The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] While Addressing PASOK Party Officials

11 Feb 2008 21:24:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA

While addressing his partys officials, George Papandreou, the President of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) heralded PASOKs political will back the employees struggles both in Parliament and in the roads so that the anti-labour policy masterminded by the Conservative government would be toppled. Papandreou branded the Karamanlis administration as dangerous for Greeces progress, underlining that the scandals stem from its policy, since it pursues to support the strong and its own people. Touching on the Zahopoulos scandal, the Socialist leader spoke of a "DVD of extortions and transactions between the government and third parties. He then went on to stress that when the Prime Minister says that everything will come to light, he means that all legal proceedings will be halted. He also noted that Karamanlis goal is to nourish confusion to conceal his anti-labour policies. With regard to the pension system, Papandreou blasted the Government for not implementing the Reppa Act, while he wanted to what the estates of the Funds are and why the Government does not provide evidence. "For PASOK, the pension problem is the systems funding and the need to keep it public and viable," said Papandreou.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Bakoyannis' Message to the Neighbouring Country

11 Feb 2008 21:56:00 (Last updated: 11 Feb 2008 23:06:41)

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA

Diplomatic talks on the FYROM name dispute are feverish, in view of the new proposal due to be submitted on Tuesday by UN envoy Matthew Nimetz. Pursuing to avoid any implications in the NATO enlargement drive, Washington has been encouraging both sides to find a mutually acceptable solution. In the meantime, Greeces Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, who is in Malta attending the opening EU-Arab League summit, called on FYROM anew to give up on their intransigence.

"It Is Time for Serious Negotiations"

Speaking to journalists, Bakoyannis referred to her forthcoming trip to Washington to put forwards Greeces stance on the issues of FYROM and Kosovo. The Greek Foreign Minister urged the FYROM President, Branko Crvenkovski, to stop being intransigent and live up to the challenge for serious negotiations."

Asked to comment on a statement by Crvenkovski, whereby the constitutional name of his country is a "red line," Dora Bakoyannis said: "Mr Crvenkovski is aware that his countrys future, as well the future of all the countries in the region, will be shaped within an environment of safety and cooperation. Good neighbourly relations are the basis for such an environment. Good neighbourly relations with Greece are important to FYROM. Our goal is to move to the bottom of the talks. It is not time for high tones and intransigence. Instead, it is time for serious negotiations. We [Greece] call on Mr Crvenkovski to live up to this challenge."

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

FYROM's New Provocation

[03] 9/11 Attacks Mastermind Charged

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

The US Pentagon said Monday that charges were pressed against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the 11 September attacks and five other Guantanamo prisoners. Mohammed had admitted a year before he had masterminded thirty hits or plans to hit, including the 11 September attacks that claimed more than 3,000 lives in 2001. However, although the US military prosecutors will seek to execute them, it may take six months before a trial commences.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Sarkozy's Approval Rating Drops Anew

Sources: REUTERS

Nicolas Sarkozys approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since he was elected president of France nine months ago, two opinion polls showed on Monday. A monthly IPSOS poll for weekly Le Point said support for Sarkozy had fallen 10 points to 39 percent in February, and a CSA poll for daily Le Parisien and i&gt;Tele television said it had fallen six points in a month to 42 percent.

The IPSOS poll of 944 people carried out on February 8 and 9 said Sarkozys approval rating had fallen from 49 percent a month earlier. The number of respondents who disapproved of Sarkozy rose 9 percentage points to 58 percent from 49 percent.

The CSA poll of 1,004 people, conducted on Feb. 6 and 7, also found Fillons popularity had grown, rising 5 points to 47 percent, while the number of respondents who did not trust Sarkozy had increased to 52 percent from 45 percent.

In both polls, Sarkozys approval rating was the lowest since he won Frances presidential election in May.

[05] Yahoo Says No to Microsoft

Sources: Associated Press

Yahoo Inc. spurned Microsoft Corp.s $44.6 billion takeover bid as inadequate Monday, betting that it can elicit a higher offer from the worlds largest software maker or find another way to deliver a comparable payoff to its shareholders. The rebuff by the slumping Internet pioneer had been widely anticipated after word of Yahoos intention was leaked during the weekend. In its formal response, Yahoo said its board had concluded Microsofts unsolicited offer "substantially undervalues" the Sunnyvale-based company. Yahoo indicated it could be lured to the negotiating table if Microsoft ups the ante, without mentioning the price it has in mind. "The board of directors is continually evaluating all of its strategic options in the context of the rapidly evolving industry environment and we remain committed to pursuing initiatives that maximize value for all stockholders," Yahoo said in a statement.

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