The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-09-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Thank You!

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The news from Turkey was exactly what Greece needed. As far as the Greek team was concerned the best result in the match between Turkey and Denmark was a draw and it looks like their main opponents vying for second place, which leads to the playoffs, heard Greeces prayers. So, tonight, and under the watchful eyes of Otto Rehhagel, they offered Greece the best present ever. Turkeys 2-2 tie against Denmark, with the latter kicking the equaliser during injury time, has given Greece the opportunity to get back in the game and aim at second place. The reigning European champions will now depart for Kazakhstan feeling a bit more relaxed, knowing that they hold the keys to their success. This turn of events will not just boost their confidence in Wednesdays match, but as well as in the next one against Denmark in a months time.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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Eyes Set on Istanbul

[02] Founding Members Honoured 31 Years of PASOK

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8 ΝΕΤ

During his speech at an event hosted in the Taekwondo Indoor Hall in Faliro for the 31-year anniversary since PASOK was founded, George Papandreou launched a harsh attack against the Government. In the same event, the founding members of PASOK who co-signed the "3 September Declaration" along with Andreas Papandreou were honoured. The partys President stressed that the Government lacks planning and is only interested in remaining in power, while it has authoritarian and neo-liberal views. In addition, he accused the Government of authoritarianism and arrogance, while he noted that New Democracys interests burden the citizens. PASOKs President also announced the abolishment of the partys youth organisation, while he invited the Left wing parties to collaborate with them. George Papandreou also stated that PASOK is responding to NDs authoritarianism with collective participation. Former PM Kostas Simitis did not attend the event due to prior obligations.

Invitation to Left Wing Parties

In addition, PASOKs President declared that the Government is manipulating the Justice sector and the Church of Greece.

Meanwhile, he noted that PASOK is very different to ND and it will soon govern the country once again.

In view of the upcoming municipal and prefecture elections, he underlined that his party is supporting people that are greatly accepted and are able to face the problems and implement the reforms that PASOK will be promoting once it regains power.

At the same time, the Opposition leader invited the Left wing parties to an open and honest dialogue, which will not have a political character, in an effort to deal with the major problems faced by Greek society.

With regard to PASOK, Mr Papandreou stressed the need for clean up and democratic changes, while he announced he would be forming groups that will safeguard the rights of the citizens.

Finally, he announced his decision to dissolve PASOKs youth organisation.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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Celebration for PASOK's Anniversary

Conflict Over Interests

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PASOK

[03] Donkey Museum

By Vicky Keleri

A very different museum is expected to open its gates soon in Bulgaria. Its exhibits have nothing to do with ancient artefacts or works of modern and post-modern art, but with a very amiable and extremely patient member of the animal kingdom: the donkey. Since the animal in question is the most commonly used work animal in Bulgaria and a vital section of the rural economy, the citizens decided to demonstrate their affection and gratitude in this very peculiar way. And in the case you are wondering about the exhibits, those come in two forms. Visitors can either marvel at hundreds of photos depicting donkeys, or at donkey accessories. A special donkey race with more than 20 teams from across the country will mark the opening of the museum in the southeastern town of Gurkovo later this month.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Helios Officials Testified Tsolakis' Indirect Confirmation

By Betty Savourdou

Chief investigator Akrivos Tsolakis indirectly confirmed the information according to which the Air Accidents Committees first conclusions for the air tragedy in Grammatiko speak of a series of human errors and a complicated mechanical failure. In particular, Mr Tsolakis said, "All evidence lead to the human factor," and noted that the investigations are to continue at a faster pace. "We will leave no stone unturned in our quest for truth," he concluded. On Saturday, Helios Managing Director Dimitris Pantazis and Operations Manager Giorgos Kirkidis testified before the investigative committee and, as per information, they submitted important documents. The two officials did not make any statements, while Mr Pantazis only commented that Helios Company is working alongside with the committee. Two more company employees are expected to testify tomorrow, as well as Larnaca Airport ground employees, who asked to do so at their initiative.

The Case Remains Open

"The case will remain open and the Committee will continue hearing testimonies, if it is deemed necessary, while it might even be returning to Cyprus," declared Mr Tsolakis.

Meanwhile, he confirmed that all the Committee members will meet at the Investigative Committees headquarters in Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport at 10am on Monday, in order to coordinate their future actions, given the information they acquired in Cyprus.

He also mentioned that the Committee would be departing for London towards the end of next week, in order to hear testimonies from the companys two British mechanics.

Aiming for the Truth

Speaking on RIK radio station, Cypriot Transport Minister Charis Thrassou voiced his government's intention to place on suspension any employees of the Cypriot Civil Authority, should there be the slightest suspicion that they may influence the interrogation proceedings.

In his effort to ease the concerns the families of the victims expressed in their letter to Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, Mr Thrassou reassured that police have all the evidence that relate to the Helios Airlines and the air crash.

Translated by Areti Christou

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[05] Continuous Holy Synod Briefed on Giosakis New Patriarch's Interview to NET

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ

In an interview to NETs correspondent Panos Charitos, new Patriarch Theofilos of Jerusalem declared that the Patriarchate should concentrate on its spiritual path and break away from political conflicts. "At times, the unlawfulness has to accumulate and culminate in order for a miracle to take place," stressed the new Patriarch, commenting on the actions of his predecessor, while he also described the path he will be following during his term. In the meantime, on Saturday morning, the Holy Synod members were briefed on the progress of the investigations regarding the Giosakis case, carried out by the Attica Archbishoprics suffragant, Metropolitan Bishop Nikoloas of Mesogaia. Nikoalos noted that he would need some more time in order to draw up the relevant report. Provided the charges against the Archimandrite, who is being remanded in custody, are heavy and lead to dethronement, the relevant file would be passed on to the First Instance Synod Court.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Ahead of 4th CSF Priority to Infrastructure Works

By Vicky Keleri

The Prefectural Authorities enjoy the governments backing, said Minister for the Interior Prokopis Pavlopoulos in his speech at the Prefects Conference on Rhodes. In fact, he observed that particular attention will be given to infrastructure works ahead of the 4th Community Support Framework. "It is our duty to support the countryside, it is the Premiers order," he stated. He also mentioned that the number of the prefectures is not to exceed 13 and made it clear that changing administration competence is out of the question. When asked about the election of mayors with the 42% of the votes cast, he defended the governments proposal underlining that those to be elected will be able to implement their own programmes free of opportunist alliances.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] To Form a Government Berisha Given the Order

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

After formally declaring him Prime Minister of the country, Albanian President Alfred Moisiu gave Sali Berisha the order to form a new Government, following the centre-right coalitions victory in the 3 July elections. Berisha, aged 60, who was the first President of post-communist Albania (1992-1997), will now have to submit the composition of his Government to the countrys new Parliament. Berisha announced that he is willing to reduce the number of Ministries from 19 to 14, while he promised to stamp out corruption and organised crime, which have been eating away at the country. At the same time, a woman was elected Speaker of the Parliament for the first time in the history of Albania. Specifically, Jozefina Topalli was elected with 81 votes in favour, out of a total of 140 MPs.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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[08] Minor Vision Disorder Jacques Chirac in Hospital

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Le Monde

French President Jacques Chirac was admitted to Val de Grace hospital on Friday night for a week. Chirac presented an eye disorder due to a minor blood vessel fit, the hospitals officials reported. On its part, the French Presidency office confirmed that the 72-year-old French head of state was admitted to hospital and added that all the appointments scheduled for the upcoming week have been cancelled.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Exports Halted Explosion in Pipeline

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

An explosion was recorded on Saturday in one of Iraqs main pipelines, causing a fire and as a result all crude oil exports have been halted. The pipe connects Kirkuk, Iraqs oil-producing city in the north, to the Turkish port of Cehan on the Mediterranean. The explosion took place near Fatha, between Kirkuk and the city of Baiji.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[10] Warrants for Hariri's Assassination

Sources: ANA

A Lebanese magistrate issued formal arrest warrants on Saturday against four pro-Syrian generals charged with murder over the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. The warrants were issued after interrogating all four men detained on Tuesday on the recommendation of a UN investigator leading an international probe into the killing of Hariri and 20 others in February.

[11] Members of an Islamic Cell Sharm el-Sheikh Bombers Arrested

By Vicky Keleri

Three of the suicide bombers who carried out the multi-fatality attacks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, have been arrested. They are Mahmoud Mohamed Hammad, Mohamed Oudeh Saeed and Moussa Ghoneim, all members of an Islamic cell. They were identified through DNA testing, as well as the questioning of 29 suspects who were arrested in the context of the investigations for the attacks. As per the Egyptian security forces, the cell they belong to is not connected to overseas terrorist groups; however, they have not announced the name yet.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[12] Erdogan Appears Optimistic

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΑNA

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing the scheduled commencement of accession talks between Turkey and the EU on 3 October with optimism, while he stressed a possible blockade against his country would not signal the end of the world. At the same time, speaking on radio station NET 105.8, Professor Konstantinos Arvanitopoulos, President of the "Konstantinos Karamanlis" Foundation, stressed that if Ankara does not accede in the EU, Turkey would be in danger of turning into a chauvinistic regional force, thus creating tension. Speaking on the same station, the Greek Foreign Ministrys spokesperson, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, declared that Greece is aiming at getting a clear response from the EU regarding Turkeys choices, that would clarify the ambiguities created by the countrys decision not to recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

No Privileged Relations

"I do not think that 3 October poses any problems. We will commence accession talks," declared Erdogan, upon returning from Italy.

Erdogan also declared that "two or three countries" appear reserved towards Turkeys candidacy, without naming them, while he threatened that he would refuse acceding in the EU if those countries do not overcome their reservations.

"If these countries do not review closely the reasons why they are having reservations, we will be the ones making the final decision. [] It will not be the end of the world for Turkey," he added.

"There is no such thing as a privileged partnership relation in EUs legislation," Erdogan said, while he concluded, "Undoubtedly, it does not coincide with morality to change the rules of the game while we are still in the middle of the process."

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[13] Average Performance and Defeat

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The mens Greek volleyball team did not manage to defeat the renewed and youthful Spaniards. After an average performance, Kostas Charitonidis team lost to Spain by 3-1, so it definitely needs to defeat host Serbia/Montenegro in order to qualify for the next round of the 2005 European Volleyball Championship. Although Spain had new faces on its roster and many considered it an easy team to beat, they proved tough opponents and played better, winning deservedly. The Greek team tied the score at 1 set all, but from then onwards they bowed to the Spaniards superiority.

Spain Was More Focused

Apart from the second set, the Greek team was no able to threaten Spain.

Right from the start, the Greeks demonstrated they were in bad shape, while the inexperienced Spaniards won the first set with a score of 25-21, mainly due to their successful blocks and great defence.

In the next set, Greece reacted and kept a 4 to 5-point lead, but then Spain tied the score and even took the lead with 22-21. Eventually, the Greeks won the second set with a score of 26-21.

Although Greece started off well in the third set and even led by 3-0, the Spaniards reacted quickly and took the led with 8-7 and 10-8. Greece tied at 10 all and then led by 13-12 and 16-14, inspiring hopes of winning the set. However, they did not manage to hold on to their lead, with Spain winning the set by 25-21.

In the fourth and final set, Spain was constantly ahead by three points and although Greece managed to bring the score within a point difference (14-13), their opponents proved more patient and focused, winning the set by 25-20 and the game by 3-1.

GREECE: Giourdas 10, Chatziantoniou 5, Kournetas, Dimitrakopoulos, Baev 12, N. Roumeliotis 25, Tsakiropoulos 9, Pantaleon, Lappas.

SPAIN: Pascual 21, Perez 9, Sevillano 8, Ferrandez, Valido, M. Falasca 4, Subiela, G. Falasca 8, Molto 9, Garcia-Torres 5, Rodriguez 5

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[14] At the Land of the Rising Sun Gold for Polymeros

By Thanasis Karlos

As of Friday night, the top Greek rower in the history of the sport, Vasileios Polymeros, is the world champion in the Lightweight Mens Single. The bronze Olympian in 2004 finished in first place during the World Rowing Championship, which is taking place in Gifu, Japan, and won the gold medal. The 29-year-old athlete wrote history with this victory, as he became the first Greek rower ever to win a gold medal in a World Championship. At the final, Vasileios Polymeros confirmed once again that he is in top shape, as he won the race easily, leaving the athletes from Great Britain and France in second and third place respectively.

"I Was Expecting to Get a Medal"

Just after winning the gold medal, Vasileios Polymeros mentioned the following on the official Greek rowing website.

"I have been in great shape ever since winning the silver medal in Lucerne. Finishing in second place at the World Cup was not by chance. In addition, I realized that my times were very good during training here in Japan before the beginning of the championship. I was expecting to get a medal, but I did not know which one. The truth is that I was not expecting to finish this much faster than my opponents. The weather conditions during the final were not the best, as we were rowing against the wind, while in the quarterfinals and the semifinals it was the other way round, so things were easier. If you are OK, though, these things do not matter much. There is no comparison to the Olympic medal I won last year. That was in the Olympic Games, while this is a World Championship. Last year I was in the doubles, but this year in the single. What I want now is to rest. With regard to the future, I do not think that I will continue in the Olympics alone."

The Results

1. Polymeros (Greece) 7:17.79 2. Purchase (Great Britain) 7:23.10 3. Moreau (France) 7:23.97 4. Eichmann (Switzerland) 7:23.01 5. Van Der Linden (Netherlands) 7:35.80 6. Euler (Germany) 7:53.83

The Rest of the Greeks

Greeks Nikos Pagounis and Giannis Christou finished in fifth place in the Mens Pair, marking the biggest success for Greece in the specific event.

Finally, Chrysa Biskitzi finished in first place in the consolation final for the Lightweight Womens Single, ranking 7th overall.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[15] As per a Health Ministry Plan Free Medicines

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ

The Health Ministry is examining the possibility of granting medicines free of charge to low pension earners and people suffering from chronic ailments. Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis submitted to the Central Council of Health letters sent by people who cannot afford to pay for their medicines, so they can be examined. Therefore, according to a regulation that is being reviewed by the Council, people with chronic ailments and low pension earners may not have to contribute any money towards paying for their medicines.

Zero Contribution

Thousands of letters have been sent to the Health Ministers office by low pension earners who cannot afford to pay for their medicines.

Nikitas Kaklamanis then passed the letters on to the Central Council of Health, asking for them to implement a regulation exempting them from any costs.

As per the new regulation, EKAS pensioners will receive all their medicines free of charge, as opposed to having to pay 10% towards the recommended price.

In addition, the Council decided to grant medicines with zero contribution to workers and pensioners suffering from chronic ailments.

According to sources, drugs for diabetes, heart diseases, Alzheimers, leukemia and other rare ailments will be free of charge.

In many cases, patients suffering from the abovementioned diseases had to contribute up to 1,000 euros monthly for their medicines.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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