The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis-Bakoyianni Meeting

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105,8

Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyianni met with Prime-minister, Kostas Karamanlis on Saturday morning to discuss foreign policy issues in view of her trip to the US on Thursday. Mrs. Bakoyianni said:"It is a particularly delicate moment as we have entered into the final stage of talks on the Skopje name issue, underlining that there will be continuous and regular briefing on all developments. Commenting on the President of the Republic, Karolos Papoulias reference to corruption, Mrs. Bakoyianni underlined that no elected government, actually with a recent mandate can be hostage of anyone.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] In PASOK Youth Meeting

09 Feb 2008 13:39:00 (Last updated: 09 Feb 2008 17:18:37)

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA, ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105,8

In his speech during a meeting of PASOK youth, George Papandreou launched strong attack against the government. Quoting the President of the Republic, Karolos Papoulias yesterdays references about corruption and the risk of politics submission to economic interests, George Papandreou spoke of a government "not worth for Greece", for a government which cultivates corruption and is based on intransparency". He also accused the government of covering up cases underlining that although it maintains to shed light in reality it places all cases in the archive" and turns Justice into ND party sins laundry machine.

Reactions

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos response to the PASOK president was prompt. Roussopoulos blamed him for expediencies, attacking Justice, and lack of political proposals. "Papandreous repertoire is known. Unfortunately, he chose to repeat it before young people. The only thing he proved once again is that he neither realises nor can he express the worries of the youths," said Roussopoulos.

Commenting on Papandreous speech, the Greek Communist Party (KKE) issued an announcement that read: "As much as the PASOK leader is vexed, KKE will keep manifesting things they way they are. The PASOK leadership has the same anti-labour police the Conservatives follow. These two parties are parties of the capital and they will not change. As for the love-and-hate relationship between PASOK and SYRIZA, a relationship that relates to their role in centre-left scenarios, KKE will not take part. It will fight them instead."

[03] G 7 Group

09 Feb 2008 10:22:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ÁNA, French

Finance Ministers and Central Bank governors of the G7 group, the worlds richest nations which are the US, Japan, Canada, Britain, France, Germany and Italy, attended a meeting focused on global economic crisis, held in Tokyo, on Saturday. Talks focused on excessive volatility in global market, risk of slower growth pace as well as prospects of Asian economy growth and reforms in International Economic Fund. In a communiqu&#233; released after meetings in Tokyo, the Group of Seven stressed prospects for economic growth had worsened and since they last met in October, although fundamentals remained solid and the U.S. economy was likely to escape a recession. "In all our economies, to varying degrees, growth is expected to slow somewhat in the short term, reflecting wider global economic and financial developments," finance ministers and central bankers from Japan, the United States, Canada, Britain, Germany, Italy and France said in the statement. They pointed to serious risks from the U.S. property market slump and subsequent tightening of credit conditions, which has slowed the flow of money to the consumers and companies that drive the worlds economy. The statement also urged oil exporters to step up production after oil prices briefly topped $100 per barrel last month and spoke of slow growth pace in developing economies.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Headscarf Reform Approved

Sources: NET, ANA, Reuters

The Turkish Parliament gave thumbs up on Saturday for a constitutional amendment that allows young Muslim girls to have their headscarves on while in universities, said parliamentary speaker Koksal Toptan. The above amendment, which dictates that no one should be deprived of their right to higher education, is part of a constitutional revision that has to be ratified in its whole.

The amendment, which was approved by 411 votes to 103, has been interpreted in Turkey as a lift of the headscarf ban. Earlier, another reform obliging state authorities mainly offering university studies and services to provide everyone with equal treatment had been approved.

Backed by the National Action Party (MHP) in its bid to push forward these reforms, the Erdogan administration claimed that the changes defend the freedom of the Muslim female students and are part of Turkeys drive to join the EU.

Street Protest in Ankara

In the meantime, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Ankara, just a few kilometres off the Parliament building, chanting slogans against the reforms.

"We are against the lifting of this ban, we do not want to live in a religious state," argued the demonstrators.

The secularists fear that such reforms mean to divide the Turkish people, distance the nation from Europe and turn Turkey into a religious state, like the ones in the Middle East.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters: Turkish parliament lifts university headscarf ban

[05] At Least 14 People Were Killed

09 Feb 2008 16:50:00

Sources: ANA

A suicide attack against a rally staged by an opposition party in northwest Pakistan claimed the lives of 14 people and injured 24, an Interior Ministry spokesman said. Police made it clear that a suspected suicide bomber detonated the explosives, causing a powerful blast while a rally staged by the Awami National Party was in full swing. The incident took place in the town of Charsadda in North West Frontier Province. The death toll is feared to soar, as several of the injured are in critical condition.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Kosovo to Assert Independence

Kosovo is set to declare its independence from Serbia on 17 February and the decision will take effect in March, read Saturday Kosovos leading daily, Koha Ditore. The paper also claimed that there is going to be no postponement. The meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers on 18 February will consider the Kosovo issue and shape the EUs stance. As per information the newspaper cited, the EU will allow each member state to decide whether it will recognize Kosovos independence or not.

Another Kosovo daily read that, sponsored by Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, Kosovos Serbs will form their own Parliament on 15 Ferbruary in the northern part of the town of Kosovska Mitrovitsa.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] With "Kosmos tou Ependiti"

09 Feb 2008 14:00:00

By

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA

In an interview with newspaper "Kosmos tou Ependiti", newly elected Archbishop Ieronymos underlines: "We are obliged to find means to jointly proceed, in unity and concord, to the purging of morbid elements afflicting the body of the Church". The Head of the Greek Orthodox Church underlines the need for the transfer of the feeling of hope to the people. The Church has no place to promote slogans but to promote the message of its Sole Leader that Christ was resurrected therefore we must have hope even in the most difficult moments of our life. In response to question why the Church Hierarchy was convinced to elect him, Mr. Ieronymos said: "I want to believe that they approved my firm stand to maintain and strengthen synodic principal, need for unity and maybe my stated willingness for collective work.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] Although Critical Period not over yet

09 Feb 2008 11:48:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ

Health state of Marieta Yiannakou is slightly improving after having right leg amputated on Wednesday evening. However, the critical period, for doctors to be certain that infection has been totally treated, is not over yet. Former Education Minister are receiving many letters of wishes for speedy recovery from friends and Greek citizens for who are highly moved by the difficult problem she is experiencing.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] Eleven People Killed

09 Feb 2008 10:44:00

Sources: Ána, Reuters

The toll of a fire that swept through a retirement home, in the western Austrian town of Egg on Friday, is 11 residents killed and 6 injured, 3 of them is serious condition. The cause of the blaze was not immediately known, but officials said the deaths occurred from smoke inhalation. About 250 firefighters battled for some three hours to put out the blaze and 75 Red Cross workers were helping at the scene. There were 23 residents and two carers were in the building when the fire started. The town of Egg has a population of about 3.500 people.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[10] At SYN Congress this Afternoon

09 Feb 2008 10:41:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

Works of SYN party 5th regular congress continues for the third day today and will conclude on Sunday with the election of its new president. The congress is being held at the Tae Kwon Do stadium in Faliro and being attended by 1207 participants. Speeches of two contenders Fotis Koubelis and Alexis Tsipras this afternoon are expected with high interest.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[11] Repetition of Kalamarias-Olympiakos Game

By Ampelakis Spyros

After a marathon 7-hour session, Super League Disciplinary Committee ordered repetition of Apollon Kalamarias-Olympiakos game. The three-member committee agreed that Roman Walner participation in the game was against regulation but instead of validating the game in favour of Olympiakos cutting a point from the Thessaloniki team, ordered repletion of game at date and time to be set by the authority organizing the championship.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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