The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-10-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] On the Misinterpretation of his Statements President's Reply on Mass Media

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

The deep concern of Karolos Papoulias on controversial practices of the news department, was voiced by the Presidency of the Republic, replying to all those that claimed that the Presidents statements were misinterpreted concerning " the new morals," which are apparent in certain Mass Media, through the Public Television and a part of the Press.

The statement of the Presidency of the Republic reads as follows: "In replying to all the comments broadcast concerning the misinterpretation of the President of the Republics statements, we have to say that this was done in order for the President of the Republic to appear as if he was applauding the controversial practices in the news, the quality of which, he has voiced his deep concern over."

The relation between the Mass Media and politics continued, causing a variety of comments. Politicians and journalists stated the need to protect news and their department. The Minister of State, Mr Rousopoulos, stated that the government answered with institutional interventions, but without fighting anyone.

Mikis Theodorakis voiced his view on the role of television. Speaking at an event in the Kallithea Municipality, he said, "The bright screen of television projects an image of nothingness, which traps the majority of the people, debasing and disorientating it. I have never met a greatest indifference by the people concerning their major problems." In another part of his speech, he noted "the majority of the Opposition should control the government, in particular, what it promised to do and didnt, in example, the reforms, which are demanded by the majority of the people, above all parties. But who does not want the above? The great interests and the ones benefited by gnawing at state budgets," he concluded.

Yesterday, the President of the Republic met with the Presidency of the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists Unions (POESY) and discussed their problems. As per POESYs announcement, the delegation, among others, stated, "The heavy climate in the news department, was formed by attacks against the journalists," and referred to the great responsibility of Mass Media owners on the final product of news, however, without neglecting the responsibilities of journalists taking part in this procedure, with choices not befitting the code of conduct.

On Wednesday, the Greek National Council for Radio and Television (NCRTV) will be holding an emergency meeting, in order to investigate if the issue falls in its jurisdiction, as per the law and the code of conduct, in relation to shows and news bulletins referring to corruption issues during the previous week.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Focus on Corruption

[02] After 66 Years of Operation BBC's Greek Voice Silenced

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

After 66 years of successful journalistic operation, the BBCs Greek Service is shutting down. The cause is the reorganisation of BBCs priorities, in particular, the decision taken by the British public television of the creation of an Arab-speaking channel. For the same cause, another eight services of European countries are shutting down, after a joint decision of the BBC Administration and the Foreign Office, which finances a part of the BBCs World Service budget. Seventeen persons worked in the BBC Greek Service. The Ambassadors of Greece and Cyprus in Great Britain, as well as journalists unions in the country have taken collective actions, however they proved fruitless.

Reorganisation of Priorities

Explaining the reasons of the closure of the BBCs Greek Service, the Director of the World Service, Nigel Chapman, noted that regardless of being one of the most popular in Europe, one has to investigate the need of its existence, in relation to the other needs of an international journalistic organisation.

The spokesperson of the National Journalists Union and a representative of the BBCs World Service employees, Pierre Vicary spoke on the issue and its broader consequences.

"The Journalists Union is in a very difficult position, as on one hand, the BBCs plan is to start an Arab television network, which means the creation of 150 employment seats. On the other hand, these new seats arise from an equal number of vastly experienced journalists, who have worked in the closed down ten services, losing their jobs, he noted, and added

"This is a great risk. You get rid of ten services and throw your money in the Arab television. If this is successful, then a problem will not arise. If you dont succeed, then you will have destroyed a large part of the BBC."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] In Keratsini, Athens Despicable Images

By Annita Paschalinou

The Prefecture of Piraeus referred three supermarkets in Kerastini to the Prosecutor, since serious health violations were detected in all of them. The Prefectures inspectors witnessed some despicable images at the supermarkets Atlantic (22 Karaoli & Dimitriou St, Keratsini), Veropoulos (2 Papanastasiou St, Keratsini) and My Market (84 Dimokratias Avenue, Keratsini), while the quality of services and public health are under threat. Some of the most serious violations include the use of toilets for food storage, dirty refrigerators and floors, as well as products that have expired since 1995. The Prefecture filed a lawsuit to the Piraeus Health Service Prosecutor, while a protocol was drawn up for the destruction of all hazardous products.

The Hunt Continues

The Prefecture is determined to continue its inspections for the protection of public health, repeated the Piraeus Prefect.

"We are determined and we have proven this with the health inspections we are conducting in the market daily. We are going after offenders and irresponsibility," stressed Giannis Michas, while he underlined that the hunt for morbid incidents in the market will continue.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Government Speaks of Unorthodox Resignation Madouvalos Stricken from ND

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET 105.8

Independent MP Petros Madouvalos was stricken from ND, because of his choice to resign from the partys parliamentary group in front of the cameras. In a severe tone, ND secretary Vangelis Meimarakis, who invited the former ND MP to his office, announced to him that based on the memorandum of association, all party activities stemming from his capacity as an MP are de facto revoked. "The people believe that you held on to your capacity as an MP, because of the political immunity it provides," Mr Meimarakis told him. Thodoros Roussopoulos described the way in which Petros Madouvalos resigned as unorthodox, while he then referred to Mr Meimarakis announcement. In statements he made on camera a little while later, Mr Madouvalos clarified that will be holding on to his position as an MP, refusing to give up his seat to the party with which he was elected, although he was prompted to do so by Me Meimarakis.

Organised Interests

The independent MP admitted that his resignation was unorthodox, but full of sentiment and indignation. He also voiced his disappointment over the announcement issued by Mr Meimarakis, stressing that he will not be resigning from his position, since his voters want him to keep his seat.

"I am suffering and I have become the target of organised interests," he stated, while he noted that there is no political immunity.

He also declared that he is not afraid of anything, he is still standing and he is strong enough to deal with everything.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Petros Madouvalos Resigned

[05] Will Participate in the Three-Day Celebrations President in Thessaloniki

By Tina Valaoura

"This is the time of extroversion for Thessaloniki," stated the President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, upon his arrival at Macedonia Airport, in Thessaloniki. "I strongly believe that you have the power and inspiration to open the citys wings and take centre stage as an economical and cultural centre of the broader region," said Mr Papoulias in his response, after the Mayor of Thessaloniki Vasilis Papageorgopoulos address, and added "This land has lived through the consequences of nationalism and mainly of the war. What is needed now, is a new era of economic and social development, which can only be based on the respect of the historic truth and common values, in the framework of the European family." Furthermore, he stated that Thessaloniki and Macedonia have given bright examples of patriotism, and giving without asking for anything in return. He also voiced his faith in the creativity and assertiveness of Thessaloniki.

"Your Voice Unites With Ours"

In his address, Mayor Vasilis Papageorgopoulos welcomed President Papoulias in Thessaloniki. He praised his stance on equities and the historic truth, saying, "your clear, real and bold speech, either concerning Macedonia or the Nicosia wall, and the holocaust in Chortiatis, speaks to the hearts of Greeks, and your voice unites with ours. Everyone knows that the historic truth cannot be counterfeited. The recent celebration of the Macedonian Struggle, and the anniversary of its leader Pavlos Melas death reminded us of our holy duty to remember and gain inspiration from the fights of our ancestors for truth and peace."

The President of the Republic was welcomed at the airport by Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Nikos Tsiartsonis, Commander of the 3rd Army Corps Sergeant General Ilias Petsas, General Secretary of the Macedonia-Thrace Ministry Loukas Ananikas, Regional Director of Central Macedonia Giorgos Tsiotras, Thessaloniki Prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis, Mayor Vasilis Papageorgopoulos and MPs Giannis Ioannidis, Stavros Kalafatis, Charis Kastanidis, Giannis Magriotis, Stelios Papathemelis The President of the Republic will attend the three-day celebrations in Thessaloniki and the military parade on Friday.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] State Intervention for the Consumer

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Speaking at an event of the Kostantinos Karamanlis Institute of Democracy, entitled "The Consumers Rights and Protection in Greece and the EU", the Deputy Minister of Development, Giannis Papathanasiou, ruled the states intervention in consumer protection issues as necessary. "The consumers movement in Greece is weak and there is not a strong consumer conscience," explained the Deputy Minister, while he referred to the example of the governments successful interventional policy, such as the fines imposed by the Development Ministry in great public and private banks, and the in depth investigation of citizens complaints.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Strike Ruled as Illegal Flights As Normal

By Tina Valaoura

Today, a judicial decision ruled the 48-hour strike announced for Wednesday and Thursday by the Civil Aviation Service, as illegal and improper. The Athens One-Member First Instance Court warned air traffic controllers that the decision, which will be taken in the case that they announce new collective actions with the same demands, will be similar to todays. Following, all air companies flights programmed for tomorrow and the day after are expected to take place as normal.

The Federation of Civil Aviation Service Associations (OSYPA) criticised the way that judicial decisions are issued, concerning the collective actions of the department, and announced that it will meet over the future of the collective actions in the coming days.

At the same time, in an announcement, the Stewards and Flight Attendants Union (EISF) accused the Olympic Airlines administration of attempting to stir a commotion, in order for the sale of the OA to commence. Moreover, it said that it has not applied the collective contract that it had signed, and accused it of penalising the actions of the union.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Florida in a State of Emergency At the Mercy of Wilma

By Vicky Keleri

Florida is counting its wounds following the devastating blow it suffered by Hurricane Wilma. Four people were killed, while the damages to property are immense. According to Floridas Energy Office, Wilma prompted a power cut, which affected 3.2 million households, while it will take weeks before the network becomes fully operational again. US President George Bush declared a state of emergency in Florida, in order to secure federal assistance, since the damages are estimated at $10 billion. Wilma also devastated Cuba. The gigantic waves and the severe rainfalls accompanying the hurricane resulted in the worst floods of the last 12 years, while renowned Malecon Avenue along Havanas seafront in underwater, since the waters travelled 800m inland.

Heading for Canada

Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, where Wilma hit on the weekend, killing 10 people and causing immense damages, has become a scene of devastation. More than 1,000,000 people remain without power and phones.

The resorts will not operate for at least a few weeks, while, today, some 35,000 tourists that had been left stranded in Cancun, are expected to return to their homes with special flights.

In the meantime, according to the US Hurricane Centre in Miami, Wilma will start weakening in the next 24 hours, but it will remain in the hurricane category for the most part of the day.

This morning, Wilma was 431km southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and was moving at a speed of 76 kmph. As per the Hurricane Centre, it is not expected to cause any damages to the east coast. Wilma is expected to hit the coasts of Canada tomorrow morning.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] European Commission Satisfied 'Feta' is a Greek Product

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: ANA, NET

The lengthy dispute on the use of the name feta had a positive outcome for Greece. With a decision, the European Court justified Greece, and ratified the name feta as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Thus, the referrals of Denmark and Germany, which with the support of France and the United Kingdom, demanded their white cheeses to be named as feta were rejected. With todays decision, the protection of the name is ratified in a community level, and can be used only by cheese derived from sheep and goats milk, which is produced in Greece, due to the special aroma and taste, the traditional production way, and special geographical conditions. As it is noted in the decision, the name feta does not constitute a common name of an agricultural product or foodstuff, and consecutively a genre name. On his part, the Minister of Rural Development and Food noted that the promotion of Greek feta will be reinforced in new markets.

Smiles by the EU

Today, the European Commission voiced its satisfaction on the decision, underlining that it creates an "important precedent" on assigning the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).

"This decision can create an important precedent on assigning a geographical designation," stated delegate of the EU Agricultural Affairs Committee Michael Mann.

Furthermore, he reminded that producers of such types of cheese, outside of Greece, have a deadline until October 15, 2007, to remove the name of feta from their products.

The History of the Case

With the Courts decision, it is recognized that salty cheese are produced by other Balkan and southeastern Mediterranean countries, however, it is noted that these types of cheese are known to the aforementioned countries with other names except feta.

It is noted, in 2002, the Commission registered the name of feta as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), for the salty white cheese made in Greece.

The name had been recognised once before in 1996, with Greeces demand. However, the Court, after a referral by Denmark, Germany and France, annulled the registration in 1999, with the rationale that the Commission did not take into account the fact that this name was used in many countries, except for Greece, for a substantial period of time.

For the product to be protected as a POD, a traditional name such as feta, which does not constitute an area or countrys name, should describe an agricultural product of food, derived from a demarked geographical environment, which includes special natural and human factors which gives its special characteristics to the food product. The geographical zone demarked by Greek legislature, includes areas of continental Greece and the island of Lesbos.

As per the Court, regardless of the fact that feta production in other Member-States, except for Greece, is relevantly important and has lasted for a long period of time (in France from 1931, Denmark from 1930 and Germany from 1972), it is still focused in Greece, which represents 85% of the communitys annual consumption per person.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Gagatsis Optimistic on Rehhagel

By Stathis Petropoulos

The optimism on the stay of Otto Rehhagel, created by Giannis Topalidis statements that the German coach admitted that he wants to remain coach of the team, was extended when the President of the Hellenic Football Association (HFF), Vasilis Gagatsis stated that he is optimistic over the continuation of the contract. "There is an evident desire by Mr Rehhagel himself to not break our partnership," noted Mr Gagatsis, and added "Everything will be cleared up after the teams friendly game next month. "I have connected Otto Rehhagels presence with mine in the HFF, as I took up my duties the same time the coach did. I hope that we remain together and that nothing will change until 2008. I have the impression that he wants us to wait for him. It will be absurd if we dont," stated the HFF President. It is noted that Mr Gagatsis, in his previous statements, noted that he believes Mr Rehhagel will withdraw from the Greek national football team, when he will withdraw from the HFF Presidency, in 2008.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Exhibit of Chalcography Greek Mythology in Athinaida

By Vagelis Theodorou

The inauguration of the Perennial Art Museum will open with an original exhibition in Athinaida (34-36 Kastorias Street, Votanikos.) The exhibition will host 44 original chalcographies by European painters and engravers, among whom, Raphael, Tiziano, Poussin, Ingres and Carrache, The works span four centuries (16th to the 19th) while a favourite subject is Hercules, since 15 creations, all by Poussin, concern the mythological hero. The chalcographies are prints of the conserved plates of the Louvre, and it is a travelling exhibition of the Messinia Engraving Museum. The audience will able to view the works from Monday to Sunday (10:00 24:00) until November 10, while entrance costs 3 euros.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Papandreou Makes Criticism Focus on Corruption

By Vicky Keleri

Government spokesperson Thodoris Rousopoulos spoke of an attempt to crush and create impressions, referring to the climate of the previous days. As Mr Rousopoulos noted, every government and everyones behaviour will be judged, and accounted for by the Greek citizens, in the end. Moreover, he added that the New Democracy government has proceeded with institutional changes for the reinforcement of transparency and other issues. On his part, PASOK President George Papandreou repeated the eight-point proposal on fighting corruption, which he had presented last winter. In particular, he spoke of the creation of a multi-party committee, which will be led by a jointly accepted figure, such as the former President of the Republic Kostis Stefanoupoulos. Moreover, Mr Papandreou blamed the PM, as he claimed, "Does not take initiatives that will effectively fight these issues."

Rousopoulos Answers Back

Mr Rousopoulos replied harshly to the PASOK President.

"For the first time, Mr Papandreou admitted that the much-talked about 8-points of PASOK, on the fight against corruption, is a generality, since as he stated, further elaborations are needed. "

"It took them ten months to understand. When they manage to complete the document, we are awaiting to hear the specific proposals," he stated.

The government spokesperson concluded by saying that the concealment and the clientele notions are practices that go hand-in-hand with the 20-year rule of PASOK.

"Offsetting is the last resort of those anxiously trying to rid the serious responsibilities on the choices that the Greek people have paid for and continue to do so."

Athanasakis Replies

"We have long explained to the government spokesperson, that it is wise to carefully read the statements of the PASOK President, before he comments on them. With todays statements he reconfirmed that the government denies taking up the substantial content of the PASOK Presidents statements, as well as his proposals. The only thing that seems to interest the government is to delude everyone and get by another day," stated PASOK spokesperson replying to Mr Rousopoulos statements.

"The countrys real problems are created by the government, its policies and practices, and they are not fought by a governmental hide and seek," he added.

KKE Attacks ND and PASOK

On its part, in an announcement, KKE called on the workers, the middle classes and the youth "to not fall in the disorientation trap built on scandals and corruption," adding "the greatest scandal for the people is the policies of the EU, ND and PASOK, which intensify their attacks to individual rights and needs."

Speaking to NET 105.8, ND MP Giannis Kefalogiannis said that the political system is declining, as the institutions, such as the Parliament, are not operating correctly, while he spoke of battles fought and democracy being won on television.

Moreover, independent MP Stefanos Manos said that the Press is spending black money without supporting documents and by using the legislature, while Andreas Andrianopoulos spoke of a trend of the Mass Media being prosecuted.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[13] As of November 1 IDs in No Time

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

As of coming Tuesday, 1/11/2005, the procedure of issuing identification cards by Greek citizens is simplified, as they will acquire their new police identification, in two hours, from their local Police stations. A mandatory prerequisite is for the applicant, himself, to submit the necessary birth certificate and four recent black and white photographs. In the case the applicant does not submit the certificate himself, the Police authority will search for it. The immediate issuing of identification cards coincides with the abolishment of granting the citizen a temporary card. It is noted that a witness is needed for the issuing confirmation of the applicants identification card.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[14] The Woman Accused for Bribery She Apologised

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8

Eleni Vouglani, who is accused of attempting to bribe Giorgos Rebis, an associate of Gerasimos Giakoumatos, apologised to the Deputy Minister. "I want to apologise to Mr Giakoumatos and Mr Rebis for any disturbance I may have caused them, but it was no intended," said the 60-year-old, who also expressed the wish to visit Mr Giakoumatos at his office and apologise in person. At the same time, she attributed the attempted bribery to naivety. "I did what I did out of stupidity," she stated. Earlier, during the briefing of political reporters, Thodoros Roussopoulos vehemently denied that the Government leaked the content of Eleni Vouglakis tapes. "I am expressly stating that Maximos Mansion is not involved in this story," stated Mr Roussopoulos.

Giakoumatos in Corinth

Speaking from Corinth, where he is on an official visit, the Deputy Minister denied making any comments about the case.

Gerasimos Giakoumatos, who is accompanied by the president of the Greek Manpower Employment Organisation (OAED), Giorgos Vernadakis, met with the dismissed employees of the company Corinth Pipeworks, while he participated in a broad meeting, attended by local MPs, the Prefect and the town Mayor.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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