The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government-PASOK Accuse Each Other New Strife over Fiscal Audit

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ANA

The fiscal audit issue triggered off a new fierce dispute between the Government and the Main Opposition. Man Opposition officials blasted anew the Government for political fraud that brought about austerity and tarnished Greeces prestige. On their part, Government members, including Messrs Roussopoulos and Alogoskoufis, accused PASOK of lacking in seriousness and using populism and black propaganda.

Heated Dispute

Replying to Main Oppositions allegations, Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos argued, "PASOK forged the figures and is now forging history," while referring to PASOK leader George Papandreous remark that the fiscal audit was a fraud, he accused Mr Papandreou of populism.

Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis also lashed out, blasting Mr Papandrou for being true to the practices former PASOK governments had employed in the past. Mr Alogoskoufis also added that the PASOK leader is a part of the same vicious past of huge deficits, debts, fictional reality, expensiveness and unemployment.

Referring to Mr Papandreous personal attack unleashed at him, Public Works Minister Giorgos Souflias advised George Papandreou to do away with unacceptable personal claims, which are groundless and take Greeces political life back.

On his part, PASOK spokesman Nikos Athanasakis stated that the fiscal audit was a fraud that hit the countrys economy and brought on more burdens to the working class, at a time when the Government is preparing to give out bonuses to the elite. He also claimed that the Government officials had better advice themselves. He then went on to maintain that the Government used the fiscal audit as a pretext to duck its pre-election pledges and put the country under surveillance.

PASOK parliamentarian responsible for the development sector lambasted the Government for shrinking the citizens wages, and also blasted the Economy Minister for the fiscal audit.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Milosevic's Burial in Belgrade

By Vagelis Theodorou

Slobodan Milosevics burial has been scheduled for coming Thursday or Friday in Belgrade, announced his lawyer. The funeral service is intended to be private and plain, since the Serbian Supreme Defence Council decided to forbid the use of military units during the burial service, irrespective of the Socialist Partys strong reactions. Milosevics widow Mirjana Markovic will be allowed to attend the funeral, as the Belgrade Prosecution service agreed to annul the detention order pending against her since 2003. In the meantime, Marko, son of the former Yugoslav strongman, is due to arrive in The Hague in the ours to come to get the remains of his father, after the Dutch authorities granting him with the three-day visa. However, questions on the causes of Milosevics death still remain. His family and Moscow doubted the autopsy results that spoke of a heart failure, while the UN War Crimes Tribunal announced a further investigation.

Inquiry into the Circumstances of His Death

The UN War Crimes Tribunal announced Monday an inquiry into the circumstances of Slobodan Milosevics death, since Russian and Serbian officials questioned the autopsy result that spoke of heart failure.

The UN Tribunal head ordered a thorough inquiry and Vice-President judge Kevin Parker, who has been assigned the inquiry, is expected to take the time at his disposal to study all necessary evidence, said UN Tribunal spokeswoman Alxandra Milenov.

At the same time, a statement by Dutch toxicologist Ronald Uges has caused a stir. Mr Uges argued that the former Yugoslav leader was intentionally taking a non-prescribed drug that cancelled the effect of his prescribed medication for blood pressure, hoping to be taken to Moscow for treatment, something he had long requested.

As Mrs Milenov announced, the toxicological results will be yielded within the week, while she pointed out, that, according to the regulations of the UN War Crimes Tribunal, the prison guards are assigned to search the detainees before and the after the visiting hours.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Der Spiegel: "Milosevic wollte einfache Fahrt nach Moskau"

New York Times: Serbia to Permit Milosevic Funeral to Be Held in Belgrade

Related News:

Questions and Clashes

[03] The Case Reopens Appeal for DEKA

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: NET-ANA

With former Examiner Konstantina Bourboulia, the key person to the much talked-about Athens Exchange scandal, being held in a special cell at the Korydallos prison, due to her involvement in the extrajudicial ring, the Supreme Court Deputy Prosecutors intervention stirred up a new turn of events for the case of DEKA (Public Securities Organisation SA). The Deputy Prosecutor proposed that the Athens Three-Member Appellate Court ruling, which had described the DEKA scandal as a misdemeanour, thus leading to the acquittal of the defendants, be appealed. In the meantime, the former Examiner, as she had claimed in a television programme prior to her extradition to Greece, is expected to refuse all the accusations she is charged with.

Bourboulia Blames Prosecutors

While the DEKA issue has assumed a new turn, Konstantina Bourboulias claims have caused a stir. In her interview with journalist Makis Triantafillopoulos an interview that had been given prior to her extradition to Greece and was aired Sunday - the former Examiner, who is accused of being involved in the extrajudicial ring, tried to shift responsibilities to Prosecutors, who, as she argued, reassured her that the bubble case could never go to court.

[04] What Cassini Spacecraft Saw Ocean Hiding Beneath Enceladus?

By Annita Paschalinou

High analysis photographs, which were taken by spacecraft Cassini, of the moon of Saturn, Enceladus, depicted interesting facts. A liquid ocean may exist under its icy surface; a fact meaning that there might have been conditions suitable for living organisms. The discovery that Enceladus is geologically active and hiding life behind it is of great exploration importance for scientists and is considered as the key to seeking the existence of living organisms.

Do Living Organisms Exist?

The photographs showed that the liquid water near the surface of Enceladus north pole erupts from geysers.

If the existence of water is confirmed, in a body so small and cold, this is an event that will change the given facts, an exceptionally important and exciting discovery, since it is quite likely that conditions suitable for living organisms exist far off the Solar System.

There are other moons in the Solar System, where liquid oceans hide under kilometres of frozen crust.

"Whats different here is that pockets of liquid water may be no more than 10 metres below the surface," said Dr Andrew Ingersoll from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

Europa, Jupiters icy moon, has a salty ocean beneath its icy surface, while Triton, Neptunes moon, has an icy volcanic surface from which nitrate plumes arise.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

CNN:Signs of water found on one of Saturn's moons

BBC: Saturn moon 'may have an ocean'

[05] Greek President to Libya

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ANA

During his official visit to Libya, President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias voiced his certainty that the bilateral ties between the two countries will be enhanced. Karolos Papoulias, who is escorted by a panel of ministers and Greek businessmen, met with Libyan PM Baghdadi Mahmudi and reiterated Greeces volition to further invest in Libyas oil industry. Mr Papoulias then addressed a conference staged between Greek and Libyan businessmen and held a meeting with Libyan leader Muammar al-Qadaffi late on Monday evening.

Boosting Bilateral Ties

While signing two bilateral agreements in the field of tourism industry and educational exchanges, the Greek President hailed Monday, the day of his visit, as really important for both countries.

"A new chapter regarding Greek-Libyan relations has begun with a new momentum that is based on mutual political volition to promote relations for the benefit of both peoples," argued Mr Papoulias.

The Libyan PM, on his part, claimed he was pleased with Mr Papoulias visit, who he called a dear friend of the leader of the revolution, while he also spoke of a new era of economic cooperation between the two countries and invited the Greek businessmen to invest in Libya.

[06] Dispute over Wiretaps Runs High

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105,8

Ericsson Hellas managing director Bill Zikou is due to brief the Parliaments Standing Committee on Transparency and Institutions coming Wednesday, amid heated dispute at political level. Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos reiterated Monday the clarification that the list with the bugged phones released a month ago contained a phone belonging to Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and another belonging to the company run by his father and used by Kostas Karamanlis and his family. In fact, Mr Roussopoulos called on PASOK officials, who "triumphed there was no phone belonging to the PM on the list," to apologise for this "inaccuracy." He also stated that there is no likelihood of PASOK leader George Papandreou being called on to testify to Parliament. He then went on to reiterate that the Government was unaware of a third phone tapping centre and that investigating into the case rests with Justices jurisdiction.

PASOK parliamentarian Anna Diamantopoulou, on the other hand, spoke of cheap diversion, while KKE secretary general Aleka Papariga underlined the role of intelligence services in the phone tapping scandal, noting that the system has spread under the pretext of terrorism.

In the meantime, a series of articles on the case allegedly channelled around by ADAE (Hellenic Authority for the Information and Communication Security and Privacy) prompted ADAE to issue an announcement reading that only ADAEs press releases convey the Authoritys official stance.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] DVD to be Released 25 March New Chief Secretary in Holy Synod

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET 105.8, ANA

Archimandrite Dionysios Mantalos, former Director of the Apostolic Ministration, was appointed as the new Chief Secretary of the Continuous Holy Synod following a proposal by Archbishop Christodoulos. The position of Chief Secretary was vacant when Christianoupolis Bishop Serafeim was elected as the Piraeus Metropolitan Bishop. The new Chief Secretary was a Senior Archimandrite at the Chalkida Metropolitan Bishopric. Today, it was decided that a DVD, compiled by the Holy Synod, is to be released on 25 March, on the occasion of the observance of the national holiday. The DVD will be presented in Sunday Schools, while the Metropolitan Bishops will come to an agreement with education administrative heads, in order for its distribution in schools. As Press spokesperson for the Holy Synod Patras Metropolitan Bishop Chrysostomos announced, the DVD includes texts, documents and photographs from the Churchs contribution to the national liberation struggle.

Moreover, as it was announced, the resignation of 85-year-old Metropolitan Bishop Mr Theofilos, who cited health reasons, was accepted.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Over the Causes of Death and Burial Site Questions and Clashes

By Athina Saloustrou

A new issue has arisen while awaiting toxicological test results, in the next 24 to 48 hours, that would show if indeed Slobodan Milosevic died of a heart attack, as indicated the preliminary autopsy report on Sunday. Serbia is threatened with political crisis as a stir has been caused over the place where Milosevic will be buried. A high-ranking official of the Socialist Party warned that if Milosevic is not properly buried, then his party, which participates in the Government coalition, will withdraw from Parliament. However, Serbias Supreme Defence Council ruled out the use of army units in Milosevics funeral, while the Belgrade Mayor said he would not allow the funeral to take place in the "Avenue of Heroes," a section of Belgrades main cemetery. Meanwhile, a Dutch expert toxicologist supported Milosevic was intentionally taking the wrong drugs to worsen his health and bolster his case for treatment in Moscow. And while Russia is questioning the autopsy results, the Dutch Prosecutor allowed authorities to deliver Milosevics mortal remains to his son, who has already petitioned the Dutch authorities to grant him a visa. As per the familys lawyer, the authorities agreed the burial service to take place in Belgrade.

"He Was Intentionally Taking the Wrong Drugs"

According to Dutch toxicologist Ronald Uges, Slobodan Milosevic was intentionally taking a non-prescribed drug that cancelled the effect of his prescribed medication for blood pressure. Tests Uges conducted two weeks ago on Milosevics blood showed traces of rifampicin, a drug used to treat leprosy and tuberculosis, which would have made other medicines ineffective.

"I dont think he took his medicines for suicide, only for his trip to Moscow ... that is where his friends and family are. I think that was his last possibility to escape The Hague," Uges said. "I am so sure there is no murder." The War Crimes Tribunal rejected Slobodan Milosevics request in December to be taken to Moscow for treatment, as the judges viewed his treatment as sufficient and thought that had he gone to Moscow, he would never return to the Hague.

Moscow, on the other hand, expressed its doubts. Russian FM Sergei Lavrov said Monday that he has the right not to trust the autopsy conducted on Milosevics body, since they [the UN Tribunal] did not trust Russias guarantees, either. He also announced that the team of Russian doctors will travel to The Hague to be briefed on the autopsy results. Ria Nobosti news agency reported that the team of doctors are due to leave Moscow Tuesday.

On the Verge of Political Crisis

The place where Slobodan Milosevic will be buried is expected to trigger a political crisis in Serbia. According to Mirolad Vucelic, a high-ranking official of the Serbian Socialist Party (SPS), if the conditions for Milosevic's funeral in Serbia are not created, then his Party will withdraw from Parliament. Given that Milosevic's socialists hold the majority in the coalition Government, such a crisis would be hard to avoid. The problem emerged because Serbian president Boris Tadic refused to allow Milosevic's wife, Mira Markovic, and his son, Marko, to attend the funeral on Serbian ground. An international arrest warrant is pending against them by Serbian courts.

Markovic's lawyer asked for the recall of the arrest warrant against her "because of her husband's death." If the request is accepted, then Mira Markovic will be able to attend her husband's funeral in Serbia. The claim was filed this morning and a panel of three judges will decide whether to accept it or not. There is no time limit for the ruling, but the opinion of a public prosecutor is required. Mira Markovic has been escaping arrest since 2003, when when she fled Serbia for Russia to avoid arrest on charges of abusing her power. Her son, Marko, was already living in Russia since 2000, when Milosevic was overthrown.

"My message to the Government is that the SPS will not enter the Parliament if Slobodan Milosevic is not properly buried," said Secretary General Zoran Angelkovic, clarifying he meant Milosevic should be buried in the presence of his family at a suitable location, as "befits a historic personality."

Mira Markovic's request to bury her husband at his hometown, Pozarevac, 80km east of Belgrade, escalates the crisis.

The Serbian Socialist Party and the nationalist Radical Party said Milosevic should be buried in Belgrade, at the Avenue of Heroes, at the central cemetery.The Belgrade Mayor, however, rushed to reject the aforementioned claim. Furthermore, the countrys Supreme Defence Council held an unscheduled meeting Monday upon Serbian President Boris Tadics request and decided to forbid the use of military units during the burial service. On her part, Milosevics daughter Marija wished for her father to be laid in rest in Montenegro, where he came from and the family tomb is located. Should Milosevics funeral take place in Belgrade, it will probably turn into a mass political rally.

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Milosevic's body to be released

REUTERS: Milosevic blood showed he took wrong drugs - ANP

Related News:

He Died of Heart Attack

Milosevic's Life

Milosevic Passed Away

[09] Bloodshed Continues in Iraq

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC - ΝΕΤ - ANA

Bloodshed seems never-ending in Iraq, just a day after the string of blasts that claimed dozens of lives and injured some hundreds across the country. The attacks mounted Monday in Baghdad, as well as several other Iraqi cities, have escalated fears that the sectarian violence between the Shiites and the Sunnis will culminate in a civil war. Condemning the attacks, Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr urged Iraqis to stay united. In the meantime, UK Secretary of State of Defence John Reid announced the pullout of some 800 British troops from Iraq by May. It is noted that it was a bomb attack on a holy Shia shrine in Samarra last month that fuelled the sectarian violence between the Shiites and Sunnis.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Sadr appeals for calm in Baghdad

Related News:

New Bloodshed

[10] Prevention and Measures against H5N1

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: ANA-NET

Head of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Zsuzsanna Jakab, who visited Athens, praised Greece on the action plan it implemented to avert an avian flu outbreak. Mrs Jakab stated that the EU has braced itself against the H5N1 deadly virus, while she estimated that the virus will not pass from the animals to humans, claiming that people are running minimal or no risk. She further made it clear that the consumption of chickens or eggs pose no threat to humans.

On her part, Vice-President of the ECDC Meni Maliori maintained that we [Greece] should keep putting emphasis on public awareness, especially in the countryside, and announced that special Unicef cartooned pamphlets are to be given out to schools.

It is noted that Greece numbers some 32 confirmed avian flu cases in migratory birds. Furthermore, samples taken from yet another swan found dead in Thessaloniki were sent to the London laboratory to undergo tests.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Two More H5N1 Cases in Greece

[11] From Brothels to the Air Waves Prostitutes Get Radio Air Time

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: Reuters

The residents of Salvador, in Brazil, will be able to tune in to the frequency of "sex for money" as of June. The Government decided to grant permission to the towns prostitutes to run their own radio station, not in order to promote prostitution, but to brief fellow sex workers about their rights. "We are not going to apologise for prostitution but we are going to struggle for the dignity of the profession," project coordinator Sandro Correia told Reuters.

Microphone to Prostitutes

Moreover, he added that the radio stations will touch on social issues, such as the trafficking of women and children, sexual abuse, as well as health issues such as protection measures against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

The radio station will be staffed with radio producers who will assist the prostitutes in their newly appointed duties.

The project will be financed by grants and advertising.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Baby Trafficking Shocks

Sources: NET

One of the two Bulgarian brothers, who kept four pregnant countrywomen of theirs in a run-down flat in Lamia, central Greece, aiming to sell their babies, is due to testify Tuesday. The four women, on the other hand, confessed to intending to sell their babies of their own free will, for they were in dire need. The police officer estimate that the ring has sprawled to several other cities, including Athens and Thessaloniki, while Police in Lamia is in constant contact with the relevant agencies across the country to locate possible associates. Authorities believe that they are close to tracking down other members of the ring, with a couple from Bulgaria and their Greek aides being among them.

In Dire Need

Fourteen babies have been sold over the last two years in Greece through a Bulgarian-based baby trafficking ring.

The ring located pregnant women in dire need, provided them with 1,500 euros and promised them some more 1,500 euros after their babies were sold in Greece.

A few days earlier, authorities in Bulgaria had cracked down a baby trafficking ring in Greece and Italy. That particular ring had sold babies in the Greek cities of Katerini, Larissa, Volos, Athens and on the island of Crete.

Childless couples are asked to pay 16,000 euros to have a baby boy, while baby girls cost 1,000 euros less.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Baby Trafficking Ring Cracked Down

[13] Aimed at A Public Social Security System A. Papariga on Social Security Issue

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, ANA

Aleka Papariga invited employees to dynamically participate in collective actions, aimed at creating a joint unified front against the measures being advanced. In a Press conference with the subject of changes in the social security issue given in Athens, the KKE General Secretary accused both New Democracy and PASOK on policies, which, as she said, threw the social security system up in the air for years and repeated that her party will not participate in the dialogue advanced by the Government. Moreover, Mrs Papariga accused the leaderships of GSEE and ADEDY of spreading delusions and illusions to the employees. "Today, ND holding fast to the basis of PASOKs anti-social security laws, is making a strong, nearly a total blow against all ages and employees," stated the KKE General Secretary and noted that KKEs aims are a public social security system, women receiving pensions at 55 and men at 60 years of age, abolishment of every private business activity in the health department and full coverage of health needs financed by the State Budget, while, as she said, KKE as of 2001 has submitted a completed proposal on social security. Moreover, Mrs Papariga criticised the Mass Media, which, as she said, do not offer the required time on the social security issue, which concerns and should concern the citizens.

"The employees should not accept that they are costly and that they should be paying for fiscal deficits. The employees do not owe a thing. The Government, the State and the capital owe the employees. They should not feel guilty over the deficits, it is not their problem as they did not create it," stressed Mrs Papariga among others.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[14] Work Stoppage in the Mass Media General Strike on Wednesday

The Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions (ADEDY) announced a 24-hour strike for Wednesday 15 March. The two unions demand respect of collective work contracts, an end to expensiveness and mass dismissals, measures for the unemployed and the permanent working status of contract workers.

As for the public transport, personnel at the metro, electric railways and tram will participate in the 24-hour strike. Trolleys will stage a work stoppage from 11:00 to 15:00, while blue buses will hold a work stoppage the beginning of the shift to 07:30am and from 22:30pm to the end of the shift to facilitate the participation of the employees in the rally.

In the context of the 24-hour general strike, the Steering Committee of Cooperating Unions in the Press and Mass Media announced a 4-hour work stoppage from 08:00 until 12:00 on Wednesday 15 March. The work stoppage will be participated by all employees in the Press, electronic Mass Media, ERT, ANA and the Greek Public Sector (editors, employees and technicians, the Greek Union of Radio Technicians (ETER), Private Greek TV Technicians Union of Attica (ETITA) and others). A 4-hour work stoppage from 12:00 to 16:00 on Wednesday 15 March will be staged by the Athens Daily and Periodical Press Technical Personnel (ETIPTA) and newsvendors in Athens and Piraeus. The 24-hour strike will be followed by the Panhellenic Lithographers Union and the Employees and the Athens Newspaper Agencies. The Panhellenic Federation of Employee Associations in the Radio and Television Sector (POSPERT) will participate in the 24-hour general strike by staging a 6-hour work stoppage at ERT from 11:00 until 17:00 and a 4-hour work stoppage at private Mass Media, in which members of POSPERT bodies are employed, from 12:00 until 16:00.

Following an intervention by GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos a five-camera OB Van will cover the employees strike, while security personnel will broadcast 15-minute news bulletins at 13:00 on ET3, 14:00 on ET1 and 15:00 on NET.

The central demonstration rally will take place in Pedion tou Areos in Athens at 12:00, while in Thessaloniki the Workers Union and the Union of Civil Servant Organizations of Thessaloniki (EDOTh) called on employees to join a demonstration at the building of Workers Union at 11:00. The All Workers Militant Front (PAME) announced a demonstration rally at the statue of Eleftherios Venizelos in Thessaloniki.

The Steering Committee of Cooperating Unions, which jointly declared the collective actions in the Press and Mass Media, are the following:

The Journalists Union of Athens Daily Newspapers The Journalists Union of Electronic Press The Union of Athens Daily Newspapers Personnel The Union of Thessaloniki Daily Newspapers Personnel The Union of Athens Daily Periodical Press Technicians The Union of Athens Newsvendors The Union of Piraeus Newsvendors The Union of Athens News Agencies Personnel The Union of Attica Private Television Technicians The Union of Greek Radio Technicians

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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