The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-06-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] "My Statements were Misinterpreted" Explanations by IKA Chairman

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET- ANA

On Thursday, Chairman of IKA Ioannis Vartholomaios made explanations in relation to the extra-cost of 9 billion euros to IKA. Mr Vartholomaios noted that what he said at the meeting of the Economic and Social Affairs Committee was misinterpreted, since his references to the 9 billion euros concerned only the implementation of the Reppas bill, and not the reform of the government, which will soon be voted. Furthermore, he added that the voices being heard lately are aiming to "create impressions against a one-way street rationalizing policy." In the meantime, the former President of ND Miltiadis Evert resubmitted his much talked about amendment for the social security of bank employees in IKA. "The IKA pension is guaranteed by the Constitution," stated government spokesperson Thodoros Rousopoulos, while making reference to Mr Everts actions, he said that every MP is free to decide over his or her actions. Mr Venizelos said that PASOK will give a positive vote to Everts amendment. Stefanos Manos and SYN MP Giannis Dragasakis proposed similar amendments. On the other hand, during tonights last discussion on the social security bill, Employment Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos presented the changes on the amendments over banks.

Alogoskoufis: "No Extra Costs"

On his part, Minister of Economy Giogos Alogoskoufis repeated once more that the bill for subsidiary funds of banks causes no extra costs, and on the issue of the primary social security organizations of the National Bank of Greece and the Agricultural Bank, he stated that the 2002 bill of the previous government is in force.

"All of NDs views are included in the philosophy of the bill," he said commenting on the statements by Mr Everts, who said that he would not vote for the banks social security bill.

Mr Alogoskoufis made reference to the sum of 9 billion euros noting that he is not aware of something like that, since there is no report that justifies such an amount.

"The state will not pay a single euro with the reforms of the government," noted Mr Rousopoulos and added, "the government trusts" the Chairman of IKA and "accepts the specific reform over the social security issue."

He also described PASOKs stance as a "sham," whilst saying that they cannot say they worry about the future and the luck of IKA when they werent consistent in the legislative reforms they had implemented.

In closing, answering to the question of why the government does not ban the Reppas bill, Mr Rousopoulos said that this will not happen because palinodes cannot occur in the social security issue.

The Evert Amendment

After the resubmission of the Evert amendment for the social security of bank employees to IKA, the amendment has been scheduled and will be discussed when the banks social security is submitted in the Plenary Session.

In the document of the amendment Mr Evert makes reference to the statements by Vartholomaios, that with the advanced reform IKA will be burdened with the amount of 9 billion euros for the primary pension of the bank employees, while he also asks for IKA to assign the actuarial report to a foreign organization until December 31, when the bill will start being implemented.

Amendments on banks social security

Employment Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos, during the last discussion on the social security bill in Palriaments Committee, submitted amendments which regulate the issues that had been brought up regarding the amendment on banks social security. The new amendments dictate that for those insured until 31/12/1992 their pensions standards and social security rights are undisputed. As for those whose social security commences from 1/1/1993, and have submitted larger social securities contributions, will be benefited from a special pension provision meant to be granted by a new supplementary fund.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Ministry of Economy and Finance

ΙΚΑ

[02] Vaccine Trial Proves Positive Hopes for Diabetics

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: ANA - New England Journal of Medicine

The results on a vaccine trial for diabetics are viewed as promising, as per European researchers. The researchers initiated special antibodies to 80 diabetics aged 12 to 39, who had only recently started receiving insulin injections. Six months after the onset of the treatment, Type 1 diabetes was extensively reduced. "The results give hopes to diabetics," said Lucienne Chatenoud of Frances National Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm). The researchers also stated that the results demonstrate that diabetics can depend on the insulin produced by their body, and not on its injection form. "The results offer completely novel prospects for the treatment of the insulin-dependent diabetes. They also provide us with the means to stop the diseases development," they concluded.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related Links:

INSERM

New England Journal of Medicine

[03] New 48-Hour Strike by OTOE Series of Strikes

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET 105.8

GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) has called a 24-hour nationwide strike for tomorrow, Friday, while DEKOs and the Private Sector will lock up shop. Public Transport will also be disrupted tomorrow. The metro, trains, the suburban railway and OSE will not operate at all, while the bus drivers will participate in work stoppages. The Hellenic Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE) has decided on extending its mobilisations, following the announcement of a new 48-hour strike this coming Monday and Tuesday, where today pensioners formed queues waiting to get paid. The reason for the mobilizations is the reforms to social security and labour relations. ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) has called a three-hour work stoppage as of 10am tomorrow morning. GSEE has scheduled a rally in Syntagma Square at 10:30am, while PAME (All Workers Militant Front) is organising another rally in Kaniggos Square half an hour earlier. The dockers will also continue their mobilisations, as they convened today and decided to proceed with back-to-back 24-hour strikes. They further announced that dockers working in other Greek ports will join in the strikes, if their demands are not met by 1 July. The Piraeus dockers are already on a 48-hour strike today and tomorrow, while they will refuse to work any overtime on the weekend.

Problems with Public Transport

Public Transport will also be disrupted tomorrow. The metro, trains, the suburban railway and OSE will not operate at all, while the bus drivers will participate in work stoppages from the commencement of their shifts until 8am and from 9pm until midnight. Trolley buses will stop running from 4am to 6am and from 11pm to 1am. Finally, busses in Thessaloniki will not run from the commencement of their shifts until 8am and from 9pm until midnight.

OSE routes will also be disrupted since only the important routes will operate. More specifically, the routes that will operate will be in the area of Athens-Thessaloniki trains 500 and 501, Thessaloniki-Dikaion trains 604 and 613, Edessa-Thessaloniki-Edessa trains 730 and 765, Athens-Kalamata-Athens trains 302, 1356, 1351 and 301, while on the range of Athens-Tripoli-Kalamata-Athens trains 420 and 421.

Due to the strike the routes on Thursday will also be disrupted. Thus, the following train routes will not operate: 504/505 and 604/605 in the area of Athens-Thessaloniki, Athens-Dikaion-Athens intercity 74/75, Kalabaka-Athens 883, Athens-Chalkida 2534/2536, Thessaloniki-Dikaion-Thessaloniki 602/603, Athnes-Patras-Kiparissia-Athens 304, 305, and Athens-Tripoli-Kalamata 424 and 425. In closing, all the commercial train routes will not operate and their routes are extended to 24.06.2005.

Furthermore, important changes in flights schedule will be disrupted, as the Civil Aviation Employees Union will be participating in GSEEs 24-hour strike. Tomorrow only one flight of the Olympic Airways will take place per country aboard and one domestic. The company advises all passengers to contact their local Olympic Airways offices before departing for the airport.

The Journalists Union of Athens Daily Newspapers (ESIEA) will participate in tomorrows strike in all Mass Media from 12:00 to 16:00, as will τηε Panhellenic Federation of Employee Associations in the Radio and Television Sector (POSPERT) with a work stoppage from 13:00 to 17:00.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Olympic Flights Cancelled

No End to Strikes

[04] Ano Liosia's Residents Have Decided New Mobilisations on Sewage Sludge

By Vicky Keleri

At a meeting held in the central square of the area, the residents of Ano Liosia decided to proceed with new mobilisations next Wednesday and Friday. At his speech, Ano Liosia s mayor Nikos Papadimas blamed PASOK for the Refuse Dumps expansion despite the EU legislation, and went on accusing NDs government of failing to keep its promises, and of perpetuating the current situation. At the same time, he described the incidences that took place two days ago outside the Dump as unacceptable by saying that, "They tried to suffocate residents voice against the undermining of the area and the undermining of their health by employing violence, authoritarian attitude and terrorism." Referring to the Supreme Administrative Courts ruling on the refusal of the sewage sludge and the Refuse Dumps operation, Mr Papadimas viewed them as unfair, and he explained that that was why both the Municipality of Ano Liosia and West Attica Prefecture have filed a petition requesting it be annulled. He further called upon the government to "Get reasonable and announce the new places for the Refuse Dumps by Monday."

Ano Liosias mayor also asked the Public Order Ministry to withdraw the police forces, which are posted at the entrance of the Refuse Dump.

He spoke of a great fight that commences with the first announced mobilisations, and expressed his certainty that, "The government will change both not only its plans but also its policy."

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] From the European Investments Bank 1.8 Billion Euro Loans for Major Works

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET 105.8- ANA

Loans of 1.8 billion euros for the financing of major works will be given to Greece from the European Investments Banks. The above was announced by Philippe Maystadt, the Banks President, after his meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Minister of Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis, at Maximos Mansion. The cooperation of Greece with the Bank were at the focus of the meeting, as well as the sharing of knowledge for the partnerships of the Public and Private Sector in view of the relative bill which will be immediately advanced in Parliament. It is noted that the aforementioned loans are designated for the financing of big works such as the Maliakos Gulf, west Egnatia Road and the metro of Thessaloniki.

Answering to a relative question concerning the state of Greek economy, Mr Maystadt observed that the low rate of the European economy development importantly affects small countries such as Greece.

In closing, during the meeting, the Greek proposal was discussed for the yearly conference of the European Investments Bank to take place in Athens, an idea which Mr Maystadt considered as positive.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Go Lena, Go Greece

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Greek tennis player Lena Daniilidou made it to the third round of the English Grand Slam. After claiming a famous win over Justine Henin-Hardenne, who won a second French Open crown in Paris, the Greek champion coasted to a 6-2, 6-0 win over the American Laura Granville and was qualified to the "32" of the womens single. In the next round, Daniilidou will play against the winner of the game between Gisela Dulko (Arg) and Flavia Pennetta (Ita).

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Great Victory for Daniilidou

[07] For the Shake of Her Son Schiffer Against Paparazzi

By Stathis Petropoulos

Sources: ANA

One of the most famous top models that ever appeared on the international catwalks is now a happy mom, and she is very protective towards her two-year-old son. She even went to the courts to protect him from indiscreet eyes. A paparazzi has been accused of taking photos of little Caspar, when his famous mother and fathers car collided with another vehicle in 2003. Nobody was injured, but the collision gave the paparazzi a hard time, because he sold the controversial photos of little Caspar to newspapers and magazines. After two years, the German Supreme Court adopted the decision judged in Hamburgs Court of First Instance which had forbidden the release of Caspars photos, on the grounds that it violated Schiffers privacy.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Rilot Programme Is Withdrawn Modern Greek Not Fit for Gospels

By Vagelis Theodorou

Archbishop Christodoulos decided to withdraw the pilot programme favouring the Holy Gospels rendition into Modern Greek, which had been introduced on September 12, 2004. Christodoulos reached his decision following a dialogue with the parishes priests, churchwarden and cantors, who were of the opinion that the programmes objective (to help the congregation comprehend the holy texts) was not met, since the young usually are not in the temples during the Gospels reading, whereas the elderly do not need its rendition into Modern Greek for they have repeatedly heard the excerpts. "The initial initiative had been motivated by the need to facilitate the congregation. Its abolishment reflects the respect we all have to pay to the Greek people," said Christodoulos in a note sent to all parishes.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related Links:

Εκκλησία της Ελλάδος

[09] Quake Shakes Samos

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA

A minor earthquake measuring 4.3 Richter occurred on the island of Samos on Thursday. The earthquake was especially felt on the western tip of the island, near Karlovasi. As per police sources, neither damages nor casualties were reported, whereas no serious problems were recorded. It is noteworthy that earthquakes of the same magnitude occurred east of Samos approximately three months ago.

Translated by Areti Christou

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