The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Positive Estimations by the Economy Minister Optimism Over Labour Issues

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8

Upon arriving at the executive board meeting of the Federation of Northern Greek Industries in Thessaloniki, Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis voiced his optimism for a positive result in the negotiations between employers and employees. "We hope for a solution to be found on Monday, so that this issue can close and we can proceed together in this effort to reshape the Economy. Both sides represent different parts of society, but we will end up with one combination, which, I believe, will be to the benefit of society," underlined Mr Alogoskoufis. Meanwhile, in his interview on newspaper "Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia" the Economy Minister announced an effort to privatise OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation) in 2007 with the help of a strategic partner. "If the purgation programme is applied and there are developments justifying OTE's further denationalisation, then we will see," he noted.

Over PPC and Olympic Airlines

What is more, the Economy Minister said the PPC (Public Power Corporation) could be privatised in the next four years. "There is no room for further denationalization. If this policy changes sometime after the elections, then we will re-discuss the PPC issue," stressed Mr Alogoskoufis.

Asked on the issue of Olympic Airlines, Mr Alogoskoufis mentioned that the new company to substitute Olympic Airlines will be up and running the coming October with the participation of mostly Greek, as well as foreign capitals. The name "Olympic Airlines" will be transferred to the new company.

As for DEKOs (public utilities and enterprises), the Economy Minister stressed changes in personnel regulations will mainly concern employee transfers.

"There Are Margins"

From Thessaloniki, where he attended the executive board meeting of the Federation of Northern Greek Industries, Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis voiced his estimation there are margins for a positive result in the negotiations between employers and employees.

At the same time, he repeated that the Government does not intervene in negotiations and he stressed that the income of employees can be secured, while such a result would also benefit the national economy.

On his part, speaking on radio station "Sto Kokkino 105.5," the SEV (Federation of Greek Industries) President said the adjective "generous," which he used to describe his original proposal for 2.8% increases, was a mistake.

In an interview to radio station NET 105.8, GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) Vice-President Alekos Kalyvis noted that progress will be made if the employers grant a further percentile unit pay raise compared to the last proposal.

Also speaking on NET 105.8, GSEE general secretary Giannis Panagopoulos referred to employers taking steps to approach the employees, adding, however, that they have to clarify when the proposed raises for the next two years will be granted.

[02] Meeting of the Ministers of Energy Energy on Top

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET, NET Radio 105.8, ANA

The Ministers of Energy from nine Southeastern European countries, with the participation of four monitors, like Russia and the USA, met in Thessaloniki on Saturday aiming to draw up a common course of action in the field of energy. The Ministers agreed to take all necessary measures for investing in the fields of natural gas and electricity and voiced their will to intensify their collaboration in energy, which constitutes the foundation of growth. In his speech at the SEECP (South-East European Cooperation Process) meeting, the Greek Minister of Energy stressed that energy investments, exceeding 21 billion euros, are expected in Southeastern Europe in the coming years.

Establishment of Single Market Vital

The joint announcement of the Energy Ministers of Southeast Europe reads the following main points:

Intensify cooperation to improve energy efficiency and energy saving Reinforce the security of supplies and support the strategically vital field of energy Continue applying the Energy Community Treaty, aiming to achieve certain results to the benefit of the peoples in the wider area Cooperate to establish a single energy market, aiming to implement common regulations on the internal electricity and natural gas market Establish a specific regulatory framework allowing the effective operation of Energy Markets and include the creation of a system for cross-border transportation Take all necessary measures to ensure the necessary level of investments for transport infrastructure, especially in the fields of natural gas and electricity Adopt statements on the security of supplies that would particularly describe the diversity of supplies and of technology Call the next Chairmanship, Croatia, to pursue the implementation of the aforementioned goals

Aim to Attract Investors

Greek Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas estimated the operation of the Energy Community would benefit households, as well as commercial and industrial consumers. "It is to the benefit of us all to implement the Energy Community as soon as possible," he said and added, "It is necessary for every country to speed up their domestic processes and ratify the founding Energy Community Treaty."

Mr Sioufas also underlined that "Greece's aim in the context of the South-East European Cooperation Process- is to render the wider area into a single territory, attracting investments in the field of energy and other domains of Economy, aimed at providing high quality energy products and services."

Referring to the construction of the Bourgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline, a venture promoted by Greece, Bulgaria and Russian, Mr Sioufas noted:

"We thus respond to the need of yet another channel for transportation of Caspian oil to international markets through the Bosporus or other pipelines, which are already in operation or under construction." Meanwhile, he added that Greece, Turkey and Italy support the construction of two natural gas pipelines that would transfer natural gas from the Caspian Sea and the Middle East to European markets.

What is more, Mr Sioufas excluded any eventuality of building nuclear plants in Greece.

Deputy Development Minister Tasos Neratzis stressed among others that now is the time to make initiatives in order to create new infrastructure and make investments in natural gas and electricity.

Apart from Greece, the other countries that took part in the SEECP meeting were Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYROM, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Austria. USA, Russia and Moldova participated in the meeting as monitors.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] Departure After a Day's Delay

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: NET, ANA

Passengers of Friday's Olympic Airlines flight to New York departed shortly after Saturday noon with a day's delay. The flight was cancelled yesterday because the Union of Flight Attendants-Stewards decided no to work on their day off, protesting over the non-signing of the new collective contract. Passengers spent the night at a hotel near the airport and departed either with OA's Saturday flight, or with other OA transit flights via Brussels or Canada. However, some preferred to cash their tickets and depart with other air carriers.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Made by Students and Trade Unions Decision for New Demonstrations

By Vicky Keleri

Following President Jacques Chirac's decision to adopt the First Employment Contract, students and trade unions will proceed with new demonstrations and a strike next Tuesday. Upon the announcement of the law's adoption, hundreds of protestors, who had already gathered in Bastille and watched his message on a video-wall, started booing and yelling, "Chirac in prison, Villepin quit." A number of demonstrators, mostly students, some holding LCR (Revolutionary Communist League) banners or CNT (National Confederation of Labour) banners, tried to get near the presidential mansion, staging two separate rallies. More youths joined them in the process and the number of participants increased to thousands, as per AFP reporters.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] One of the Two Students in Hospital Students Brutally Beaten by the Police

Sources: NET

An amateur recorded an incident of incredible brutality with his own camera in Nicosia. The video shows three police officers brutally beating two young students, In fact, even when students are lying helpless on the ground, the policemen continue to beat them up, thinking nobody is watching. One of the two students was admitted to hospital with fractures on the face and arm. In inhabitant recorded the brutal images with his camera. On their part, the police officers claimed the students used curse words and resisted arrest. The Nicosia Public Prosecutor intervened and assigned the case to a regular examiner, while the Police are also conducting an investigation on the incident.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] During the 2nd Day of her Visit in Blackburn Protests Against Condoleezza Rice

By Vicky Keleri

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was faced with new protests during the second day of her visit in the British city of Blackburn, hometown of her British counterpart, Jack Straw. Some 200 protestors were demonstrating outside the City Hall with slogans such as "Condoleezza Rice go home," and "Condi, how many children did you kill today?" She simply waved at them raising her hand and smiling. Meanwhile, in statements, Rice admitted the USA made mistakes in Iraq, but did stand up for overthrowing Saddam Hussein and liberating "the powers of democracy in the Middle East."

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] One Dead and 10 Injured New Incidents in Eastern Turkey

By Vicky Keleri

There is no end to clashes between Kurdish protestors and the Turkish Police in Eastern Turkey. Another person lost his life today and 10 more were injured during new violent incidents today in Kiziltepe. The name of the dead man is Ahmet Aratz, and he is the eight person to have lost his life since last Tuesday. During the incidents in Kiziltepe, protestors torched the branch of a major bank and a building housing the offices of the Governing party. Clashes were also reported in Silopi, near the borders with Iran.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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