The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-12-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] With Relevant Bodies Open Dialogue for DEKOs

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET - ANA

After meeting with Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis at Maximos Mansion this morning, Development Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos did not rule out the possibility of further amendments to the bill for DEKOs (Public Utilities and Enterprises). As per Mr Panagiotopoulos, additional amendments could be made, since public deliberations and social dialogue with relevant bodies are continuing. Meanwhile, he noted the Governments responsibility to safeguard the Greek peoples assets in public enterprises, which are conducting a significant mission. Referring to the matter concerning the permanent status of employees, he said that the discussion offends a major part of the public opinion, since the concept of permanency is dated and has to be replaced by the demand and reality for stable and permanent employment.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Íew Era for DEKOs

[02] Too Hot Too Handle Birthday-Suit Robbers

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: BBC

Two young robbers, wearing nothing else but dust, attempted to break-in an El Salvador bank. The aspiring robbers tried to dig a tunnel, which will lead them in the interior of the bank. As they got a bit warm from the digging, they decided to take off their shirts. Soon after, they decided to take off their trousers. To make a long story short, soon enough they were digging away with their birthday suit. However, things did not go as planned, since they did not estimate that digging close to the surface, they would cause problems on the pavement. Actually, when they had nearly reached the bank, the pavement collapsed, resulting in a big hole to be created in the street and the two robbers peeping out. The police rushed to the scene, which caught the two young men in the act.

However, as El Salvador authorities reported, they had figured out that something was off, as bizarre noises were heard. The police chief noted that they managed to stop a great robbery, adding that the two young men will be charged and taken to court.

The young men had started digging the tunnel days ago, starting off from a derelict building.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Police nab naked 'bank robbers'

[03] By the Ministry Appeal for the Refuse Dumps

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET

The Greek Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works appealed to all bodies responsible for rubbish collection and dumping in Attica to resolve the situation, on the occasion of the new warnings issued by ESDKNA (Association of Attica Municipal and Local Authorities), which spoke of indefinite shutting down of the Ano Liossia refuse dump as of this coming Sunday. "Athens cannot even bear one day of closed refuse dumps," stressed Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni, since the city has already started preparing for the festive season. The Associations meeting today is considered crucial, as the members are expected to agree on their stance, while it will also be decided whether a viable and mutually-acceptable solution is found.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Ano Liosia Refuse Dump Likely to Shut Down

[04] A New Infection Every 6 Seconds Shocking Facts about AIDS

By Vagelis Theodorou

Today is World AIDS Day 2005 and the findings are shocking. As per organisation "Doctors Without Borders," 40 million persons are carriers of the virus, 95% of whom live in developed countries. Moreover, as UN revealed, a human being is infected by the virus every six seconds, while daily outbreaks reach 14,000. Actually, as per UNICEF, 1,750 of the ones infected daily are children under 15 years of age. Meanwhile, the numbers recorded in Greece are shocking. As per the Hellenic Centre for Infectious Diseases Control (KEEL), of the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity, the number of recorded AIDS deaths the first semester of 2005 were 14, while during the same time period, 248 HIV+ cases were recorded. At the same time the scientific community is seeking a suitable "weapon" against AIDS, with awareness and prevention remaining the basic protection measures, while this year, the message of thousands of organisations combating the virus is summarised in the slogan, "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise."

1st Semester of 2005: 14 Deaths in Greece

A small rise of HIV infections was recorded in Greece, as per KEEL. The number of recorded HIV+ cases, from 1985 to mid-2005, reached 7,371, among which 80.2% (5,898) were men and 19.44% (1,433) women.

As per the data, the virus trend in Greece is upwards, both in men and women. Regardless of the fact that, from 2000 to 2002, the number of the recorded new HIV+ infections started to decrease, a small increase was recorded in 2003 and 2004. For 2005, an estimate is not feasible, since the data collection for the year has not been completed yet.

During the first semester of 2005, 39 new AIDS cases were detected; 64.1% (25) were men and 35.9% (14) women. The majority of the cases concerned the ages of 25-44. The largest percentage of men was from 30 to 34 years of age (21.1%), while in women the largest percentage was 25-29 years of age (20.3%).

On the other hand, the total number of AIDS cases in children remains low, while in a total of 35 children infected by the virus, 62.5% were infected by their mother.

Sexual intercourse constitutes the main way of infection, while the percentage of intravenous drug use is low (3.9%). In particular, 44.7% of the men stated that they were infected by sexual intercourse with other men and 20.8% of the men and women stated that they were infected through heterosexual sexual intercourse.

Moreover, out of the 248 new HIV+ cases, 30.2% were men who had sex with other men and 31% heterosexual men and women. As it emerged by the comparative study of the data over the way of infection of the virus, the percentile units for homosexual men is stabilising, while heterosexual infection is low, but continuously increasing.

Actually, in a total of 1,533 heterosexuals, the majority were women. This is a unique infection category, in which the number of women exceeds the number of men.

"AIDS works quietly in all social classes, while the number of women infected has started to increase. There are no more increased danger groups or standards," stated alternate Professor of Medicine in the National Reports Centre of Northern Greece Ioannis Doutsos.

The Disease of the Century

As per UN data, in 2005, the spread of HIV slowed down in many countries, however, the number of new cases internationally reached record levels.

Nearly five million people were infected this year, increasing the carriers and patients to 40.3 million, while the disease has killed 3.1 million people, 570,000 of whom were children.

As per UNICEF, in 2004, 510,000 children died to AIDS-related illnesses, 15 million were orphaned due to the virus, more than 2.2 million live with the virus, while approximately 11.8 million youths, aged 15-25, live with AIDS.

As UNAIDS stated in its annual report, the most sudden increases in new cases were recorded in Eastern Europe, as well as central and east Asia (a 25% increase in 1.6 million patients), while the majority of new cases (64%) were recorded in Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has sounded the alarm, warning that around ten million people in China will be infected by 2010.

In Europe, the total number of recorded HIV+ cases in 20 EU countries has increased in the previous four years by 23%, while, as per UNAIDS's estimates, 2.3 carriers live in the European district.

The number of persons living with HIV or who have manifested AIDS continues to increase throughout the world, except for the Caribbean. This area has recorded a success in the effort to combat the disease, as is the case in Zimbabwe and Kenya, as well as in Spain, Brazil and Uganda. Moreover, the number of carriers decreased in homosexual men in all western countries.

"AIDS is a problem with a solution," stated UN General Secretary Kofi Anna in a message for World AIDS Day. Mr Annan stated that approximately 8 billion dollars are given out annually for the fight against the virus, and called on world leaders to unite their powers, in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, which rpovide for the interception and reversal of AIDS infection by 2015.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

CNN: U.N.: 40m now have AIDS virus

Reuters: AIDS expert sees vaccine progress

Related Links:

UNAIDS

UNICEF

Doctors Without Borders

KEEL

[05] Briefed the PM on Parliamentary Matters Stavrou at Maximos Mansion

By Athina Saloustrou

Today, NDs parliamentary group secretary, Apostolos Stavrou, met with Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis to discuss matters relating to the group. Upon exiting, he declared the group will be holding a meeting focusing on the budget, on Thursday 8 December. Representatives of social bodies and producers have been invited to speak at the meeting. Mr Stavrou added that he briefed the PM on the visits by MPs to regional Greece and the events being organised, while he also received instructions and orders.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] President Briefed over Foreign Policy Papoulias-Molyviatis Meeting

By Athina Saloustrou

This morning, Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis visited the President of Republic Karolos Papoulias and briefed him on the developments of Foreign Policy current issues. As Mr Molyviatis stated after the end of the meeting, the briefing mainly concerned the results of the EuroMed Summit in Barcelona and the forthcoming visit of the Foreign Minister and counterparts in Romania and Croatia (as an informal "troika" of Transbalkan Cooperation), in Kosovo next week.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] One Year after his Death Honouring Katrivanos' Memory

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET - ANA

A commemoration ceremony dedicated to his life and work of Greek politician Thodoris Katrivanos was held on Wednesday night at the Old Parliament House, on the occasion of the first anniversary since his death. Politicians from various parties gave speeches during the event, which was organised by the Interior Ministry, stressing the need for his work to continue. In his speech, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos referred to the significant role Thodoros Katrivanos played in the area of Local Self-Government, which he served loyally, both because he was an avid supporter of a more direct form of democracy and due to his sense of commitment. At the same time, Mr Pavlopoulos announced that the new Local Self-Government code that is being drawn up will bear Thodoros Katrivanos name.

PASOK MP Evangelos Venizelos described Katrivanos as an "ecumenical dean of Local Self-Government, while he praised his fighting spirit, stressing that he was aware of the importance of continuous contact with the citizens.

On his part, KKE MP Antonis Skylakos said that Thodoros Katrivanos belonged to the generation of the National Resistance, stressing, "Irrespective of where he belongs, everyone has to recognise his contribution to the country."

Others who spoke at the event included former President of SYN Nikos Konstantopoulos, President of the Athens Municipality Youth and Sports Organisation Nikos Apergis, former MEP Spyros Kolokotronis and Deputy Athens Mayor Katerina Katrivanou, while the Mayor of Athens, Dora Bakoyianni, also attended the event.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] 5.7 Tremor Jolts the South of the Country Strong Quake in the Philippines

By Athina Saloustrou

A strong earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale jolted the southern Philippines, but there were no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties, as per the authorities. The tremor was mainly felt in the city of Cotabato, 930km south of Manila. The quake was centred at sea, 140km southwest of Isulan. "Although thousands of people felt the earthquake, we are not expecting any damages," declared the director of Manilas seismology centre Renato Solidum. A 7-9-magnitude quake that was recorded in the same area in 1976 resulted in a tsunami that killed 4,791 people.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Supporting Sharon's New Party Peres Follows "Kadima"

By Vagelis Theodorou

Veteran Israeli politician Shimon Peres announced that he will support Ariel Sharon and his party, " Kadima" (Forward), as he definitely resigned from the Labour Party. During a Press conference, the Nobel Prize winner and former Israeli PM, who will be appointed in an important Ministry, if the party wins the elections, stated that he took his decision based with his mind set to the Middle East, adding that Mr Sharon has the greatest capabilities of restarting the peace process. "Without disregarding the deep tie I have with the historical course of the party and its members, I have to take a more urgent and important choice. My party activity has ended," stated Mr Peres. As per analysts, the decision was reached after the recent humiliating defeat in the inter-party elections for the leadership of the Labour Party, which is now led by Amir Peretz.

Eyes Set on the Ministry

Based on the agreement with Mr Sharon, the 82-year-old politician will support "Kadima," without officially joining it.

In the case that the Israeli PM wins the elections, Mr Peres will be appointed a Ministry, either relating to the peace process or the development venture of the Negev Desert and the northern areas of Galilee.

"I believe that it is not possible to promote the peace procedure with the current political situation. The most charismatic person for this is Ariel Sharon, as he will restart the peace process straight after the elections," noted Mr Peres.

It is noted that information over the forthcoming resignation of the 82-year-old politician from the Labour Party was broadcast by Israeli television "Channel 10." Moreover, all the opinion polls of the previous days give "Kadima" the lead in the elections and placing the Labour Party in third place.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

Ha'aretz: Former Labor chair will support PM in election

Die Welt: Peres tritt aus Arbeitspartei aus

CNN: Peres quits Labor Party, backs Sharon

Related News:

Shimon Peres Resigns

Sharon's Manifesto

[10] N. Papandreou Will not Enter Politics

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET - ANA

Greek author Nikos Papandreou, brother of PASOK President George Papandreou, attributed the scenarios about him entering into politics to misinterpretation of his statements, clarifying that he prefers to remain a writer and an economist. The issue arose after the presentation of his new book, when he left the matter pending. The discussion continued on Wednesday during the presentation of a new book by PASOK State MP Mimis Androulakis entitled Zitountai Alchimistes (Alchemists Wanted). The event was attended by numerous politicians, including former PMs Kostas Simitis and Konstantinos Mitsotakis. The book deals with the need for a renewal in politics, which, as per Mr Androulakis, can be achieved by providing opportunities to younger people.

The Roles of Young and Old

Speaking about this renewal, which is a very current issue, the State MP stressed that each leader has things to offer to the new generation, while he added that renewal does not demand the withdrawal of old and experienced politicians, since they can become more productive even after the age of 65.

In her speech, Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni claimed that leaders have to take bold steps and map new avenues, while she hoped that the new generation will have its own leaders, who will practice politics and will not just be communication pawns.

"The message emerging from Mr Androulakis book is not that the politicians have shrunk, but that the citizens have grown," stated Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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