The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Koronias in Parliament Again Hearing Continues

By Eirene Nisiriou

Sources: NET

The testimony of Vodafone CEO Giorgos Koronias to the Parliaments Permanent Committee on Institutions and Transparency over the wiretapping issue is continuing Friday at 11am, for the second day running. In yesterdays four-hour hearing, Mr Koronias claimed that he was asked to treat the case in strict confidence, while he pointed to Ericsson as the most competent agent to answer to the questions being raised. As per Vodafones CEO, the Swedish company was the only one that had knowledge of the wiretapping software, as well as the codes to activate it. In its announcement, Ericsson denied any involvement in the matter of the illegal software, while it stressed it was the one that located it and notified Vodafone. At the same time, it declared that it will assist the authorities by providing expert technicians to conduct checks.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Pointed to Ericsson

[02] ND Ahead by 2.5 Units New VPRC Opinion Poll

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ANA

New Democracy leads PASOK by 2.5 percentile units in voter intention, as per the latest opinion poll conducted by VPRC, on behalf of SKAI radio. Specifically, ND gathered 42%, the main opposition party 39.5%, KKE 8%, SYN 3.5% and LAOS 4.5%. In addition, Kostas Karamanlis is considered more suitable for the position of Prime Minister by 48% of those asked, as opposed to 27% who picked George Papandreou. At the same time, the majority of the citizens ask that the Government serves its term in office, since 81% rejected early elections, believing they would not be in the interest of the country. This number also included 70% of PASOK voters.

In addition, 47% of the citizens believe that no progress has been made in the assignment of public works via transparent procedures, while 75% of those asked think that quite a few strikes will be staged in the next few months. Furthermore, the opinions are divided when it comes to the clean-up in the Justice sector, as 46% believe that no progress has been made, while 44% offered a different opinion.

As for the wiretapping issue, 49% of those asked believe that the Government handled the case wrongly.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] UN Report on Management of Water Reserves Sounding the Alarm for Water

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA - Reuters

While supplies of fresh water are adequate for the whole planet, more than 2.5 billion people, amounting to 40% of the Earths population, lack access to water purification systems, as per a UN report on the matter of global water reserves made public in Mexico Friday. It also notes that one in five people, half of whom live in China and India, have no access to fresh drinking water. The reasons are attributed to lack of investments, extended bureaucratic inaction, corruption, and mismanagement of funds by the central government, as well as environmental changes and global warming.

The report, entitled "Water: A Crisis of Governance," also notes that if actions or global measures are not taken immediately to deal with the phenomenon, then the target set by the UN, i.e. access to fresh drinking water for half of the worlds population by 2015, will not be achieved.

At the same time, it is underlined that up to 1,600,000 people per year would not die if they had access to drinking water.

The report also mentions inadequate infrastructure, which could lead to flooding of large inhabited areas that lie below sea level. The Netherlands, the USA, the Philippines, Pakistan and Bangladesh, as well as remote developing island states are susceptible to the abovementioned hazard.

The Fourth World Water Forum will open in Mexico City on 16 March, under the aegis of the UN.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] With Messrs Kalantzis and Meimarakis Kostas Karamanlis' Contacts

Sources: NET, ANA

The advancement of important works in the regions of Greece was at the focus of the meeting between Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Kalantzis, at Maximos Mansion. Straight after the meeting, Mr Kalantzis stated that the growth of the regions is also Greeces growth, while he noted that the stepping up of works, in development, in northern Greece was discussed, which is directed towards that. Moreover, the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace underlined that these works have to be completed in order to be efficient, while he noted that there are no delays and insinuated on the stance of previous governments. At this time, the Prime Minister is meeting with Minister of National Defence Vangelis Meimarakis.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Accidental Death in Athens

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: NET - ANA

A young man was tragically killed Friday morning, after accidentally shooting himself while playing around with a gun. The young man was found dead in his apartment on Posidonos Avenue, Paleo Faliro. As it was revealed, he had consumed a fair amount of alcohol, along with a friend and another three young women. According to the initial indications, at some point, he pulled out the gun to show it to the others and as he was handling it, he shot himself. The bullet to the chest killed him instantly. The case is being investigated by the Attica Police.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Transformation of Maliakos Gulf Road

By Tina Valaoura

The much discussed and awaited works are entering their materialization course. They are the works at Skarfia-Thermopyles road, in the context of which, the Maliakos Gulf will gradually transform into a closed, safe motorway with European standards. The relevant contract was signed today as announced by the Public Works Minister Mr Souflias, which started the countdown for the transformation of "one of the worst parts of the national road networks, also known as the deadly Maliakos Gulf."

The work concerns the construction of 54.4 km of closed motorway, which will cover the biggest, and mainly the most dangerous, part of the Gulf, which is from Agios Konstantinos to Stylida. "Works that unfortunately were delayed for decades and cost the lives of persons have finally been streamlined and materialised one after the other in order for their completion by 2008," stated Mr Siouflias.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Group Suicides in Japan

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters - ANA

Japanese authorities are investigating two separate cases of suspected group suicide after nine people were found dead in parked cars. One of the cars was located in Tokyo, while the other on a mountainous region. Specifically, five men and one woman were found dead in a station wagon in Saitama prefecture, just north of Tokyo. According to the police, they died of carbon monoxide poisoning. In this first case, the authorities are investigating the possibility of the six people having met through the Internet. Furthermore, a man and two women were found dead in a car parked on the foothills of a mountain in Aomori prefecture, 570km north of Tokyo, and it is believed that they also died in the same way. As per the police the three victims were undergoing treatment for mental illness at a hospital.

Meeting through the Internet

The number of Japanese killing themselves in group suicides has risen steadily in recent years, and in many cases the people have met through the Internet.

According to the official figures, in 2003, 34 died in group suicides, rising to 55 in 2004 and 91 last year.

[08] At Least 26 Died Tragedy in Pakistan

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters

A truck carrying guests to a wedding hit a landmine, resulting in the death of 26 people, mostly women and children, and the injury of another seven. The blast happened in Dera Bugti district of Baluchistan province, which has been the target of violent incidents over the last few years, as different groups are trying to claim control of the natural gas reserves in the area. A provincial government spokesperson blamed autonomy-seeking militants for planting the mine.

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: At least 26 die in Pakistan blast

[09] Suicide Attack in Fallujah

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Associated Press

A suicide attack was recorded Friday morning at a police and military checkpoint just outside the town of Fallujah, Iraq, when a bomber detonated his explosives-packed vehicle. Seven civilians were killed in the explosion, while another five were injured. At the time of the blast, a large numbers of cars were waiting to pass through the security checkpoint.

[10] Olmert Makes a Stir

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA, AFP

The statement of Israeli Prime Minister to newspaper Jerusalem Post has caused a stir in the Middle East. Ehud Olmert said that if Kadima wins the 28 March elections and assumes power "in the next four years Israel will proceed to unilaterally imposing permanent Israeli borders, which will allow segregation from the majority of the Palestinian population and protect an important and steady Jewish majority." The reply of Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal was also tough, who described the statement as a cause of "declaring war," since, as he claimed, this is a unilateral solution serving Israels interests in the sector of security and does not contribute to achieving peace in the area.

Moreover, in the interview, Ehud Olmert threatened that he will not hesitate to strike at the representative of the Palestinians, Ismail Haniya, in the case that evidence emerged linking him to terrorist attacks.

"Whoever is involved, personally and directly, in terrorist acts is a target," noted Olmert, who has made harsh statements lately, in order to show that he is ready to exhibit a tough stance exactly like his predecessor Ariel Sharon, who remains comatose for two months following a stroke he suffered in the beginning of January.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Israeli PM sets borders deadline

[11] Bakoyannis-Gul Meeting Informal EU Meeting in Salzburg

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

The informal EU foreign ministers meeting in Salzburg, Austria, on Friday and Saturday will concentrate on the developments in the Middle East, Iraq and Irans nuclear programme. In addition, the agenda will include a discussion on the "Alliance of Civilisations" plan, which will be presented by Turkish FM Abdullah Gul. On Saturday, the talks will focus on the developments in the Western Balkans, and especially Kosovos regime and the referendum for the independence of Montenegro. On the sidelines of the convention, Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis is expected to meet with her Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, for the first time in her new capacity. Their discussions will focus on Turkeys efforts to join the European family, as well as the latest developments in the issue with Cyprus.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Bakoyannis-Gul Meeting

[12] Olympiacos Lost in Palau Stadium

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Olympiacos earned its first defeat in the stage of the "16" in Group D of Euroleague as it was defeated by Barcelona 76-72 in a packed Palau Blaugrana, in a game for the 3rd round. The "red and whites," accompanied by 400 Greeks, fought for the win in their groups derby until the end. However, not earning a win will make them look to cover the 4-point difference in the Peace and Friendship Stadium. The score of the ten-minute periods: 24-22, 47-36, 58-51, 76-72.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[13] Fears it Might Reach N. America US Prepares for H5N1

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA - Reuters

While avian flu is spreading across Europe, for the first time, the USA has expressed fears it is only a matter time before the H5N1 virus surfaces in North America. As per the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the samples taken from migratory birds in the last eight months have not shown any indication of the virus having reached the American continent. However, the US agency announced that close supervision of migratory birds is mandatory, since the deadly virus has already been detected in many countries. For this reason, biologists from federals and state agencies, volunteers of non-government organisations, and academic personnel will work together in order to collect samples from 75,000 to 100,000 birds within the year. However, the H5 virus was detected recently in 250 birds in Canada. The strain in question is not that pathogenic and does not raise concerns.

At the same time, Indonesia is counting its 21st H5N1 victim today, a 3-year-old boy, as announced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and confirmed by the countrys Health Ministry.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Η5Ν1 Detected in Marten

[14] John Profumo Passed Away

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA - BBC

John Profumo, former British War Minister, died aged 91 in Chelsea Hospital, Westminster west London, where he was admitted two days prior. Profumo had resigned in June 1963 amid the scandal that erupted over his affair with call girl Christine Keeler, since it was revealed that she had also been involved with Soviet assistant naval attache Yevgeny Ivanov. John Dennis Profumo was born on 30 January 1915 to an aristocratic family from Sardinia. The family migrated to Great Britain in 1885. In 1940, he became the youngest British MP, while 20 years later he was appointed War Minister by the conservative McMillan Government. The Profumo incident is considered one of the biggest political scandals in Britain, while his resignation led to Harold Macmillans electoral defeat a year later.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Former Tory minister Profumo dies

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