The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-09-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Guilty of Torturing Prisoners England Gets Three Years

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC, ANA

Twenty-two year old private Lynndie England was found guilty of torturing prisoners, and on Tuesday sentenced to three years in jail and a dishonourable discharge from the armed forces. The American private was pictured in the infamous torture photos in Abu Ghraib prison holding an Iraqi prisoner by a leash. A few hours earlier, in her statement before her sentencing, England, who faced the maximum incarceration of 10 years, confessed her actions and stated that she remains a patriot.

She Accuses Graner

"I heard attacks were made on coalition forces because of the photos. I apologise to coalition forces and their families that lost their life or were injured because of the photos," she said.

The former chicken factory worker accused her childs father, soldier Charles Graner, on her involvement in the scandal, however, the court overruled the above accusation. Graner is also thought to be the mastermind of the tortures as per US Authorities.

Graner, who is serving a 10-year sentence, stated to Military Court, "I nearly beat a prisoner to death, under the presence of military intelligence official. We treated every prisoner by how we thought was right."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Guilty of abuse in Abu Ghraib

[02] EKKE's Research Family Institution Remains Strong

By

The Greeks fall back to their families concluded the research conducted by the National Centre for Social Research (EKKE). Combining a series of researches over the last years and working along with the National Statistical Service of Greece and that of the EU, EKKE portrayed Greeces social face for the years 2003-2004. As per the data gathered, the Greek population is rapidly growing old and the birth rates per family are dwindling. Furthermore, at least 21% of the population is bordering with extreme poverty, while mostly the young and the women are affected by unemployment. Against all odds, the institution of family appears to be a protection shield, since it stands as a resort for those who experience poverty, unemployment and social inequalities. At the same time, the Greeks tend to avoid addressing to the social services, including KEP (Citizen Service Centres), mostly due to the excessive red tape, while they trust the hospitals and medical centres the most.

Family is Highly Valued

EKKE showed that the Greeks highly value the institution of family. Marriage is viewed as a strong bond given that Greece boasts the fewer divorce cases as opposed to the cases reported in the Nordic countries.

It is noteworthy that the 94% of the people who have been married for a decade do not take a divorce. At the same time, although the couples living together without having committed holy matrimony as well as the births outside marriage have posted an increase, they still remain less frequent that the rest of the European countries

However, the Greek population is growing older. The aging index rocketed to 112.4% as opposed to previous 71.1%, while the birth rates are significantly dwindling.

Although the 56.4% of those who participated in the research stated that they rely on their families whenever they find themselves against problems, the elderly members feel more and more alienated from their children and grandchildren and that living under the same roof has grown scarce, especially in cities.

Bordering With Poverty

The research also revealed significant findings with regard to poverty. As per the findings more that 21% of the Greeks are bordering with extreme poverty, with the unemployed, women, elderly and single parent families topping the list.

As for labour sector, Greece has a substantially lower number of employed compared to the rest of the EU Member-States. A one-member household that is bordering to poverty has an annual income of 4,800 euros, while for a four-member household the annual income does not exceed 10,800 euros (the aforementioned prices were reported in 2002).

Poverty is closely related to the issue of unemployment that affects mostly the women, who work by 12.1% less than the European average, and the young by 14.2%

The research also depicted that the low income the Greeks earn is due to their wage levels, while more findings demonstrated that they prefer being employed in the Public Sector, trade and seasonal occupations and that they avoid farming.

Poverty, inequality and social exclusion are affecting certain groups, including the elderly, the disabled, the immigrants and the former drug users, more.

Red Tape Averts The Poor

Furthermore, the majority of poor Greeks avoid taking out loans, purchasing cars and using social services

The research demonstrated that 25.3% of the poor avoids the social services due to the excessive red tape, lack of information on them (16.4%) and the long waiting lists (11.6%). Health services seem not to be included in the aforementioned, since 51.55% of the poor and 41.8% of the non-poor have resorted to a hospital or a health centre at least once.

In addition, inequality among the poor and the non-poor does not appear to be discernible when it comes to tertiary education. The lower the education level of the father, the clearer the danger of poverty, while the fathers occupation influences the childrens likelihood to enter University or TEI (Technological Educational Institutions).

EKKE President Giannis Iphantopoulos and EKKE Director Giannis Sakelis underlined the need to decentralise social expenditures and to establish a benefit for the children of poor families that move on to attending tertiary education.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Energy Policy and Entrepreneurship Minister of Development in US

By Athina Saloustrou

During his five-day visit in the US, Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas will discuss issues of energy policy and entrepreneurship activity reinforcement with American bodies in Washington. The Minister will meet with President of the Competitiveness Council Deborah Wince Smith, and following will hold discussions with Deputy Energy Secretary Clay Sell. Furthermore, he will meet with Greek-American Democrat Senator Paul Sarbanis, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Paul Simons, and US Small Business Administration Administrator Hector Barreto. Tomorrow he will depart for Chicago where he will attend a symposium on "Technology and Development in Greece." On Friday, Mr Sioufas will depart for New York, his last stop in the US.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Dispute Over Coastal Shipping "Sea" Dispute in Parliament

By Vagelis Theodorou

The rejoinder of PASOK MPs on coastal shipping issues over the past summer, with delays and cancellations of routes, caused high tension on Tuesday night, in Parliament. PASOK MP Dimitris Pipergias spoke of "shameful occurrences of an underdeveloped country," and paraphrasing the Ministry of Tourism slogan "Live Your Myth in Greece," claimed the "summer tourists lived the nightmare [] passed through the Scylla of ports and the Charybdis of floating coffins." Moreover, Mr Pipergias denounced the Minister of Mercantile Marine Manolis Kefalogiannis, saying that he withstands the unjust competition circumstances and finances the fabricated competitions of border routes. On his part, Mr Kefalogiannis accused former PASOK governments, and noted that this years damages were less in comparison to the past years, and the fines imposed multiple of the total 23 years of fines.

Accusations For Favouring Businessmen

The dispute started when Mr Kefalogiannis replied to the insinuations of PASOK MPs for favouring specific businessmen, saying "the monopolising games are systems of the PASOK regime," and spoke of "underground routes" of former PASOK members, the political leadership and coastal ship owners on the entrance of companies in the Stock Exchange.

Moreover the Minister reported a relationship between ship owner Gerasimos Agoudimos with PASOK "he did not accompany me to Tinos, as he did with Andreas Papandreou and Dimitra Liani, and did not name "Dimitroula" after my wife," he said, while he spoke of "set up articles" in newspaper Ta Nea initiated by Christos Protopapas causing the rage of the Opposition MPs.

PASOK Parliamentary spokesperson Giannis Diamantidis spoke of a "delirium," and concluded "he is a slanderer, an insulter of our party. He cannot accuse a great party like PASOK of such nonsense." On his part, Apostolos Kaklamanis claimed, "the generalisation of accusations against a party is a fascist practice," while Mr Pipergias noted "you sank before sailing, in the middle of the port."

"I accept your insults, but insulting me just reveals your identity," replied Mr Kefalogiannis.

KKE spokesperson Elpida Pantelakis, more calmly, asked for the register and checks in ships to be made by the Ministrys inspectors and employees spokespersons, as well as state ships manufactured in Greece to be recruited for border island routes.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Fire Broke Out in the Kitchen Children in Danger in Aspropyrgos

By Athina Saloustrou

Two siblings aged one and three, of Albanian origin, almost died, when a fire broke out in the kitchen of their home shortly before 08:00 on 40 Papaflessa street in Aspropyrgos. The children's parents were not home at the time and neighbours rushed to remove the children from the kitchen. The police took the two siblings to Thriasio Hospital, from where they were then transferred to the Children's Hospital with minor burns and respiratory problems. The Fire Brigade arrived on site a while to put out the fire.

Another fire was reported last night in an apartment on 9 Doeranis street in Kallithea. The 20-year-old tenant jumped off his balcony to escape the fire and was injured as a result of the fall. He was taken to KAT Hospital, where he is hospitalised in a critical condition.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] For Sewage Sludge Refuse Dump Closed

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

Today, the Ano Liosia refuse dump will remain closed, since employees have announced indefinite collective actions, protesting to Psittaleia sewage sludge being placed in the area, which, as they say, worsens the situation. The City of Athens has called on the residents to not take out garbage, since as of today, heaves are collected in the streets. President of EYDAP Kostas Kostoulas said that the Ano Liosia refuse dump employees strike is due to personal interests. On his part, member of the Political Secretariat, and in charge of the ecology and environment cycle, SYN MP Michalis Papagiannakis, noted, that among others, the refuse is already filled up, endangering the health of the citizens and the natural environment. Moreover, the residents of the towns of Katsanochoria and Pamvotida will symbolically close off the Bafra-Pedini interchange in the Ioannina-Athens National Highway, protesting over the placement of XYTA in Elliniko, Katsanochoria.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Ano Liossia Dump Closed

[07] Vast Damage Damrey Takes Lives

By Vicky Keleri

As per Hong Kongs Meteorological Service, Typhoon Damrey has been downgraded to a tropical storm, and its passing cost the lives of 31 persons, after reports for seven more victims in five provinces in the north of the country. In their majority, the victims were swept away by floods, while one fell off the roof of his home in an attempt to seal it. In the meantime, certain areas of Vietnam remain closed off due to fallen trees, while damage is vast. Only in Thanh Hoa province the typhoon caused $5.2 million damage in infrastructure, households and crops reaching, while the damage in Tien Phong is calculated to $2mn. Sources stated that in Nam Dhinh, Damrey destroyed 40% of crops. The total damage in Vietnam is calculated to $1.2bn. At the same time, the 300,000 residents of the stricken areas are returning to their homes, however, certain areas remain flooded. Damrey arrived in Vietnam after a brief visit in Chinese island Hainan, taking the lives of 16 persons, while last week struck the Philippines, leaving eight dead behind it. As per Hainan officials, Damrey, Kher for "elephant", was the strongest typhoon to strike the area since 1973.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Cypriot Issue Within UN Solution Based On Annan Plan

By Vicky Keleri

In a speech, US Ambassador in Greece Charles Reese voiced the USs intention for the resolution of the Cypriot issue within a procedure which will largely based on the Annan plan, and aimed at the creation of a two constituent confederation. Furthermore, he added that the invariable policy of the US is Turkeys accession in the EU, which, as he estimated, will benefit the country as well as the Union, including Greece and Cyprus. In the context, he voiced his satisfaction on the forthcoming start of accession negotiations between the EU and Turkey, as well as the agreement of the 25 Member-States in relation to the counterstatement to Turkey that allowed the continuation of the procedure. He described Greeces stance during the proceedings as constructive, since as he noted, "supported Cyprus and Nicosias objections, but at the same time actively supported the start of accession negotiations with Ankara." He commented that the US has placed the attempt for resolving the Cypriot issue within the EU. As he claimed, the UN has been dealing with the issue for the past 30 years, and resolutions have been issued by the Security Council on the issue, while it allows many bodies, among which the US, to actively intervene in the actions.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Foreign Policy to Parliament

[09] Suicide Attack at Recruit Centre

By Betty Savourdou

On Tuesday morning, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a recruit centre for the Iraqi army in Tal Afar, northern Iraq, resulting in the death of at least six people and the injury of another twenty. However, there are fears the number of dead would increase. The suicide bomber triggered the explosives he was strapped with, while waiting in line with other men waiting to join the army.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] PAO's First Win in Champions League

By Stathis Petropoulos

Two goals instead of five helped Panathinaikos FC win Werder Bremen in UEFA Champions League Group C. With the sluggish performances they had had so far both in the Greek football championship and the Champions League being a bad memory, Malezanis players entered the pitch determined to win and they prevailed over their opponents throughout the game as soon as they achieved a 2-0 lead in the 7. The "greens" early lead surprised both the fans and Malezani himself. Ezequiel Gonzalez gave the home side the lead in the 5 from the penalty area, while two minutes later Mantzios doubled the advantage as Torghelle broke into the area and passed the ball to Mantzios. The Germans managed to balance the game and lost many chances to score, but Galinovic saved his nets whenever he had to. It was only in the 41 that the Germans scored with Klose.

Lots of Chances

In the rerun Tziolis entered the pitch to replace Torghelle, thus sparking reactions among Panathinaikos fans. However, the "greens" kept threatening Werder Bremen and in the 68 Gonzalez hit the crossbar. The Argentinean had also hit the crossbar in the 49, when he jinked past three defenders and kicked the ball from a difficult position. In the 76 Gekas was adjudged to be in an offside position, while in the 87 Serics excellent effort missed the target. Klasnic being dismissed in the 85 did not at all influence the course of the game.

Referee: Eric Poulat (France)

Yellow Cards: Tziolis, Flavio Conceicao, Seric Frings, Klasnic, Andreasen Red Cards: Klasnic (85 2nd Yellow)

PANATHINAIKOS: Galinovic, Vintra, Morris, Goumas (42 Kotsios), Darlas, Seric, Flavio Conceicao, Gonzalez, Nilsson, Mantzios (72 Gekas), Torghelle (57 Tziolis) WERDER BREMEN: Reinke, Naldo, Baumann (63 Hunt), Schulz (75 Valdez), Owomoyela, Andreasen, Frings, Borowski, Micoud, Klose, Klasnic

Translated by Areti Christou

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