The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-06-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tough Weekend in Parliament Head-on Collision

By Athina Saloustrou

Political leaders and parties are preparing for a tough weekend that starts today at 18:00 in Parliament and will end at Sunday midnight with the open vote of confidence to the government. The focal point of both the PM and the Opposition leaders' speeches will be Economy, however interventions and views will cover all subjects. The Prime Minister has consecutive meetings with government officials, who voice their content over the developments. The Government is expected to use the discussion as a vote of confidence for structural changes. The tactic to be followed by Mr Karamanlis includes a head-on attack on PASOK, referring to mistakes and omissions of the past, while PASOK president is also expected to use a harsh tongue, focusing on economic policy and its consequences to poorer people and the market.

Past and Present

Government spokesperson Thodoros Roussopoulos said the discussion will be an important chance to inform the people on what had happened with Economy during the PASOK governments and present the Government's work over the past 15 months.

In the meantime, the clash with ND in Parliament and the heavy climate over the past days kept top executives from criticizing PASOK president for his latest handlings during the Political Convention, where members discussed the current political developments and defined the opposition tactics to be followed in the three-day discussion in Parliament.

During the Political Convention, talks focused on the leak of Mr Papandreou's move, which resulted in the surprise vote of confidence by Mr Karamanlis. It fact, it has been said that Mr Papandreou clarified that he trusts his close associates.

Left parties are also getting ready for the three-day discussion. As per information, they are expected to accuse the two major parties of pointless disputes that aim at covering up the inexistence of politics.

Speaking on NET Radio 105.8, SYN Parliamentarian Fotis Kouvelis described the discussion for the vote of confidence to the Government as an artificial tension to cover up the inexistence of essential politics.

Speaking on NET Radio 105.8, PASOK Parliamentarian Milena Apostolaki stressed that over the past 15 days the Government is in an extremely tight spot because of its unbearable lightness and the revelation of the country's actual situation.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Call to Battle Stations

On a Collision Course

Vote of Confidence

[02] Bank Employees on Strike for Fourth Day Strikes Continue

By Athina Saloustrou

Bank transactions are held with difficulties for one more day, as bank employees continue their strike for the fourth day now. At this hour, they are demonstrating at Korais Square, while OTOE (Hellenic Federation of Bank Employees Unions) is expected to hold a general assembly within the day to decide on further moves. ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) will be present in GSEE's (Greek General Confederation of Labour) mobilisations for social security and labour issues by participating in the 24-hour strike scheduled for next Thursday. Dockworkers continue their strike after the fruitless meeting with the Minister of Mercantile Marine. Mr Kefalogiannis spoke of an unacceptable intransigence which does not fit the workers' privileges and stressed he will not tolerate blackmails and threats. In the meantime, Minister of Employment Panos Panagiotopoulos gave a ten-day deadline to reach a mutually acceptable solution on the issue of banks social security.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Double Strike Front

[03] All Hostages Released The Egyptian Surrendered

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET Radio 105.8

A thirty-year-old Egyptian man, owner of the "Tropicana" tavern on 30 Karaiskakis street in Chaidari, Athens, took one man and one woman, both of unknown identity, hostages in his store at 01:30 in the morning threatening to blow it up, setting gas cylinders on fire. A while ago, he set the two hostages free and later turned himself in.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] News Case of Meningitis

By Tina Valaoura

A school pupil alerted the privately owned High School Themistoklis in Piraeus that she would not be sitting her exams today as she was running a high fever and manifested meningitis symptoms. The pupil was later transferred to Tzanio Hospitals ICU.

As per the Education Ministry, the schools committee was notified immediately, while the Prefecture of Piraeus Centre for Infectious Diseases was also briefed on the matter. At the same time, all the other pupils received preventative medical treatment, as per the instructions of Tzanio Hospitals director.

Furthermore, as per the Ministrys announcement, all the necessary measures have been implemented and there is no reason for concern. In the afternoon, Deputy Education Minister G. Kalos visited the patient in order to be briefed on her condition. In addition, it was clarified that the school operated as normal and the exams took place.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] No Casualties Train Is Derailed in Amsterdam

By Anna Kourti

A goods train was derailed on Thursday night, outside Amsterdams railway station. As per rail operator ProRail, three of the 34 compartments of the train were derailed without any casualties. On Monday evening, five out of 50 compartments of another goods train had been derailed near the station without casualties, but it caused great problems to the railway transport for three days.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] 58 Children Injured Japan: Terrorist Student

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters

A homemade bomb exploded in a classroom at a school in the city of Hykari, Japan, injuring at least 58 children. As per police officials, an 18-year-old student tossed a bottle containing an explosive into the classroom from a school corridor. A while later, the student was apprehended. One of the students sustained serious leg and stomach injuries but his not in danger. So far, no motive has been given for this action.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] Rodriguez Promised Early Elections New Bolivian Interim President

By Anna Kourti

The head of Bolivia's Supreme Court, Chief Justice Eduardo Rodriguez, was sworn in by the Congress as interim president to replace outgoing Carlos Mesa. The new president promised to declare elections within a period of three to six months. Earlier, Chief Senator Ormando Vaka Diez, who as per the Constitution should have replaced resigned Mesa, agreed not to claim the presidency, thus accepting one of the protestors' demands. In the meantime, the past few weeks have been crucial for the country, as natives had blocked off the capital asking for the nationalization of the oil sector.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[08] Italian Hostage Released

By Tina Valaoura

The family of Italian Clementina Cantoni welcomed the news of her release with tears in their eyes. Clementina Cantoni, who was working in Afghanistan for the humanitarian organisation "CARE International" since 2002, was abducted on May 16 by four armed men at the heart of Kabul. There, the Italian woman was in charge of a programme to help more than ten thousand Afghan widows.

As has been announced, Cantoni contacted her family to let them know she is all right.

The government of Afghanistan announced they didnt have to proceed with negotiations with the kidnappers. "Her release was the result of hard work, both by the Police and the entire Afghan state," stated Afghan Minister of Internal Affairs Ali Ahmad Jalali, while Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gianfranco Fini welcomed the latest developments with "enormous relief."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] Annan-Erdogan Meeting

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA - NET

The meeting between UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan focused mainly on the Cypriot issue. Earlier, during a Security Council meeting behind close doors, Mr Annan had presented his report on the situation with Cyprus, in which responsibilities are attributed to the Greek-Cypriot side for the results of last years referendum, while it further asked for the lifting of the so-called economic isolation of the Turkish-Cypriots.

Mr Annan is also willing to seek the Security Councils approval on his report, however, as per diplomatic sources, the chances for something like this are slim to none, due to the refusal of permanent and non-permanent Security Council members.

On his part, Mr Erdogan said that the Turkish-Cypriot side would have to be supported and not punished over its positive response to the Annan Plan.

Following his meeting with the Turkish PM, the UN Secretary-General declared that he has not decided yet on the next steps for the Cypriot issue, but hinted that he is prepared for a new process. Mr Annan also referred to UN Undersecretary General Kieran Prendergasts visit to Nicosia, Athens and Ankara, noting that he would be taking into account the positions of each side and would act on the issue with Cyprus in his capacity and duties as the UN Secretary-General.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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