extensive bruising and knife wounds. Voicing its repulsion over the crime, the organisation is standing by the family of the journalist, while it asked the Gaddafi Foundation, chaired by leader Muammar Gaddafis son Saif al, to help clarify the circumstances of Ghazals murder. Another human rights organisation, the Libyan Araguib (Watchdog), which is based in London, has expressed its concerns regarding the crime, claiming that the journalist probably fell victim of Revolutionary Committee extremists, with whom he had engaged in disputes.

The Libyan authorities are denying any involvement in the murder and have reassured that the culprits would be located soon.

Libyan Justice Minister Ali al-Hasnawi declared that Ghazal was abducted on the night of 21 May, while he was with a friend, by unknowns, who claimed they belonged to the security services.

However, the security services, which were asked to provide explanations following the request of the family, denied any involvement.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] "Sensible Way Forward" Blair an Advocate of Euroconstitution

By Athina Saloustrou

Today, British PM Tony Blair appeared in favour of the European Constitution, stressing that it is a "perfectly sensible way forward" for the future of Europe, despite the fact that yesterday Britain postponed the referendum for its ratification indefinitely. In an interview to the Financial Times, Mr Blair noted that the European Constitution, which has already been rejected by the French and the Dutch, is not dead yet, but some points can be salvaged, provided Europe wants to function properly in the future. Mr Blair stressed that when the people of Europe realise that their leaders are taking decisive actions to deal with the major political and economic matters, then the issue of the EUs administrative structures could be readopted. In the meantime, British MEP Andrew Duff asked that the European Constitution be reviewed.

Strong Social Model

The British PM addressed an appeal to the EU to conduct a discussion concerning economic reforms, but admitted that any future reforms could completely destroy the welfare society enjoyed by the French and the Germans.

A little before departing for Washington, where he will be meeting with President Bush, Mr Blair further noted that Europe should not abolish the social model, but it has to meet the demands of todays world.

Review of Constitution

In the meantime, yesterday, British MEP Andrew Duff asked for the ratification process of the European Constitution to be revoked, while the Constitutional Committee should convene anew to review it, following the loud No by the French and Dutch voters. Furthermore, Mr Duff, who is a member of the ADLE (liberal) party, noted that the EU Summit Meeting on 16 and 17 June should reexamine the ratification process following Luxemburgs referendum on 10 July.

The Constitutional Committee should then reconvene to review the situation and deal with the problems, especially in the third section of the European Constitution, Mr Duff told the Constitutional Affairs Committee in the European Parliament.

He also added that the Committee should pay particular attention to the third section, which constitutes a composition of existing European Treaties, and introduce greater flexibility for a future review of the Treaty, which was the main demand of the No supporters in France.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Referendum Freezes in Great Britain

[07] Green Bomb with Conceicao

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Although it had other things on its mind, Panathinaikos administration surprised everyone after reaching an agreement with Brazilian Flavio Conceicao and his current team, Turkish Galatasaray. The club will be formally announcing his acquisition within the next few days. As a matter of fact, the footballer may even be arriving in Athens today in order to sign his new contract with Panathinaikos. Conceicao will receive 1.5 million euros annually, while the Turkish team will be paid 500,000 euros to release him.

He Has Everything

Flavio Conceicao for the position of defensive midfielder is everything Panathinaikos needed, as he combines very good defensive moves, as well as being creative in the offence. Furthermore, he is known for his strong and deadly kicks.

Conceicao has played with some of the greatest European teams, including Deportivo La Coruna, Real Madrid and Dortmund, while he has been capped 47 times with the Brazilian National Team. Last year, he played for Galatasaray, where he scored 2 goals in 27 games. He was won nearly everything in his career: 1994 Brazilian championship with Palmeiras, where he played alongside Rivaldo; 2000 Primera Division with La Coruna, alongside Schurrer; 2003 Primera Division with Real Madrid; and the 2002 Champions League again with Real Madrid.

His Career

1991/92: Rio Branco 10 participations, 0 goals 1992/93: Rio Branco-22, 2 Palmeiras 2,0 1993/94: Palmeiras 25, 2 1994/95: Palmeiras 48, 2 1995/96: Palmeiras 27, 0 1996/97: Palmeiras 12, 1 1997/98: La Coruna 27, 3 1998/99: La Coruna 31, 1 1999/00: La Coruna 27, 4 2000/01: Real Madrid 14, 0 2001/02: Real Madrid 9, 0 2002/03: Real Madrid 22, 1 2003/04: Dortmund 14, 1 2004/05: Galatasaray 27, 2

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] She Suffers from Anorexia Nervosa Herzigova's Sad New Look

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET

One of the most stunning top models of the 90s, Eva Herzigova, barely resembles herself. Her recent appearance in the Cannes Film Festival confirmed the rumours that she suffers from anorexia nervosa, the modern disease similar to slow death, for which the fashion industry is held accountable. Her photos, which were released on the Internet, shocked everyone. The Czech beauty is hardly recognizable any more. She is now gaunt, with black circles under her eyes, lacking her former glow. Anyone who sees her remains speechless, but not because of her perfect body. Eva Herzigova herself keeps denying that she is anorexic, however, the photos prove her wrong.

Thousands of Victims

Unfortunately, Eva Herzigova is not the only one who suffers from anorexia nervosa. Many more top models, including Kate Moss and Karren Mulder, have fallen into the trap of the quest for "perfection", thus, resulting in thousands of little girls destroying themselves by following suit.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] "This Is as Far as it Can Go" Bolivian President Resigns

By Anna Kourti

Sources: REUTERS

Today, the President of Bolivia, Carlos Mesa, handed in his resignation due to the political instability and disturbances that have been rocking the country, with the main demand being the nationalisation of the countrys natural gas reserves. "It is my responsibility to say that this is as far as it can go. I have taken the decision to present my resignation from the presidency," Mesa said in a live television broadcast. Twenty months ago, the President of Bolivia succeeded Gonzalo Sanchez de Losada, who was forced to resign from office following an uprising by the Bolivians, which lasted for a month and resulted in the death of 80 people.

On Monday, more than 80,000 people, mostly Indians, villagers, miners, unionists and teachers, demonstrated in the streets of La Paz, asking for Mesas resignation and the nationalisation of Bolivias natural gas reserves, which are being controlled by foreign companies since 1997.

Opposition leader Evo Morales, who has been keeping his distance from the protests, urged Mesa to resign in order for the situation to be defused.

Earlier, the President and the staff of the presidential mansion were forced to evacuate the building, as protestors were threatening to break off the police cordon.

Bolivia, has the largest natural gas reserves in Latin America, following Brazil. However, those reserves were discovered towards the end of the 90s by foreign companies, including Brazils Petrobras, Spains Repson and French Total, which are claiming that they would demand compensation from the country.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[10] 13-year-old Girl Dies Tragedy in Swimming Pool

By Vagelis Theodorou

Mondays evening proved fatal for a 13-year-old girl while she was training in a swimming pool in Chalandri. It was shortly after 5:30 in the evening, when the little girl, who was in the swimming pool along with her mother and her two brothers, felt dizzy while she was swimming under her coachs supervision. The coach himself dragged her out of the water, and after she was offered the first aid, she was transported to the Sismanogleio Hospital, where she passed away. According to the doctors first estimations, the girl drowned because she entered the pool after having eaten. The police conduct investigation on the exact causes of the accident.

Translated by Areti Christou

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