The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-12-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Nigeria in Mourning

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC - ΝΕΤ - AFP

The plane crash in Nigeria killed seventy one pupils. The children, aged 11 to 18, were travelling from Abuja to spend Christmas at their homes in Port Harcourt. The death toll amounts to 106, since three of the survivors succumbed to their wounds. The Sosoliso Airlines plane was carrying 110 passengers, including the seven-member crew. It is the second time within two months that Nigeria mourns the victims of an air crash. In October, another Nigerian plane crashed near Lagos killing 117 people on board.

"Harsh Criticism"

The parents of tens of people, whom they expected them to come home for the Christmas vacations, cannot believe they will not see them again.

The two flying data recorders are expected to shed light to the causes of the crash. Officials said that the accident was due to the inclement weather conditions and that it was Gods will. An explanation which is vying to cope with the harsh criticism that is occasionally voiced against the bad conditions of the countrys fleet and runways.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Families seek Nigeria crash dead

Related News:

Air Tragedy in Nigeria

[02] By GSEE, ADEDY and DEKO Employees Entering a Week of Strikes

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET

Mass demonstrations have been planned for this week, since GSEE, ADEDY and DEKO employees will stage work stoppages and strikes. In particular, on Monday, December 12, the Public Means of Transport will pull the handbrake from 11am to 4pm, while at 12pm union members of DEKOs will rally at Omonoia Square and a delegation will march towards the Ministries of Economy and Employment. On Tuesday, December 13, policemen, firemen and port authority employees will stage a rally at Kallimarmaro, while on Wednesday, December 14, the private and Public Sector will paralyse due to the 24-hour strike of GSEE and ADEDY. With a decision taken by ESIEA, journalists will also participate in the work stoppages, from 11am to 3pm. On the same day, metro and electrical trains will run from 11am till 6pm to facilitate persons participating in the rally at Pedion tou Areos at 1pm.

DEKOs will also participate in the strike, while ships will remain docked at port, since the Panhellenic Nautical Association has announced its participation.

On coming Thursday, December 15, a new 24-hour strike will be staged by DEKOs and Public Means of Transport, by the immobilisation of all vehicles and an employees march towards Parliament at 6pm.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Week of Strikes

[03] Allegations Regarding OEK to Prosecutor

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET - ANA

Greek Employment Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos is to bring the case regarding the resignation of the President of the Workers Housing Organization (OEK), Aggelos Oikonomopoulos, to the Public Prosecutor. In his written statement, the Employment Minister underlined that the allegations "should be investigated immediately and meticulously by the Prosecutor so that we can find out what has really happened, that the responsibilities can surface and the real culprits be found. On my part, I will do whatever it takes to facilitate this probe." Mr Oikonomopoulos tendered his resignation on Saturday, citing personal reasons, and triggered a dispute between the government and the Main Opposition.

Reactions

Commenting on Mr Oikonomopoulos resignation, PASOK spokesman Nikos Athanasakis said that yet another government official was forced out ahead of the release of serious allegation against him.

Replying to Mr Athanasakis, government spokesman Thodoris Roussopoulos stated, "Those who have showed zero reaction to vested interests for 20 years running, those, whose sole concern was how to conceal and get away with it, cannot play the part of the judges. Their latish sermons against vested interests are but stagy. They will persuade no one when, while being the accused, they elevate themselves into plaintiffs. They are unreliable. They blatantly insult the Greek people."

"We have repeatedly said that those appointed to such posts should always bear in mind that they are called on to carry out the governments policy, which the majority of the Greek people has embraced, and that they are judged daily. Therefore, no one is permanently appointed to any post," commented NDs Central Committe Secretary Evangelos Meimarakis.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

OEK President Resigned

[04] Noted the Minister of Justice in an Interview Purgation Sans Deadline

Sources: NET, Kathimerini on Sunday

"Purgation in Justice does not have a deadline and will be in-depth," noted Minister of Justice Anastasis Papaligouras, in an interview to Sundays edition of Kathimerini, referring to the extrajudicial ring, describing it as a "contraband of Justice" and a "complicated business." "We are determined to reach its bottom. There are no half-finished businesses in the purgation procedure," said Mr Papaligouras and said that the Governments political willingness, which exhibits zero tolerance to any errors, signalled a new era in Justice. In the meantime, as per a VPRC opinion poll, also published in Kathimerini, corruption continues to reign, with tax offices and hospitals ranking at the first places.

Satisfaction over Progress

In his interview, Mr Papaligouras voiced his satisfaction by the important steps taken for the speeding up of administering Justice.

After the statute of limitation measures for minor briefs, the speeding up of trials has been achieved, reaching 10 months. Moreover, a new bill on the speeding up of administrative justice has been prepared. Already, small debts to insurance organisations and the Public Sector have been decriminalised. The intention of the Ministry is to decriminalise minor cases and Traffic Code violations, as well as Price Control and Sanitation services.

Concerning Data

As per a VPRC opinion poll, Athens, Thessaloniki, Ionian Islands, Crete and the Dodecanese are among the most corrupted areas.

Tax offices are at the top of the list, followed by hospitals, and town planning offices.

The opinion poll was conducted in November 2005 to 5,949 citizens, aged over 18, by a telephone interview.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Tragedy in Pakistan

By Betty Savourdou

At least 40 people, on their way back form a wedding ceremony in Lahore, eastern Pakistan, were killed on Sunday when the firecrackers they had on them exploded, reported the police. A police officer stated that the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, while most of the victims are women and children. As per the same source, nearly 10 people managed to get out of the bus and were transferred to hospitals in critical conditions.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Pakistan wedding inferno kills 40

[06] No News of the Hostage's Fate Hostage Deadline Expired

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ΝΕΤ, Reuters, BBC

The deadline set by the kidnappers of four Westerners expired late on Saturday. However, no news of their fate has been released. The group, calling itself "Swords of Truth," kidnapped two Canadians, an American and a British last month requesting all prisoners in Iraq be set free. The hostages were members of an international peace and humanitarian group called Christian Peacemakers Teams. Experts claimed that information on what may have happened is likely to be released in the days to come, while the executions of previous hostages, including Ken Bigley and Margaret Hassan, leave no hopes for their fate. In the meantime, yet another hostage, Egyptian Ibrahim al-Sayyid al-Hilali working as a translator in Tikrit, was found dead north of the city a few hours after his being kidnapped. At the same time, a new message by Al Qaeda deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri was posted on an Islamic website. In the message, al-Zawahri praised the Iraqi insurgents and underlined that their military actions have caused serious problems to the foreign army forces.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Silence follows hostage deadline

Reuters: Iraq hostage deadline passes

Related News:

Iraqi Rebels Threaten Hostages

Westerners Abducted in Iraq

[07] Olympiakos Prevails Over PAOK

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Olympiakos was the winner of the derby on match day eight of A1 Basketball Championship, since they coasted a 90-67 victory over PAOK. This was the seventh win in eight games for Olympiakos, which now ranks in the second place on the scoreboard with 15 points, one behind Panathinaikos, which has lost no game so far. On match day nine, the two first squads will meet at the Peace and Friendship Stadium. The score per period: 19-16, 30-38, 45-61, 67-90.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Easy Win for Makedonikos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Makedonikos coasted an 84-60 victory over Iraklis on match day eight of the A1 Basketball Championship. Makedonikos maintained their away winning streak, since they have achieved four wins in four games. As for Iraklis, this defeat was the fifth away one and the seventh in this years Championship. The score per period: 17-20, 43-25, 61-39, 84-60.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] PAO Lack the 12th Player

By Stathis Petropoulos

Panathinaikos fans who attended Sundays match between Panathinaikos and Iraklis were not that interested in the game itself. Instead, they preferred to voice their concerns over the teams future and booed all those involved in the team. The black banners and flags were the new element on the Stadiums stands. Epalle gave the lead to Iraklis in the 12, but Papadopoulos managed to equalise in the 38 with a penalty kick. In the second half, Gekas doubled the goals for Panathinaikos heading in the ball in the 64, while Mantzios missed the chance to score a third goal for the home side. However, it was Pantelis Kapetanos of Iraklis who equalised for his team.

Yellow Cards: Prittas, Vintra Lagos, Poursanidis, Haralabidis, Gonzales, Kapetanos

PANATHINAIKOS: Galinovic, Darlas, Morris, Biscan, Vintra, Conceicao (46 Gekas), Gonzales, Leontiou, Nilsson, Mantzios, Papadopoulos (73 Haralabidis).

IRAKLIS: Abaris, Stefanis (46 Sznaucner), Drougas, Seghiri, Papazaharias, Prittas, Poursanidis, Epalle, Laogs, Herrera (68 Murati), Kapetanos P.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Ionikos Claimed an Impressive Win

By Stathis Petropoulos

Match day thirteen was definitely not an unlucky day for Ionikos, since Sakis Tsiolis squad crushed Egaleo with 4-1 and continued their exceptional course they have embarked on in the last games. Ionikos were impressive and met no resistance towards their victory over Egaleo. Konstantinidis gave the lead to the home side in the 14 and Egaleo equalised in the 37 with Manousakis. Before the final whistle of the first half, Ionikos doubled the score with Gutman, while in the extra time, Da Costa scored for a third time crushing the dreams of the opponents. The final 4-1 was achieved in the 69 by King.

Referee: Kouklakis

Yellow Cards: Pajuelo, Gutman - Fotakis

IONIKOS: Beqaj, Melabianakis, Ukar, King, Pajuelo, Gutman, Da Costa, Makor, Perrone, Konstantinidis, Poulopoulos.

EGALEO: Sidibe, Liapakis, Edusei, Zapropoulos, Psomas, Chloros, Maric (48΄ Tsatsos), Fotakis, Omo, Manousakis, Saganas (9΄ Nikolopoulos).

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] A Point in the Bag for Kallithea

By Vasilis Kalpinos

With Koutsospyros being the most valuable player, since he scored two goals, Kallithea managed to put an important point in the bag against Xanthi. The two teams tied 2-2 on match day 13 for A Division. Xanthi took the lead as early as in the 9 with De Mattia, but Koutsospyros equalised for Kallithea in the 55. Labriakos gave the home side the lead again in the 63, yet Koutsospyros scored in the 66 balancing the game. The final 2-2 score gave a boost to Kallithea.

Referee: Polatian (Pella)

Yellow Cards: Papadimitriou Koulakiotis

Lineups:

XANTHI: Pizanowski, Torosidis, Paviot, Zapropoulos, Papadimitriou, Garpozis (75 Kazakis), Antzas, Emerson (70 Leo Mineiro), De Mattia (57 Lafata), Bayakara, Labriakos.

KALLITHEA: Bartzokas, Karatzas, Venetis, Koulakiotis, Tsiolis, Georgiev (43 Passas), Petkovic, Yanchev, Sylla (69 Telkivski), Lazanas (92 Vokolos), Koutsospyros.

Translated by Areti Christou

[12] Ecumenical Patriarch on ERT Bartholomew Appeals to Israel

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Speaking on the show Odysseia of the new upgraded satellite programme of ERT, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew appealed to Israel to recognise the new Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilus III. Bartholomew also referred to the great issues troubling the Ecumenical Patriarchate, including Turkeys European prospect, the Grey Wolves, the Halki Seminary School and his relations with Archbishop of Athens Christodoulos.

"Ankara Will Break Free From Such Attitudes"

The Ecumenical Patriarch opened the new show Odysseia hosted by Antonis ALafogiorgos and Afentra Varsamakidou. Bartholomew voiced his hope that the Halki Seminary School will soon reopen.

With regard to Popes visit in Istanbul, which Turkey did not allow, the Ecumenical Patriarch argued that Ankara is likely to break free from such attitudes pretty soon.

He also referred to his relations with Archbishop of Athens Christodoulos, underlining that they share excellent relations and cooperate to the benefit of the two Churches and Orthodoxy in its whole.

Furthermore, he did not miss congratulating ERT on its upgrading its satellite programme.

Bartholomew sent his season greetings on the occasion of Christmas to all the Greek-Orthodox and to the expatriate Greeks.

Translated by Areti Christou

[13] Great Victory for Kalamaria

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Apollon Kalamarias coasted a 3-0 victory over Akratitos on match day 13 for A Division. Sundays victory helped Apollon escape the relegation zone, since they now have 15 points on the scoreboard. On the other hand, Akratitos remained last on the scoreboard. The goals that offered Apollon the victory were scored by Pappas (3, 74) and Cleyton (55).

Referre: Kakos (Corfu)

Yellow Cards: N Ch. Papadopoulos - Patsiavouras

APOLLON KALAMARIAS: Kovac, Fitanidis, Amponsah (51 Karamanlis), Papadopoulos Ν.Ch., Petkakis, Ioannou, Murawski, Karaliopoulos (84 Orfanos), Pappas, Cleyton, Mouzaoui (71 Wellington).

AKRATITOS: Stelea, Obradovic, Badas, Patsiavouras, Shizas (46 Apostolakis), Gustavo, Macquet, Skoufalis, Pipinis, Defrancesco, Vojuvic (43 Marinescu).

Translated by Areti Christou

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