The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-18

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Bakoyannis-Alavanos Meeting Foreign Policy in Cabinet

Sources: NET - NET 105.8 - ANA

The Greek Cabinet is convening on Monday morning at Maximos Mansion, headed by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, to discuss the current developments in foreign policy matters. Earlier, FM Dora Bakoyannis had met with SYN (Coalition of the Left) President Alekos Alavanos, as part of her contacts with party leaders to brief them on national matters. The meeting focused on Turkeys European prospects, the situation in the Balkans, the developments in the issue with Cyprus and the Greek-Turkish relations. Alavanos pointed out differences of views and opinions on various matters; however, he noted the need for dialogue.

As Alavanos noted after the meeting, he raised three matters with the FM:

Firstly, Turkeys European progress towards the EU should be accompanied by specific steps, focusing on the issue with Cyprus.

Secondly, he voiced his concerns over the situation in Iran, asking for a political solution, as opposed to the USs stance.

Thirdly, he noted the need to continue funding the Palestinians, as the opposite would trigger imbalance in the Palestinian Authority, giving rise to chaos.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[02] In View of Easter Continual Market Inspections

Sources: NET - NET 105.8

The Easter shopping rush is continuing, with consumers making last-minute buys for the festive feast. At the same time, the market inspections are becoming more frequent, aiming to protect consumers. The inspectors are mainly targeting imported meats that have been labelled Greek, as well as incidents of profiteering. On Tuesday morning, Development Ministry panels imposed 350-euros fines on two fishmongers, two butchers and a supermarket in Piraeus for posting misleading tags. Meantime, a SDOE (Economic Fraud Squad) panel performed spot checks at Rentis Market early on Tuesday morning.

Athens-Piraeus Prefect in Rentis

The traditional lamb is being sold at around the same price as last year; however, the prices for fruit, vegetables and seafood are a bit high.

The price for local baby lamb is at 10.49 euros per kg, while the price of tomatoes is at 2.50 euros and shallots at 1.20 euros.

Athens-Piraeus Prefect Fofi Gennimata visited the Rentis Meat Market on Tuesday morning, accompanied by Piraeus Prefect Giannis Michas and Athens Prefect Giannis Sgouros. Ms Gennimata reassured the public that the market inspections would continue.

She also called on the merchants to keep the price of lamb low, since Tuesday and Wednesday will see the bulk of consumers buying meat.

In the meantime, a PASOK panel, headed by the partys coordinator for Growth, Competitiveness and Consumer Policy, Anna Diamantopoulou, met with Piraeus Prefect Giannis Michas at 10am. It then visited Piraeus Market, where they talked with consumers and merchants, and were briefed on the prices.

In statements she made, Anna Diamantopoulou spoke of extremely high prices, claiming that the Easter feast will cost consumers 13% more than last year.

"The Government cannot control profiteering, which is skyrocketing," she stressed, urging the relevant bodies, as well as consumers, to become more active.

Violations in Thessaloniki

Meanwhile, Thessaloniki Prefecture inspectors located flour containing live insects, expired yoghurts, salads and paprika, as well as fish labelled as Greek and forged paperwork accompanying meat products in inspections performed in supermarkets, pastry shops, open-air markets and fish markets over the last three days.

In addition, some of the open-air market merchants were selling some products, including tomatoes and peppers, at prices higher than those recommended.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

To the Beat of Easter

[03] 0.8%-Lead for ND New Greek Opinion Poll

Sources: NET - NET 105.8

As per the latest nationwide opinion poll conducted by GPO on behalf of TV channel MEGA, New Democracy leads PASOK (Socialist Party) by 0.8%. The governing party received 34% in voter intention, as opposed to 33.2% for PASOK, 7% for KKE (Greek Communist Party), 3% for SYN (Coalition of the Left) and 4.8% for LAOS (Popular Orthodox Party). In the same opinion poll, 46% of those asked believe that Kostas Karamanlis is more suitable for the position of Prime Minister, followed by 34.8% for George Papandreou. It is worth noting that more that half, 50.2%, described the economic reforms promoted by the Government as significant. On the other hand, though, 69.9% of those asked declared very or somewhat dissatisfied with the Governments economic policy. In addition, it is quite interesting that 79% believe the social security system is in urgent need of reform. Finally, 61.7% oppose arbitrary dismissals in combination with simultaneous state aid based on the Swedish model.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[04] Ferry Sinks in Indonesia Lost at Sea

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: Reuters

Around 100 people who were onboard an Indonesian ferry that sank late on Monday near Rote Island, 1,900 km east of Jakarta, are still missing. Only 15 passengers have been rescued so far off the coast of east Timor, while the aerial and sea search is continuing. According to the authorities, the number of passengers may be higher, since they do not have exact information on the number of tickets. Ferries are a popular and cheap means of transport between the 17,000 islands of Indonesia, but safety standards are not strictly enforced. In addition, according to the relatives of the passengers, the fated ferry was overcrowded.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Depending on her Schedule State Department on Rice's Visit

By Tina Valaoura

The State Department avoided confirming the details of the US State Secretarys possible upcoming visit to Athens. Condoleezza Rice "certainly looks forward to travelling to Greece at some point," declared State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack. A little later, Washington sources clarified that the visit will depend on the State Secretarys travel schedule.

However, Condoleezza Rice will visit Sofia after Orthodox Easter to attend the proceedings to the NATO Foreign Ministers Summit, scheduled for 27 and 28 April. Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis will also participate in the Summit and the two of them will meet on the sidelines of the proceedings. Rice is also expected to hold talks with Turkish FM Abdullah Gul, who postponed his visit to Washington last month, citing health reasons.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Illegal Trade of Antiquities in Schinousa Complex and Complicated Case

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

Minister of Culture Giorgos Voulgarakis described the case of the villa in Schinousa, as one of the most complex and complicated of illegal trade of antiquities. Moreover, he publicised a list with 99 objects found in the villa and committed to forming an evaluation committee for recording, dating and authenticating the findings. The list included objects from the Hellenistic to the post-Byzantine era, with some isolated prehistoric findings, which have not yet been identified.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Following a Bomb Threat Alarm in OSE

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

Police forces are on alert following a bomb threat in an Intercity train. The call, which was made to the Hellenic Railways Association (OSE) station in Thessaloniki, warned that an explosive device was placed in a train en route from Thessaloniki to Alexandroupolis. The train was immediately immobilised at the station of Drama, where forces of the police and Fire Service arrived, as well as special trained dogs so that they check the carriages. The 95 passengers continued their trip to their destination on KTEL buses.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Mounting Tension Fears for Israeli Retaliation

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA - BBC - Reuters

Tension prevails in the Palestinian Territory, just one day after the bloody suicide attack in Tel Aviv that killed nine people, as Israel has already warned of an impending response. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is meeting with the ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Public Security to discuss the measures against the Palestinian Authority. Israeli government sources have mentioned that the army leaders are awaiting the green light for attacks, while the Palestinians already got a taste of whats in store during the night. An air raid targeting a metal workshop was recorded in Gaza, while 21 people were arrested in the West Bank. The father of the 21-year-old suicide bomber was among those arrested. At the same time, the Israeli police are on alert for fear of new attacks. Strong military forces have been deployed in the streets of Jerusalem and along the Green Line separating the Israeli territory from the West Bank. The international community condemned the bloodshed. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, asked the Palestinian Authority to implement harsh measures against violence, while Washington warned Hamas government to stop defending such actions.

Strict Prevention Measures

Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for Mondays attack against a Tel Aviv restaurant. The attack was the bloodiest recorded in Israel since 31 August 2004 in Beer Sheva, in the southern part of the country, where 16 people were killed. Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for the last eight attacks against Israel.

On Monday, Defence Minister Saul Mofaz, as well as the leaders of the Israeli army, proposed to isolate the northern parts of the West Bank from the rest of the Palestinian Territory and continue the operations against the Islamic Jihad. Mofaz wants to obstruct the Palestinians from travelling between Jenin (from where Mondays attack originated) and Tulkaren to Nablus and Ramallah. The police, however, are aiming to implement added measures to stop West Bank Palestinians from crossing over to Israel in search of work.

Quartet Convenes

With the tension in the Palestinian Territory mounting dangerously, UN Secretary General Kofi Anna declared Monday that he asked the EU and Russia to meet next month in the context of the efforts to promote peace in the Middle East. The Quartet will convene on 9 May in New York to discuss ways to implement the directives of the Road Map, which provides for peaceful coexistence of an Israeli and a Palestinian state.

On the other hand, the USA warned Hamas government that any future support for terrorist acts would result in serious consequences.

"We have noted reactions by several Palestinian terrorist groups, including Hamas, that defend or even applaud these barbaric actions, as we have noted President Abbas swift denunciation of it," noted State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack. "Defense of terrorist acts by officials of the Palestinian cabinet undoubtedly will effect relations between the Palestinian Authority and all states seeking peace in the Middle East," he underlined.

A little latter, Washington asked Qatar (a close ally) to provide explanations for the $50 million aid it aims at granting to the Palestinian Authority, despite the USs pleas to stop funding Hamas, which condones the destruction of Israel.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Massacre in Tel Aviv

[09] New Threats by Ahmadinejad Iran Discussed at the IAEA

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA - Reuters

On Tuesday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will meet in Vienna to review Mohamed El-Baradeis findings, following his recent visit to Iran. An Iranian delegation will not participate in the discussion, as it was not deemed necessary at this point. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany will attend a private reception in Moscow to discuss the same issue.

"Iran Is Prepared"

At the same time, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad defended his countrys choices once again, warning that Iran is prepared to face any military threat whatsoever.

"The army must always be equipped and ready, and have mastered the latest technology, to respond to any aggression," noted Ahmadinejad, adding, "We want peace, security and progress for all people, in particular the countries of the region and our neighbours."

On the other hand, White House spokesperson Scott McClellan voiced the USs concerns over Tehrans announcement that it is presently conducting research on a P2 centrifuge, which can enrich uranium quickly, urging the UN Security Council to take action against Iran.

"If the statements prove to be true, it would be a very serious concern. [] Such violations and failures by the regime to comply with its international obligations run contrary to the regimes claims that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes," declared McClellan.

Moreover, China voiced its concerns over the escalating international dispute; however, it noted to Iranian officials that Deputy FM Cui Tiankai is hoping for a negotiable solution.

In addition, the Chinese official urged Iran and the other countries to avoid disputes.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Call for Direct Talks with Iran

[10] To Be Ratified in May Estonia Says 'Yes' to EU Constitution

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

Estonia will be ratifying the EU Constitution in May, as decided by the leaders of the three parties making up the government coalition. "The final voting for the European Constitution will take place in May," noted Meelis Atonen, Vice-President of the Reform Party, which along with the Centre Party and the Peoples Union hold the majority in Parliament. However, the ratification of the EU Constitution has hit a brick wall following France and the Netherlands No in 2005. That was when many other countries postponed their referendums (UK, Poland, Portugal, Denmark, Czech Republic and Ireland), or proceeded through Parliament (Sweden and Finland). Up until now, the Constitution has been ratified by 13 countries, but it will only come into effect if it is ratified by all the EU25.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[11] Measuring 5 on the Richter Scale Another Quake on Zakynthos

Sources: ANA

A new quake measuring 5 on the Richter scale was recorded at 6:55am Tuesday morning with the same epicentre off the coast of Zakynthos as the previous tremors of the last few days. No damages have been reported to the police.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[12] Meeting with the US's Special Envoy Papandreou Holds Talks on Kosovo

Sources: ANA

PASOK President George Papandreou is meeting with the USs special envoy to the Kosovo final-status talks, Frank Wisner, on Tuesday afternoon. In addition, the partys National Council secretary, Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou, will meet with representatives of employees at sugar factories at 11am.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article