The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] In "The Hour of the Prime Minister"

08 Feb 2008 09:53:00 (Last updated: 08 Feb 2008 15:44:36)

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Current issues triggered debate between Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and PASOK President George Papandreou during the "Hour of the Prime Minister" that took place Friday in Parliament. Karamanlis answered to PASOK and SYNs questions regarding the privatizations in the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE), Olympic Airlines and the Public Power Corporation (PPC). Referring to current burning issues, Papandreou said that SIEMENS case is being concealed and asked for the setting up of a committee of inquiry. He then went on to ask the Karamanlis why he did not unveil Tatoulis letters and did not appear before the Parliaments Standing Committee on Cultural and Educational Affairs. The Prime Minister reiterated that the Court is handling the case and everything is going to be unveiled. He made clear that after the completion of the investigation, the Greek Parliament can establish a committee of enquiry. Touching on environmental issues, Papandreou asked the Prime Minister if he has taken into consideration the effects coal units employed by the PPC have on the environment. Karamanlis answered that there has not been made an agreement yet, even though PASOK parliamentary members, he said, want the work to proceed.

As per PPC privatizations, SYN president Alekos Alavanos accused the government of selling state interest corporations and in order to make them more appealing to possible buyers the government is firing employees. The Prime Minister said that denationalizations are part of the governments strategic choice and accused Alavanos that SYN lacks proposals and keeps a negative stance on every effort towards modernization.

[02] Koukodimos Case Closed

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8

The case against Conservative deputy Kostas Koukodimos was closed. Koukodimos had been accused by high-profile Greek journalist Makis Triantafyllopoulos of acting on behalf of Special Control Directorate head Spyros Kladas, requesting the case of 5.5 million euros found in journalist Themos Anastasiadis bank account close. As per information, upon completing the criminal investigation into the case, the Prosecutors report to the First Instance Court Chief saw no punishable actions. Journalist Sokratis Giolias has been called on to give additional statements on coming Monday.

The lawyers of the implicating parties are examining the brief on Zahopoulos case. In the meantime, the main suspects are to be named and charged with attempted extortion and violation of the personal data Act, while at least three more people will be subpoenaed, since incriminating evidence seems to be burdening more than accused Evi Tsekou, who is already under detention. Sources said that four to five people will be charged with violation of the personal data Act and attempted extortion. According to information, the head of the Prime Ministers Press office, Giannis Andrianos, allegedly identified Themos Anastasiadis as the bearer of the much-talked about DVD. He denied, however, any attempted extortion or transaction on the part of the journalist.

In his announcement, Themos Anastasiadis said: "I am a journalist, and contrary to what has been going on lately, I never give away my sources, I am not a snitch and I never finger friends or enemies that trusted me. The DVD bearer theory will fall into pieces the same way the extortion theories did." While testifying, Themos Anastasiadis focused his attention on the source of the 5.5 million euros found in a French bank. "The money came from legal revenues," he said. Prompted by the leak of the brief, Themos Anastasiadis requested the Supreme Court Prosecutor protect him and his personal data.

In his testimony, Conservative MP Kostas Koukodimos admitted that he had met with Makis Triantafyllopoulos, attributing everything that was said about their meeting to misunderstanding."

Speaking on NET state-run radio station, the secretary of the ruling partys Parliamentary group, Giannis Tragakis, argued that it was not the DVD that forced Christos Zahopoulos to step down. He also claimed that nobody pushed Koukodimos to resign and that his decision to run as an independent MP was no one but his.

In the meantime, Zahopoulos closest friend Giorgos Mylonas told NET radio station that the whole thing was set up with a view to delivering a blow to the Government and the Prime Minister.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Rainfalls and Storms

08 Feb 2008 13:45:00 (Last updated: 08 Feb 2008 18:15:48)

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Eastern and southern Greece will start witnessing a spell of bad weather. On Friday, showers and storms are forecast to hit the eastern and southern regions of the Peloponnese, the Cyclades and Crete. Winds are to blow at a speed of 9 Beaufort.

On Saturday, apart from the aforementioned regions, storms are expected to batter central Greece, Evia, the Dodecanese and the southern villages of the eastern Aegean. Snowfalls are expected on the mountainous areas, as well as the semi-mountainous areas of Thessaly, central Greece, the Peloponnese, and Evia. Winds will be blowing at 9 to 10 Beaufort.

On Sunday, weather will keep being nasty to the east and south of the country.

As for the Attica basin, showers are forecast mainly on Saturday, while snow is expected to fall on areas more than a 500m altitude.

The Hellenic National Meteorological Service will be on standby to provide with prompt weather bulletins.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] February 16 the Enthronement

08 Feb 2008 11:02:00 (Last updated: 08 Feb 2008 18:39:53)

New page in the leadership of Greeces Orthodox Church with the election of Metropolitan of Thebes Ieronymos who won 45 of 74 votes in the second round of voting yesterday. The official sworn-in will take place next Tuesday, February 12 and his enthronement on February 16. Mr. Ieronymos visited today for the first time the offices of the Holly Synod and then went to the patriarchal residence in Palaio Psychiko. According to information he will cooperate with Metropolitan Bishop of Karistia Mr. Serfaeim. As per late archbishop Christodoulos sealed will, Ieronymos suggested to be delivered to the Court of First Instance in order to be opened. After his election yesterday, the new archbishop assured that he will preserve the synodal system of management of the Greek Church and will continue the work of Christodoulos.

Athens Prefect Visits the Archbishop

Athens Prefect Giannis Sgouros visited Friday the newly-elected Archbishop of Athens and all Greece, at the latters office in the Petraki Convent, to congratulate him on his election.

"I am here to congratulate the new Archbishop and wish, under his enlightened guidance and Gods help, for major issues pertaining to the Greek nation and Orthodox Church to be addressed," commented Sgouros while exiting the Petraki Convent.

Politicians Congratulate the Archbishop

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis sent the following letter to Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens: "Your Excellency, I was glad to hear about your election to the Throne of the Church of Greece. I am positive that you will guide the Church to carry out its historic mission as the arc of the [Greek] nations religious traditions. Voicing my most profound congratulations on your election, you can rest assured that you will find me by your side, as an honest help towards the completion of your high mission. Faithfully yours, Kostas Karamanlis."

Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos sent a letter congratulating Archbishop Ieronymos on his election. "Your Excellency, please embrace my most heartfelt congratulations on your election to the post of the Prelate of the Church of Greece. I wish God would give you strength to carry out your work, for whose success take my solidarity for granted," read his letter. Aleka Papariga, general secretary of the Greek Communist Party, also congratulated Ieronymos.

Speaking on behalf of the US embassy in Athens, the Thessaloniki-based Consulate and the American people, ambassador to Greece Daniel Speckhard also congratulated Ieronymos.

[05] Berlusconi Calls for a Single Banner

Sources: REUTERS

Silvio Berlusconi called on Italys centre-right parties on Friday to run under a single banner in Aprils election, after the main centre-left party threw down the gauntlet and said it will compete alone, without its allies. As soon as Prodis government fell, however, Berlusconis main allies, the conservative National Alliance (AN) and the far-right Northern League, quickly rallied round him again. "There will no longer be the symbol of Forza Italia or AN, this is the People of Freedom and there will be a single group in parliament," Berlusconi said. The separatist League will keep its flag and run "in federation" with the new group, he said. "People of Freedom" was the name chosen by Berlusconi fans last November to replace the old House of Freedom alliance. A question mark hangs over the Union of Christian Democrats (UDC), once the third force party in Berlusconis bloc, who have since withdrawn support and could even swap sides. Berlusconi, speaking to one of three TV channels owned by his Mediaset, said the single list was open to the UDC too, but its leader Pierferdinando Casini has ruled out such an option.

[06] Le Pen Sentenced

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA, AFP

Leader of the French far-right Jean-Marie Le Pen was sentenced Friday to a three-month suspended prison term and fined 10,000 euros for stating in 2005 that the Nazi occupation of France "was not especially inhumane." The 79-year-old far-right leader has repeatedly sentenced for making racist statements. His lawyer said his client is bound to ask him file an appeal against the court ruling. At the hearing that took place on 14 December, the Prosecutor proposed a five-month suspended jail term and a 10,000 euro fine.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Aid to Stockfarming

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA

Four new measures meaning to boost stock farming were released by Rural Development Minister Alexandros Kontos, after his meeting with the board of the Greek Milk Organisation (ELOG). Kontos called on the 150,000 families involved in the stockfarming business to forge cooperatives so that collective negotiations with industries can earn them better prices. The measures released include, redistribution of the rest of the interest-free loan of 300 million euros in favour of sheep and goat farmers and bee-keepers, balance intensification by ELOG with a view to averting adulteration in milk, cheese and meat, the setting up of a special agency run by ELOG and staffed by permanent personnel to constantly monitor the upgrading of milk quality and the reduction in production costs.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Fire in "Metropolitan" Hospital

A fire broke out at "Metropolitan" hospital in Palaio Faliro, Athens at 6:43. According to Fire Brigade services the fire started at the boiler room of the hospital in the basement. Fortunately patients were not injured and damages were not extensive. Firemen managed to put out the fire after 15 minutes the fire had started.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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