The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-11-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] And the Compilation of the 2006 Budget Reforms at the Focus

Sources: NET

The reforms advanced by the Government and the compilation of the 2006 Budget are expected to be at the focus of the meetings between the Prime Minister, his Ministers and close associates, at Maximos Mansion. Kostas Karamanlis has asked for the bill on the winding up of DEKOs to immediately proceed, while the bills on the permits granting of businesses and the new Public Sector employees Code of Conduct, which will be ready by the end of the month, are on the Governments agenda of changes. This week is considered crucial for the future of Olympic Airlines. As per sources, the competition is expected to be ruled as unproductive, and the solution will be given by the Government in the coming weeks with the creation of a smaller company in size.

"Frequent Change of Ministers Counterproductive"

In the meantime, the Prime Minister from Japan, ended scenarios speaking of immediate changes in the Government, noting: "This is a wrong issue and is not the point. I believe that the frequent change of Ministers is counterproductive."

"The Prime Minister decides and the Ministers are responsible of accepting his proposal," stated Marietta Giannakou on NETs show "PRESS."

On his part, in an interview given to the Sunday edition of Eleftherotypia newspaper, EU Parliamentarian Antonis Samaras stated: "Above all, I believe that the reestablishment of the state is needed in Ministries and thus the procedure can start. However, it should continue in other areas as well."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] Of the Attacks in Amman, Jordan Televised Confession

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: BBC, Reuters, ANA

Speaking on the Public Television of Jordan, the Iraqi woman arrested by the authorities accused of belonging to the group of bombers, but not completing her bloody mission, confessed. "My husband wore one [bomb] belt and I another - he told me how to use it," said Sajida Mubarak Atrous al-Rishawi. Following, she retells that her husband and herself entered Raddison Hotel, at the time a wedding was taking place and each one held a corner at the bridal reception. "My husband executed the attack. I tried to detonate and it failed," concluded Sajida. Earlier, in a Press conference, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister Marwan Muasher showed pictures of the belt with the explosives worn by Sajida. In addition, he said that it is believed that the woman was the wife of the one of the bombers and sister of a now-dead former senior aide to al-Qaeda in Iraq leader, Abu Musab al Zarqawi.

Clarifications on the Perpetrators

Moreover, Muasher had announced the television appearance of Sajida and announced the names of the other bombers, killed at the attacks.

As per the Deputy Prime Minister, the arrestee accompanied her husband to the wedding reception area of the Radisson SAS Hotel, but because she didnt manage to detonate her bomb belt, her husband pushed her out of the room before he exploded himself.

It is believed that the four bombers drove past Jordans borders on November 5 and were residing in an apartment they rented in a suburb of Amman.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Aimed at Attracting Investments

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: NET, ANA

The Minister of Economy and Finance presented the new business and investment opportunities in Greece at a conference in the United States. Mr Alogoskoufis stated the reforms being implemented, both in an institutional and structural level, beginning with denationalisation as of 2006. The Ministers of Employment and of Tourism Development both referred to the joint aim of attracting foreign investments. Panos Panagiotopoulos stated the new favourable employment environment and Dimitris Avramopoulos underlined the capabilities of big tourism investments.

Speaking at the 7th Capital Link Investments Conference, Giorgos Alogoskoufis underlined that the work of the Government is focused on the creation of necessary conditions for economic growth and social continuity.

As he stated, "A new era begins for Greece, described by macroeconomic stability, competitive taxation, bigger flexibility in the labour department, purchases of funds and products, bigger investments in education and a more balanced development."

On his part, Minister of Employment and Social Protection Panos Panagiotopoulos made specially reference to the Governments measures for the reinforcement of competitiveness and the combat of incidents blocking the attraction of investments, such as bureaucracy.

Furthermore, he presented the positions of the Government for the restructuring of banks, the tax law and other great issues "changing the picture" of the employment market.

In his speech, the Minister of Tourism Development referred to the important leaps made in 2005 and announced the organisation of a conference for the promotion of Greek tourism, in collaboration with The New York Times newspaper.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

G. Alogoskoufis in the USA

[04] On Simitis' Book Reactions Continue

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: NET

There were new reactions to former Prime Minister Kostas Simitis book. Speaking on NETs show "PRESS," Gerasimos Arsenis claimed that the responsibilities on the Imia crisis were political and stated that Kostas Simitis "is anxious of securing his posthumous fame." He also spoke about the political responsibilities in the case of the Stock Exchange scandal. Views on the Imia issue were exchanged by Minister of Education Marieta Giannakou and PASOK MP Christos Verelis. "The capture of western Imia upgraded the incident," noted Mr Verelis, while Mrs Giannakou underlined the military and political dimensions of the issue, and added that the night of the Imia incident gave Turkey the right to officially demand a grey zones regime.

Ambrosios Returned to Issue

In the meantime, in his Sunday sermon, Metropolitan Bishop of Aigialia Ambrosios explained his attack on Kostas Simitis, noting that he will not retract his statements and added that the descriptions he used were allegorical.

On his part, Metropolitan Bishop of Peristeri Chrysostomos stated that the Church has to be concerned with its own issues.

Synaspismos President Alekos Alavanos talked harshly about Metropolitan Bishop Ambrosios, while repeating that the time has come for the separation of state and church.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Of the Suicide Attacks in Amman Perpetrators' Names Released

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: Reuters - ANA

The Jordanian government released the names of the four Iraqi terrorists, including a woman, who mounted the suicide attacks in Amman. Deputy Prime Minister Marwan al-Muasher stated that the woman, who failed to detonate herself, was the wife of one of the bombers and sister of the Jordanian leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, Musab al-Zarqawi. According to al-Muasher, her footage is to be aired later on TV. The woman along with the three bombers, who were killed, slipped into Jordan four days prior to their deadly attack that claimed the lives of 57 people. The Jordanian Deputy PM also said that the woman escorted her husband into a wedding reception held at the Radisson hotel and when she failed to detonate her suicide belt, her husband pushed her out before detonating himself. In the meantime, a security force official told the AFP that the woman arrested on Sunday in Amman had assisted her husband to prepare the attack against the Radisson hotel by placing the explosives inside the building.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Talabani Predicts UK Pullout by the End of 2006

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: BBC

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani voiced his belief that the UK troops could leave Iraq by the end of 2006. He did not miss underlining, however, that this is his personal estimations and that no negotiations were held on the issue. Speaking to ITV1s Jonathan Dimbleby programme, Mr Talabani added that there is not a single Iraqi that wishes the foreign troops forever remain in the country. At the same time, he underscored that the withdrawal of the troops should be gradual enjoying the close cooperation between the USA and the Iraqi authorities. On the issue of the UK withdrawal, head of the British Army General Mike Jackson had said the previous month that naming a date for the UK pullout would be a rather hasty and cursory step. He had also added that the pullout plan could be different from region to region.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC:UK troops out of Iraq 'next year'

CNN:Iraq: UK troops may leave in 2006

Reuters:Iraq president sees UK troop withdrawal in 2006

[07] Eyes Turned to Economy and Social Security

The Government will discuss institutional and structural changes, beginning in the coming week, for the improvement of economic and social terms. Legislative work, the budget and denationalisations constitute the triptych of main points of the coming months, while the dialogue bank will be enlarged on the social security issue in order for the wider possible meeting to be achieved. The Economic and Social Committee, which has taken up the coordination of the dialogue on the social security issue, will convene on Tuesday, in order to determine the way that the discussions will take place, while contacts with social bodies, in order to the wider possible consensus in the determination of the agenda, will follow. On their part, the unionists consider age limits, payments and benefits as nonnegotiable, and asked the Government for a specific order of issues and dialogue coordination.

In the meantime, on Monday, GSEE is expected to send letters to OKE, the Ministries of Economy and Employment on the terms and conditions that it poses in order to participate in the dialogue.

However, as per sources, both the reports of the company Government Actuarys and INEs on the viability of IKA will be made public in the first stage, in order for a clear picture of all social security organisations to be formed.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Easy Win for AEK

By Vasilis Kalpinos

In the game completing the 4th round of the A1 basketball Championship, AEK easily defeated Panionios 82-59, earning its second win in four games. In the second half AEK pressed and earned an easy win. On the other hand, Panionios paid for its many and important absences, resulting in the team succumbing to the superiority of the opponent. The scores of the ten-minute periods: 15-15, 33-27, 58-42, 82-59.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[09] 1st Win for GS Larissa

By Vasilis Kalpinos

After a thrilling game, GS Larissa earned a win against Kolossos Rhodes 65-63, for the game for the 4th round of the A1 Division basketball Championship. This was the first win for the team from Thessaly in this years Championship, as opposed to the team of Rhodes that lived through its fourth consecutive defeat, remaining at the bottom of the standings. The scores of the ten-minute periods: 19-9, 28-21, 44-44, 65-63.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Makedonikos Earned Win

By Vasilis Kalpinos

After a thrilling game, Makedonikos defeated Olympia Larissa 83-76, for the 4th round of A1 Division basketball Championship. The game was a real derby in its duration, since the two teams gave and took points, but in the end Makedonikos earning the win. This is its third win out of four games and the team ranks at the 2nd place of the standings. The scores of the ten-minute periods: 15-16, 36-35, 58-55, 83-76.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Unstoppable Olympiacos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Four out of four for Olympiacos, which victoriously paraded in Ivanofeio, defeating Iraklis 82-76, in the game for the 4th round of the A1 Division basketball, and remains at the top of the rankings, with Panathinaikos and Aris. The "red and whites" for yet another game proved that they like it tough, since they nearly lost a game, out of nowhere, losing a 20-point difference they acquired in 27 minutes, but stayed strong until the end and earned an important win. The points of the ten-minute periods: 14-21, 30-47, 47-59, 76-82.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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