The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] "It Promotes the Greek Culture" Greek PM at the FHW

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ANA

Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis visited Saturday morning the Foundation of the Hellenic World (FHW), escorted by Cultural Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis. Mr Karamanlis toured the Foundations premises, where the advanced virtual reality technology takes visitors a trip back to antiquity, sciences and history. Mr Karamanlis also visited the exhibition entitled "Is there an Answer to Everything? A journey to the world of Greek mathematics," an exhibition dealing with the development of mathematics and mathematical thought in the ancient Greek world. In his statements, Mr Karamanlis did not hide his enthusiasm over the remarkable work done there, underlining that the Foundation promotes the Greek culture through the use of digital means and new technologies.

"The scientific and at the same time impressive way the long course of the Greek culture is presented is of pivotal importance, since it makes the teaching of our [Greek] history a recreational and educational game for the youths. The Foundation of the Hellenic World is a typical example of how much private initiation in the education and culture sector has to offer," Mr Karamanlis argued.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] At a Good Price Mother-In-Law Up for Sale

By Despina Hristopoulou

42-year-old Briton Steve Owen is selling his 50-year-old mother-in-law, as he could not more stand her nagging. It all began when Caroline Allen decided to leave the US and move to the UK, near her 35-year-old daughter Tracy, Steves wife. However, she did not stay for long in her new house. She frequently visited her daughters house and made remarks to her son-in-law. He could not put up with her and thought that the best solution was to sell her. So, he put her up for auction on eBay and placed her in the collectables and weird stuff, not forgetting to post her picture. He was so desperate to get rid of her that the bid price was only 1.5 euros, as he wrote that she is used! The main prerequisite for her sale is her transport back to the US. So that he made the offer more attractive he noted that she is friendly with animals and eats well. This was not an April fools joke; Steve is very serious and voiced the hope that someone will relieve him from her presence as she is single and very attractive.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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[03] Dialogue on Social Security after Easter

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: NET-ANA

The Greek Government will proceed with the reform on the social security issue in collaboration with the social partners and the political parties shortly after the Easter festivities. Employment Minister Savvas Tsitouridis appeared optimistic over the course of the dialogue aiming to work out a solution to the social security issue. Mr Tsitouridis also referred to the restructuring of DEKOs (public utilities and enterprises), underscoring that the restructuring will go all the way.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] By the General Secretary of KKE Critique on Education

Sources: NET, ANA

The Lisbon Strategy and the restructures in educational systems were at the focus of the European meeting of Communist and Labour Parties taking place in KKEs offices, in Perissos. "The reactionary reforms beginning to materialise in Greece as of 1997 with the PASOK Government are continuing with the Government of New Democracy," said the General Secretary of the party, Aleka Papariga, speaking in the beginning of the proceedings. The main concern of the governments, stated Mrs Papariga, is the class differentiation of mandatory education and continued on saying that KKE proposed for the establishment of a Unified Twelve-Year Basic Mandatory school, as a continuation to the two-year mandatory preschool education and main prerequisite for any type of professional education.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] For the Attica Piraeus Prefectural Elections Candidates are Gennimata, Sgouros and Michas

Sources: NET 105.8, ΝΕΤ, ANA

On Saturday evening, PASOK President George Papandreou announced the candidacies of Fofi Gennimata for the Athens Piraeus Super-Prefecture, as well as Giannis Sgouros for the Athens Prefecture and Giannis Michas for the Piraeus Prefecture. "We are renewing our trust in a successful team," said Mr Papandreou following a 2-hour meeting with Mrs Gennimata and Messrs Sgouros and Michas, at Kastri, while voicing his optimism over their re-election. Moreover, the President of PASOK stressed his partys decisiveness to fight for positive and victorious results in the three big municipalities and the Super-Prefecture. The meeting was necessary following Press articles rumouring that Mrs Gennimata vetoed Mr Sgouros participation in the team, which was not accepted by the PASOK President. The meeting was attended by President of the Partys Electoral Procedures Committee Alekos Papadopoulos, Political Councils Coordinator for Local Self Administration Thodoros Pagalos, who held a lengthy talk with Mrs Gennimata and PASOK Press spokesperson Nikos Athanasakis.

Earlier, PASOK secretary Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou had blasted the Government, on the occasion of the two-day event on the role of Local Governments in Europe organised Saturday and Sunday by the Socialist group of the European Parliament in collaboration with PASOK.

Mrs Xenogiannakopoulou said that the recent amendment weakened the Kapodistrias plan and accused the Government of abandoning the Greek countryside.

"Being in Opposition, ND opposed any reforms on Local Governments launched by PASOK. But as a Government, it is weakening the Local Government despite its claims," pointed out the Secretary of PASOKs National Council Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou.

PASOK, claimed Mrs Xenogiannakopoulou is proposing an alternative path with decentralisation being its keynote pillar. Local Governments will have to serve the goals of a viable growth, she added.

Referring to the PMs Friday speech, she claimed he will continue a one-sided and anti-populist policy () and although he speaks of a social centre, he convinces no one.

In his speech, PASOK PM Theodoros Pangalos termed Local Governments as one of the three pillars of Democracy the way PASOK conceives it, adding that PASOK does not wish for a state that is used by the oligarchy in its strive to stripe the working class and the people of their rights.

"We favour decentralisation, because we are modern," underlined Mr Pangalos and went on to argue that PASOK does not want Local Governments to be financially dependent on the state lest it manipulates them.

[06] 24yo in Critical Condition 21yo Gunman in Custody

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA, Chania Local News

Following his deposition on Saturday, the 21-year-old from Zoniana, who shot and seriously injured 24-year-old Anastasios Chairetis on the head and a 16-year-old student outside of a school in Anogia, will remain in custody by a unanimous decision by the examiner and Prosecutor. In his deposition the perpetrator, who is facing charges of intentional manslaughter, illegal possession and usage of a handgun, stated that he was not intending to shoot the two youths and is shocked over the outcome of the case. He also said that following a car accident he was attacked by two residents of the area. In the meantime, 24-year-old Anastasios Chairetis is still in critical condition and hospitalised in the ICU of Venizeleion Hospital, while the 16-year-old student is out of danger.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Greek-Chinese Shipping Cooperation First Chinese Ship Sails in Piraeus

Sources: NET, ANA

A new era in Greek-Chinese relations has begun as of Saturday morning with the arrival of the first Chinese shipping giant COSCO in the port of Piraeus. "River Elegance" sailed in the cargo base of Eleftherios Venizelos, in Ikonio, Piraeus, loaded with 580 containers and materialising the commerce cooperation between Greece and China, which was signed during Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis visit to Beijing, in January. This is the first out of the 11 cargo ships that will connect Greece and China and which are expected to boost commerce relations between the two countries. The aim of the Greek Mercantile Marine Ministry by this cooperation is the greatest utilisation of the countrys port infrastructures.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Spraying Garbage Piles

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

The strike of municipality employees is continuing for the fifth day, resulting in garbage forming piles around the bins in the capital and city centre streets. In the City of Athens, where 1,400 tonnes of garbage are collected daily, efforts are being made for facing the problem with sprayings and collecting garbage in big bags, in order to control the stench and disinfect sidewalks. The biggest problem is faced by densely inhabited areas such as Pangrati, Kypseli, Peristeri and Chalandri. The Panhellenic Federation of Workers Associations of the Local Government (POEOTA) will convene on Sunday so to decide if the collective actions will continue. The main demands of the employees are their integration in heavy and health hazardous occupations and substantial sectoral rises. In the case that the strike is suspended, garbage collection will begin as of Monday, while for every day of a strike two days are needed for garbage collection.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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Tonnes of Rubbish

[09] Panionios Returned to Wins

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Sources: ANA

Panionios earned an important and difficult win by defeating Kolossos Rhodes 74-72, in a game for the 22nd round of A1 Basketball. The team returned to the wins after a series of four consecutive defeats and stayed in the chase for the top eight teams, which leads to the play-offs. Nikos Linardos team has climbed up to 8th place with 32 points, one more than AEK which is playing with Maroussi on Sunday. The score of the ten-minute periods: 21-14, 33-26, 44-45, 74-72.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Difficult Win for PAOK

By Vasilis Kalpinos

PAOK took another step to fastening in 6th place of standings by defeating Apollon Patras 88-79, in a game for the 22nd round of the A1 Basketball. The score of the ten-minute periods: 21-22, 47-40, 66-58, 88-79.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Win for Iraklis

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Iraklis took a step towards staying in A1 Basketball by defeating GS Larissa 85-83, in a game for the 22nd round. Actually, this was the first away win for Iraklis in the Championship. The score of the ten-minute periods: 18-24, 39-45, 57-64, 83-85.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] With the Style of a Champion

By Stathis Petropoulos

Olympiacos overcame Michalis Konstantinous absence with five different scorers and crushed Egaleo 5-1 in Karaiskakis Stadium, in a game which was the best painkiller for the bad performance and the defeat in Kaftatzogleio. Trond Sollied may have been troubled over how to stress the importance of the game to his players; however, he was not expecting to find such good solutions, in a period that the team from Piraeus seemed to be going through a bad phase. A good game is always apparent from its beginning! The goals were scored by Kafes in the 6, Stoltidis in the 51, Djordjevic in the 53, Okkas in the 59 and Castillo in extra time, while the goal for Egaleo was scored in the 51 by Papoutsis.

Referee: Karatzas (Euboea) Yellow cards: Castillo

OLYMPIACOS: Nikopolidis, Pantos, Anatolakis, Schurrer, Bulut, Kafes, Stoltidis (76 Maric), Toure (87 Taralidis), Babaginda, Okkas, Djordjevic (81 Castillo).

EGALEO: Kieszek, Papoutsis, Zapropolos, Omo, Educei, Agritis, Maric, Skopelitis, Tsatsos (25 Labropoulos), Moustogiannis (46 Jancetic), Nikolopoulos (63 Saganas).

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[13] Panellinios Defeated Makedonikos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Panellinios took another step to fastening in 4th place of standings by defeating Makedonikos 80-69, in a game for the 22nd round of A1 Basketball. On the other hand, the "greens" from Kozani following this defeat, have fallen in the dangerous zone of relegation. The score of the ten-minute periods: 22-25, 40-37, 55-58, 69-80.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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