The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-08-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Holy Sepulchre Hierarchs Reacted Tension at Jerusalem Patriarchate

By Anna Kourti

Representatives of the Jerusalem Patriarchate reached an agreement with the Israeli police in Friday in order to replace the door that had been broken earlier by former Patriarch Eirinaios associates, who were trying to take some things. The keys of the door in question will be handed over to the Israeli police, which made a commitment to the Holy Synod representatives that it would not allow Eirinaios to go ahead with his plan. Earlier, the Holy Sepulchre Hierarchs stopped the former Patriarchs men, while the Israeli police arrived at the scene and ended the incident.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[02] Statement by Interior Minister Clarifications Over the Interview

By Vagelis Theodorou

ASEP (Supreme Council for Personnel Selection) will be the sole authorised body to interview candidates for employment in the Public Sector, said the Minister for the Interior Prokopis Pavlopoulos. The Minister argued that the oral test will be held provided that no written exam is scheduled and that ASEP views it as necessary, and he went on to saying that the interview is to be held before a Committee strictly made up by members of ASEP. In response to PASOK allegations regarding the candidates inability to object the grading, Mr Pavlopoulos noted that it was PASOK that first established the oral interview for employment in the Public Sector in 1997 and prohibited the right to lodge an objection. At the same time, the Minister requested PASOK clearly state whether it questions the objectivity and wise judgement of ASEP, "Which is the only authorised Independent Administrative Authority to proceed with hiring personnel." PASOKs spokesperson Nikos Athanasakis spoke of an effort to promote party politics within the State, noting that in previous governments, the interview was integrated in a transparent hiring system and applied for a small number of people. On its part, the Interior Ministry issued an announcement mentioning that the spokesperson of PASOK, which governed for a number of years based on party favours and lack of meritocracy, does not fool anyone with its black propaganda. In the meantime, in an announcement, DAKE (Democratic Independent Workers Movement) voiced it support for the regulations promoted by the Government.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Harsh Tongue on Interview

[03] Israeli Authorities on Alert Israel Fears Retaliation

By Annita Paschalinou

The Israeli authorities are on alert fearing retaliation to the attack made by a Jewish extremist in a bus filled with Israelis of Arabic descent. Straight away the incident was condemned by Ariel Sharon, who stated that such incidents will not obstruct the withdrawal of settlers and Israeli forces from occupied Gaza Strip on August 17. In the town of Shfaram, where the tragic incident took place, the atmosphere is glum, while a general strike was declared and many citizens visited the victims families and gave their condolences.

On Alert

Fearing possible retaliation to yesterdays attack with Israeli victims of Arabian descent, police have developed their forces in towns of northern Israel with Arab population, as well as in Jerusalem.

Speaking to an Israeli radio station former PM Simon Peres condemned the incident.

Unfortunately, he noted, our country is susceptible to such murderous incidents by fanatics that endanger the lives of Jews and Arabs.

Attacker's Profile

On Friday, the identity of the attacker was made public.

It is 19-year-old Edebn Nathan Zaada, a deserter of the Israeli army and a disturbed personality.

Speaking to Israeli radio the attackers mother stated that she had warned the army over her sons dangerous behavior.

She revealed that her son was armed and lately had taken up extreme right-wing views.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Bus Shooting in Israel

[04] The Issue With the Dismissal Continues "The Law Was Followed"

By Annita Paschalinou

The issue concerning the dismissal of a parliamentary employee, who is accused of illegally accessing the personal information of ND MP Achilleas Karamanlis, came to the forefront once again. The Speaker of Parliament, Anna Psarouda-Benaki, declared that the law was followed in this case. "Unfortunately I had no other choice. We reached this extreme decision since the legislation that applies for private law permanent employment contracts is harsh," stressed Mrs Benaki. Achilleas Karamanlis spoke of a malicious attack against him by PASOK and the Media supporting it. In an announcement, the ND MP declared that no one in Parliament informed him either formally or informally of anything, noting that it was evident he never intervened in the dismissal of the employee. On his part, SYN MP Giannis Dragasakis, who is a member of the Parliaments Financial Audit of Declaration of Assets Committee said, "We should have been informed." In response, the Speaker of Parliament declared that it was an administrative matter.

In the meantime, earlier on Friday, the employees attorney, D. Vervesos, submitted an application to the relevant parliamentary agency, requesting to obtain a copy of Mr Achilleas Karamanlis Declaration of Assets.

It should be noted that the Parliaments administrative council decided to terminate the employees contract, because she acquired information that was kept in a database containing personal data about MPs, without any right, order or reason to do so and outside working hours.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Battle Over a Dismissal

[05] At an Inaccessible Area Fire in Megara

By Anna Kourti

A fire has broken out in a forested area just above the Megara firing range. The fire started at 20:40 and is burning at an area inaccessible by fire engines, so the firefighting units are trying to extinguish it on foot.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Insists on Nuclear Activities Tehran Firm in Position

By Vagelis Theodorou

Iran insists on re-operating the uranium process regardless of the package of proposals by the European Union in order for it to stop the controversial nuclear activities. On Friday morning, the UK, France and Germany submitted proposals that include trade and political motives, as well as security guarantees in order to freeze nuclear activities in Isfahan. According to information, the three countries proposed for Iran to become the main transit route for oil and gas to Europe from Central Asia. However, Tehran appeared determined to recommence uranium enrichment procedures, regardless if the Americans or the Europeans do not recognize the above. "Even if their proposals do not allow the resumption of work at Isfahan, we will resume activities," Iranian negotiator Hossein Mousavian said. Moreover, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Hamid Reza Asefi announced that Tehran would reply to the European proposals on Saturday or Sunday. In the meantime, an unscheduled International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Summit will take place next Tuesday in Vienna, after a demand by the Europeans.

Critical Unscheduled Summit

And while the diplomatic and verbal war is underway, all eyes are turned to the unscheduled IAEA Summit Meeting on coming Tuesday. Its aim is for pressure to be put on Iran, which announced that its nuclear activities in Isfahan will be repeated within the next two days just as the Agencys inspectors will be arriving in the area.

The details of the proposals have not been made known, since the three EU Member-States want Iran to take its time studying their content in view of the unscheduled meeting on Tuesday.

According to information, the Europeans announced that they would help Tehran develop a nuclear programme for the production of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, as well as supplying it with nuclear fuels but without the country proceeding with a uranium enrichment process. The aim of the proposal is for Iran to not acquire the nuclear technology needed for the manufacturing of nuclear weapons.

"I hope that Iran will hear the voice of reason and that it will take the path of negotiation and dialogue, and that it will not move toward a resumption of nuclear activities," French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told Europe-1 radio, and concluded " we are even ready to support a civilian, but of course, non-proliferating, nuclear programme."

In closing, it is noted that the EU and the US have warned Tehran over a possible committal to the UN Security Council in the case it repeats its nuclear programme.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Iran Lashes out Threats

Turbulent Talks

[07] Bulgaria, Portugal and France Plagued by Fires and Floods

By Anna Kourti

Three municipalities east of Sofia are in a state of emergency due to the torrential rains over the last two days. According to the local agency dealing with natural disasters, 17 people have been killed already. The floods seriously affected dozens of municipalities and 3.2 million Bulgarians. The local authorities evacuated the citizens of the town Ihtiman, east of Sofia, while approximately 1,500 people found temporary shelter in schools. In some streets the level of the water reached 2m, causing extensive damages to houses. Major damages were also recorded in the cities Kostenec and Gorna Malina. The trains connecting western, southern and eastern Bulgaria stopped running due to the floods, while the damages so far are estimated at 400 million leva (approximately 200 million euros).

In Portugal, strong winds and high temperatures caused major fires. 68,000 hectares of forestland burnt down, while one person is hospitalised with serious burns. Twenty fire fronts are burning forests in central and northern Portugal, while more than 3,000 firefighters are trying to put out the fires. At the same time, Portugal is facing the worst drought of the last 60 years.

In South France, the alarm has been sounded, because of a fire that has been burning east of Toulon, where ammunition from WWII is believed to be buried. The firefighters are giving a battle to keep the fire away from the danger zone.

Typhoon Matsa hit the coast of Taiwan, packing maximum gusts of 180 km/h. Houses were buried under the mud and the mudslides blocked the roads. The schools, shops and government buildings were forced to close down due to the torrential rains and strong winds.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] Sale Underway Positive Developments in Sale of OA

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA

The Biministerial Denationalisation Committee approved the main parts of the memorandum that was signed between the Greek Public Sector and York Capital/Olympic Investors. The signing paves the way for the sale of Olympic Airways, which continues to be governed by the decisions of the EU. The latest development followed a meeting that was held on 27/7/2005 on the issue of Olympic Airways and the recommendation of the Greek Public Sector Councillor.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Ancient Olympia Reopens Gates

By Ilias Papaioannou

After last years rebirth of shot put in Ancient Olympia, the sacred land that hosted the first Olympics in 776 BC will reopen its gates. Today it was decided that one track and field event should take place in Ancient Olympia annually. This was announced by the President of the IOC, Jacques Rogge, from Helsinki, which is getting prepared fro the start of the World Track and Field Championships. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) spokesperson Nick Davis stated that the first event will take place in May 2006, and that the games will possibly be shot put, discus and hammer throw.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Torghelle Signed

By Stathis Petropoulos

Sandor Torghelle signed with Panathinaikos. The Hungarian striker successfully passed the medical examinations thus completing his loan move from Crystal Palace to the Athenian football club until the summer of 2006. The Athens side has the option to offer Torghelle a four-year contract in exchange of 850,000 euros to the British football club. Torghelle was born on May 2, 1982 in Budapest. He started his career as a footballer in Kispest-Honved and in 2003 he moved to the Hungarian reigning champion MTK Budapest. He scored 9 goals in the Hungarian football championship, while his excellent performances during that season earned him a place in the national team of Hungary on February 18, 2004. A few weeks later, he scored the sole goal of his team to the 4-1 defeat by Brazil in Budapest. Torghelle has 13 participations with the national team of his country and has scored four goals, two of them at the 2-0 friendly victory over Germany on June 6, 2004.

Panathinaikos' New Jersey

Panathinaikos presented its official jersey for the new season in the presence of Giannis Goumas, Phanis Gekas, Dimitris Papadopoulos, Pier Ebede, Flavio Conceicao, Igor Biscan and Mario Galinovic. "We hope that this jersey will bring us luck starting with the game against Wisla," said the teams captain Giannis Goumas. Meanwhile, the teams coach Alberto Malezani is in Poland to watch Wisla playing against Groclin in Grodzisk for the 3rd round of the Hungarian football championship. The game is scheduled for 21:00 (Greek local time). The Italian coach will have the opportunity to draw concrete conclusions about Wisla a few days prior to the first game between the two clubs on Tuesday in Krakow for the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League.

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Konstantinidis Returns to PAOK

By Ilias Papaioannou

After three years with Panathinaikos, Pantelis Konstantinidis returns to his old team PAOK. The Greek player signed his one-year contract in the offices of PAOK in Thessaloniki and will return to Athens in order to wrap up some unfinished business. "I am very satisfied that I am returning to PAOK," said Konstantinidis on his return to Thessaloniki and continued "I return feeling more mature and more experienced and I believe that together with the other players will help the team reach its goals."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Discovery Sends Environmental SOS Wasteland from Above

By Vagelis Theodorou

The space shuttle crew of Discovery is sounding the alarm over the destruction of the environment. Discovery commander Eileen Collins detected the extended destruction due to deforestation, and stated that greater care is needed for the protection of the planets natural resources. "Sometimes one can see the erosion caused by the deforestation. In specific areas of the world it is extensive," stated Collins in a discussion with Japanese officials in Tokyo, among whom PM Junichiro Koizumi. According to the commander, the most deforested area is the Amazon, which is the worlds largest forest area. Moreover, Collins stated that the Earths atmosphere requires immediate protection, due to its "eggshell-like" thinness. "We as astronauts would like to see people take care of the Earth and replace the resources used," concluded Eileen.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[13] Usage Percentages Hide in The River Bed Swept Away by the River

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: BBC

The bed of the Po River in northern Italy holds the evidence of the use of 150 million dollars cocaine. It was the quality checks that were conducted on the sewage released to the Po River that led the scientists to this rather unexpected conclusion. According to their estimation, the Italians make a daily use of 40,000 cocaine doses, with 15,000 of them being used by the some of the five million residents of the area near the Po River.

Looking for Evidence

The tests, which were carried out by Health Institute in Milan under Dr Ettore Zuccatos supervision, were published in the British scientific journal Environmental Health.

The overwhelming findings came to light with the use of a special test that detects a cocaine by-product in the sewage as well as in the river waters. The cocaine by-product is excreted in the urine. As per scientists, the test needs further improvement and adjustments prior to its full-scale application. However, the preliminary results proved that the traditional way of determining the actual usage percentages does not reflect the reality.

The scientists new objective is to put forward similar tests that will provide data regarding the heroine and cannabis usage, since nor these elements are swept by the river.

Translated by Areti Christou

[14] 17 Experienced Climbers Set Off On Mount Ararat

By Thanasis Karlos

The members of the Mountain Climbing Club of Athens are bound to engage in another tedious task. Last year, they conquered Mount Everest, the roof of the world. As of today they set off for Mount Ararat, which lies in Eastern Turkey. It is noteworthy that the mountain was a forbidden frontier zone until very recently. 17 experienced climbers aspire to set foot on the highest peak that is located in the neighbouring country. They hope to complete their mission within eight days.

Visit at the Patriarchate

This venture is of highly sentimental value for the captain of the climbing team Costas Tsivelekas, since his 17-year-old daughter, the youngest member of the team, will also be participating.

No before has a Greek climbing team attempted to reach the peak of Mount Ararat since it has been a forbidden frontier zone. Costas Tsivelekas and his company aspire to raise the Greek flag on the mountains peak, 5,165m high.

The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will be hosting the Greek climbers the Patriarchates headquarters. Bartholomew is to grant them the Patriarchate flag to raise it on the peak of the biblical mountain.

Translated by Areti Christou

[15] ASEP Results Announced

By Anna Kourti

The results of the exams for the hiring of Primary and High School teachers in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Arts and Home Economics were made public on Friday by ASEP (Supreme Council for Personnel Selection) and were sent to Prefectures around the country so as to be posted. The final lists of those who will be hired will be published as soon as all the appeals are heard. The deadline for lodging the appeals ends on 19 August. Meantime, the Ministry of Culture exam results for candidates in the disciplines of Ancient, Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Antiquities, as well as Museum curators, have already been published and posted on ASEPs website. The lists were also sent to the National Press for publication in the Government Gazette.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[16] Fire on a Its Compartment InterCity Passengers Escape Danger

By Vivian Papastefanou

A fire that broke out in an InterCity compartment that was on Kyparissia-Athens route spread panic among the 90 passengers. Shortly after 12:30pm, the driver realised that a technical failure in one of the engines resulted in the emission of smoke. The driver immediately stopped the train near the area of Ano Liosia northeast of Athens, while the passengers were removed without anyone been injured. OSE buses were employed to transfer the passengers to their destinations. The fire was put out by the firefighters who rushed on the site. Investigation is underway to determine the causes of the accident.

Translated by Areti Christou

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