The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-07-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Scotland Yard's Biggest Challenge Looking for the Suspects

By Despina Hristopoulou

During a Press Conference today, the British Police released the photographs of four men, who are wanted as suspects for Thursdays attacks in metro stations and in a bus in London. As Deputy Police Chief Andy Hayman noted, these men are most wanted for questioning and urged anyone having information to contact the police. He also warned Londoners not to come anywhere near them. At the same time, Scotland Yard Chief Ian Blair announced that the man killed this morning by plain-clothed policemen "for refusing to obey police orders" was directly linked to the attacks. However, a police spokesperson said the man has not been identified yet. In fact, Mr Ian Blair stressed the investigation is going very quickly and that Scotland Yard is facing "the greatest operational challenge" in its history. Officers raided three addresses across the capital on Friday as part of anti-terrorist operations. That included a search of an address in Harrow Road, west London.

One Suspect Arrested

As per a Police announcement, a man linked to Thursday's attacks was arrested on Friday afternoon near Stockwell station. It was at the same station where policemen shot the man who refused to follow their orders. According to Sky News television network, citing security sources, the man was not one of the four bombers.

In the meantime, the Police are literally sweeping through London searching for clues and leads. As per the BBC, a large-scale operation is in progress in Harrow Road, west London.

Security cameras and the many eye-witnesses will also assist to the investigation.

Bombs Might Have Degraded

Referring to Thursday's bomb attacks, Ian Blair confirmed the explosive devices were homemade, while he stressed they were of same size and contained the same chemicals as those in the July 7 hits. He also clarified that even though there is some relation to the July 7 attacks, it is very early to say for sure that the attacks are linked.

Regarding why the bombs did not explode, Blair said they might had not been put together right or the explosive might have degraded over time.

In fact, according to Imperial College Research Centre expert Hans Mickels, the bombs were most probably cooked up at the same time with the July 7 ones and 15 days are enough to make an explosive mixture degrade enough to lose its force.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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[02] Four Suspended Sentences Heavy Sentences for the Culprits

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ANA

Following four-month of sessions, testimonies by 120 witnesses and speeches by 24 attorneys, the sensational trial concerning the Tempi accident has come to an end, with heavy sentences for the defendants. The courts decision for the tragic road accident that rocked Greece as it resulted in the death of 21 High School students from Makrochori, Imathia, was announced on Friday by the Volos Mixed Sworn Court. Five of the six defendants were sentenced to prison from 13 to 19 years. Actually, the sentences for the driver of the truck and one of the trucks co-owners are not suspended.

Rage over the Suspended Sentences

Initially, the relatives of the victims appeared satisfied with the sentences, but later they lashed out against the court, when it announced that four of the sentences were suspended, while they also verbally assaulted penologist Alexis Kougias, who is the attorney of one of the co-owners, Anastasios Kameas.

The victims attorney, Sakis Kechagioglou, appeared satisfied with the sentences, while he stressed that it was a historic decision, which, as he hoped, would contribute towards raising public awareness in Greece with regard to road safety and respect towards human lives. On their part, the defendants attorneys described the fact that the misdemanours and felonies were merged as a legal error, while they described the sentences imposed as unprecedented.

The Sentences

Dimitris Dolas, truck driver: 19-year imprisonment and suspension of his voting rights for four years.

Fotis Kavelidis, truck co-owner: 18-year imprisonment and suspension of his voting rights for three years.

Anastasios Kameas, truck co-owner: 14-year imprisonment and suspension of his voting rights for two years. Kameas will pay a guarantee of 20,000 euros.

Dimitris Chambouris, former general manager of the factory "Akritas" (fired after the accident): 13-year imprisonment and suspension of his voting rights for two years.

Polychronis Dardavounis, current general manager of the factory "Akritas": 13-year imprisonment and suspension of his voting rights for two years.

Chambouris and Dardavounis will pay a guarantee of 15,000 euros each.

Moysis Alexakis, warehouseman at the factory "Akritas": a suspended sentence of 4 years and 8 months. The guarantee for him was set at 4.40 euros daily for the whole sentence.

It should be noted that the melamine sheets on the truck at the time of the accident were manufactured by "Akritas".

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] Interview by Alogoskoufis Tax Reductions

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ANA

As per his interview to German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine, the Greek Minister of Economy and Finance is expecting significant reductions in the public deficit and public debt for 2006. Mr Alogoskoufis repeated the Governments aim for the deficit to reach close to 3.5% of the GDP and drop to under 3% in 2006. The Minister added that this constitutes the Governments highest priority. Mr Alogoskoufis also announced income tax reductions within the next three years, clarifying that the fiscal margins are quite tight at the moment, so the tax cuts will probably have to be postponed until 2007 or 2008.

Campaign against Tax Evasion

Mr Alogoskoufis will be making his first official estimates on public finances this coming September, as soon as the 2006 budget is compiled.

With regard to the public debt, the Economy Minister aims at reducing it to 99.9% of the GDP in 2007, as opposed to 109%, which is the case now.

He also added that the public revenues might drop by 1.5% of the GDP, while the VAT rates increased by one percentile unit last April to counterbalance these deviations.

Following this measure, the Government is also considering adopting measures to combat fuel smuggling and provide incentives to consumers to ask for receipts for their purchases.

Finally, he mentioned that the Government is planning to launch a campaign concerning the issue of tax evasion, while it is aiming at improving tax management.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Papandreou Tours Pieria and Pella

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Speaking from Litochoro, Pieria, the starting point of his tour of the Prefectures of Pieria and Pella, the President of PASOK accused the Government of lacking tourism policy. On Friday morning, Mr Papandreou met with representatives of the local tourism bodies, while he stressed, "Tourism does not need a Ministry with no responsibilities, or a Minister that is being promoted more than tourism." Furthermore, he pointed out the need for developing quality tourism, with emphasis on alternative forms, while he added, "The country is in danger of losing funds from the 3rd CSF in the area of tourism, because of the Governments inaction." The President of PASOK also referred to the 4th CSF, clarifying that due to the Governments actions (fiscal inventory, main shareholder, lack of allies), Greece has lost its bargaining power within the EU, and as a result, it cannot claim a sound funds package. The representatives of Pierias tourism bodies related to Mr Papandreou the Prefectures tourism problems arising from the non-operation of Road Axis 10 and the delays by the consular authorities when issuing visas. In the afternoon, Mr Papandreou will meet with representatives of the producers, while later on he will depart for the Prefecture of Pella.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Fight against Red Tape

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΑNA

Following his meeting with the PM on Friday at Maximos Mansion concerning matters of Public Administration, the Interior Minister declared that the Ministry aims at not just having clear results on their fight against bureaucracy by the end of 2006, but also for those results to be evaluated in practice. Prokopis Pavlopoulos briefed Kostas Karamanlis on the progress of computerising Public Administration, the use of computers and the ability of citizens to communicate with the public sector via electronic means.

Actions to Better Serve Citizens

Furthermore, Mr Pavlopoulos declared that he has drawn up a report on the progress so far, while he added that the Ministrys actions have been successful, especially in matters concerning service to the citizens, including the reduction of the number of certificates and the abolishment of the long-winded procedures to certify signatures.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] More Products Recalled

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA

The Greek Food Control Agency (EFET) proceeded with withdrawing two more products from the market, while an espresso coffee maker has also been recalled. Following EFETs order, the spices mix for hamburgers, under the name "Captains Mix" is being withdrawn from the market, as it was found that it contained the banned food dye Sudan-1. The product in question is distributed by the company Jotis AEVE is a 30gr glass container with the expiry date 31-12-2006. Meanwhile, EFET also ordered the withdrawal of the tisane beverage "Tilio Fino", produced in Bulgaria, as it was discovered that it contained salmonella. The product comes in a 16gr plastic container with the expiry date 31-12-2010.

In the meantime, an espresso coffee maker, DOMANI model DOM-330, has been recalled for defective operation, after complaints to the General Secretariat for the Consumer. It is a Chinese product, while 960 items were distributed in Greece by General S.A Company. The consumers stated that during operation the coffee maker's cap ejects or shoots upwards.

After detecting the problem, the distribution company contacted the General Secretariat for the Consumer and informed the majority of the owners via telephone. Samples of the product were sent for investigation to the Greek Standardisation Company (ELOT), where the technical file of the appliance will be submitted immediately. General S.A. is asking the persons who purchased the specific product to contact the company at the following numbers: +30210-39546117 and +30210-9546113, in order to have the defective product replaced.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Greece Is a Safe Destination Focus on Tourism

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET 105.8

The pending matters with old contracts of the Tourism Development Company, as well as the ongoing development plan of the company were discussed during a meeting on Friday morning between Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos. Mr Alogoskoufis described tourism development as the main issue of the country, while he added that most of the investments incorporated into the Growth Act stem from the tourism sector. On the other hand, Mr Avramopoulos appeared optimistic over the progress of the sector, saying that the relevant indicators are on an upward trend. Asked whether the recent terrorist attacks in London and the Turkish shores had any impact on tourism, he stressed that such events do influence the sector, however, as he said, Greece is monitoring the situation calmly and continues to be a safe holiday destination.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] PAOK in Austria

By Vasilis Kalpinos

PAOK arrived in Saltsburg, Austria, for the second stage of its preparation, with 25 of its footballers, since the other six, including Thodoris Zagorakis, did not follow the team. The football club from Thessaloniki will stay there for two weeks, while it will play four friendly matches in Central Austria.

The Six Who Stayed Behind

The players who stayed behind were Konteon and Moumin, who are injured, capped U21 players Iliadis, Christodoulopoulos and Balafas, and Thodoris Zagorakis.

The squad is made up of 25 footballers, while the National Greek Team captain will join them next Wednesday. Specifically, Petros Konteon is injured, while Hussein Moumin got injured during the friendly match with Enosi Thraki two days ago. The player underwent surgery today and apart from missing the second stage of preparation, he will also miss part of the season.

At the airport, and just a little before departing for Saltsburg, most of the players appeared reserved, but optimistic. The teams coach, Nikos Karageorgiou, asked the fans to stand by the team, to demonstrate patience and perseverance, and to keep a low profile. "I am hoping that we will prepare well and will not have any more problems. I believe that all my players will be available soon, so that we can decide on game tactics, although I am hoping for the National Greek U21 Team to qualify in the European Championship. I am hoping that our fans will stand by the team and assist in any way they can. It is a shame that two young guys, Konteon and Moumin, cannot be with the team. It is a shame for them," said the coach.

Then, Mr Karageorgiou spoke about the National Greek Team captain, Thodoris Zagrakis, describing him as a player/coach. "Thodoris Zagorakis was included in the initial planning of the team. He will be an on-the-pitch coach. His contribution to our team will be invaluable. He will have the same role as the one he has with the National Team."

Calm Down

Asked to comment on the fans aspirations regarding PAOK winning the Greek Championship, the coach maintained a low profile. "Not the championship. We cannot talk about the Championship after finishing in fifth place. A championship needs time and preconditions."

With regard to other transfers to the team, he said, "For as long as we are still in the transfer period, anything is possible. However, I can say that our planning concerning transfers is over. Real Madrid has the best players in the world, but it continues looking for more. I would say though, that our roster is complete."

Ifeani Udeze, one of the last players to arrive at Makedonia Airport this morning, along with Armando Foucini, told reporters, "It was a difficult summer for me, but in the end, I had the opportunity to rest for three weeks. I am fully ready for the preparation and now that we have many new players in the team, us veterans have to help them. There are no old and new players in professional football, since we are all professionals, but we are the ones who have to work with the new guys, so that we can make the team better than it was last year."

Apart from the coaches, others accompanying the team include the manager of the football sector, Nikos Papavramidis, serving as delegation leader, and the teams technical manager, Giorgos Kostikos.

The team will play its first friendly match on Sunday, against Slovakian Slovatchko in Bromberg, 120km south of Saltsburg.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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