The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-16

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek PM in Ai Stratis Call for Unity

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Greek PM attended the event that was organized in Ai Stratis on Saturday morning to commemorate the political exiles. In his speech, he sent a message of unity to overcome the distinguishing lines of the past. Greek PM, who was warmly welcomed, announced that the Old School building will be converted into a Democracy Museum, and he added that all necessary works are to commence immediately. Today we attend an event of responsibility and unity to commemorate those who were run down and suffered in this very site, said Mr Karamanlis and went on saying that what unites the Greek people overwhelms what divides them. During the dark years of the past, Ai Stratis served as an exile destination. In the new era, Ai Stratis stands for Democracy, stated Mr Karamanlis and pledged to be present at the inaugural ceremony for the Democracy Museum.

Opposition Parties Use Harsh Tongue

Commenting on the PMs speech, PASOK spokesperson Nikos Athanasakis said that Mr Karamanlis discovered the need to abolish distinguishing lines to serve his profile and pointed out that the distinguishing lines of the past have been abolished since the 1980s. What bothers the Greek people today is the new distinguishing lines built up by Karamanlis government by promoting authoritarianism and a party-oriented stance, distinguishing lines at the expense of the majority and in favour of the few, Mr Athanasakis concluded.

KKE also reacted strongly and described PMs speech at Ai Stratis as provocative. PMs speaking of prosperity and democracy at Ai Stratis, the place of exile for communist fighters, and at the same time forwarding a bill that exploits the working class is a sheer provocation, said KKEs officials.

The communists who suffered in Ai Stratis, were dreaming of a society with rights for the people, and not of a society which abolishes rights by implementing terror laws and participating in the anti-terror campaign of imperialism.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Karastamati Wins Gold

By

The cream of the Greek sports excelled today at Erfurt, Germany. Maria Karastamati and Minas Alozidis won a gold and a silver medal respectively, with Karastamati beating time. Karastamati, who participated in the 100m finals, clocked 11.03, thus crashing the former Greek youth record held by Katerina Thanou with 11.09. Furthermore, Karastamatis time is the second best time in Greece following Thanous 10.83, and the sixth best time worldwide and second in Europe this year.

Alozidis Finished Second

Minas Alozidis also performed brilliantly who clocked 20.04 and finished second in the 400m Hurdle finals.

In the long jump finals, Giorgos Tsakonas won the sixth place whereas Dimitris Theocharis was eighth.

The hammer thrower Dimitrios Fylladitakis finished sixth with a throw at 72,44m.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] False Alarm A Tailed-Burglar!

By

It was looking for a warm and cosy home. She, on the other hand, wished to relax. Both of them ended up upsetting the whole neighbourhood and the police.78-year-old Pamela Mackie had fallen asleep early at night as usual. However, that night was not at all like the rest. Funny noises coming from the bedroom of the neighbouring apartment and a phone call by her female neighbour, who had also been alerted by the noises, sounded the alarm for the old British woman, who thought that burglars had broken into. Terrified, she called the police. However, a big surprise was there for the policemen who rushed to help her. Instead of a ruthless criminal, they found an injured and dazed badger searching for help. The fake burglar, who had caused the unrest, entered the house in through a cat flap and made its way upstairs to a bedroom. Once there, it tried to jump through the window, causing the window to smash, and injuring itself. The policemen transferred the dazed badger to the nearest animal care unit, where the vets found it had been suffering pain from some old injuries, possibly in fights with other badgers. In fact, its fights made it flee its herd and look for a quiet, safe place.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] New Announcements at ONNED Conference

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The speeches delivered by the Ministers of Interior and National Defence dominated the second day of ONNEDs (Nea Demokratia Youth Organisation) Conference that is being held in Limnos. Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos congratulated ONNED President on his choosing the island of Limnos to host the conference saying that it is about time Greek province was enhanced and developed. The lack of a balanced growth and decentralization as well as bureaucracy were key issues in his speech. Mr Pavlopoulos assured that the government is fighting to combat these phenomena. On his part, National Defence Minister revealed the governments intention to make military service at the age of 19 mandatory and went on saying that partial claims and arbitrary interpretations or violation of the international law run contrary to the values governing the international community.

Drastic Reduction in Military Service

National Defence Minister pointed out that the military service is to be drastically reduced with the six months being the minimum limit. He also said that after the service, young Greeks will be able to concentrate on their studies and career.

At the same time, he spoke of the steps taken by the Ministry to make military service a constructive period. For that reason, tele-education programme is promoted in collaboration with the information society. The programmes objective is to provide online lessons, and it is to be partially implemented in 2006 while it is expected to become fully operational in 2007.

National Defence Minister also referred to the preventive medicine programmes in border islands as well as to the confrontation of drug use, for which the National Defence Ministry encourages the monitoring of detox programmes and their being transferred near detoxication clinics.

Island Growth is a Key Priority

Aegean & Island Policy Minister Aristotelis Pavlidis spoke of the infrastructure shortages in the Greek islands saying that the islands of the northeastern Aegean Sea rank among the 11 poorest areas in Europe. He also maintained that growth and improvement of life standards in islands are a key priority.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Changes Are a Fact

Related Links:

ΝΔ

ΟΝΝΕΔ

[05] Worrying Estimations by the Interior Minister Germany Could be Next

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA

European countries have started tightening the security measures as a result of the terrorist attack in London. Following Italy and Denmark, the German Interior Minister expressed his firm belief that Germany is also a possible target. Speaking to the German magazine Der Spiegel, Otto Schily stated that Germany could be next after the attacks in Madrid and in London, given the fact that the country participates in military operations in Afghanistan and trains Iraqi policemen. At the same time, Mr Schily made an appeal to the approximately 3 million Muslims residing in Germany to intensify their effort and To discourage the extremists and the Islamic preachers of hatred. It is noteworthy that Germany has sent 2,200 troops in Afghanistan, and despite the countrys opposition to the war in Iraq, it is involved in the training of the Iraqi security force.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related Links:

Der Spiegel

[06] 1st National Development Conference Aiming at Regional Growth

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The 1st National Development Conference currently held in Thessaloniki and chaired by the Deputy Economy Minister Christos Folias, will be focusing on the better possible management of the 4th Community Support Framework as well as Greeces strategic choices on the occasion of the 2007-2013 programming period. The governments objective is to enhance regional growth by attracting new investments and boosting job creation. The key to regional growth lies with the exploitation of EU funds, said the participants. Regarding the EU funds, Mr Folias stated that the government hopes the total amount will not be substantially deviated from the 20 billion euros believed to have been secured at the Summit Meeting on June 17. Economy Minister, who does not attend the conference, sent a letter pointing out that regional growth should be the result of business planning, extroversion and competitiveness, while Rural Development Minister Evangelos Basiakos assured that not a single euro will be wasted.

Greek Countryside at the Focus

Mr Basiakos said that regional growth is a key prerequisite for national growth and added, The Greek agriculture has to meet modern demands, and that agricultural research and education should be enhanced. As for the 3rd Community Support Framework, he assured, Not a single euro will be wasted, while referring to the new 2007-2013 programming period he maintained that the reorganization of the Greek countryside, job creation, the abolition of distinguishing lines between men and women as well as the protection of the environment are key priorities. Our goal is that every single euro becomes an investment, said Mr Folias pointing out the need of convergence at prefecture level as well as the need to establish a connection between education and market demands.

At the beginning of the conferences proceedings, Macedonia-Thrace Minister Nikolaos Tsiartsionis and Deputy Economy Minister Adam Regouzas also delivered their speeches. Mr Tsiartsionis criticized the previous governments for the way they had been handling the EU funds since 1986. He went on stressing the need to find ways that will secure the more profitable investment of the 4th Community Support Framework funds, which are expected to be limited as a result of the latest EU enlargement.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related Links:

Παρακολουθήστε ζωντανά τις εργασίες του Συνεδρίου

[07] Katsouranis Says No to Werder

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

AEK rejected Werder Bremens proposal to obtain Katsouranis. The player also considered the proposal of the German football club and decided to remain to AEK to help the historic Athenian club reach the top of the Greek football championship. AEKs coach Fernando Santos also opposed to the players transfer to Werder. Both the player and the coachs wish significantly influenced the decision taken by the team officials, who kept the teams captain, but on the other hand, they lost 3,300,000 euro. The player also lost the same amount of money, as the German team had offered him a three-year contract. It proves out that AEKs officials and players are still sentimental.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Cultures Meet in Kavala

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The 5th International Cosmopolis Festival will be held in Kavala, northern Greece, for a fifth year in a row. This years festival will be hosting missions from Gerogia, Ghana, Italy, Mexico, Uzbekistan, Czech Republic, while the town of Metsovo will be representing Greece. Cosmopolis is to take place on Panagias peninsula in Kavala, and it is co-organised by the Municipality of Kavala and the towns Municipal Development Committee. The international festival waits for the locals as well as tourist from all over Greece to attend it and prove that the co-existence of various cultural elements is nothing but a celebration. Entrance to the concerts and the rest of the festivities expected to be last until July 23 is free.

Apart from the concerts, visitors to Cosmopolis will have the opportunity to see photo exhibitions, play games, watch movie films, become aware of non-government organizations activities and taste ethnic cuisine at the Restaurant of Ethnic Flavors.

So, let us meet in Kavala to taste a wide variety of musicians, dancers, images and flavours from the eight participant countries.

Visit Cosmopolis website for more information

Translated by Areti Christou

Related Links:

Το site του Φεστιβάλ

[09] 8 Died Helicopter Crashes in Chechnya

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: Reuters

Russian News Agency Interfax reported an Mi-8 helicopter crashed in Chechnya killing eight people. It was an Mi-8 helicopter that crashed near the village of Itum-Kale in mountainous southern Chechnya near the border with Georgia, Colonel Alexander Drobyshevskiy told Interfax. Mi-8 was accompanied by two Mi-24 helicopters with a rescue crew on board. It is noteworthy that it is the third the incident to be recorded this year.

Translated by Areti Christou

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article