The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-08-10

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Meeting Over Shipping Routes Fines for The Hassle

By Anna Kourti

Greek PM Costas Karamanlis met with Mercantile Marine Minister Manolis Kafalogiannis on Tuesday morning to design the governments policy with regard to the problems that have been hassling the shipping routes over the last days. Exiting the Maximos Mansion Mr Kafalogiannis said, "The safety of the passengers is a key priority for our government, therefore heavy sanctions are to be imposed on those shipowners who fail to inform the passengers about the delays in shipping routes." He also called on the shipowners to apologise and make sure that the return of the travellers from the islands runs smoothly. Mr Kefalogiannis mentioned that many shipping companies have satisfactorily facilitated around 2.5 million passengers while referring to the weather conditions and the delays caused by them, he said, "We cannot fight God."

Harsh Tongue by Opposition

Following Mr Kefalogiannis statements, PASOK parliamentarian Anna Diamantopoulou lashed out an attack against the governments policy on coastal shipping.

Mr Diamantopoulou underscored that the government is converting issues, including that of security, which had been solved in the past into major problems once again. She also called on the government to take all necessary measures against interests and pressures on the occasion of the three-day holiday.

"The Mercantile Minister should fall upon the veto strategy to the citizens benefit," concluded PASOK parliamentarian.

Answer of Mercantile Marine Minister The answer of Minister of Mercantile Marine to the statements of Anna Diamantopoulou was immediate.

"The members of PASOK are trying to attack with fireworks from beaches. Interests, stock exchange games, monopolies and piracy in the coastal navigation are occurrences bred by PASOK policies and their controversial choices," noted the Ministry in an announcement, noting that the initiatives its taking up pave the road for the resolving of problems that have been hassling the islands for decades. "Everyday, Greek citizens in all ports nationwide live through the results of Mr Kefelogiannis' policy," replied PASOK in an announcement, and adds that the Minister has been called to give explanations to the relevant Parliamentary Committee for the problems in coastal navigation but has not responded. KKE also issued an announcement in response to Mr Kefalogiannis statemements.

"As long as the ships belong to ship owners and the ports are being privatised, safe regular shipping routes and cheap tickets do not stand a chance," said KKE and went on to describing the new loans and the subsidies announced by the government as provocations. SYN launched a similar reaction.

"Instead of taking immediate and drastic measures at the expense of the ship owners with regard to the chaos recorded in the shipping routes, the government is announcing new provocative guidelines to serve the ship owners interests," said the announcement issued by SYN.

Extra Routes

Today, the shipping routes from the port of Piraeus ran smoothly. However, minor delays were reported in the sailing of Rodanthi, Dimitroula and Romilda.

The Ministry of Mercantile Marine has taken measures in case extra shipping routes are needed. Meanwhile, it is considering the likelihood to stage an international contest to lease a reserve ship to be used when necessary.

Furthermore, with regard to border islands, five-year up to twelve-year contracts based on the age, the speed and the track record of both the ship and the company are also being considered. The aim is to prompt shipping companies to renew their fleets with younger ships that can be subsidised by a loan from the European Investment Bank. The loan in question has been agreed between the Ministry of Mercantile Marine and the Investment Bank with a view to reshaping the ports.

A contest for hiring an international consultant to proceed with project is to be announced on the days to come.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Over the Price of Peaches Critical Meeting in Development

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

"The government has taken up another intervening initiative between the peach growers and the processing industry, regardless of the fact that it cannot do anything more than it already has," stated Minister of Rural Development in the afternoon, making reference to the three-day meeting over the price of peaches at the Ministry between the Pella peach growers and manufacturers. As it was made known, the manufacturers agreed to increase the purchase price of peaches, a proposal that left the growers partly satisfied, as they ask for the final price to be 23 cents as opposed to the current price of 19 cents. The leadership of the Ministry of Rural Development repeated that the government has done all it could, since a state grant will be opposed to EU regulations. Furthermore, Mr Basiakos addressed the demand of the peach growers to the Employment and Vocational Training Fund (LAEK) in order for some form of grant to be given, a demand which will be discussed by GSEE and the involved social bodies during the coming weeks.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] As Per City Police Commissioner New Attack in London Inevitable

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: BBC

Regardless of the strict security measures taken, an attack in the financial centre of London, City, is a matter of time stated Police Commissioner James Hart in an interview to Financial Times newspapers. As per Mr Hart, a new terrorist attack in City is inevitable since, as he states, the Police is investigating possible targets, but up to the moment the police authorities have not made any arrests. As per the police Commissioner there are no indications or threats over such a terrorist hit, however he supports his claims on the fact that City is "an obvious target." "If you want to hurt the government, hurt people at the same time, and you want to cause maximum disruption...where better to hit than at the financial centre?"

According to the areas police, only the 50% of businesses situated in City have taken measures over an eminent terrorist hit, a fact that has to change as companies should participate more actively in security issues.

In the past, City has been targeted by the IRA three times, and resulted in the death of four persons.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Karamanlis-Molyviatis Meeting

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

Greek PM Costas Karamanlis met with Foreign Affairs Minister Petros Molyviati to discuss Turkeys accession talks with the EU and the Protocol on the occasion of the meeting of the Council of the permanent delegates in Brussels. They further discussed issues on foreign affairs as well as the planning of Mr Karamanlis visits abroad. Exiting Maximos Mansion, Foreign Affairs Ministers refused to make any statements.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Fire in Ancient Olympia

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

The fire has at least three fronts and broke out early on Wednesday afternoon in a pinewood area in Ancient Olympia. The Fire Service operation is in development and prevented the fire reaching the village of Alfeiousa, at the time when flames were approaching houses. Ninety firemen in 30 vehicles, seven airplanes and three helicopters are trying to set the fire under control, which has burned down a large area of pinewood forests, olive trees and two warehouses. The operation will continue through the night.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Nuclear Unit's Seals Removed Under IAEA Observance

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: BBC, ANA

On Wednesday, the Iranian nuclear unit in Isfahan is in full operation, after the removal of the last UN seals from the facilities as Vice President of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation Mohammad Saeedi stated. The removal of the seals took place after the authorisation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), representatives of which attended the procedure, to Tehran. In the meantime, the planned IAEA meeting in Vienna was cancelled and will possibly take place on Thursday. The cancellation is due to the decision of the 35 members to continue diplomatic relations behind closed doors before starting negotiations. EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana stated "what is being discussed now is if Iran can produce nuclear energy in the future without producing nuclear weapons."

On his part, the new President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, stated he is ready to participate in discussions over his countrys nuclear programme and to make new proposals on the issue. From Paris, the alternate Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Marie Masdupuy stated that France, together with its European counterparts, is willing to discuss every new idea that will allow a long-term agreement in relation to Tehrans nuclear programme. The EU and the US have urged Tehran to return to the negotiation table, while the event of committing Iran to the UN Security Council is being investigated. It is noted that Tehran had stated that the Isfahan plant will operate only for uranium enrichment for the production of power, however the US fear that Irans aim is the production of nuclear weapons.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

UN Seals Are Removed

Talks Extended with Tehran

[07] Israel's Travel Warning In Force Mystery over Arrests

By Annita Paschalinou

A story broadcast by private television NTV, as per the Turkish police has arrested an Al Qaeda-linked group in Turkey, which was planning attacks against Israeli targets, has stirred a commotion. The story was confirmed by the counter-terrorism service of Israel but later on was denied by Turkish police. The story of the Turkish television network spoke of 10 persons arrested in Antalya, who were gathering information about Jewish synagogues and preparing an attack against Israeli targets, in cooperation with Al Qaeda. As per NTV, one is a Syrian who is believed to have made the bombs used in the Istanbul attacks on November 2003.

Israel Exposes Turkish Police

The Turkish police stated that the information broadcast is false and dissembled. The story broadcast by NTV was confirmed by the Israeli counter-terrorism Chief Danny Arditi, who speaking to Israeli Channel 2 stated that the Turkish police found guns, cars and telecommunications equipment in the possession of the arrested persons.

As he said, this is an Al Qaeda cell that was planning an attack against Israeli targets in tourist land and sea resorts.

Yesterday, the counter-terrorism service of Israel had issued a travel warning for avoidance of the eastern Turkish shores.

Already, four cruise ships with more than 5,000 Israeli tourists have changed their route and are heading towards Cyprus.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Fines for Oil Adulteration Strict Checks

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

After checks by the Financial Crimes Unit (SDOE), the Prefecture of Piraeus imposed fines of 700,000 euros over the adulteration of heating oil and diesel to gas stations, ships, department stores, tanks and trucks. Meanwhile, the price of fuels in world markets exceeds 64 dollars a barrel, as American crude oil reaches 65 dollars a barrel, while Brent is steady above 64 dollars. In the Singapore market, crude oil is priced 63.21 dollars a barrel. Moreover, analysts do not rule out a further increase of prices, since fears over terrorist hits in Saudi Arabia and the closure of American refineries for maintenance work, offer ground for profiteering. In Greece the average price of unleaded is 90 cents a liter, while in many islands and Epirus it exceeds the price of one euro.

Oil Increases Deficit

In the meantime, from Crete, Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas noted that the checks of the Ministry are continuous and systematic, and underlined that regardless of the global increase of oil prices, our country continues to have the lowest prices in Europe. Also, he stated that the responsibility of the checks lie in the Municipal Local Administrations, which are in close cooperation with the Ministry. Furthermore he noted that if there werent increases in fuels the deficit in Greece would not be the same as the EU countries, meaning 2%, stating that the deficit ranges in the lowest levels of the four previous years.

On the issue of the Piraeus Prefecture checks, Prefect Giannis Michas noted, "uncontrollable profiteering and adultery of oil that corrupts the countrys economy and the consumers needs to stop." He also added that what is asked from the state is the reinforcement of personnel in services in order to make more effective checks for the benefit of the people. The violations recorded were the adultery of diesel with heating oil by 4%-92%, oil of unknown origin and discoloration of oil by 80%.

Gas in Islands Expensive

Moreover, the Ministry of Development is making thorough checks in gas stations, mainly on the islands.

In relation to gas prices, the lowest price for unleaded is 84 cents in Stavros, Agia Paraskevi, and 88 cents in gas stations in Ilioupoli. In the regional gas stations and in the centre of Athens the prices start from 90 cents and reach 99. In Chania, unleaded is sold for 1.05 euros, in Herakleion and Ierapetra 1.04, in Corfu 1.05, in Zakynthos 1.07 and Lefkada 1.04.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Record Price for Oil

[09] Chatzi in Semi Final

By Stathis Petropoulos

Today, Christina Chatzi achieved a great performance and qualification at 400m hurdles at the fifth day of the IAAF World Championships in Helsinki. The Greek athlete finished third and ensured a qualification with 56.15. The semi finals will take place tomorrow. Russian Yuliya Pechonkina finished first with 53.77. In the 400m hurdles semi finals Pskit Malgorzata with 55.72 and Andrea Blackett with 56.32 also qualified in the finals.

Disqualifications

In the meantime, Greek athletes will not attend the triple jump final, since neither Christos Meletoglou nor Kostas Zalagitis managed to receive the golden ticket in todays preliminary. Kostas Zalagitis participated in the first preliminary group, however his mark was 15m and 72cm with the second attempt, and finished last. On the other hand, Christos Meletoglou participated in the second preliminary group with his best jump measuring at 16.35m with his second effort and finished 10th in his group.

Alexandros Theofanov also did not make it and was disqualified from the first preliminary for the 110m hurdles. The Greek Champion finished 6th with 14.73 and following was disqualified.

Stella Papadopoulou was also disqualified from the final, as with a 64.99m hammer throw she finished 19th. The Greek athlete did not achieve her personal best, which is 68.14m and did not qualify in the 12 athletes for the final.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Dani in Piraeus

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

As of Wednesday, Daniel Garcia Lara, better known as Dani, should be considered a player of Olympiacos. In the afternoon, the Spanish striker arrived in Athens and visited the FCs offices where he held lengthy discussions with Vice President Giorgos Louvaris. During his departure he did not want to make any statements. Mr Louvaris spoke on behalf of the player and confirmed the agreement. "We have found common ground. In the morning he will go through a medical check up and following will sign the contract." The former striker of Espanol, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Majorca and Real Madrid is expected to sign a 2+1 year contract.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Waiting for UNESCO's Approval Laser Images to Replace a Monument

By Despina Hristopoulou

An ambitious plan aiming at recreating the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan has been devised by a Japanese artist. Hiro Yamagata is to use laser images to project the two Buddhas 52.2m tall. The Buddhas were destroyed by the Talibans in March 2001, since they were considered to be pagan and anti-Muslim emblems. The statues were constructed 1,600 years ago and constituted part of Afghanistans cultural treasure. The Japanese artist will make use of the solar and wind power to project a series of images onto the clay cliffs, since the region is deficient in energy resources. The moment the venture is completed, 14 laser systems will be projecting 140 faceless images onto the cliff for four hours every Sunday night. Hiro Yamagata believes that the project will cost nine million dollars and it is expected to be completed by June 2007. UNESCO should first examine whether the use of laser poses a threat to the environment before giving its approval.

It Will Boost Employment

Yamagata has contacted Afghan officials who first approached him in 2003.

The governor of the Bamiyan province Habiba Sarobi assured that the project poses no threats to the environment and he noted that Yamagata enjoys the authorities support since the project in question will not only earn the region its lost glory but it will also boost tourism.

On his part, the Japanese artist said that his purpose is to do a fine art piece and that he does not work for humanitarian or other cultural reasons. He also maintained that he intents to employ locals to construct the windmills needed to gather the solar and wind energy.

Translated by Areti Christou

[12] Hopes Diminishing

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA, BBC

As time goes by, the hopes are diminishing over the luck of the 14 passengers of the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter that crashed on Wednesday noon at the Baltic Sea. As per PM of Estonia Andrus Ansip, the chances of rescuing the 12 passengers and 2 crewmembers in time are minimal, while the Deputy Chief of Civil Aviation Rein Porro also expressed the same fear, since he estimated that it is highly unlikely anyone could survive such a crash and described the accident as "the worst in the history of Estonias Civil Aviation." In the meantime, rescue crews have located the debris of the helicopter, while divers are conducting searches. The helicopter crashed three minutes after its take-off from Tallinn en route to Helsinki, an 18-minute flight. Up to now, the causes of the accident remain unclear, while the weather conditions in the area are dismal. Eight Fins, two of which were crewmembers, four Estonians and two American were aboard the helicopter, which belongs to Copterline Company.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Helicopter Crashes in Baltic Sea

[13] By the Development Ministry Over a Vacuum Fine to Praktiker

By Vivian Papastefanou

The General Secretariat for the Consumer imposed a fine of 29,347 euros to Praktiker Hellas S.A. as it delayed to inform the relevant authorities and the consumers over a defective vacuum cleaner of brand Alaska model VC 1410. However, the General Secretariat for the Consumer in an announcement stated its very good cooperation with Praktiker Hellas and the companys will to adhere to the relevant services recommendations.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[14] Following Checks by EFET Meat Confiscated in Restaurant

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ANA

Fifteen kilos of veil mince and five kilos of chicken were confiscated and destroyed by the Central Food Control Agency (EFET), in the context of the precautionary checks conducted by inspectors in the Kitchen Bar bar-restaurant that lies in Palaio Phaliro. As per EFETs announcement, the inspectors report is to be referred to the competent judicial authorities to impose any administrative sanctions.

Translated by Areti Christou

[15] Four Persons Injured Series of Explosion in Philippines

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: AFP

The three explosions in the town of Zamboanga, which caused the injuring of three four persons, have caused concern to the Philippines authorities. In the past, the town of around 700,000 inhabitants was in the centre of Christian and Muslim clashes. The first explosion occurred in a bus station and resulted in the damage of a bus and a motorcycle. An hour later, two new explosions took place in neighbouring areas. The police asked the journalists to not approach the areas fearing a new hit. Up to now, no organization has taken up responsibility.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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