The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-08-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] They Ask Karamanlis to Resign

By Annita Paschalinou

PASOK accused the Government of depreciating post-Olympic facilities, of non-transparent and behind-the-scenes processes in the contracts for works to be given to private companies, as well as of depreciating Culture and Sports. In a Press Conference given by PASOK parliamentarians, M. Damanaki, Andreas Loverdos and Nasos Alevras accused the government of taking things from bad to worse and repeated that in the past G. Papandreou has asked for the resignation of the Prime Minister from the Ministry of Culture. "The self-removal of the Prime Minister from the seat of Culture Minister not only will do good to culture, but it will also be a top act of self-criticism for the negative developments in the ministry, stressed Andreas Loverdos. Deputy government spokesperson E. Antonaros responded to PASOK fire, speaking of statements unworthy of comment, while Mrs Petralia spoke of political nerve.

PASOK Sees Depreciation and Non-Transparency

Mrs Petralia, Alternate Culture Minister, underlined that Greek citizens have already been analytically informed on the exploitation of the Olympic legacy and the very important work of the Ministry over the past 18 months.

A lot before PASOK got started with exercising opposition tactics, she stressed, the answers for the Ministry's work have been given with clarity and transparency and the fact that those responsible for the burdens of the past now speak of transparency and lack of planning can only be seen as political nerve.

Earlier, PASOK members accused the government for the failure of all Greek teams due to the decreased budgets and the depreciation of athletes, while speaking about Culture in general, they accused Mr Karamanlis of doing nothing, while they said that Mrs Petralia and the other deputy ministers have got themselves into a bureaucracy rally without any results.

Lastly, they demanded answers for the future of Olympic facilities. "It is unthinkable, one year after the Olympics, not to be aware of the facilities for which there will be a competition, when these competitions will be open and based on what financial and technical criteria will their terms be set," stressed Nassos Alevras.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] Discussions in Economy Ministry In View of TIF Alogoskoufis Meets With FING and GSEE

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET 105.8, ANA

Oil and the upward spiral of its price was as the focus of the meetings between Minister of Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis and a delegation of the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece (FING) and the administration of the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE). The Minister of Economy described the developments in economy as positive, regardless of the fact of being in a post-Olympic state with especially high oil prices and a EU economic inclination. Mr Alogoskoufis mentioned that the development rate closed at 3.5%, while at the end of the year it will range between 3.5 and 3.6%. He also said that the economic policy is rewarding, and its results are visible in the departments of unemployment, exports, tourism and private investments. On the insurance issue he repeated that the government will not legislate it during the four years, but will continue discussions with involved parties.

Price Rises Possible

On their part, the industrialists of northern Greece asked for bolder reforms.

As the President of FING Giorgos Mylonas stated after the meeting, in order for the aim of growth and stability to be achieved, regional development and entrepreneurship have to be reinforced.

In relation to the oil price rise, Mr Mylonas estimated that high prices will increase the production cost and reevaluations. As he said, the companies cannot be open handed in a period which they face high costs. Actually, he estimated that the in high oil price levels will lead to the increase of the production cost and did not rule out the event for prices increases in the market. Also, he described the reforms as positive and noted that arising problems should not postpone them.

On the issue of the insurance, he underlined that it is great issue that cannot be solved immediately while on the issue of labour relations he claimed that the reforms should be bolder in order to have a better effect.

Repeal of Over Time Bill

GSEE presented their demands to the Minister in view of the collective actions announced for September 10. After the meeting, GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos stated that the main priority of unions is the repeal of the new bill concerning overtime, while he insinuated that GSEE will ask for a compensative amount over the loss in incomes in 2005 due to the increase of prices and oil.

He also criticized the government of playing around with the permanency issue of DEKO employees, and called on it to clarify its intentions. He also noted that a heating fund is necessary given the circumstances.

Tomorrow, GSEE with ADEDY will present their demands in a Press interview, in view of the TIF and the collective actions announced, in Thessaloniki. On Thursday, GSEE will make public its report on the economy.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

GSEE

FING

[03] Gamers Wave their Magic Wand

By Tina Valaoura

Gamers desire for more exciting ways of controlling action on their screens is a fact that the companies cannot ignore. Sony, taking the initiative, has been working on new ways to give Playstation devotees freedom of movement, literally speaking. The attempt to use a webcam, through which the action on screen will obey the gamers body movements did not bring on the desirable effects, since the webcam got confused with other things in the room. It seems that a solution has been found and will be placed right in the hands of the gamer.

It is a small wand, the size of a pocket flashlight, which will give orders to a webcam connected to a console. The magic wand will operate with a battery, will have mouse-like buttons, as well as several color LEDs which could be switched on depending on the circumstance. The webcam will detect the color transmission and their movement, translating them into orders, without getting confused by other light sources in the room. Thus, the player by waving the wand towards the webcam can eliminate aliens, move pictures and handle the menu. And if the gamer wants to play against another person, all it takes is for the second gamer to adjust his/her wand to different color combinations.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] To Turkey and FYROM Karamanlis Sends Double Message

By Athina Saloustrou

The official contacts of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis with the President and PM of the Czech Republic, have been concluded. During the joint Press interview with the Czech PM, Kostas Karamanlis sent out a strict warning to FYROM over its European future, saying that even though our country supports the future accession of Balkan countries in the EU, it will not support FYROM if it persists over the incompliance with the name issue. Making reference to Turkey, after its refusal to recognise the Cypriot Republic, he noted that the countrys strategy has not changed, however we will keep all new given facts in account. However, the one-sided statement over the non-recognition of Cyprus, which accompanied the signing of the Union Protocol with ten new EU Member-States, has created problems and has opened a great cycle of discussions. The Prime Minister said that Turkey cannot create generalities in relation to the substance and the meaning of signing the Union Protocol, as well as its implementation to all European Union countries. Kostas Karamanlis called on Turkey to meet the criteria of the December 17, 2004 agreement.

Strict Warning

Mr Karamanlis made reference to the relations with FYROM, saying that its government did not respond positively to the initiative of the UN General Secretary for a common solution to the name issue and did not wish to cooperate. This is a parameter that has to be weighted and which burdens the investigation of the countrys European future.

On Greeces part, Mr Karamanlis noted that there isnt a prospect for discussions to proceed over FYROMs accession course.

Excellent Bilateral Relations

In his statements, the Prime Minister stated the meeting with Czech PM Jiri Paroubek was especially useful and involved current events, such as the further course of the European unification and the ratification of the European Constitutional Treaty.

"We also discussed financial perspectives, the amount of the budget and community grants that will be given to EU countries for 2007-13," stated the PM and added, "our countries have successfully cooperated on the issue, in the context of 17 Member-States which actively support the European Commissions proposal and the consensus."

"We agreed to continue this cooperation, in order to jointly advance our views. In any case, it is important that discussions end with an agreement, which will ensure the meaning to political consensus, the fair apportionment of the broadening costs and the counter of challenges and problems arising from the different development levels of the 25 Member-States," he stated.

He also stated that a series of discussions and negotiations will recommence, and it is important for an agreement with the countries that hold similar views, and to find a solution based on the proposal submitted by the previous Luxemburg Presidency.

The two PMs discussed the general current events on the issue of the broadening of the EU towards the countries of southeastern Europe, and especially Turkeys relations with the European Union.

Mr Karamanlis explained Greeces strategic aims, to the Czech PM, in view of the upcoming relevant community bodies meetings, and briefed him over the latest developments in relation to the adaptation protocol in the Ankara agreement.

In his closing statement, the PM said, "we concluded the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries" and thanked Mr Paroubek for the warm and substantial discussion and invited him to visit Athens.

On his part, the Czech PM said that it was a very important discussion and this is the first time that they meet. He also stated that the problems of the financial perspective of 2007-2013. "We have expressed our view over the accession negotiations that concern the candidate countries," he said. He also added that Greece and the Czech Republic have similar views over the European Union and its sociopolitical character.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Turkey at the Focus Molyviatis-Alavanos Meeting

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET 105.8

The delicate issue of Turkeys accession talks topped the meeting held between Foreign Affairs Minister Petros Molyviatis and SYN President Alekos Alavanos. Mr Alavanos said, "We have reached a positive pressure environment towards Turkey on the part of the EU leading Member-States. Accession talks cannot commence unless Turkeys statement is considered invalid. At the same time, we are given a timetable over Cyprus based on Annans plan and EUs intervention."

The New Electoral Law is a Trap

When questioned on the letter PASOK leader Georgios Papandreou is to send to SYN urging the latter for cooperation at the municipal elections, Mr Alavanos said it is not a matter of public relations between PASOK and SYN, but, "If Mr Papandreou wishes to establish relations on a matter that is among the top stories, including the security in a air transportation, let him proceed with a support plan regarding the Olympic Airlines security."

With regard to the change in the electoral law suggested by the ruling party, SYN President stated that it is a regulation that favours the two-party political system and that it is a trap laid by ND in which it may fall should alternatives be proposed by the left.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] The Athens Prefecture Will Continue Checks Brief on Homes for the Elderly to Prosecutor

By Vivian Papastefanou

On Tuesday, Athens Prefect Giannis Sgouros will submit the full brief of the checks performed in homes for the elderly to Athens First Instance Public Prosecution Chief Dimitris Papangelopoulos. In statements, Mr Sgouros underlined that the Prefecture will continue with its checks, "especially in places where human pain meets abuse instead of dignity and respect." He also stressed that regarding homes for the elderly, the Health Ministry needs to assume its responsibilities, changing the legal framework so that all those taking advantage of senior citizens to be punished by the State. What is more, four owners of such homes were referred to the Public Prosecutor, following the prefecture's checks on Friday and Saturday. Experts recorded health violations, while all four owners continued to run the homes for the elderly without licenses, despite past decisions for the interruption of their operation and penalties.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] Perpetrator Arrested and Interrogated Unprecedented Crime in Alimos

By Vicky Keleri

A 29-year-old Pakistani man was arrested in a state of amok after drowning a 75-year-old woman sunbather in the beach at Alimos. The woman was swimming with two of her friends, when the 29-year-old started harassing them. They tried to get away while at the same time called for help. The two elderly women managed to get out of the sea but not the 75-year-old who was cornered by the 29-year-old. He grabbed her head and kept it underwater which resulted in the womans death. A swimmer, who saw the women call for help, contacted the Harbour Police and a few minutes later the perpetrator was arrested and taken to the Piraeus Central Port Authority.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Chirac Warns Turkey

By Vicky Keleri

In his commencing speech in the yearly conference of French Ambassadors in Paris, the French President, Jacques Chirac sent a new message to Turkey, asking of it to clear up its stance towards Cyprus. "After the one-sided statement over Cyprus, Turkey ought to give explanations and reassure the European Union over its intention to fully respects its pledges," he said. Jacques Chirac noted that the start of negotiations with Turkey is just the beginning of the hard and long course, the end of which is uncertain.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] Apology Not Good Enough

By Stathis Petropoulos

Thanasis Briakos has stated all that happened without the slightest omission and exaggeration in yesterdays game sheet. The referee of yesterdays game talks about the much talked about expulsion of Morris: "After a goal scored by Predrag Djordjevic, Nasif Morris intentionally kicked the Olympiacos footballer and following approached me and threw his football jersey." Speaking about the first expulsion he stated: "Panathinaikos player Ilias Kotsios hit Olympiacos player Giannis Okkas with his elbow." In closing, it is noteworthy that after the signing of the game sheet, one of the two captains, Eki Gonzalez apologised over the behavior of his teammates.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Anatolakis Joins Greek Team

By Vasilis Kalpinos

The team roster of the Greek national team was announced with a new player, Giorgos Anatolakis, who returns to the team after a 6-year-absence as well as Nikos Lymberopoulos. The game against Kazakhstan is taking place in the context of the preliminaries for the World Cup. Moreover, Otto Rehhagel included Aggelos Basinas and Sotiris Kyrgiakos regardless of the fact that they have not been in a training session. It is noteworthy that Anatolakis will wear the Greek national colors after six years, as his last game was on June 9, 1999 in the preliminaries of the EURO 2000 against Latvia.

Rehhagel's Team Roster

The twenty players of the Greek national football coach are the following: Nikopolidis, Sifakis, Vintra, Seitaridis, ,Kyrgiakos, Kapsis, Anatolakis, Katsouranis, Fyssas, Kafes, Zagorakis, Karagounis, Giannakopoulos, Lymberopoulos, Papadopoulos, Charisteas, Vryzas, Salpigidis and Gekas.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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