The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Was Taken to Korydallos Prison K. Bourboulia in Custody

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

With a joint ruling by the Examiner and Prosecutor, Konstantina Bourboulia is being held in custody following a short testimony to Appellate examiner Ioannis Sideris. The former examiner was taken to Korydallos prison on Saturday afternoon, following an agreement to open the womens wing, in order to not stay at the Police General Directorate until Monday. As per sources, a cell has already been prepared in the ward that hosts mothers. Mrs Bourboulia remained in the examiners office for approximately one and a half hour, meaning that she chose to give a typical testimony and not use the right by law to receive a deadline. Earlier, Appellate Prosecutor Kyriakos Karoutsos arrived at the Athens Police General Directorate for the execution of a European arrest warrant against her, which was issued on charges of money laundering and abuse of power.

Heavy Charges

The Appellate Examiner notified the former examiner of the bill of indictment compiled against her. Mrs K. Bourboulia faces felony and misdemeanor charges for the following crimes:

Abuse of power Legalisation of incomes through an illegal activity Participation in a group Passive corruption

It is not ruled out that the bill of indictment will broaden, since the examiners are going through the former examiners bank accounts.

Since September 2004 a European arrest warrant is pending against her for the following crimes:

Abuse of power and Money laundering.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Bourboulia to the Examiner

[02] Found Dead in his Cell in The Hague Milosevic Passed Away

By Vicky Keleri

Former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, 64, breathed his last on Saturday in his prison cell at The Hague UN Tribunal. As per an initial announcement, Milosevic sustained a heart attack, however, the possibility of sustaining a stroke has not been ruled out. The former Yugoslav President suffered from high blood pressure and his health problems had several times resulted in his trial being adjourned. According to his attending doctors, Milosevic suffered from a peculiar high blood pressure type, causing damage to his heart and kidneys. Milosevic had recently requested he be transferred to Moscow for treatment. However, given his wife and children reside in the Russian capital, his claimed was overruled, since it was seen as a pretext to escape. Milosevic was charged with war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide during the wars in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo in the 1990s.

His Brother Blamed the UN Tribunal

Borislav Milosevic blamed the UN Tribunal for the death of his brother Slobodan Milosevic, arguing that The Hague "carries full responsibility."

On his part, the UN Tribunal, through its spokesperson Christian Chartier, noted that the court cannot be accused over the death of Milosevic given the fact that it "takes the greatest of care for its accused, and especially of the deceased."

"I am very sorry, as we were reaching the end of the trial foreseen for the beginning of summer. I find this a sad incident for all witnesses, survivors and victims who were waiting for justice to be delivered. We are awaiting the verdict of the autopsy in order to know the causes of death," stated Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Carla Del Ponte.

At the same time, Javier Solana, High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, stated that the death of the former Yugoslav leader will help Serbia to look definitely to the future.

President of Serbia Boris Tadic voiced his condolences to Milosevics family and the Socialist Party of Serbia, while high-ranking member of the Socialist Party Zoran Andjelkovic also accused the UN Tribunal describing the decision to not hospitalize Milosevic in Moscow as murderous.

It is noted that Milosevics former lawyer Branislav Tapuskovic, who was appointed by the UN Tribunal, said that the court disregarded the health of the former Yugoslav President, because it thought that the accused was faking his illness.

On their part, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia-Montenegro Vuk Draskovic and President of Croatia Stepan Mesic voiced their grief that Milosevic was not tried by the Justice.

In an announcement, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) voiced its warm condolences to the Milosevic family and the Socialist Party of Serbia and spoke of a "cold, calculated murder."

Related News:

Milosevic's Life

[03] Eyes Turned to the EU Greek Support to the Balkans

Sources: NET

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis voiced her satisfaction over the content of the final announcement over the European prospect of the western Balkans, which was issued by the informal EU Foreign Ministers Summit in Salzburg. The Foreign Minister spoke of "a clear message to the western Balkans on their European prospect." Mrs Bakoyannis stated that the Greek position concerning the Balkans European prospect is "definite" and noted that Balkan countries asked Athens to defend their European prospect, in the EU context, since some Member-States have voiced their reservations.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Between the Government and the Opposition Political Dispute over Wiretaps

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, ANA

A day following the conclusion of Vodafone Vice President and CEO Giorgos Koronias hearing session at the Institutions and Transparency Committee at Parliament, his statements continue to cause reactions and disputes between members of the Government and the Opposition. Minister for the Interior Prokopis Pavlopoulos accused PASOK of political means and irresponsibility, adding that its stance indicates political pettiness. Answering, PASOK Press spokesperson Nikos Athanasakis said that the unethical attacks of the Government against PASOK confirm its "total irresponsibility and total confusion," while he accused it of attempting to transfer responsibilities. "New sides of the ND Government are being revealed daily," said President of PASOK George Papandreou, while SYN President Alekos Alavanos asked the Government to submit all evidence and spoke of an international parastate freely operating in Greece.

On his part, ND Central Committee Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis said that the wiretaps investigation is continuing on all levels and that ND "wants the truth to be revealed more than anyone" since the target was the Prime Minister and ND officials.

"We are not accountable. We want the perpetrators to be revealed and punished more than anyone. Some hypocrites should be patient," concluded Mr Zagoritis.

The statements of Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis were along the same lines, as he noted that the Government has submitted all it knew on the case to the justice and estimated that the citizens dont want the issue to become the cause for a political dispute.

Discontent by Ericsson and ADAE

At the same time, in Sweden, Vice President and CEO of Ericsson Henry Stenson indirectly refuted Mr Koronias statements, in relation to the legal listening-in software, which was deactivated, stating that the system provided by Ericsson to Panafon, 14 years ago, and the ability for conversations to be monitored was installed in the system since the beginning.

On its part, ADAE did not hide its discontent over the public statements of the CEO of Vodafone, while its sources noted that before reaching its final verdict the Authority will include all public statements made by Mr Koronias.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Responsibility to Ericsson

[05] Subjects were Education and Student Elections G. Papandreou PASP Meeting

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, ANA

On Saturday, President of PASOK George Papandreou met with the Secretaries of the Students Organisation of PASOK (PASP) with the subject of "Investment in Mankind An Initiative for Education." "Education is the future for us and we want to open new ways with PASP, as we believe in a Greece that will give value to and invest in humans," noted Mr Papandreou. Referring to student elections he said that PASOK wants "a creative student movement, which will creatively doubt and will submit progressive proposals" and added that the party holds an open dialogue with PASP and the youth for this reason.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Mitsotakis: "Reforms A One-Way Street"

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, ANA

On Friday, Honorary ND President Konstantinos Mitsotakis described the reforms policies followed by the Government as a one-way street, while speaking at the partys event organised by MP Stelios Nikoforakis at Chania. Mr Mitsotakis stressed that reforms should be quick and decisive and voiced that hope that this will occur in the second two-year term of ND. Moreover, Mr Mitsotakis accused PASOK Governments of leading the country to an economic dead-end, while referring to the role played by Antonis Samaras he spoke of treason that overthrew the ND Government untimely. "My fixed stance is to not comment on statements of others, especially of the Honorary Presidents, still stands," stated Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis when called to comment on Mr Mitsotakis statements. In Salzburg, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis stated: "K. Mitsotakis has a 60-year career in politics. He express this fixed position and actually uses the same terms." On his part, PASOK Press spokesperson Nikos Athanasakis described the policies and performances of 1990-1993 identical to the ones of the current Government. EU Parliamentarian Antonis Samaras answer was "I have stopped paying attention to Mr Mitsotakis statements for a very long time."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Between Police and Students Incidents in Sorbonne

By Vicky Keleri

The French capital experienced a night of riots, after the three-day massive occupation of the Sorbonne University by students went off the line. Hundreds of students barricaded inside the building were protesting against a new jobs measure passed by the French Parliament Thursday night, allowing employers to hire people aged under 26 for a two-year trial period before offering them a permanent job. The demonstration reached a pitch late on Friday with protesters hurling books, chairs, fire hydrants even desks at the police outside. The riot police fired teargas and tried to pull down the barricade blocking the main entrance amid scores of objects hurled against them. Later and acting upon a demand from the rector of the Paris Academy, they stormed the building and managed to evacuate it in just ten minutes time. The rioting, however, was transferred to the Saint-Michel Boulevard, the scene of the May 1968 clashes between the students and riot police. The incidents occurred in the premises of the leading University institution in France prompted the Paris Major to express his most profound concerns over the use of violence on the part of the riot police.

Things Get Tough for French PM

The protests sparked by the French Parliaments decision to give the aforementioned law the green light reached their peak Thursday night.

The students protests have played havoc with 26 of the 84 universities France has.

As for French Prime Minister Dominique de Viillepin, this is the worst crisis he has called on to deal with. In fact, with his popularity having sustained a terrible blow and under the pressure of the fierce protests, de Villepin did not rule out amending the law.

At the same time, French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy decided to return early from his trip to the French Antilles.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Milosevic's Life

Slobodan Milosevic was born on August 20, 1941, in Po&#382;arevac, Serbia, and studied law at the Belgrade University. His joining the Communist Party in 1959 kicked off his political career and elevated to a prominent communist figure during the 1980s. In 1989, he was appointed President of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia, while in May, 1989, he was elected President of Serbia. In July 1990 he presided over the transformation of the League of Communists of Serbia into the Socialist Party of Serbia, and in the first free parliamentary elections held in December in 1990, he was elected President of the Serbian Republic winning 65% of the vote. On April 27, 1992, the Serb and Montenegrin MPs officially declared the establishment of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. At the parliamentary elections held a month later, the ruling Socialist Party led by Milosevic landed 73 out of the 138 seats. The Opposition boycotted the elections, while turnout did not exceed 60% in Serbia and 50% in Montenegro. On December 20, 1992, he won the presidential elections, while his rival M. Panic requested the elections be repealed and repeated in three months time. On May 2, 1993, he attended the Athens Conference, during which he urged the Bosnian Serbs to sign the Vance-Owens peace plan on Bosnia. The Serbian Parliaments decision to reject the peace plan a few days later prompted Milosevic to stop the supply of the Bosnian Serbs and deny their access to Serbia, while on May 11 he suggested an PanSerbian Parliamentary Summit be held with the participation of the Bosnian and Croatian Serbs to decide whether to accept the Vance-Owens peace plan on Bosnia. On October 20, 1993, Milosevic dissolved the Parliament citing "political obstruction," and called early elections for December 19.

At the early elections, the Socialist Party won 123 seats, three seats fewer than the number demanded to form a government. Vuk Draskovics party won 45 seats Vojislav Seselj, President of the Serbian Radical Party, 39 seats.

On 4 February 1997, Milo&#353;evi&#263; recognized the opposition victories in some local elections, having contested the results for 11 weeks. Constitutionally limited to two terms as Serbian president, on 23 July 1997, Milo&#353;evi&#263; assumed the presidency of the Yugoslav Federation (currently Serbia and Montenegro). Armed actions by Albanian separatist groups and Serbian police and military counter-action in Serbias previously autonomous (and 90% Albanian) province of Kosovo culminated in escalating warfare in 1998, NATO air strikes against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia between March and June 1999, and finally a full withdrawal of all Yugoslav security forces from the province. During the Kosovo War he was indicted on 27 May 1999, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Kosovo, and he is currently (2006) standing trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, which he asserts is illegal, having been established in contravention of the UN-charter. The Yugoslav constitution called for a two round election with all but the two leading candidates eliminated for the second round. Official results put Ko&#353;tunica ahead of Milo&#353;evi&#263; but at under 50%. Opinion polls suggested that supporters of most of the minor candidates would go to Milo&#353;evi&#263; as would numbers of people who abstained in the first round but would oppose an opposition supported by the NATO powers. Milo&#353;evi&#263;s rejection of claims of a first-round opposition victory in new elections for the Federal presidency in September 2000 led to mass demonstrations in Belgrade on 5 October and the collapse of the regimes authority. Opposition-list leader Vojislav Ko&#353;tunica finally took office as Yugoslav president on 6 October when Milo&#353;evi&#263; publicly accepted defeat. Ironically, Milo&#353;evi&#263; lost his grip on power by losing in elections which he scheduled prematurely (before the end of his mandate) and which he did not even need to win in order to retain power which was centred in the parliaments which his party and its associates controlled. This downfall is called the Bulldozer Revolution. Following a recently issued warrant for his arrest by the Yugoslav authorities on charges for corruption/abuse of power, Milo&#353;evi&#263; eventually surrendered to security forces on Saturday, 31 March 2001. On 28 June of the same year, Milo&#353;evi&#263; was transfered by government officials from Yugoslavian to United Nations custody just inside Bosnian territory. He was then imminently transported to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, although the Constitution explicitly prohibited extradition of Yugoslav citizens. Ko&#353;tunica formally opposed the transfer.

Following Milo&#353;evi&#263;s transfer, the original charges of war crimes in Kosovo were upgraded by adding charges of genocide in Bosnia and war crimes in Croatia. On 30 January 2002, Milo&#353;evi&#263; accused the war crimes tribunal of an "evil and hostile attack" against him. The trial began at The Hague on 12 February 2002, with Milo&#353;evi&#263; defending himself while refusing to recognize the legality of the courts jurisdiction. His popularity among the Serbs and Yugoslavs again rose sharply once the trial had begun, as his supporters see it as a travesty of justice and violation of national sovereignty. Milo&#353;evi&#263; has a team in Belgrade that helps him, often sending him information available from the secret police files. Serbian insiders often support Milo&#353;evi&#263;s point of view, while Bosnian and Croatian witnesses have offered a lot of testimonies supporting the indictments. The tribunal has to prove he had command responsibility in Croatia and Bosnia, at least de facto, since formally as a President of Serbia at the time he was not in charge. His influence may have gone beyond his formal duties, but there is little to no record of this. Milo&#353;evi&#263; was not considered by some contemporaries to be a radical nationalist himself (although some of his followers were). Milo&#353;evi&#263;s rhetoric did not make use of hate speech. At one point during the Yugoslav wars, Serbia had rejected further cooperation with the Croatian Serbs (the Republic of Serbian Krajina), and also with the Bosnian Serbs (the Republika Srpska, in 1993, when Serbia closed the border over the Drina river). After the Dayton Agreement in 1995, the Serbian nationalists (Vojislav &#352;e&#353;eljs radical party) became his sturdy opponents, up until 1998 when they joined his party in a coalition government. The trial is still a controversial issue and has featured many conflicting and strange testimonies, which are viewed by all sides of the argument to support theories of cover-ups and dishonesty by the opposing parties On Saturday March 11th 2006, it was reported that Milo&#353;evi&#263;s death had been announced on radio. "Steven Kay, Mr Milosevics lawyer, told BBC News 24 that he had been found dead in his cell on Saturday morning

[09] Panellinios Defeated Aris

By Stathis Petropoulos

Panellinios put an end to the teams five straight defeats by winning Aris 72-60 in a game for the 19th round of A1 Division Mens Basketball. The team from Thessaloniki lost the opportunity to lock into a place in the quartet, while the "Olympians" group has re-entered the pursuit to the quartet. Panellinios owes its win to Damir Mulaomerovic, who pulled the game through. The score of the ten-minute periods: 20-18, 44-28, 49-43, 72-60.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Easy Win for Maroussi

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Maroussi celebrated its 500 participations in the A1 Division Basketball with the best way, as it easily defeated Iraklis 78-63, in a game for the 19th round of the Championship. The top scorer for Panagiotis Yannakis team was Rodrick Blackney with 27 points. On the other hand, Iraklis counted another defeat and remained in the last places of rankings. The score of the ten-minute periods: 19-13, 39-32, 56-47, 78-63.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] 100+ Point Win by Makedonikos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

In an impressive and action filled game Makedonikos defeated Apollon 110-100 in Patras, in a game for the 19th round of the A1 Division Basketball Championship. Bracey, Lee and Charalabidis exceeded 20 points each, while three more players scored double-digit points. The score of the ten-minute periods: 20-27, 44-57, 70-74, 100-110.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Atromitos Entered UEFA Course

By Stathis Petropoulos

The game between Egaleo and Atromitos, regardless of being quite good in the pace and performance of the two teams, was being driven to 0-0, an unfair score for the visitors and the home team. The goal scored by Rafik Djebbour in the 91 produced a result giving Atromitos an important "double" and three valuable points and bringing the team to the sixth place of rankings, before PAOK. The defeat was unfair for Giorgos Chatzaras team, as the tie was the fairest result and the home team was right to protest over a cancelled goal by Moustogiannis due to a wrong pointer by the linesman.

Referee: Koukoulakis (Heraklion) Yellow cards: Jancetic

EGALEO: Gennamo, Jancetic, Zapropoulos, Psomas, Popov, Skopelitis, Maric (60 Agritis), Tsatsos, Omo, Nikolopoulos (82 Saganas), Manousakis (66 Moustogiannis).

ATROMITOS: Michailidis, Katemis, Georgiou, Mikes, Geladaris, Merino (85 Doe), Raguel (75 Chalaris), Koutsis (75 Dimos), Korakakis, Djebbour, Zacharopoulos.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[13] Panathinaikos Defeated PAOK

By Stathis Petropoulos

The atmosphere in Toumba Stadium was unsightly, with the stands being disappointingly empty, thus the two teams presented a bad show unsuitable for enjoyment by the fans! The first half was bad both for PAOK and Panathinaikos and the only good goal opportunities worth mentioning were a turn by Mieciel to Salpigidis and a header by Gekas. In the second half, defence held the main role, however Panathinaikos chased after a goal and PAOK counterattacks. A shot by Gonzalez in the 49 was blocked by Fernandez, while ten minutes later Mieciel missed a great goal opportunity to open the score. Thus in the 65 Vintra shot a long kick, confusing Fernandez and Karipidis, and Papadopoulos opened the score with a header. In the 70 Papadopoulos once again could have scored 0-2 but Fernandez stopped him. This win brought Panathinaikos to second place of rankings and awaiting the game between AEK and Panionios on Sunday, in order to see if it will hold fast to its position.

Referee: Kontogiannidis (Xanthi) Yellow cards: Karipidis, Gonzalez, Biscan

PAOK: Fernandez, Feutchine (90 Egomitis), Karipidis, Chasiotis, Udeze, Balafas (71 Giasemakis), Charalabous (83 Christodoulopoulos), Konstantinidis, Shikabala, Salpigidis, Mieciel.

PANATHINAIKOS: Galinovic, Vintra, Seric, Morris, Goumas, Biscan, Tziolis, Gonzalez (75 Adric), Leontiou (90 Theodoridis), Papadopoulos, Gekas (80 Mantzios).

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[14] Win for Olympia Larissa

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Olympia Larissa earned an important win defeating AEK 79-92 in Neapolis Stadium, in a game for the 19th round of the A1 Division Basketball Championship. This was the 8th win for the "orange," while AEK counted 10 defeats. The score of the ten-minute periods: 19-18, 39-35, 58-49, 79-72.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[15] PAO Easily Defeated Panionios

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Panathinaikos earned an important win, both for rankings and for the players high spirits, as it defeated Panionios 94-79, in a game for the 19th round of the A1 Division Basketball Championship. The "greens" earned their 17th win in the Championship are fastened in first place of rankings, while this was the 10th defeat for Panionios. Five players of Panathinaikos scored double-digit points, while Panionios top scorer was Savvas Iliadis with 23 points. The score of the ten-minute periods: 23-27, 40-44, 60-68, 79-94.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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