The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Dora Bakoyianni Told Parliament

21 Feb 2008 14:17:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8-ÁNA/ÌPA

Negotiations at diplomatic level on Nimitz proposal on Skopje name issue are in progress in Athens, Skopje and the UN. Following briefings of political leaders and the President of the Republic, Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyianni today briefed the competent Parliament Committee on Nimitz proposal. She stressed that the new proposal provides for partial and substantial negotiations adding that Greece can exercise its veto right regarding FYROM admission to NATO in the event an agreement is not reached. On Skopje side, political leaders are meeting today to express their positions on the new proposal. In the meantime, both the government and the opposition strongly reacted against the release of the text of US envoy, Mathew Nimitz compromise proposal on the Skopje name issue. Government and Foreign Ministry spokesmen, Thodoros Roussopoulos and George Koumoutsakos respectively condemned the leakage of the text while PASOK secretary strongly criticized the Foreign Ministry.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] In Ioannina

21 Feb 2008 16:12:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias called for national unanimity and cooperation between the armed forces and citizens "as we are going through a period that one can say is difficult, but we are secure," speaking in Ioannina on Thursday at an event marking the 95th anniversary of the citys liberation from Ottoman rule. Attending an official lunch hosted on his honour Mr. Papoaulias said that we are standing in front of major challenges on a national and international level so we must unite our forces and coordinate our efforts to mutual aims. He stressed that days like today, ceremonies of heroic fights do not constitute a symbolic "preservation" of history but are a chance for contemplation and exercise of collective self awareness.

Mr. Papoulias also stated. "We owe to preserve alive the testament and precious will of the fights and the sacrifices that were necessary for Freedom and National Independence, so as not to blow the "candles of memory", so as to light the history of our Nation as an endless source of trust for the present and the future, so as to remain faithful to the principles and values that have kept alive the light of Hellenism throughout the centuries. We have to serve the principles of freedom, national independence, social justice and democracy with responsibility, unanimity and unity.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Oil Prices on Upward Spiral

21 Feb 2008 12:01:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

Weighing down Greek households, the high market prices, which followed in the wake of the recent spell of bad weather that battered Greece, have put state authorities on alert. Thing are also adversely influenced by the skyrocketing oil prices. Greeces Development Minister announced a package of measures against profiteering and exorbitant prices. At the same time, the new rise in oil prices has spooked world markets. In the New York market it closed at 100.74 dollars per barrel.

Development Minister Christos Folias and his Deputy Minister Giorgos Vlahos unveiled Thursday a package of measures aiming to combat profiteering and high market prices.

"Unfair practices will be stamped out and whoever is caught acting at the expense of consumers will pay a high price," said Folias.

The measures heralded concern all the stages agricultural and industrial trade, including imports. Really stiff penalties and intensification of inspections are the key points of the new measures.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Street Protest against Independence

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA-MPA

Hundreds of thousands of Serbs are expected to join the street protest organized by the government against Kosovos independence. The demonstrators, whose main slogan will be "Kosovo is Serbia," will start gathering outside the Parliament building at about 1800 hours (local Greek time). The organisers goal is to peacefully manifest "the unity of the people against a wrongdoing masterminded by the USA and the EU." Having made the fight against Kosovos independence the cornerstone of his policy, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica will be the key speaker. Serbias President Boris Tadic, who also objects Kosovos move yet champions his countrys EU bid, is likely to be absent as he is visiting Romania, one of the EU nations that refused to recognized the breakaway province of Kosovo. President of the Serbian Radical Party Tomislav Nikoli&#263;, who was defeated by Tadic in the February presidential elections, will also address the rally, as well as famed film director Emir Kusturica. The leaders of the Serbs of Bosnia and Montenegro have also been invited to join the rally.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Angry Serbs plan Kosovo protest

Related News:

Kosovo: Concerns and Reactions

[05] No Reports of Victims or Damage

21 Feb 2008 16:57:00

A strong earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck near the town of Wells in north-eastern Nevada at 07:16 local time (14:16 Greek time) on Thursday the U.S. Geological Survey reported.The quake, centered 18 km southeast of Wells with a shallow epicenter of 10km deep.Wells, a town of about 1,300 people, is 614 km north of the gambling center of Las Vegas and 290 km west of Salt Lake City. No victims or damage have been reported.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Ministry of Education's Plans

21 Feb 2008 15:41:00

By

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105,8

National Council of Educations plans proposed 2 years ago regarding secondary education are coming to the front line again. It must be noted that these changes had triggered strong reactions when they were first promoted. President of the National Council of Education Mr. Thanos Veremis, talking to NET 105, 8 radio station stressed that the basic aim of the reform is to disengage students from the slavery of Pan-Hellenic University entrance exams. As he said what is important now is the evaluation of the system in secondary education, compulsory teachers training so as to be able to respond to the needs of our time and flexibility in the creation of school units so as to have Model High Schools and Lyceums where new teaching methods are expected to be be applied.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] Petralia-OTOE Meeting

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

Employment Minister Mrs. Petralia had a meeting with OTOE (Greek Federation of Bank Employee Unions) delegation. Mrs. Petralia announced that social funds are going to be unified except those who are under private legal status. On reference to collective bargaining for the signature of the new sectoral collective agreement Mrs. Petralia pronounced initiatives so as banks to be able to provide authorization to the Union of Greek Banks to open the dialogue.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] Of the Content of Nemitz Proposal

21 Feb 2008 14:17:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105,8-ÁNA/ÌNA

Publication of the content of Nimetz proposal on FYROM name issue in "To Vima" newspaper triggered the government and opposition partys intense reaction. FM Mrs. Bakoyiannis will brief the Parliaments Committee. Governmental spokesman, Theodoros Roussopoulos and the representative of Foreign Affairs Ministry Mr. Giorgos Koumoutsakos condemned the linkage while PASOK mass media spokesman expressed severe criticism on the government regarding the incident. Greek FM Mrs. Dora Bakoyiannis will brief today the Parliaments Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. In Skopje a meeting of political leaders will be held.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[09] Exceeded $ 101 per barrel

21 Feb 2008 12:14:00

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ÁNA-ÌNA, ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105,8

Oil prices hit a new record during early morning transactions in Asian market reaching $101.32 per barrel due to raised fears for lack of supplies in markets. In New York U.S. crude oil settled at $ 100.74 per barrel recording a 74 cents rise on Wednesday. It must be noted that this is just below the $101.70 peak, adjusted for inflation, hit in April 1980. Oil held near $100 a barrel. London Brent was down 57 cents at $97.85 a barrel. Today U.S crude delivery for April is up 48 cents at $ 100.18 a barrel.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[10] On the FYROM Name Dispute

21 Feb 2008 11:02:00 (Last updated: 21 Feb 2008 19:09:12)

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

The negotiations between Athens and Skopje have entered a turning point, following the compromise proposal suggested by UN envoy Matthew Nimetz. FYROMs political leaders are to hold a session on Thursday to take a stand on the new proposal. Speaking on behalf of the Greek Government, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis termed Nimetzs proposal as "the basis for substantial negotiations," and stressed that in case no solution is found, the exercise of Greeces veto right will be inevitable. On Wednesday, Bakoyannis briefed the President of the Hellenic Republic, the Cabinet and the political leaders on the latest developments. The opposition parties, PASOK, KKE and SYRIZA, objected the possibility of a double name. On his part, Socialist MP Theodoros Pangalos underlined that in the event of a double name, veto should be the answer. General Secretary of the Greek Communist Party (KKE) Aleka Papariga, on the other hand, warned that unless the term "Macedonia" is used in terms of geography alone, thorny issues, such as change of borders and Macedonian minority, can be raised. SYN leader Alexis Tsipras championed a composite name determined by geographical terms, while Giogos Karatzaferis, President of the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS), called for a referendum.

Parliament's Committee Briefed

The negotiation procedure on the compromising proposal of US special envoy Matthew Nimetz has turned into a diplomatic poker game.

Foreign Affiars Minister Mrs. Bakoyiannis will brief today the Parliaments Committee of Foreign Affiars and Defense.

On coming to Mr. Sioufas office Mrs. Bakoyiannis stated to reporters that she feels like an athelete who preperaes herself for the Olympics. Mrs. Sioufas expressed the certainty that Mrs. Bakoyiannis will succeed in her task.

Greece and FYROM have been called to officially answer on Nimetz proposal in the meeting which will be held next week in New York. In Skopje, leaders of political parties are convening today under the president of the country Branko Crvenkovski

They Condemned the Linkage

Linkage to press of the content of Nimetz proposal on FYROM name issue has triggered debate among political leaders

The content of the proposal was printed in "To Vima" newspaper and includes 5 versions for the official international naming of the neighboring country. The new name is to be used to agreements, pacts, passports and international organizations.

Governmental spokesman and Foreign Affairs Minister condemned the linkage. PASOK spoke of an unacceptable practice.

Governmental spokesman Mr. Thoeodors Roussopoulos said:" The government condemns the linkage wherever it comes from which burdens the negotiation procedure" and added that the government will proceed to a difficult negotiation for a mutually accepted solution.

Foreign Affairs Spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos stated that the negotiation effort is being undermined by such actions as well as the stable aim of our country for the finding of a mutually accepted solution.

Related News:

Skopje Issue Enters Crucial Stage

[11] Murder in Petralona

By Anna Kourti

Police security department attributes the murder of the 25th Albanian yesterday in Petralona area, Athens in a face-off. An unidentified man came into the Internet Caf&#233; where the 25 young man was and shot him. The injured was transferred to "Tzaneio" Hospital but died a little after 2.30. Police security department is investigating the case.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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