The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-05-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Dialogue Begins at Parliament Strikes over Social Security

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

The dialogue on the reformation of the social security system begins at Parliaments relevant committees of Social Affairs and Economics on Thursday. The Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) is posing a series of issues and mainly the reinforcement of funds and respect of collective work contracts. It is giving a Press conference in a central hotel titled "Announcements Declarations on the Social Security Issue" at 11:30, while the Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions (ADEDY) will clear up its positions at 13:00.

[02] At Maximos Mansion Focused on Constitutional Review

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

The Governments proposal on the review of the Constitution is expected within the coming days. Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Minister for the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation Prokopis Pavlopoulos discussed the finalization of the plan during a two-hour meeting at Maximos Mansion. Following the end of the meeting, Mr Pavlopoulos did not wish to give details on the proposals and referred to the meeting of New Democracys Parliamentary Group, where they will be presented and the relevant announcements will be made. As per sources, the meeting will take place next Thursday. The main axes of the review are modern education, securing of the Justices independence, protection of the environment, transparency in all sectors and the effective protection of ownership.

[03] Efforts to Decide on Draft Resolution Crucial Meeting Over Iran

Sources: Reuters, BBC

Tehran threatens to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty if Washington continues to spearhead action against Irans nuclear programme. Irans President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a letter to US President George W. Bush proposing new ways to resolve "the current vulnerable situation in the world", government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham said on Monday. What is more, the Foreign Ministers of the UN Security Council permanent members and Germany, as well as EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana are meeting in New York on Monday in an effort to chart a common course on a UN Security Council resolution that would order Tehran to suspend its nuclear programs. Meanwhile, French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who talked over the phone on Sunday night, are in favour of a resolution that would oblige Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment process.

France and Germany Agree

Chirac and Merkel agreed the draft resolution had to have a "compulsory" character to force Iran to respect its international obligations. Both also reiterated the crisis should be solved by diplomatic means and dialogue, a French presidency source said.

US President George Bush renewed the pressure on Iran by saying Ahmadinejad's threats to "wipe Israel off the map" should be taken seriously. "This is a serious threat, aimed at an ally of the United States and Germany," he told German Bild am Sonntag newspaper. While reiterating that all options for stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons were on the table, Bush said he believed a diplomatic solution was possible if the international community worked hard and remained united. "Iran represents a challenge. And I want your readers to know that I want and believe that we can solve this diplomatically," Bush said. The five UN Security Council permanent members are trying to reach an agreement on how to deal with Iran's nuclear programme, but Russia and China vehemently oppose the implementation of Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which will pave the way for sanctions and military action.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] On 8 14 May International Anti-Nuclear Festival

Sources: ANA, NET 105.8

The 1st International Anti-Nuclear Festival is being organised on 8 14 May, in Rhodes, twenty years after the nuclear blast at Chernobyl, and is aimed at raising awareness of the public on the nuclear issue, as well as the formation of a "globalised" anti-nuclear movement. The Mediterranean Anti-Nuclear Watch was founded in 2005, based in Rhodes, by an initiative of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE). Its mission is to watch the nuclear industrial activities, inform the public on the dangers of the nuclear threat and promote renewable sources of energy.

The festival will include events, activities, discussions, film screenings, concerts, plays, and a peace march on 13 May from the Ancient Stadium to the City Hall Square. In addition, an international symposium on 12 and 13 May will take place with the subject "We have the right to live in a nuclear-free world" coordinated by journalists Stelios Kouloglou and Giannis Diakogiannis.

Related Links:

Mediterranean Anti-Nuclear Watch

[05] With Daily Work Stoppages Judicial Employees on Strike

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA

On Thursday and Friday, judicial employees are staging two-hour work stoppages from 13:00 until 15:00, whilst announcing the culmination of their collective actions on 7, 8 and 9 June, when they will stage a three-day strike. Their demands are new hires for filling empty positions of judicial employees, improvement of work conditions, upgrade of salaries and the non-increase of pension age limits by the Lawyers Fund.

In addition, lawyers will stage a nationwide 24-hour warning strike on 22 May, protesting over the strictness of penalties imposed by judges, while they will not attend Misdemeanors Courts in the case that trials are suspended after 15 May 2006. The announcement by the Plenary Session of Lawyers Associations referred to the existence of a "climate of insecurity and fear amid judges, which is received daily by the citizens, with the imposed, in many cases, severe, medieval penalties without undergoing any disciplinary inspection whatsoever."

[06] Stathis' Trial Postponed

By Athina Saloustrou

The trial of former First Instance President Leonidas Stathis, which was to begin today, has been postponed for 5 June. Stathis and 10 other lawyers from Athens and Thessaloniki are charged with bribery and money laundering. The trial was postponed after a relevant appeal of the former justice's lawyer, who could not attend it. As per the brief, from March 2001 until late 2004, Stathis was bribed with sums of money reaching 161,000 euros in order to issue 18 favourable rulings. The other 10 lawyers are charged with depositing those sums in the former justice's five bank accounts. The court denied Stathis' motion to be released on bail and decided to prolong his stay in prison for another six months. Meanwhile, issuing an announcement in view of the trial, the Athens Bar Association called on all justices and prosecutors assigned with the case to perform their duties unaffected by political purposes, stressing the Association will not allow innocent people be victimised.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] Following the Rejection of D'Alema by Berlusconi Prodi Proposed New Candidate

By Athina Saloustrou

Following the rejection of Romano Prodis first choice by Silvio Berslusconi, the government coalition proposed a new candidate for the Presidency of Italy. The centre-left coalition of Romano Prodi proposed 80-year-old Giorgio Napolitano for candidate for the countrys presidency. An announcement issued by Prodi referred to the proposal for Napolitano, stating that it was made following an agreement with Massimo DAlema, who was Prodis first choice, but rejected by Berlusconi. The MPs and regional representatives are convening on Tuesday and will begin the electoral procedure of the new President of the Republic.

[08] 2 April Elections Unconstitutional Thais Vote Once Again

As one of the 14 judges stated to journalists, the Thai Administrative Court ruled the 2 April general elections as unconstitutional and decided on the repeat of the electoral process. "The Constitutional Court voted 8 to 6 that the elections were unconstitutional and voted 9 to 5 to hold a new election," said Judge Ura Wangomklang. A formal announcement by the court is expected later on in the day.

[09] Press Conference on Results Alogoskoufis Over ECOFIN

Sources: ANA

Greek Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis will give a Press Conference at 12:00 CET to assess the results of Eurogroup and Ecofin meetings. Meanwhile, the social and political dialogue on social security is to open this Thursday at the common meeting of the Parliament's Standing Committees on Economic and Social Affairs. The Ministers of Economy and Employment will call on the Opposition and social partners to appoint representatives at the committee that will study the social security system.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[10] No Reports on Victims or Damages Quake in Sumatra

A quake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale occured on Monday morning in north Sumatra, Indonesia, but there are no reports on victims or damages. The Jakarta Meteorology and Geophysics Agency announced the epicenter of the tremor was located in the Indian Ocean at a depth of 33 kilometres, some 30km south of Tapaktuan, at the west coast of Sumatra.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[11] Eight Persons Burned Alive Fire in Thai Nightclub

Sources: ANA, MPA

Eight persons lost their lives and 54 others wounded by a fire that broke out in a nightclub at the beach of Pattaya, Thailand. The casualties were bar employees, as the fire broke out before customers arrived in the nightclub. As per the police, the fire broke out at 21:00 local time at entertainment complex "Route 999," which hosts a disco, pub and a strip club. The causes of the tragedy are being investigated; however initial indications are pointing to a short-circuit.

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