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

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

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[01] A Win Will Avoid Misadventures Seeking Three Points

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Even if the tie with Turkey was positive for the Greek national team, a win is imperative in the game against Ukraine. Leaving behind its performance in Istanbul, the players in a packed and lucky Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium will try to beat the undefeated team of Oleg Blochin, on Wednesday at 21:30, on Mega Channel. With the acquirement of the three points, the Greek team will lock into second place, which leads to the barrage of matches, with the second teams of the other groups. Every other result, except for a win, will not please the Greek team. In a possible defeat or tie, Turkey and Denmark will enter the chase after the second place for good, and then the circumstances for Otto Rehhagels team will be exceptionally difficult.

Satisfied With a Tie

The Ukrainians being five points ahead from the Greek national team cannot say no to a tie point.

They would keep the difference and ensure first place for good.

However, as the top player of Milan FC and the Ukrainian national team, Andrei Shevchenko stated "I have lost the qualification to a great event twice with the national team; in the 2000 Euro and 2002 World Cup as we were disqualified in the play-offs being in the second place of our group. This time I do not want and will not miss this opportunity."

Thus, we shouldnt be expecting a weak team in the stadium, being on the defence in order to prevent a goal. Either way, Ukraine does not play in that manner.

On the other hand, the most constant, in performance, team of our group, is known for its patient game and its sudden and dangerous counterattacks. A similar tactic is expected on Wednesday.

A Win is Imperative

Greece, with the absence of Katsouranis who has two yellow cards, is faced with the biggest challenge after the EURO.

The only difference from last year is that the players have the experience to perform in such critical matches.

Surely, tomorrow in a packed Karaiskakis Stadium, experience should become more substantial with a goal.

Otto Rehhagel has sounded the alarm in todays Press conference, stating to all sides "firstly we have to play a good game; performance-wise and strategically. Lets not think of 2nd place. The demands of the game and how we react is what is important. Football is unpredictable. It would be ideal if we scored quickly."

The German coach did not reveal his plans on the team roster. Surely, there will not be any changes, except for the expected return of captain Thodoris Zagorakis in the place of Katsouranis.

Thus, tomorrow the Greek national team is expected to play with Nikopolidis, Seitaridis, Fyssas, Goumas, Kapsis, Zagorakis, Basinas, Karagounis, Giannakopoulos, Vryzas and Charisteas.

The system is expected to experience some changes as the team is expected to line up in a more defensive 4-4-2 with Vryzas and Charisteas at the top of the defence.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Rehhagel: "Win is Our No 1 Priority"

[02] Rehhagel: "Win is Our No 1 Priority"

By Stathis Petropoulos

In the Press interview before the game of the World Cup preliminaries, which on Wednesday will bring the players faced with the first team of the group Ukraine, Otto Rehhagel asked for better performance, in comparison to the game against Turkey. The German coach of the Greek national team stated that all the games are critical but they have done well in all of them, a case that if it should happen tomorrow night at Karaiskakis Staduim, needs a better performance than the game with Turkey. "From the day that I arrived, all of our matches were like this, all were derbies and all went well," commented Rehhagel and added "but if we want to achieve this we need better performance, in comparison to the game with Turkey. The Ukrainians are not first by accident. They have two world class players in their defense; Shevchenko and Voronin. We have a difficult task. We continue to have the absence of Dellas, which we covered well against the Turks. We wont have Katsouranis but Zagorakis will return. We have to play a great game with the support of our fans and to achieve what everyone is expecting."

No Tiredness

As always, Rehhagel did not reveal the teams plans, or if he will make any changes in comparison to the game in Inonu, while he focused on the issue of tiredness and stated "firstly, we have to forget that there is tiredness. The players have to recover after four days, they are not young children or old men. There will be tiredness if we spend the night out partying." Also, he refused to get involved in the scenarios and point calculations for second place, noting "firstly we have to play a good game, strategically and performance-wise. Lets not think of 2nd place, what is important is the games demands and how we have to react. Football is unpredictable. But it would be ideal if we scored quickly."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] In Parliament Tomorrow Focus on Reforms

By Vagelis Theodorou

Structural reforms, as well as interventions in social security and labour relations, will be at the focus of tomorrows agenda in Parliament, where the political leaders will hold discussions about the Greek Economy. According to information, the PM will repeat his decision to proceed with progress and resolutions, without considering the political costs. He will also describe the next two months as critical, and will stress that the Government will fulfil all its pre-elections pledges. Meanwhile, Mr Karamanlis will insist on consent, pointing out that even top PASOK members approve of reforms. Furthermore, he will voice his determination to proceed with changes in the areas where there is no agreement. On the other hand, PASOKs president George Papandreou is expected to appear in favour of the need for structural changes, with focus on social consent. In addition, tomorrows discussion was also the main topic in todays PASOK Coordinators meeting in Parliament. In closing, KKE and SYN are expected to oppose the reforms that overthrow employment and social security rights.

Differing Views within PASOK

The PASOK Coordinators met today in Parliament under the shadow of the differing views expressed by top party members.

According to sources, the main topic of discussion was tomorrows session in Parliament. At the same time, successive meetings are being held both in Kastri and Charilaou Trikoupi in an effort to draw up the outline of Mr Papandreous speech, which is expected to clarify the Oppositions stance in view of the Governments initiatives.

In the meantime, the changes in social security and labour relations continue to cause frictions within PASOK. In an article which was published in Tuesdays newspaper Ta Nea, Michalis Chrysochoidis reiterated his proposal to lift the permanent status of public sector employees, which prompted Evangelos Venizelos opposition. Speaking on NET, the PASOK MP stressed that this provides New Democracy with footing. However, PASOKs headquarters are keeping a low profile.

As per sources, during the Coordinators meeting George Papandreou appeared annoyed with Mr Chrysochoidis statements. He stated that he comprehended the existence of differing views, but noted that they should not be voiced just to make an impression. He further stressed that they should be discussed with the relevant party bodies first.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Reactions over Proposal

Focus on Economy

[04] Reality Show Seeks Presley's Successor The King Lives!

By Annita Paschalinou

The King of rock and roll is somewhere among us. At least that is what "Elvis A Rama," a museum dedicated to Elvis in Las Vegas, claims and is looking for the best impersonator and his perfect replacement. The hunt for lost Elvis will be made with the aid of television. The auditions will take place in Memphis, New York, London, Madrid, Munich, Moscow, Sydney, Tokyo, Peking, Honolulu and Mexico and will be videotaped and broadcast in 16 episodes. The contestants will be judged on their vocal abilities, appearance and stage presence. The winner will perform and record "If Id Only Bought her Roses" a song which was written by Paul Terry and Presley. At the same time, he will receive 3,000-dollar scholarship in order to work on his vocal talent.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Elvis A Rama

[05] OTOE Announces New 48-Hour Strike Strikes are Escalating

By Vagelis Theodorou

The reactions of bank employees are continuing over the reforms being advanced by the government in the banks social security issue. The Greek Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE) has announced a new 48-hour strike on Thursday and Friday, escalating its mobilizations that seems will continue next week. In the meantime, on Tuesday, the first day of the Federations 48-hour strike, bank transactions took place with difficulty. On Tuesday morning, OTOE made a protest rally at the Agricultural Bank of Greece building in Panepistimiou Street and following a march towards the Ministry of Economy where unionists met with Deputy Minister, Christos Folias. At the same time, the Executive Committee of the Federation is investigating the event of new rolling strikes, beginning from coming Thursday and Friday. Also, GSEE has decided to conduct a referendum in workplaces to see if employees accept the reforms being advanced in the social security issue and workplace relations, while ADEDY called on for readiness to fight against the lift of permanency of Public Sector employees.

Satisfaction over Participation

The majority of unionists took the decision for new mobilizations, while DAKEs representatives disagreed over the duration of the strike, and the Federation appeared satisfied by the employees participation in Tuesdays strike.

According to the unionists data, the participation in the strike exceeded 80% in public sector banks, while in the private banks participation reached 50% to 70%, the biggest in Alpha Bank and the lowest in Eurobank. Moreover, the unionists speak of a mass participation in the strike rally.

On its part, the banks give different numbers over the participation. Specifically, in Emporiki Bank the percentage reached 50% while the doors of its central branch were locked with chains and crowbars from unionists that blocked the entrance to employees that wished to work. Also, in Alpha Bank the percentage did not exceed 30% and all branches operated as normal.

In the meantime, the Executive Committee of GSEE has decided to coordinate actions with DEKO federations and on a referendum in July with the question of if the employees agree with the reforms. President of DAKE and General Secretary of the Confederation, Kostas Poupakis is opposed to the referendum and blamed PASKE of small-party tricks.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Banks to Remain Closed

Related Links:

OTOE

[06] SYN Against Euroconstitution

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET

Members of Synaspismos have called on the citizens to participate in a mobilization at the offices of the European Union in Athens, on June 16, the first day of the Brussles Summit Meeting, in order for the EU Member-States to understand that the resurrection of the Euroconstitution will not pass. Furthermore, Alekos Alavanos, in relation to the procedure followed in Parliament over the ratification of the European Treaty, placed the blame on the government and the Opposition. As he stated, during tomorrows meeting in Parliament over the economy, he will call on the Prime Minister to not transfer the Greek "Yes" to Brussels, as far as the Euroconstitution ratification is concerned, since as he noted he considers the procedure incomplete since a referendum did not take place.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Ministry's Bill Approved Post-Olympic Bill in Government Committee

By Athina Saloustrou

The bill of the Ministry of Public Order for the post-Olympic use of know how in security issues, which was approved by the Government Committee that convened in Maximos Mansion presided by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, will be ready to be voted by the Parliament in the summer. The main points of the bill is the creation of a Steering Security Research Centre, which will cooperate with other countries governments and will provide advice and know how which was acquired during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games for the organization of similar events, the re-operation of security cameras, since there is the need for the Traffic Control System to be reinforced to the advantage of the Traffic Police and the citizens, and the creation of an Offenses Central Control Council.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Gang Stole BMW and Mercedes Jeeps Luxury Jeep Thieves

By Annita Paschalinou

The Thessalonica Police Directorate found an organized Russian crime gang that stole and sold luxury vehicles. The policemen have already arrested a 35-year-old Russian man and are looking for four more culprits, among them the mastermind of the operation. The gang had expensive tastes. It is calculated that from 2002 to 2005 the culprits had stolen 26 BMW and Mercedes jeeps, from different areas in Thessalonica, valued at 1,700,000 euros. The gang was very well organized with individuals who knew how to disarm security alarms. Following, they sold the luxury jeeps in Russia. The Thessalonica Police Directorate discovered the gang when they found three of the stolen vehicles in Oreokastro and Nea Kalikrateia, Chalkidiki that were not transported to Russia in time.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Dangerous Marmalade

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

In an announcement, the Central Food Control Agency (EFET) has asked that strawberry marmalade "LaMel," stored in a 450-gr package and best before date of 31.12.2007, to not be consumed. It has commenced procedures for charges and fines that the legislature foresees in such cases. Following checks by EFET in the marmalade production business Meletiadis Inc. a sample of strawberry marmalade was taken and after an analysis by the 2nd Chemical Service in Thessalonica it was concluded that it contained high levels of the preservative benzoic acid.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Over the 4th Community Support Framework Funds Ecofin has Convened

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET 105.8- ANA

On Tuesday, the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) has convened in Luxembourg, focused on determining a compromising proposal in relation to the 4th Community Support Framework funds. The main directions of economic policy for 2005 were also discussed. Furthermore, the Ministers of Economy and Economics discussed the new fiscal context (2007-2013) and the taxing of savings accounts, low VAT coefficient, and the directive lines over the national face of euro coins. Yesterday, Eurogroup convened in the context of which, Minister of Economy, Giorgos Alogoskoufis briefed relevant Commissioners, Joaquin Almunia and Charles Mccreevy over the developments in OTE and the social security of banks.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] "Regouzas' statements are explicit" "Budget Is Honest"

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET 105.8 - NET

On the occasion of the Deputy Minister of Economy, Ragouzas statements, PASOK spoke of fictitious budget, on a comment released on the partys website, and added that Mr Regouzas confessed to the plan and trick used for its implementation. The Deputy Ministers statement was explicit, said the ND Press Spokesperson, and added that the government has been completely honest, and that does not use creative accounting practices in any account.

"Fictitious Revenues Fall"

PASOK stated that the Deputy Minister's statements were not just a slip of the tongue, but the confirmation of PASOK's view on the government's plan to hand down public property, to destabilise labour relations and to diminish the importance of the social security system to the benefit of the few.

Hopefully, the lie was revealed, concluded PASOK.

Mr Rousopoulos, on the other hand, noted that Mr Regouzas referred to PASOK government's predictions on the 2004 budget.

Those predictions were excessive, said Mr Rousopoulos, and he added that last September the government reduced the fictitious revenues by 700 million euros, while in May, as the census had already been completed, proceeded to an undesired increase in VAT by 1%.

In answer to a relevant question, Mr Rousopoulos pointed out that the budget was not been discussed on a fictitious basis, since the government had announced and then corrected all fictitious figures.

At the same time, he stated that there was an increase in revenues last month, and he confirmed the collaboration between the Economy Minister and his Deputies.

"Non-Executable and False"

On the occasion of the government spokespersons statements, Mr Athanasakis noted, "Mr Rousopoulos has chosen to hide behind the corrective statement of Deputy Minister of Economy, Adam Regouzas."

PASOK spokesperson spoke of a non-executable and false budget, that not even the government is implementing and underlined "the first so-called dependable budget of the ND government, is in the air after Regouzas statement."

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Budget Revenues Increase

[12] Greek U-21 Team Trips Over

By Stathis Petropoulos

The win of the U-21 Greek team in Istanbul on Friday was of no use, since today the team coached by Stelios Aposporis was defeated in the Alexandras Avenue Stadium by the Ukraine 1-0. The teams problem was its performance in the first half, at the time when it received a goal (30), since it was inert and did not find solutions by some players mainly in centerfield, and resulted to the two Greek defenders to remain secluded. The first good moment of the game was for the Ukrainians when they hit the goalpost with a shot by Kravchenko, after the ball hit Sifakis. Ten minutes later Papadopoulos caught a header but the ball also hit the goalpost. Finally, in the 30 Pukanych with a great shot opened the score at a time when the Greek defence seemed to be in total confusion.

Better in the 2nd Half

After the start of the second half, Aposporis substituted Goundoulakis with Darlas and changed the formation to 3-5-2, which at times became 3-4-3 as Pliagas took the right position. Greece became more defensive, found its pace and in combination with the Ukrainian's retreat, started to seek a goal. Thus, in a 6-minute interim, the young players lost three good opportunities. In the 56' Torosidis' header, from Lagos' corner kick, was out, in the 59' Godin blocked Samaras' shot on the goal line and in the 61' when Heerenveen's player kicked the ball out. In the 72' Leontiou passed the ball out and there the defensive streak of the Greek team crashed, since its powers were gone. In the 83' Kovpak lost a good opportunity for 2-0 when he missed his shot, while the last good opportunity in the game was in the 90' when Sifakis blocked a spectacular shot by Gumenuk and in the corner kick that followed Romanchuk caught the ball on his own but sent it out.

Referee: Dragomir Tanovic (Serbia Montenegro) Yellow cards: Torosidis- Nevmyvaka, Godin, Cheberyachko

Greece (Stelios Aposporis): Sifakis, Torosidis, Leontiou, Papadopoulos, Fytanidis (32 Pliagas), Makos, Arabatzis (64 Kiriakidis), Goundoulakis (46 Darlas), Mantzios, Samaras, Lagos.

Ukraine (Genadi Litoftsenko): Pyatov, Romanchuk, Ishchenko, Nevmyvaka, Pivnenko (70 Kovpak), Gumenuk, Pukanych (90 Grisko), Kryvosheyenko, Cheberyachko, Godin (76 Sevtcouk), Oberemko.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[13] Still Looking for "The Scream" and "The Madonna" Another Suspect for "The Scream"

By Despina Hristopoulou

On Monday, the Norwegian authorities ordered the temporary arrest of a man, who is considered a suspect over the theft of "The Scream" and "The Madonna" of Norwegian painter Edvard Munch. This is the fifth suspect who is considered to be involved in the theft. The man will remain behind bars for four weeks. Out of the five suspects who have been arrested until now, one is thought to be the mastermind of the theft which took place on August 22, when two masked men entered the Edvard Munch Museum in Oslo and stole the two paintings. The culprits escaped with a vehicle that was driven by an accomplice. According to the Norwegian Mass Media that cite the lawyers of the suspects, all of them deny that they were in any way involved in the case. The paintings, whose value reaches 100 million dollars, have not been found yet.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[14] They Offer Nothing to Human Organism Detoxing Diets In Decline

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: BBC

Detoxing diets are of no importance, American experts claimed, because human organism is programmed to detox itself. Diets and other detoxing methods are not new practices, since people have been applying them for years. Scientists, however, point out that there is no proof that they really work, they just serve "empty" promises. As per scientists, detoxing promises various results, including, cell cleansing, skin revitalisation, colon decontaminating and liver purging. To achieve this goal, people are advised to adopt a restricted diet containing fruit, vegetables and lots of water. Caffeine, alcohol and processed foods are strictly banned. Experts from the University of Southern California, stress in Food Technology that the advice that a balanced diet is best.

The Key to Balanced Diet

Roger Clemens, professor of molecular pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Southern California, and Dr Peter Pressman, an endocrinologist, claimed that many have reported detoxing worked for them. They also said that people who follow detoxing diets experience less bloating, they have cleaner skin and they have stopped suffering from headaches. However, as Clemens and Pressman claimed that the changes they noticed are not because of the diet, but because they eat less food, they drink more water achieving better hydration and reduced caffeine and alcohol. In other words, all benefits resulted from their adopting an improved diet scheme. Furthermore, they added that "our lungs, liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and immune system are capable of removing or neutralising toxic substances within hours of consumption."

They also sounded the alarmed, and noted that detoxing can prove harmful to certain groups of people, including teenagers and pregnant women, who by no means should exclude food groups.

At the same time, British dietician, Ursula Arens, spokesperson of the British Dietetic Association, stressed that detox is meaningless as a term, because all foods contain chemical substances, which the body deals with, and then it excretes on its own those it does not want.

Therefore, dieticians make it clear that only a balanced diet, which is not deprived of all food groups, and offers all the nutrients the body needs, is harmless and effective.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related Links:

Food Technology

[15] She Sat and Waited The Burglar Is Knockout!

By Despina Hristopoulou

The doctors keep sounding the alarm that obesity harms health, so what? Fashion requests people to fit in three sizes, so what? Occasionally, obesity can be life-saving. If the 41-year-old Russian woman did not weigh 130 kilos, she would be broke now, and she would probably be suffering from physical abuse. While the Russian housewife was at her house, three men broke in, and demanded money under the threat of guns. Being aware of the "magnificence" of her size, she flung herself at one of the burglars, knocked him down and sat on him. Scared to death, his two accomplishes fled. The woman stayed on the burglar for about an hour, until her daughter returned and called the police. When the policemen arrived, they arrested the aspiring burglar, who survived with a few bruised and swollen limbs.

Translated by Areti Christou

[16] Athens-Cairo Strengthening Partnership Bonds Mercantile Marine-Tourism Alliance

By Annita Paschalinou

The partnership memorandum signed by the Greek and Egyptian Ministers of Transport, Michalis Liapis and Essam Sharaf, foresees the sea connection of Greece-Egypt by a passenger ship, the reinforcement of the routes connection, and the facilitation of the transport of passengers and goods. Moreover, the referendum allows cruise ships under Greek, Egyptian or third country flag, to be included in the routes to the two countries ports. The prospect of the partnership of Egyptian Ports with the Herakleion Crete Port is of special interest, as is the possible construction of a port in south Crete due to the proximity with Egyptian ports.

In the context of his official visit to Greece, Egyptian Minister of Transport also met with Minister of Tourism, Dimitris Avramopoulos.

The two Ministers discussed issues concerning air routes between the two countries and the creation of common tourist packages (Greece-Egypt) for the attraction of tourists coming from Asia (China, Japan and India).

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[17] For Illegitimacies in Public Works 518 Million Euro Fine by the Commission

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET- ANA

The Commission asks for more than 510 million euros to be returned from Greece, over illegitimacies in public works during 2000-2004. The return of the money or the "fiscal correction," will take place within four years and was adopted after a proposal by relative Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta Hubner. On Tuesday, the Commission announced that it made an agreement with the Greek authorities over the future management of public works contracts in our country. Furthermore, the Greek authorities will make corrections to the illegitimacies in specific works, which cost 220 million euros, a sum that will be transferred to other works within the four-year span. Mrs Hubner saluted "the important efforts of the past months" carried out by the Greek authorities "in order to set the bases for a future partnership of trust." Minister of Economy, Giorgos Alogoskouis appeared satisfied over the development.

Initial Sum of Corrections at 1.5 Billion Euros

In Luxemburg, Mr Alogoskoufis, where he is attending the Ecofin meeting, stated his satisfaction over the Commissions decision to appoint fiscal corrections at 518 million euros, noting that the sum corresponds to 1/3 of the initial intentions of the European Committee, which was 1.5 billion euros.

Moreover, he described the event that the correction will take place within four years in order to not burden the budget, as positive. Mrs Hubner also said that the Committee will not postpone the in-between payments of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to Greece.

The 518 million euro fiscal correction concerns public works contracts on which the invitation for submitting offers and the management did not take place according to European legislature.

It is noted, that the Greek authorities have taken up the task of harmonizing a national legal base for public contracts in accordance to the European legislature, while they have reinforced the management and check procedures in relation to the European Regional Development Fund.

In this manner, the Commission evaluates that it will obtain the stable context that is needed for the successful completion of the 3rd Community Support Framework (2000-2006), and the preparation for the next program term that begins in 2007.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[18] Preliminary Hearing Will be Conducted Indictments Against Super Markets

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET

First Instance Prosecutor, Evangelos Kassalias has made indictments against 7 big super markets and SESME, for the coincided practice of constraining prices. Super markets Veropoulos, Vasilopoulos, Atlantik, Sklavenitis, Metro, Masoutis and Trofino reportedly used a common strategy and sold products in higher prices, in relation to shelf prices. The Prosecutor has transferred the case to the Police Court Magistrate for a preliminary hearing.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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