The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] While Changing Hands in Ministries Smiles and Emotion

By Athina Saloustrou

Before the President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, the new cabinet members were sworn in at 10am in a congenial climate. Shortly after, the handing-over and taking-over ceremonies in each ministry took place in an emotional climate, while the first meeting of the new cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis has already been brought to completion in Parliament. In his yesterdays address after the reshuffle was announced, Mr Karamanlis underlined that the government is oriented towards speeding up the implementation of reforms on the countrys economy, as well as re-establishing the state. Following the sworn-in process, the ministers headed to Maximos Mansion to pose for the ceremonious photograph.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Greek Premier's Address

The New Cabinet

Speed Up Reforms

[02] Greek Premier's Address

By Vivian Papastefanou

In his address shortly after the cabinet reshuffle, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis pointed out the cabinet reshuffle aims to speed up reforms in the economy and state, noting that the new cabinet will increase efforts to solve citizens problems. Mr Karamanlis underlined that reforms are of crucial importance, therefore they will continue. Furthermore, he reiterated that his partys pre-electoral pledges to the low-income earners will have been met to the fullest by the end of the four-year term.

"The new cabinet has a single objective: to proceed more effectively and faster with the reforms on the State, Economy, Education and Health, Greece needs. And above all, with the reforms we made on the Public Utilities and Enterprises (DEKO). For this reforms have positive and immediate effects on both the State and Economy. The strategy of reforms is a turning point and we will go through it more determined.

Economy is in front of a major challenge. It is known that the irresponsibility and public spending demonstrated by the previous governments rocketed the deficit up to 6.6% of the GDP, a percentage more than double of the Eurozone lowest limit. And that had a gravest cost in store both for the society and the citizens, especially the low-income earners. This gravely unpleasant situation we were called on to reverse. And we are doing so by taking bold, responsible and determined steps. Yet, with the mildest possible way.

I am very well aware that some of our decisions are not, for the time being, pleasant. They are certain, however, to bear fruits for everyone. Mostly for those in dire need. You all know very well that during my political career policies marked by a sense of responsibility and social sensitivity have always been my keynote priority. Personally, I feel heavily burdened for there are no greatest margins for the immediate support of the low-income earners and the pensioners in particular. I repeat, however, that our pledges will have been met to the fullest by the end of the four-year term. We have never claimed and we are not claiming infallibility. What is most important, though, is that we handled crucial national issues responsibly and quite successfully. What is important is that we are laying down the basis for restructuring the countrys Economy, curbing public spending, curtailing tax evasion, creating new jobs and new investment opportunities. What is important is that we proceed decisively with restructuring the State, reducing red tape that keeps hassling both citizens and enterprises, creating a more effective State that stands by its citizens. Our policies have already started yielding these results.

The reforms on the Public Utility Enterprises (DEKO), the wider Public Sector, as well as other sectors, will be brought to completion. In any case, we are pursuing dialogue, understanding and composition. The path of reforms is open to everyone. Those who will choose not to follow, they should know that they will be overrun by societys demand for reforms. Because the reforms we are putting forth do not serve ideologies. They serve the country, they serve the society, they serve the real needs of the citizens.

Responsible and understanding with the countrys political world, we are living up to the major challenge that relates to the review of the Constitution. A review based on the needs of the new era, the needs of growth, the needs and interests of citizens. We are fully aware of the grave adversities the country has come up against. There is one thing certain, though. Enjoying a mature society by our side, we are to surmount all adversities. We are laying down the basis required for the new prospect. We are proving that something new is dawning. We are proceeding along with the citizens. The Greek society, being more mature, stands by the reforms. The citizens are conscious that there is no other way to surmount the problems of the past and open new prospects for the country. There is no other way to create a sense of safety, constant growth and never-ending prosperity for everyone. And the pledges we took we are to meet to the fullest."

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] The New Cabinet

By Vagelis Theodorou

The formation of the new cabinet following the reshuffle is as follows:

PRIME MINISTER Kostas Karamanlis

MINISTRY FOR THE INTERIOR, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DECENTRALISATION Minister: Prokopis Pavlopoulos Deputy Minister: Apostolos Andreoulakos Deputy Minister: Athanasios Nakos

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE Minister: Giorgos Alogoskoufis Deputy Minister: Christos Folias Deputy Minister: Antonis Bezas Deputy Minister: Petros Doukas

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Minister: Dora Bakoyiannis Deputy Minister: Giannis Valinakis Deputy Minister: Evripidis Stylianidis Deputy Minister: Thodoros Kassimis

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENCE Minister: Evangelos Meimarakis Deputy Minister: Vasilis Michaloliakos Deputy Minister: Ioannis Lambropoulos

MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT Minister: Dimitris Sioufas Deputy Minister: Anastasios Neratzis Deputy Minister: Giannia Papathanasiou

MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL PLANNING & SOCIAL PROTECTION Minister: Giorgos Souflias Deputy Minister: Stavros Kalogiannis Deputy Minister: Themistoklis Xanthopoulos

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION & RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS Minister: Marietta Giannakou Deputy Minister: Giorgos Kalos Deputy Minister: Spyros Taliadouros

MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL PROTECTION Minister: Savvas Tsitouridis Deputy Minister: Gerasimos Giakoumatos

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL PROTECTION Minister: Dimitris Avramopoulos Deputy Minister: Athanasios Giannopoulos Deputy Minister: Giorgos Konstantopoulos

MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD Minister: Evangelos Basiakos Deputy Minister: Alexandros Kontos

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE Minister: Anastasis Papaligouras

MINISTRY OF CULTURE Minister: Giorgos Voulgarakis Deputy Minister: Giorgos Orfanos

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS Minister: Michael Liapis

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC ORDER Minister: Viron Polidoras

MINISTRY OF MERCANTILE MARINE Minister: Manolis Kefalogiannis

MINISTRY OF TOURISM Minister: Fani Palli-Petralia

MINISTRY OF MACEDONIA-THRACE Minister: Giorgos Kalantzis

MINISTRY FOR THE AEGEN AND ISLAND POLICY Minister: Aristotelis Pavlidis

MINISTER OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON Theodoros Roussopoulos

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] To Handle the H5N1 Virus Avian Flu Scare Prompts Meetings

By Vivian Papastefanou

The proper implementation of prevention measures and the awareness campaign have prompted the relevant authorities across Greece to be on alert. To confront the avian flu-related problems, a wide-ranging meeting chaired by Thessaloniki Perfect Panagiotis Psomiadis is underway in the Prefecture of Thessaloniki. Among the issue to be discussed is the likelihood that the mayors of the prefecture will immediately proceed with setting up veterinarian crews. The crews will be briefed by their colleagues serving at the Prefectures authorities on the way they are to participate in the collection of dead migratory birds. They will also play a part in the awareness campaign regarding the hygiene rules and the protection measures taken at the areas poultry-breeding units.

In the meantime, speaking on ANA-MNA, Deputy Prefect responsible for rural development and food Ioannis Bikos said that the number of ill or dead birds found in the Prefecture of Thessaloniki is decreasing and that the citizens should not be weary. As for the new cases found in Thessaloniki and Asprovalta, he argued that all necessary measures will be taken should the London laboratory confirms that the birds were infected with H5N1. However, he noted that the low temperatures affecting the country favour the development of the H5N1 virus. "Had mercury pointed 22 degrees Celsius, things would have been better, since the virus cannot survive more than eight to ten hours in such high temperatures," added Mr Bikos.

Two Old People Admitted to Hospital

In the meantime, two old people, who had physical contact with dead birds and developed flu-like, are still being treated at the hospitals of Serres and Edessa, north of Greece.

In particular, a 78-year-old woman has been admitted to Edessas hospital and her doctors are waiting for the test results to come out form the Thessaloniki University Hospital. The old woman developed high fever and was initially transferred to Skydras Health Centre. When she told the doctors that she had physical contact with a dead chicken she was transferred to a hospital.

Furthermore, a poultry breeder, 65, from Rodopoli, who buried a dead chicken barehanded, is being treated in a Serres hospital. The poultry breeder has no fever and according to his doctors, and he was tested negative. He is to be released from hospital within the day.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

"Alertness not Panic"

Tested Negative to Avian Flu

[05] By Haiti's Interim Government Poll Fraud Probe

By Vivian Papastefanou

Haitis interim government announced on Tuesday a probe into the allegations voiced by election front-runner Rene Preval for fraud and charred ballots found inside garbage dump. Preval argued that it was the fraud that deprived him of winning in the first round of the February 7 elections. At the same time, Rene Prevals supporters took to the streets to protest over the mass poll fraud.

The general secretary of the interim government blasted the UN forces, known as Minustah, for the loss of the ballots, noting that they had been responsible for holding the peace in Haiti. "This is totally unacceptable. We are to set up a committee to go over the issue," the general secretary said.

On the other hand, UN spokesman David Wimhurst claimed that the ballots were supposed to be kept in special bags, sealed and put on a container the Minustah soldiers would guard. "It is just not natural that the ballots were found there," said Wimhurst and pointed out that the ballots could come from nine election centres outside Port-au-Prince, which were looted resulting in some 35,000 ballots being lost. He also implied that the members of local election committees might have been involved in an effort to falsify the elections results.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] New Cabinet Sworn In Changing Hands

By Athina Saloustrou

Before the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias, the new cabinet members were sworn in at 10am. After the end of the ceremony, the new government members headed towards Maximos Mansion for the traditional photograph. The new ministers were rather thrifty except for Mrs Dora Bakogianni. The new Foreign Affairs Minister said that she has her suitcases packed to escort the Prime Minister to his trip to Berlin, while she has planned more trips. The new cabinet is to hold its first meeting at 12am, while the handing-over and taking-over ceremonies in each ministry are underway.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

The New Cabinet

[07] Two Fatalities in Pakistan Bloody Protests Over Cartoons

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ - BBC

The violent incidents prompted by the Muhammad cartoons seem never-ending. In the Pakistani city of Peshawar, violent clashes claimed the lives of two people were killed, including an eight-year-old boy, while two more demonstrators were killed in Lahore on Tuesday. Furthermore, thousands of Muslims staged a demonstration in the capital city of Bangladesh, Dhaka, and in Manila, the Philippines. At the same time, European Unions foreign policy chief Javier Solana is holding talks in the area to ease off tensions.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: KFC 'torched' in cartoon protest

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