The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] "No Stronger Quake Is Expected" Seismic Energy on Decline

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Following an emergency meeting held Wednesday morning at the Public Works Ministry chaired by Minister Giorgos Souflias, seismologists estimated that the chances of a stronger earthquake in the area surrounding the island of Zakynthos are rather slim. "The bulk of the seismic energy was released after Tuesdays strong earthquake that hit the area," underlined both President of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organisation (OASP) Mr Makropoulos and Director of National Observatory of Athens Mr Stavrakakis. They also maintained that Professor of Geophysics from Aristotle University in Thessaloniki Mr Papazachos shares the same opinion, as he himself told them Wednesday. However, they pointed out they are on alert, closely observing the phenomenon. The Public Works Minister also appeared reassuring regarding the development of the phenomenon, underscoring that the seismologists assured him that there are faint chances of a stronger quake. Mr Souflias called on the residents not to worry, stressing the State is on alert.

No Damages on Buildings

Mr Souflias further added that the damages reported on buildings were minimal, because the island enjoys high-level antiseismic constructions.

Referring on the same issue, Mr Makropoulos noted that the initial inspections conducted on the islands buildings and schools yielded nothing but petty damages.

Seismologists of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki also appeared reassuring and underscored that the seismic energy is most likely on the decline and that no further strong quakes are to follow.

It is noted that two strong quakes measuring 4.8 and 5.7 on the Richter scale had been recorded in the same area on April 3 and 5 respectively.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Heightened Seismic Activity

[02] Four Earthquakes in 24 Hours in Zakynthos Heightened Seismic Activity

By Vagelis Theodorou

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

Once again the inhabitants of Zakynthos were frightened, as another strong earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale occurred, approximately at 20:30, on Tuesday night, in the sea region surrounding Zakynthos. Another three quakes were recorded in the same area measuring 5.7, 4.4 and 4.7 on the Richter scale. The earthquake was felt throughout western Greece, the Ionian Islands and Athens. As per the Fire Service of Zakynthos, no important damage was reported, apart for a landslide on Anapafseos Street, while no telephone call for assistance made. Moreover, no problem was created in the power network, while in Ilia Prefecture, where the quake was also felt, no damage was reported.

However, seismologists appeared reassuring. Speaking on NET 105.8 Gerasimos Chouliaras described the phenomenon as swarm earthquakes, while Giorgos Stavrakakis said to NET that the phenomenon is being observed and voiced the estimation that the chances of a bigger earthquake are slim. On his part, Professor of Geophysics from Aristotle University in Thessaloniki Kostas Papazachos stated that estimations and predictions cannot be made at this time.

It is noted that a 5.7-magnitude earthquake also shook the same area on 5 April and a 4.7 on 3 April.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Quakes Rock Zakynthos

[03] Berlusconi Asked for Recount Prodi Ready to Rule

By Athina Saloustrou

Romano Prodi delivered a message of unity, assuring he can form a viable Government, despite the slender win scored by the centre-left bloc in the Italian parliamentarian elections. As he stated Wednesday, he is most likely to form a new Government in the second fortnight of May, as soon as the new Italian President is elected. Speaking on radio station Frances Europe 1, Prodi argued that acting Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi will not attend the negotiations on the formation of the new Government. The Senate, the Lower House and the regional representatives will vote on May 12 and 13 to elect the successor of Ciampi, whose term ends on May 18. It will be probably the new President who will grant him the order to rule, Mr Prodi was quoted as saying. When ssked if he has started planning the composition of his Cabinet, Romano Prodi argued that the first meetings on the issue are already underway. On his part, outgoing PM Silvio Berlusconi is still questioning the election results and asked for a recount of the votes. He then went on to counter-propose a government coalition following the German example. However, Prodi dismissed his proposal. The centre-left alliance garnered 49.8 percent of the vote, as opposed to 49.7 percent for the centre-right bloc, counting 158 seats out of the 315 in the Senate and 348 seats out of the 630 in Parliament. The coalition of Silvio Berlusconi received 156 seats in the Senate and 281 in Parliament, while a seat has been taken up by an independent MP.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] About the Assassination of Pavlos Bakoyannis Greek FM Testifies in the 17N Trial

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8

Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis has been testifying in the 17N trial since Wednesday morning about the assassination of Pavlos Bakoyannis on September 26, 1989, by 17N members. Mr Bakoyannis referred to Pavlos Bakoyannis personality and the fights he gave to heal the wounds the civil war bequeathed Greece, underlining he was an independent spirit that fought for his beliefs through his writings. Referring on the day he was assassinated, she pointed out that Pavlos Bakoyannis said good morning to the people working in his office, even to his assassins, who fired at him several bullets to make sure he was dead. Mrs Bakoyannis noted that the defendants are not fighters of the peoples rights, but they traded upon the ideals of the Left. "Fighters of the peoples rights are outside this hall and do not fight with 45 revolvers, nor do they hold up banks," Mrs Bakoyannis concluded.

[05] Strike Enters Day Eight Piles of Rubbish

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

Municipal refuse collectors have entered day eight of their strike, while tonnes of rubbish keep piling up in major urban centres. The Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions (ADEDY) has called a four-hour work stoppage from 11am to 3pm in Athens and Thessaloniki, in support of the municipal refuse collectors. In the meantime, tension ran high outside the Ministry for the Interior between strikers and members of the Panhellenic Federation of Workers Associations of the Local Government (POE-OTA) with police officers. The strikers are staging a street protest outside the Ministry demanding a meeting with Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos to present him their claims once again. The POE-OTA members, however, appear determined to escalate their collective actions, while the presiding board of the Association has been vested the power to decide a new 24-hour strike in case no solution is found. In the meantime, the Interior Minister is presenting the new Code for Municipalities and Communities. The Code authorises local authorities to conduct local referendums on grave local issues and bolsters up the mechanisms allowing citizens to exercise control over the municipal authorities.

Pavlopoulos: "My Proposal still Stands"

Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos maintained Wednesday that his proposal for a two-month dialogue, which will determine who are to be included in the heavy and health hazardous occupations, still stands.

He further added that those who decline the prospect of a dialogue are delaying the making of decisions. He noted that their stance serves neither the interests of the employees not those of the society.

Mr Pavlopoulos also referred that after the Ano Liosia refuse dump reopened, rubbish has started been removed from Athens.

Rubbish Collection at Slow Pace

At the same time, the removal of rubbish from the Athenian streets is continuing at a rather slow pace.

Piles of rubbish are still the case in several neighbourhoods, despite the painstaking efforts of the Athens Municipality to collect it with the garbage trucks it has at its disposal.

The cleaning up of Thessalonikis streets is also continuing.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

New 24-Hour POE-OTA Strike

[06] Singing of Collective Work Contract Amid Conflicts Unrest and Strikes

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

The new national collective work contract between the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the employer unions is to be signed at 12pm amid conflicts within GSEE. All Workers Militant Front (PAME) voiced its fierce objection to the agreement, entering a conflict with GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos. At the same time, the labour unions of the wider Public Sector escalate their reactions to the reforms on DEKOs (public utilities and enterprises) and the banking sector the Government is pushing forward. In a wide-ranging meeting between GSEE and the rest of the labour Federations, a 24-hour strike was scheduled for May 4. "We wish to safeguard the right to free collective negotiations," told radio station NET 105.8 GSEE secretary Giannis Panagopoulos. "The Government will apply the legislation in force regarding the DEKOs," underlined Employment Minister Savvas Tsitouridis. The Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions (ADEDY) has scheduled a 24-hour strike for May 11, demanding minimal wages stand at 1,200 euros, certain categories of employers be included in the heavy and health hazardous occupations and pension rights be protected. Furthermore, school teachers have announced a 48-hour strike on May 10 and 11, while Technological Educational Institutes teachers have announced to stage a 24-hour strike on May 10.

[07] Aris Defeated in the End

By Ilias Papaioannou

Aris lost the opportunity to add another European Cup to its collection, as well as sealing its qualification to Euroleague, as it was defeated 73-60 by Russian Dynamo, in Charleroi Stadium. The players of Andrea Mazzon having a fantastic crowd by their side, who shook the Belgian stadium, tried to earn the win from the beginning, but the Russian team with supremacy in rebounds, thanks to Greek player Lazaros Papadopoulos and unstoppable point-shooter Popovic managed to earn their first ULEB Cup and the golden ticket to Euroleague. American Ruben Douglas was declared MVP of the final with 17 points and 3 rebounds.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] "Stop Exploitation" Radiothon for the Children

By

The humanitarian and solidarity radiothon for the millions of children around the world who fall victims of exploitation will continue until 02:00. The organisers are NET 105.8 and private radio stations throughout the country and the aim is the collection of funds for the reinforcement of UNICEFs programme. Once again the Greek people showed their sensitivity and awareness, as they donated 180,000 euros by 20:00. "The political world and the society cannot look away from the problem," noted Speaker of Parliament Anna Psarouda-Benaki to NET 105.8. The sum of 5,000 euros was donated by the Ministry of Economy and Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis, while PASOK President George Papandreou voiced his full support to UNICEFs aim and offered 30,000 euros from his partys funds.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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