The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-11-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Inclement Weather Persists Snow-Capped Greece

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, NET, NET 105.8

Winter has set in for good in most Greek regions. Snow has been falling in northern Greece, Ipiros, as well as the mountainous regions of Central Greece and Thessali, while it has been pouring with rain in the rest of the prefectures. Although traffic is not seriously disrupted, snow chains are deemed necessary in many parts of the provincial road network. Tuesday night ran its course smoothly, while the State machinery is on high alert. The Hellenic Meteorological Service (HNMS) forecasts that adverse weather conditions are to continue with rainfalls, local thunderstorms and snowfalls in the northern regions. In the meantime, all ships in the ports of Piraeus and Rafina have docked until noon due to the gale-force winds.

Traffic in Mountainous Regions is Disrupted

Port Police has issued an emergency notice urging the ships likely to sail to dock to the nearest port in case they come up against severe weather conditions.

Speaking on NET television network, General Secretariat of Civil Protection Authority Panagiotis Fourlas pointed out that Tuesday night ran its course smoothly. As he said, there are no reports of snow-bound villages. Even in the area of Katara, where the snow fallen is as high as half a metre, traffic is not disrupted, while the problems arose in Hortiatis are manageable, he noted.

The snow falling across Central and Western Macedonia, is giving the drivers a hard time, since they have to be extremely careful.

In the Prefecture of Thessaloniki, snowfalls are still affecting Panorama, Filyro, Asvestochori and Zagliveri, while drivers heading to Oreokastro, Hortiatis and the old Thessaloniki-Kilkis national highway should be equipped with snow chains. Hortiatis-Agios Vasilios provincial road network is closed. The Macedonia Airoport in Thessaloniki operates smoothly.

In the meantime, schools in the northern Greek cities of Edessa, Kozani, Kastoria and Grevena remain closed.

The Fthiotida Prefecture also experienced traffic problems since snow reached 10cm.

Rainfalls in Athens

In Attica basin, the Fire Service has received many calls to pump out floodwaters mostly from the regions of Halandri, Agia Paraskevi, Agios Stefanos and Drosia.

Landslides have seriously obstructed traffic on Dionysou Avenue past the German Cemetery. Floodwaters on Stamatas Avenuein Drosia, on Papandreou Avenue in Renti and on Matathonos Avenue have also affected traffic.

Traffic Police advise the drivers to be extremely careful.

For the time being, none of Greeces airports have been closed. However, the four-hour work stoppage to be staged on Wednesday from 11am to 2pm by the Olympic Airlines personnel is to worsen the situation. Two domestic flights, to Kefalonia and Samos from the Athens International Airport, were cancelled due to the inclement weather.

The Hellenic Meteorological Service (HNMS) forecasts that adverse weather conditions are to continue with rainfalls, local thunderstorms and snowfalls in the northern regions. Winds will be of gale-force, where temperature in the northern regions is expected to range from 1oC to 8oC, from 2oC to 18oC in the Ionian Sea and the rest of the mainland and from 6oC to 18oC in the Aegean islands

Overcast accompanied with rainfalls and thunderstorms are also expected to affect Attica. Winds will be of gale-force, while temperature in Athens will range from 10oC to 17oC. Rainfalls or sleet and snow in the northern regions and temperature from 3oC to 7oC are forecast for Thessaloniki.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Adverse Weather in Greece

Weather Gone Wild

[02] HNMS Forecast Worsening Adverse Weather in Greece

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET

Winter has set in for good, as adverse weather conditions are affecting the whole country, while the HNMS (Hellenic National Meteorological Service) forecast worsening weather as of the early hours of Wednesday. Many areas of western and northern Greece experienced snowfalls, while the temperatures in Florina and Nevrokopi dropped below zero. In addition, all ships at the ports of Piraeus and Rafina have docked until 6am Wednesday, due to the strong gales. The State is on alert to deal with any problems that may arise, while an emergency meeting took place at the Public Order Ministry to discuss the matter. "The coordination is excellent and the state is present," stated the Minister of Public Order, Giorgos Voulgarakis. The authorities advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and be equipped with snow chains if they were planning on travelling by car to mountainous regions. According to the weather bureau, heavy rain is expected, mainly in Argonafplia, Evia and the islands of the Eastern Aegean.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Weather Gone Wild

[03] The Left Voted Against Bill Against Money Laundering

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

The Bill against money laundering was voted in principle yesterday in Parliament. Left parties opposed to the adoption and voted against the Bill, mainly reacting to the Olympic Airlines amendment, which has been attached to the statute under discussion. "The Bill provides for the imperative modernisation of the legislative framework to prevent legalizing revenues from criminal activities," stated Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis, who also added, "We took under consideration the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development." The new budget also topped the discussion in Parliament and Mr Alogoskoufis repeated the Government's persistence in its reform programme, which is for the best of the country and its citizens. "The Minister repeated his optimism once more, but I still fail to see where it is coming from," commented PASOK Parliamentarian spokesperson Charis Kastanidis. "We do not voice optimism but realism," answered back Mr Alogoskoufis.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Trolley Buses Pull Handbrake

By Tina Valaoura

ILPAP employees are on day two of their work stoppage claiming the signing of a new collective work contract. They have announced a stoppage from 13:00-16:00 for Wednesday, while on November 24 trolley buses are to pull handbrake from7:00-9:00, 13:00-15:00 and 19:00-21:00.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Collective Actions in Olympic and DEI

[05] Strournari Str Turned Into Battlefield Incidents at Athens Poly

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

Incidents, during which a policeman was injured, occurred at night outside the Athens Polytechnic School on Stournari Street. Youths, who have been occupying the Gini building of the Polytechnic School since Monday, went out of the School shortly after midnight and threw Molotov cocktails. They did so at 5am torching four vehicles and damaging a store, while a large metal screw thrown against the police forces injured a policeman, who was transferred to the 401 General Army Hospital.

Police forces had been on the site and sealed off Stournari and Patision Streets. Stournari Str is still sealed off, whereas traffic has been restored on Patision Str.

The youths have been occupying the Polytechnic School since Monday in support of their imprisoned comrades and a young anarchist who died during the incidents that rocked Thessaloniki on November 17. His death, however, is attributed to pulmonary oedema, and according to police his death is not related to the incidents.

In the meantime, the young squatters who had occupied the School of Theology of Aristotle University Thessaloniki withdrew on Tuesday. The dean of the Theological School stated that the squatters caused severe damages.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Of the Murder of Greek-Cypriot Petros Kakoullis Turkey Convicted

By Athina Saloustrou

The European Court of Human Rights convicted Turkey of Petros Kakoullis murder by Turkish troops on October 13, 1996 in Cyprus dead zone. The Greek-Cypriot had entered the dead zone to collect snails. As per the ruling of the European Court, Turkey has to pay a 30,500-euros compensation to the victims family and some 20,000 euros for legal costs. The Court ruled that Kakoullis was murdered by the occupation troops and that Turkey failed to proceed with a probe into the case. The Court also took the investigations conducted by the Cypriot Police and the British base into account. In the meantime, for the first time ever, the British court is to try the case of a mansion illegally constructed by British nationals on a Greek-Cypriot property in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Train Collides in Turkey

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, AFP

Nine people were killed and some18 were injured on Wednesday in southern Turkey, when a passenger train collided with a truck carrying farmers to the town of Tarsus, Anatolia news agency reported. All nine victims were farmers. As per the police, the driver of the truck went through a red traffic light resulting in the fatal collision.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] They Were not Al-Qaeda or Saddam-Related US President Knew

By Athina Saloustrou

Ten days after the 9/11 attacks in New York and Washington, the US President was informed by the intelligence that there was no sound evidence linking Saddam Husseins regime to the attacks. Citing Bush administration records and officials, National Journal, a US weekly magazine, claimed that the US President was told on September 21, 2001, there was little credible evidence that Al-Qaeda had established ties with Iraq. George W. Bush was also informed of few substantial reports claiming that the Iraqi leader had been monitoring Al-Qaeda, since he viewed it as a potential threat to his regime. However, four years after that briefing, there are no sufficient clues contradicting CIAs initial estimation, according to which Al-Qaeda had no ties with Iraq, noted the US magazine.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Violence Outbreak in Jenin

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: AFP

Six young Palestinians were wounded by Israeli fires during a new violence outbreak in the volatile West Bank town of Jenin. The Israeli army entered the town early on Wednesday to mount an arrest operation against wanted Islamic militants. As many as 50 Israeli army vehicles and tanks entered the town and imposed a curfew. The troops surrounded many buildings in search of suspect Palestinians, thus triggering armed clashes. Citing eyewitnesses and hospital sources, the French news agency reported that a large crowd of school students started throwing stones at the soldiers, who turned their fires against them. Jenin has experienced some of the deadliest clashes, since the Palestinians uprising commenced. The routine operations to arrest terrorists, as the Israeli army calls them, are not that frequent after the Sharon-Abbas meeting held last February.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] 28 March Most Probable Date Spring Elections for Israel

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Following the latest political developments in Israel, triggered by PM Ariel Sharons resignation from the leadership of the governing party, Likud, and his decision to from a new party, early elections are expected to be held in March 2006. On Tuesday, President Moshe Katsav announced that he approved Sharons proposal to dissolve the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) and to hold early elections, while he added that all the political leaders wished that the Parliament be dissolved. At the same, the head of the central council, Tzahi Hanegbi, was appointed as Likuds interim leader and he is expected to announce the date of the party elections by the end of this week.

Former PM Benjamin Netanyahu is considered a favourite for the leadership of the party, while Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom are also serious contenders.

In the meantime, Sharons choices were viewed positively by the Israelis, since the new party to be formed, which will probably be named Kadima (Forward), is in the lead in three opinion polls. Sharon has already declared that the aims of the new party will be to set permanent borders between Israel and the Palestinians, and establish peace and security.

Amir Peretzs Labour party came second in the polls, while Likud came third.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Israel's Likud discusses leader

International Herald Tribune: Sharon's resignation sets off major scramble

CNN: Sharon: Party will aim for peace

Financial Times: Sharon quits Likud and calls election

[11] Explanations for CIA's Role

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

The EU Member-States will send a common letter to the USA, asking for explanations after accusations that Washington has secret prison facilities in Europe as part of the war against terrorism. The decision was made during the Summit in Brussels with the participation of the 25's diplomacy heads, without however setting an exact date. It is reminded that the issue was brought up a while ago, when the Washington Post had publicised an article reading the CIA was interrogating suspects for participating in Al Qaeda in a secret prison facility in Eastern Europe, part of a secret global prison system, which spread in eight countries. For the time being, the USA have neither refuted nor confirmed the information.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[12] Panathinaikos Froze in the End

By Vasilis Kalpinos

The goal by Charalambidis during the added time of the first half was not enough for Panathinaikos to secure a victory, as it received two goals within the span of four minutes, losing to Udinese by 1-2 in the game for Champions Leagues Matchday 5. Panathinaikos played better in the first half and could have scored more goals, but did not manage to do so. In the second half, the Greek team was not as strong and so the Italians left with the 3-pointer. After this defeat, Panathinaikos lost all hope of qualifying to the next round of Champions League, since Udinese has the last work, as it has scored two victories against Alberto Malesanis team. Panathinaikos will play against Bremen in the last match of the round and it is looking for a victory that will lead to UEFA Cup. The goal for Panathinaikos was scored by Charalambidis in the 46, while for Udinese the scorers were Iaquinta in the 81 and Candela in the 85.

Referee: Graham Poll (ENG) Yellow Cards: Darlas Bertotto, Sensini, Iaquinta, Zenoni

PANTHINAIKOS: Galinovic, Morris, Kotsios, Goumas, Darlas, Charalambidis, Conceicao, Gonzalez, Leontiou (84 Torghelle), Papadopoulos (64 Andric), Mantzios

UDINESE: De Sanctis, Bertorro, Sensini, Felipe, Zenoni, Obodo, Di Natale (62 Barreto), Muntari (74 Mauri), Candela, Di Michele (80 Rossini), Iaquinta.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[13] ERT SAT to Be Upgraded

Sources: NET

ERTs Director Christos Panagopoulos presented to the Greek Parliament the plans for upgrading contemporary Greeces image abroad through ERT SATs satellite programme. Mr Panagopoulos briefed the members of the Parliaments Special Permanent Committee on Greeks Abroad on the work that will put in for the next two years (2006-2007) and the channels renewed and enriched programme, which aims at becoming a significant communication channel with Greeks living abroad.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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