The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-01-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tracking Down Leads

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105,8

Three days have gone by since the bloody robbery at the centre of Athens and the authorities are still working day and night to collect as much evidence as possible to lead them to the arrest of the four remaining perpetrators. Closed circuit television systems have recorded the moves of the robbers. Policemen are closely examining the tapes in order to put all the pieces of the puzzle together and proceed with the arrests. Police is believed to have identified yet another one of the four armed men who are still on the loose. It is argued that he had been detained in the past along with injured robber Giannis Dimitrakis, who is also an anarchist.

Thorough Investigations

The police authorities are also searching to locate the safe-deposit box, where the perpetrators are allegedly hiding the amount of money they got away with from the five previous armed robberies they have committed.

Police estimate that the person who led the armed gang and now is on the loose has been arrested and convicted of terrorist action in the past.

Anti-terrorism squads are investigating both the centre of Athens and the suburbs to track down the hideout, where the members of the armed gang hide their weapons.

Furthermore, the ballistic tests bore no incriminating evidence showing that the gun had been used in another crime in the past.

With regard to the blood stain found at the electric railway station in Kifisia, tests showed that it does not match the blood stains found on Klafthmonos Square during the getaway of the four armed men.

It is noted that as far as the way the case in question is tackled is concerned, the police are following the same method they had applied while investigating the 17N group in the summer of 2002.

The footage and details on the identity of the 28-year-old perpetrator that sustained serious injuries and got arrested have already been made public, and the citizens were called on to assist the police probe.

So far, police have received several calls from citizens providing information, however, no piece given can be used.

Perpetrator in Critical, Yet Stable Condition

In the meantime, the injured perpetrator hospitalised at General Hospital Georgios Gennimatas is in a critical yet stable condition.

As for the banks guard, his condition is constantly improving and he is expected to be released from hospital in the days to come.

Regarding the lottery-ticket seller, doctors said that he may be released even today. What is more striking is the fact that Lefteris Papadimitriou, a 17N victim himself, is his lawyer in the case.

Mr Papadimitriou visited today his client and requested he be examined by a psychologist due to the shock he suffered and by a cardiologist, for he had suffered heart problems in the past.

Meeting at the Ministry of Public Order

The course of the investigation into the bloody robbery and firing in the centre of Athens topped the meeting chaired by Public Order Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis at his Ministry. The meeting was also attended by Prosecutor responsible for terrorism Dimitris Asprogerakas, the police leadership and the police officers handling the case.

Upon the end of the meeting, Mr Voulgarakis advised thoroughness so that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Translated by Areti Christou

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All Possibilities Open

[02] Review Topped the Agenda Mitsotakis at Maximos Mansion

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The Review of the Constitution topped the morning meeting between Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and ND Honorary President and former PM Konstantinos Mitsotakis. "We discussed the Review of the Constitution, which will be to the country's great benefit," stressed Mr Mitsotakis after the meeting and added the two men did not discuss the issue of electing the President of the Republic. The former Prime Minister estimated that despite minor disputes, the Review would take place among consensus.

Lift of Permanent Status

Regarding lifting the permanent working status in the narrow Public Sector, Mr Mitsotakis took a firm stand. "It is not going to be abolished. Nobody is thinking of doing it," he underlined and went on, "The issue with the newly-hired though remains open," while "there would be no permanent working status in the wider public sector."

Asked over the elections and any facts that would affect the result, Mr Mitsotakis noted, "It is a very complex problem. Public figures, of course, play a major part and Kostas Karamanlis evidently has the lead. The climate is also affected by public order and education, but the real deal is economy and investments. That issue demands a clear policy, which is accepted by all despite any surface criticism," underlined the former PM and ND Honorary President.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Implementation of New Law at Focus Inter-Ministerial Committee on DEKO

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The Inter-Ministerial Committee on DEKOs (Public Utilities and Enterprises) chaired by Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis is in progress. The governing boards of all the public enterprises and organizations are expected to attend the meeting, while the relevant Ministers are to call on them to proceed with the implementation of the law passed last month. Article 7, which provides the governing boards and personnel of troubled DEKOs with a four-month deadline since the publication of the law, December 27, to reform the collective working contracts, is expected to cause some controversy. The meeting is also to draw attention to the provisions that require each public enterprise observe the Governments fiscal and borrowing policy.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Economic Boost to Fight Avian Flu Beijing Conference Bore Fruit

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: NET-ANA-Reuters-AFP-Associated Press

The Beijing international conference on avian flu finally bore fruit, since the amount of money raised by the donor countries exceeded the initial goal of 1.5 billion dollars and shot up to 1.9 billions. Sources affiliated with various delegations told AFP that the donor countries have pledged 1.2 to 1.45 billion dollars. This amount is to be further boosted by some 500 million dollars the World Bank has pledged to provide the countries that are being threatened by the deadly disease. In the meantime, the USA, Japan and the European Union rate among the biggest donors. Washington DC pledged to dispatch 334 million dollars to assist the fight against avian flu, while EU Commissioner for Health and Public Protection Markos Kyprianou declared that Europe is to offer 100 million euros to contribute to the global action plan against avian flu.

"There's no Time to Waste"

Earlier, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had addressed the conference urging the countries to brace themselves ahead of a possible pandemic, underlining, "Theres no time to waste. Lets ensure that we are ready."

He had also called on the UN bodies to be ready to provide any vital support when necessary.

At the same time, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, chairing the conference of the donor countries, called the rich nations to aid the fight against the spreading of avian flu.

The funds raised in Beijing are mainly to be distributed to the health and veterinary services of the flu-stricken countries.

Avian Flu Cases in Iraq?

Regarding the avian flu outbreak in Turkey, attention is drawn to five-year-old Mohammed, whose health has deteriorated, while yet another child in eastern Turkey was tested positive to H5N1, thus raising the total number of people infected to 21.

In Indonesia a 43-year-old male has been hospitalised after developing avian flu symptoms, while it was made public that his two children had died of the deadly disease a few days earlier.

The family lived in an area where an avian flu outbreak had been reported. So far, the lethal virus has claimed the lives of 12 people in Indonesia.

Furthermore, the death of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl, who developed the deadly diseases symptoms, has sounded the alarm in Iraq.

The girl, who lived in a town bordering Turkey and Iran, died yesterday after being treated in hospital for 15 days.

The Iraqi authorities sent samples to Jordan to determine the exact causes of the girls death.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

ÂBC: Donors to boost bird flu effort

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Shielding against Avian Flu

[05] At the Presidential Mansion Reception for Diplomats

On Tuesday night, Hellenic President, Karolos Papoulias, PM Kostas Karamanlis and the leadership of the Greek Foreign Ministry welcomed more than one hundred ambassadors and representatives of foreign countries at the Presidential Mansion. Others who attended the Presidents annual reception included Opposition leader George Papandreou, as well as many ministers and MPs. Most of the unofficial discussions focused on the PMs upcoming visit to Beijing, while the Austrian Ambassador, whose country took over the rotating EU presidency on 1 January, was quite popular.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Over a Military Scandal Resignations in Bolivia

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Crisis in Bolivias army forces escalate, since outgoing Bolivian President Eduardo Rodriguez accepted today Defence Minister Gonzalo Mendezs resignation over a decision to have a batch of 28 surface-to-air missiles sent to the US to be destroyed. At the same time, he dismissed the head of the countrys army forces, General Marcelo Antezana due to irregularities reported regarding the destruction. The crisis occurred a few days before Evo Morales, who won the recent Presidential elections, is to be sworn in.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] By the Development Minister Clarifications over Trading Hours

By Vagelis Theodorou

Answering to a question posed by PASOK MPs to the Parliaments Production and Trade Committee, Greek Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas stressed that Sunday trading was not an issue. As he noted, the Governments proposal is for stores to operate optionally up to seven Sundays per year, during holidays and sales, while the decision will be made after discussions with trade associations and political parties. According to the Minister, Greek and international experience has demonstrated that extended trading hours signal greater possibilities for consumers to conduct market research and more opportunities for smaller businesses.

Answering to Mr Sioufas, PASOK MP Evangelos Venizelos claimed that no collective body has asked for extended trading hours, while Anna Diamantopoulou noted that the changes made by the Government were not counterbalanced with measures to the advantage of small- and medium-sized businesses or employees.

The Left-wing representatives also opposed the Ministers proposal. KKE rapporteur Stavros Skopelitos reminded that his party was not in favour of deregulating trading hours, a matter which, as he noted, was initiated by PASOK. On the part of SYN, Asimina Xirotiri claimed that the existing regime is destroying the small- and medium-sized businesses and their employees, while it only favours multinationals.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] Basinas Heading for AEK?

By Vasilis Kalpinos

On Tuesday AEK and its president Demis Nikolaidis met with Angelos Basinas, aiming to hear out his intentions. Actually, the club made an official offer to the former Panathinaikos player, however, the amount was not disclosed. The capped midfielder, who is still in search of a team in the English league, is seriously contemplating to join a Greek club and even wear an AEK jersey.

AEKs transfer agenda does not stop there, though, since it looks like the club is close to signing up Iraklis striker Pantelis Kapetanos. After raising the amount to be paid to Iraklis to 360,000 euros (the initial offer was for 300,000), it is now almost certain that the 22-year-old footballer will join the squad. In addition, in statements he made, Kapetanos declared that he wants to continue his career in AEK. Developments on both matters are expected in the next few days.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Over a Possible Avian Flu Pandemic Annan Calls for Alertness

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA-Reuters

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called on the governments worldwide to be on high alert to deal with a possible avian flu pandemic while addressing the Beijing conference by videolink. "Theres no time to waste. Lets ensure that we are ready," added Annan, urging all the UN bodies to be ready to provide any vital support when necessary. At the same time, World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz announced that the Bank is to offer a $500 million line of credit to fight avian flu. The World Bank has estimated that up to 1.4 billion dollars will be needed over the next three years to tackle the threat of avian flu, an amount relatively "smaller compared to the damage that we could suffer should we fail to avert the spreading of the disease," noted Mr Wolfowitz. Today is day two of the conference and final decisions are to be made.

Translated by Areti Christou

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[10] Tooth Fillings via Representative

By Vagelis Theodorou

Mojgan Azari, an Iranian national who was working as a dentist in Great Britain, joined the queues of unemployed and was kicked out of the General Dental Council (GDC) registry. The reason was because her assistant and frequent replacement was not another colleague or at least a trainee dentist, but her boyfriend. As revealed by inspections of the GDC, more than 600 patients were treated by the would-be dentist, who drilled out cavities without local anaesthetic and installed expensive fillings that crumbled within days. Actually, the dentist continued using the services of her boyfriend in her surgery for seven months after she had been warned that he was unregistered. "This caused the patients considerable distress and inconvenience, and cost the National Health Service (NHS) approximately 180,000 pounds (263,000 euros)," the GDC said in its ruling. Furthermore, the dentists criminal record is quite extensive, as last February she pleaded guilty to obtaining money by deception and was jailed for 12 months, while she had also received a two-year sentence for similar offences prior to that.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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