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

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

CONTENTS

[01] After Fears Over Attack in Saudi Arabia Black Gold Price Soars

By Annita Paschalinou

The record prices in the oil market are being broken one after the other. In New York, the price of crude oil reached 63.80 dollars a barrel and British Brent 62.40. The price of black gold is being increased by information that states that they are technical difficulties in US oil refineries, as well as the travel warnings issued by the US and Great Britain over a terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia the next few days.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] PAO: United in Defense and Offence

By Stathis Petropoulos

Today, Alberto Malezani gave his first official Press interview in Poland, in view of the tomorrows game between Panathinaikos and Wisla Krakow for the Champions League preliminaries. The Italian coach was not reserved with the Polish journalists, but not especially revealing either. He stated that Olisadebe will play in tomorrows game, but kept his impressions over Wisla and how he would counter it to himself and his team. "We have watched Wisla and have learned a lot about our opponent but we wont discuss anything further," he said and proceeded with comments about Panathinaikos:" I wouldnt describe my coaching technique as defensive. I prefer defense but I believe that offense should be brought forward. I want teamwork, 11 players on defense and 11 players on offence, a united team."

Morris: "We Owe Qualification to Fans"

The other issues at the focus of the Press interview were the weather conditions and Malezani stated that he prefers low temperatures and that is the reason why the training sessions took place in the cold. "Wisla will have the biggest problem when it arrives in Athens," he said. In closing, he was asked if Gonzales absence will play an important part, and he answered that the absence of a player doesnt make a difference in the game.

On behalf of the players, Nasif Morris spoke. It is reminded that he will be the teams captain in PAOs first official game. "We respect Wisla, as it is the Polish Champion. At this given time, Panathinaikos is fighting to play in the Champions League groups because it owes a qualification to its history and fans," he said and added:

"The most dangerous thing about Wisla is the way it moves in the pitch and the change of positions by its offenders, but we have studied the games and are ever ready. I have not had a similar experience with Polish teams, although PAO has played many games against."

In closing, he spoke about being the captain of the "greens." "It is a very important thing for me since I play in a very big team. From the first day, my goal was to become captain."

The last training session of Panathinaikos took place without the presence of journalists, thus Malezanis lineup remains unknown.

Yesterday, he tried out a offensive formation with Gekas, Olisadebe and Papadopoulos coexisting in the team roster, however it is most likely that he will not risk and will choose one of the two Greek players as Olisadebes partner, possibly Gekas.

Panathinaikos lineup is expected to be as follows: Galinovic, Seric, Vintra, Morris, Kotsios, Biscan, Flavio Conceicao, Haralambides, Wooter, Gekas and Olisadebe.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Fear Sends Oil Prices Soaring Eminent Attack in Saudi Arabia

By Annita Paschalinou

Fears are increasing over an eminent terrorist hit in Saudi Arabia in the coming hours. Following the US, which on Sunday announced that it is closing its Embassy and Consulates, Great Britain and Australia have issued travel warnings for the avoidance of travel in the country by their citizens. Actually, shortly before the British Embassy in Riyadh announced the terrorists are in the final stages of preparing attacks and advised British citizens to be extremely careful. On the other hand, the Saudi Arabian government states that it does not have any information over an eminent terrorist hit.

Unexpected Hit

In its announcement, the Foreign Ministry of Australia states that the terrorist attacks can occur at any given moment and at any place. Possible targets are housing compounds, embassies, restaurants, nightclubs, schools, airports, tourist areas, hotels and oil facilities. On Sunday, the US was the first to announce that all its diplomatic missions will be closed until Tuesday. Moreover, they advised American citizens to be extremely careful and to avoid visiting places that westerners tend to frequent, which are a usually targeted by the terrorists. Fears over an eminent terrorist hit in Saudi Arabia caused concern in the oil market and sent the price of black gold to 63.80 dollars a barrel.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Lovers Get Stung

By Despina Hristopoulou

Rangers at a park in Amsterdam have turned to nature in order to stop couples from using the park for kinky shenanigans. Since patrols did not seem to solve the problem, they cut back bushes to create space for nettles and thistles to grow. As per Jos Evers, head ranger of the park, when the weather is fine, 10 to 15 couples find refuse in the park for an opportunity to enjoy the sun, and much more! Actually, he added that the crime is organised, since the couples warn each other with mobile phones when they hear the rangers approaching. Their previous diversion tactic was converting the most popular areas into a paintball venue.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] To the Personal Data Protection Authority Committal Against Parliament

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

On Monday, a continuation was given to the dismissal issue of Parliamentary employee Konstantina Gavatha with an application to the Personal Data Protection Authority, with which she filing a complaint against the Parliament. In the committal, the former employee states that during a two-day leave from her position, four employees broke into her personal computer and intercepted personal documents. The employee claims that there was a violation of personal data without her permission, and that the above contributed to the basis for her dismissal. The issue will be discussed within the next six months, and in the case that the independent Authority decides to adopt her accusations, the administrative fine imposed could reach 150,000 euros.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Papandreou on the Politicians' Finances

"The Law Was Followed"

Battle Over a Dismissal

[06] More Shipping Routes

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The Mercantile Marine Ministry is attempting to avoid delays in ships and hassles to passengers by adding more shipping routes, altering and extending existing ones, and posting more personnel at the ports. In the meantime, the situation at the port of Piraeus seems to have improved, with the only exceptions being the ships Dimitroula and Rodanthi. They are both expected to depart at 2am on Tuesday, with a 6 and a 4-hour delay respectively, as they were late in departing from previous ports. In addition, the 240 passengers of the ship Samothraki were also put out, as the ship was forced to remain in Samos, due to mechanical failure on the ramp. As a result it arrived in Kavala after an 11-hour delay. What is more, the delay was accompanied by a bomb hoax, which caused a temporary disturbance.

In the meantime, a new ship, Highspeed 5, has been added to the fleet, to facilitate routes for the Cyclades. The ship has a capacity of 800 passengers and 200 vehicles. In addition, two special cargo ships and four Navy vehicle carriers have been incorporated in the shipping routes, carrying trucks with basic consumer goods to the Cyclades and the Dodecanese daily.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Shipping Problems

Kefalogiannis Delivers Fines

[07] Peach Growers Take the Streets Uproarious Protests

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET 105.8, ANA

Since 12:00 peach growers have blockaded the parts of Mavrovouni and Melissi on the Thessaloniki-Edessa road in Pella, protesting over the prices that companies buy peaches. The traffic of vehicles is taking place from other routes. The collective actions took a turn for the worst when the growers threw a large quantity of peaches on the street and set fire to a tractor and a vehicle. Earlier they raided a stewed fruit factory and started emptying out cases of peaches which were sold in a price lower than cost. The peach growers are investigating the course of collective actions in a meeting that is in development.

"All Measures have Been Taken"

According to the President of the Pella Cooperatives, Christos Chatziantoniou, the price given by company owners is 30% under cost, while Deputy Pella Prefect Dimitris Katsaros supported the peach growers demand, describing it as fair.

The peach growers asked for the market price to be formed to 23 cents a kilo, from 19 cents, while they are asking for a meeting with the Minister of Rural Development, Evangelos Basiakos.

Mr Basiakos referred to the issue and stated that the government has taken all possible measures for the reinforcement of peach growers and made clear that no national grants will be given for the increase of the products price.

However, he added that the government will continue pressuring the processing industry in order to form better prices for the growers. Mr Basiakos noted that this is the first year that the Ministry has distributed canned peach to the army and the countrys hospitals, while for the first time it compensated the peach growers that suffered damage from soil infertility and the second time for the disease of cladosporium.

Moreover, he noted that a grant of 2.5 million euros has been given for the support of growers associations, and noted that the cooperatives main priority should be putting the pressure on the processors for the improvement of prices and not protesting against the government.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] From the Recent Bad Weather Recording the Damages

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Speaking on radio station NET 105.8, the President of the Hellenic Organisation of Agricultural Insurances (ELGA), Nikolaos Katsaros, reassured the farmers whose crops suffered damages from the recent bad weather that they will be compensated within three months from the end of harvest. According to the Organisation, 15,000 hectares of land were destroyed by the rain, while teams from ELGA, the Prefectures and the Municipalities have already started recording the damages. Referring to the cover of compensations, Minister of Rural Development Evangelos Basiakos reassured that the Ministry and the ELGA Administration have ensured the funds for all pending and recent damage. Larissa, Komotini, Xanthi, Kavala and Thasos were at the mercy of the extreme weather conditions, while the local farmers are in despair and a total of 12 Prefectures were hit by the fury of nature.

Fourlas: "We Are on Alert"

A crew of the Municipality and an ELGA relevant inspector visited the area of the Prefecture of Thessaloniki, stricken by the hailstorm last Friday. As the Thessaloniki Prefecture announced during the visits to Kalamotos and Adam in Kalindoia Municipalily as well as Nea Apollonia, the damage reaches 100% of the production. On Tuesday, ELGA experts will estimate the damage in crops. Furthermore, directions were given to the growers in order for their speedy compensations. Also the crew investigated the cases of stockbreeders that lost their animals by the floods and thunderstorms, while ELGA veterinarians will estimate the number of dead animals in order for the breeders to receive compensation.

Actually, the Prefect of Xanthi, Giorgos Pavlidis, estimated that in some areas, 100% of the cotton fields were completely destroyed, while he noted that the Prefecture would seek financial aid from the EU for this unexpected natural disaster. On the other hand, the farmers would have to file their damages applications within 12 days. However, with regard to products of immediate harvest, Mr Katsaros noted that the estimates would commence before then. At the same time, the Municipalities are continuing to restore the damages to the highways, and the power and water supply in many areas.

"The state is on alert in order to do what we have to," stressed the General Secretary of the Civil Protection Authority, Panagiotis Fourlas, who also noted that thunderstorms and squalls are quite common around this time of year. Meanwhile, the Civil Protection Authority urged citizens not to build houses on riverbanks, as they would suffer damages in case of severe rainfalls.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Counting their Wounds

Related Links:

ELGA

[09] IKA Procedures in KEP

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The Joint Ministerial Decision of the Deputy Interior Minister, Apostolos Andreoulakos, and Deputy Empolyment Minister Nikos Aggelopoulos is aspiring to put an end to endless queues in IKA departments. According to the decision, from now on Citizen Service Centers (KEP) will process six new administrative procedures initially under the Social Insurance Foundation (IKA), while a special application form corresponds to each one. The decision concerns the following procedures:

Declaration of loss of insurance book Insurance time certificate Declaration of loss of personal health book Declaration of loss of family health book (spouse) Declaration of loss of family health book (single children) Declaration of dispute on insurance data and committal.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Early Elections in Japan

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, ANA, BBC

On Monday, Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi announced early elections, after the rejection of a Bill for the privatisation of post offices by the Upper House of Parliament. The elections have to take place 40 days after the dissolving of Parliament and thus a possible date is September 11. The 125 votes against the Koizumi Bill and 108 for, are a strong blow to the Japanese government since the privatisation of the post offices was a main priority of Koizumis second term in office. The Bills rejection has already caused friction within the party, since Agriculture Minister Yoshinobu Shimamura resigned protesting over the early elections. The internal party problems surfaced during a voting session over the post offices privatisation since 22 of the governments members voted against it. It is noted that the Japanese post offices with 25,000 branches nationwide, handle 2,640 billion euros. Except for post services they also offer investment and insurance programmes, and are considered the largest banks worldwide.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] 0.94 Cents/A Liter in August Slight Increase of Unleaded

By Annita Paschalinou

The price of unleaded gas was 0.94 euro a liter on August 5, recording a 0.75% increase since July 29, when the latest nationwide measurement of the Ministry of Development took place. Since the beginning of 2004 the price of unleaded had increased by 28.59%. According to the Ministry of Development the retail price of unleaded in Greece is the lowest in the EU. "The price per semester of unleaded gas in Greece, before taxation, is in a declining course and is very near the average EU level," noted Deputy Minister Mr Salagoudis commenting on articles that surfaced today. As he went on to add, Eurostats measurements indicate that the second semester of 2004 the average price of unleaded in Greece, before taxation, was merely 2% above the average level of the 15 EU Member-States, while the previous first semester of 2004 the corresponding percentage was 12%.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] With the Public Sector's Guarantee 300,000 Euro Grant to Apiculture

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The decision of Deputy Minister of Economy Petros Doukas is expected to give a breather to apiculture, as of Monday he approved the guarantee of the Public Sector to banks for the total grant of 300,000 euros to apiculture businesses. This convenience is made due to the damage suffered by apiculture by the recall of a large quantity of honey, due to the detection of paradichlorobenzol in the product.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[13] Karastamati Doesnt Qualify

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Regardless that Karastamati was in the first four until the 70m, she lost valuable ground in the last thirty meters and ranked sixth with 11:20. The 20-year-old athlete, who faced serious injury, gave her best for the qualification but unfortunately ranked 10th in the final standings. "I was very near the final. I started off quite well besides the fact that I was running in the first lane. I only saw Sturrup ahead of me, and thus I believed that I would finish at least third. Towards the end of the race my leg gave up on me and I lost valuable ground. I am in the 16th fastest runners and this is very important for me. I am moving on," stated the athlete a few minutes after her effort and added: "You should known that I am determined and capable of ranking even higher up in the standings."

"The Year was Successful"

Just like yesterday, her trainer had insisted that she doesnt not run is she didnt feel completely up for it. "Those were hard hours. I put a lot of deep heating creme so I wouldnt feel the pain and in the end I thought my leg was on fire."

On her impressions and the experience she said, "the level is very high. In order form me to come this far, and to become a better athlete, a lot of hard work was needed. Another fact that I noticed was that the stadium was packed during the past days. I wish that the Greek people also massively attended events helping us, as well as the foreign athletes."

Karastamati, who this year received the gold in the European U23 and bronze in the Madrid 28th European Indoor Athletics Championships realistically faced her disqualification and stated the following:

"My participation in the World semi-finals with all those great athletes was very important regardless of my injury. I wanted to qualify to the final but there is always the next event, two years from now, and I will try to do my best. The year has been very successful for me, since I won a bronze medal in Madrid and a gold in Erfurt, while I qualified in the Helsinki semi-finals and made a personal best with 11:03."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[14] Sent by the Ministry of Economy New Packages of Debit Notes

By Anna Kourti

The Ministry of Economy has sent another 332,572 tax office statement of accounts. According to an announcement by the General Secretariat for Information Systems, 94,323 are debit balances, 91,147 credit balances and 147,102 zero balances. The debit corresponds to 194,489,043 euros, credit to 45,373,076 euros and the Public Sectors net worth comes to 149,115,967 euros. Nine packages of debit notes have been accounted by the General Secretariat for Information Systems, from which the Public Sectors net worth comes to 1,230,686,425 euros.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[15] Under Control Fire in Factory at Metamorfosi

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

A fire that broke out at 11:40am in the basement of a mattress factory at Metamorfosis industrial zone is under control. The fire started spreading quickly due to the flammable materials in the factory. The strong firefighting units that arrived on site managed to stop it from spreading to neighbouring businesses. Initially, the firefighters thought that the workers had all exited the building, as many people were gathered outside the factory. However, they were workers from neighbouring businesses who had come out to see what was happening.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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