The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-11-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Protest Over Urgent Discussion Discussion Without PASOK

By Despina Hristopoulou

One day before being discussed by the Plenary Session, the Parliaments competent committee is going over the Primary Shareholder Bill without the PASOK MPs. The Main Opposition Parliamentarians departed from the discussion, protesting for its urgent nature. PASOK, KKE and SYN have all asked for an extended discussion in Parliament. The Primary Shareholder Bill was submitted to Parliament last night with the provision on the incompatibility issue amended in relation to the previous statute. Now, Mass Media owners will not be allowed to pursue favourable terms, when promoting other business transactions with the Public Sector. Referring to the Primary Shareholder Bill, the Prime Minister stressed this matter is solved with the EUs accordance, thus paving the way for great reforms on Mass Media concentration and television station licensing. "The time has come," he said, "for the State to claim its responsibilities and put an end to anarchy and lawlessness." Earlier, the Government spokesperson had underlined that the reforms fully serve the Constitution and Community Legislation. "The Bill ensures transparency," underlined Miltiadis Evert.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Primary Shareholder in Parliament

[02] Operation Wild Boar

By Vagelis Theodorou

It was a case of "This wild piggy went to the market, this wild piggy went to the palace" for the South Korean police. The reason was an invasion of the countrys capital by a colony of wild boars in search of food before the onset of winter. The police officers were placed on alert and stepped in on a number of occasions. The first unsuccessful operation took place at an apartment complex in Kuri, when an invader got away after a 90-minute chase. In another operation, an uninvited guest, weighting 130kg, escaped the authorities and some hunters, but eventually drowned in the Han River. As per the local officials, the government is planning to form a coordinated police task force in order to combat the four-legged invaders. "Wild boars entering the city are dangerous, because there are so many people who could get," said a hunting association official, who added that there have been sightings in apartment-block gardens, schools and underground parking lots. However, the future of the arrestees remains unknown, while they will surely not appear before Justice.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] Stavrou - Georgiadis Meeting

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

This afternoon, Nikos Georgiadis, MP for Kerkyra, will provide explanations to the secretary of NDs parliamentary group, Apostolos Stavrou, concerning his remarks over the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Last week, the ND MP had described the matter of FYROMs name as a lost cause, referring to it as "rubbish" and prompting strong reactions among the political world. Yesterdays scheduled meeting was postponed, due to the discussion on foreign policy in Parliament.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Stavrou-Georgiadis Meeting Postponed

[04] ESIEA on the Media Crisis

By Annita Paschalinou

In an announcement, the Journalists Union of Athens Daily Newspaper (ESIEA) condemned the controversial practices followed in some Media sectors. During an intervention concerning "the continuous efforts to downgrade the Press", ESIEAs Board clarified that, for reporters, in no case do the ends justify the means, while it described the invocation of public interest as a pretext. As it mentioned, a code of ethics does exist, despite the fact that some blatant liars claim the opposite. In the meantime, the Greek National Council for Radio and Television (NCRTV) will today examine matters that relate to the violation of the code of ethics by TV networks.

The Ends Do Not Justify the Means

ESIEA noted that the invocation of murky public interests does not justify the use of illegal methods and wire tapings, the disregard of evidence of innocence, the conversion of TV shows into places for slandering and morally assaulting politicians and citizens, and the arrogant substitution of the three institutional powers of the Press by people who confuse their roles and disregard the code of ethics.

It also noted that the responsibility for many of the problems in the Media sector lies with all the governments.

ESIEA also pointed out that the radio and TV sector was deliberately left to continuously operate unlawfully and institutionally, so that it could serve the anti-journalistic interests of both the parties in power and the Media owners.

The Code of Professional Ethics and Social Responsibility of the members of the ESIEA appears on the Unions official website (http://www.esiea.gr/gr/1peri/deontology.html) and was approved by the General Assembly on 19-20 May 1998, with an 80.4% majority.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Bloody Accident in India

By Despina Hristopoulou

Seven people were killed and many were injured by an explosion in a fireworks factory, in the town Dahod, Gujarat, west India. The blast occurred in the storage area of the factory, where many fireworks were kept on the occasion of Diwali, a Hindu festival. Most of the victims were members of the same family. With the memories of the triple bombing attack in Delhi still vivid, the police investigated the possibility of an organised attack, however this was later ruled out. Diwali is also called the festival of lights and is one of the most important Hindu festivals. It is dedicated to the goddess Laksmi, it lasts five days and on this occasion, the Hindus honour the victory of Good over evil.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Suicide Bomber Aged 10

By Despina Hristopoulou

An adolescent boy aged between 10 and 13 blew himself up this morning in Kirkuk, northern Iraq, in an effort to kill the local police chief. As announced by a police spokesperson, the underage suicide bomber was wearing a belt packed with explosives and detonated them when General Khattab Abdallah Arebs car was driving past. The police chief and his driver were injured in the attack.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] Over 100 Short-Term Tasks Deadline for Ankara

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Financial Times

Turkey will be given a two-year deadline to eradicate torture, establish freedom of religion and assert civilian control over the military if it is to succeed at attaining European Union membership in a decade, as per an article in the Financial Times. In addition, it would have to move towards "normalisation of bilateral relations" with the Republic of Cyprus. Basically, according to the European Commission draft document, which will be sent to Turkey this month and is aimed at easing EU voters concerns about Turkeys potential membership, Ankara would have to fulfil some 150 short-term obligations.

Full Parliamentary Oversight

Turkey would have to implement a "zero tolerance" policy against tortures and "adopt a law comprehensively addressing all the difficulties faced by non-Muslim religious minorities and communities," in two years at the latest.

At the same time, the country must "establish full parliamentary oversight of military and defence policy", "abolish any remaining competence of military courts to try civilians" and "ensure the independence of the judiciary."

However, many Europeans oppose the Turkish bid. According to the opinion polls, 80% of the Austrians do not agree with the prospect of Ankaras accession, while at the same time, only 11% of the French citizens support it.

As per the newspaper, Olli Rehn, the EUs enlargement commissioner, is also anxiously awaiting the trial in December of Orhan Pamuk, the Turkish author charged with "denigrating the state" for comments about the slaughter of Armenians in 1915.

If Mr Pamuk is convicted, many officials fear the biggest crisis yet in Turkeys membership bid.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related Links:

Financial Times

[08] In Istanbul Panathinaikos Claimed Victory

By Stathis Petropoulos

It may have seemed like a feat to win inside Abdi Ipekci Arena, but for Panathinaikos it was like a walk in the park on a sunny day! The Greek basketball team unleashed their fury on Ulker and forced them into a shameful loss on home grounds in the first game of the Euroleague. The Turkish team did not put up a strong resistance, as they only managed to hold it together for the first period, and Obradovics players quickly found their pace. Their superiority was evident throughout the first half, which ended with a 13-point lead for the guests (32-45). The second half was for fun with captain Alvertis and his boys taking advantage of the occasion to have a relaxed training session to finish the third period 49-66. The final score of 66-82 was a natural consequence of their impeccable performance. The score per period: 16-22, 32-45, 49-66, 66-82.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] Easy Victory for AEK

By Stathis Petropoulos

AEK remain in third place on the scoreboard after an easy victory against Panionios in the match that completed the 8th round of the football championship. The guests opened the score in the 8' with Nikos Lymberopoulos and consequently Fernando Santos' team took control of the first half. However, Panionios tried to answer back but were unsuccessful. In the rerun, AEK wanted to secure victory as quickly as possible, but missed out on many good opportunities, thus giving Panionios the chance to apply some pressure, but still unsuccessfully. So, five minutes before the end, Soares doubled the goals for AEK and secured victory.

Referee: Vasileiou (Thessaly)

Yellow Cards: Exouzidis, Kiassos Chanko, Georgeas

LINEUPS

PANIONIOS: Vaniak, Cichon, Magdy, Nalitzis, Kiassos, Smiljanic, Langer (80' Giannopoulos), Fernantes, Exouzidis (49' Makos), Breska, Oravec (89' Sheppard)

ΑΕΚ: Sorrentino, Kontis, Georgeas, Cirillo, Alexopoulos, Katsouranis, Chanko (+90 Sapanis), Ivic, Lymberopoulos, Soares (87' Venglinskyi), Lakis (71' Julio Cezar)

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] In Thailand New Cases of Bird Flu

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: AFP

On Monday, the Thai authorities located a new source of bird flu. According to the countrys Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, four locally bred chickens, which had been infected with H5N1, died in the Sam Chuk district of Supanburi. The Minister also noted that the latest outbreak in Thailand brings to 14 the number of confirmed cases in birds in six of the countrys 76 provinces. In the meantime, the health authorities have placed under quarantine seven people that came into contact with a 50-year-old woman who was infected with H5N1, while cleaning a chicken coop. The woman is being hospitalised in Bangkok.

Outbreaks Multiplying in Russia

In the meantime, Russia has discovered outbreaks of avian flu in 10 areas, while another 19 are under suspicion.

Up until now, the Russian Agriculture Ministry was speaking of five zones where cases of the disease had been recorded.

Russian experts believe that migratory birds carried the virus to the country from China.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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