The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Additional Testimony to the Examiner

25 Feb 2008 10:10:00

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: NET

Evi Tsekou has been testifying anew before the Examiner on Zahopoulos case since 09:00. Tsekou has submitted a 40-page memo to the Examiner. The 35-year-old detained woman is accused of of blackmail and breaking the law on personal data and instigation to suicide. As per information Evi Tsekou admits in her memo that she has videotaped her intimate moments with Zahopoulos in the beginning of autumn with a camera hidden in her bag when she discovered that she had not passed the ASEP examination. Tsekou argues that she had the material in a tape and not on a DVD when she showed it to two of the Media she had visited, adding that it was there where part of the material was copied. Moreover, she argues that destroyed her material, which was longer than 50 minutes, as she had regretted. Consequently she has no more unedited material in her possession. Meanwhile, Tsekou will testify before Prosecutor Eleni Raikou on Thursday. Raikou is investigating Christos Zahopoulos financial management at the Ministry of Culture.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Skopje Deliberations Heighten

The diplomatic Marathon on FYROM name issue is intensifying. UN Mediator Matthew Nimetz is meeting with Greek and FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) representatives in the coming days after Skopje has decided to continue participating in the negotiations. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis stressed on Sunday that "Greece is striving for a dignified and realistic solution." The Greek government points out that if no mutually accepted solution is reached, then Skopje will not be called to join NATO. Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos stresses that the governments policy on the issue is one and clear, rejecting publications as per which there is divergence of views. Meanwhile, PASOK (Socialists) President George Papandreou described a solution based on a double name as the worst development for Greek interests. KKE (Greek Communist Party) Secretary General Aleka Papariga reported that the government has not the courage to exercise veto, adding that the only acceptable solution is one name with a geographic denotation.

In an interview with NET 105.8 ND MP Ioannis Varvitsiotis stressed that Greece is being led to accept a composite and double name. If that is the case, then the political leaders committee should meet. The partys secretary Lefteris Zagoritis pointed that the Greek government would not accept a double name, stressing that if no solution is reached, then Skopje will not be invited to join NATO. Meanwhile, PASOK cadre Tylemachos Chytiris told NET 105.8 that PASOKs proposal for a veto is to the governments support, adding however that what matters is how to manage the veto. Finally, PASOK cadre Christos Papoutsis reported that he favours a composite name with a geographic denotation.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Petralia-PPC Meeting

By Athina Saloustrou

While the government is expected to approve the Social Security bill, Trade Unions continue reacting. The GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers) executive committee will meet at 12:00, while ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) will stage a 24-hour strike. In parallel, Employment Minister Fani Palli-Petralia will meet with the PPC Presidium at 13:00.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Lawyers' Elections Second Day

The first round of elections for lawyers is concluding today, while Thessaloniki lawyers will hold their elections today. Elections will for Piraeus lawyers will conclude next Sunday, as during yesterdays elections Stelios Mansousakis and Constantinos Petalas garnered less than 50%.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Bar Associations' Elections

[05] Deliberations and Reactions for Kosovo

Intense backstage deliberations on Kosovos independence are taking place, while Serbs continue demonstrating in various European cities. Meanwhile, Russian Vice President Dimitri Medvedev, most likely to succeed Vladimir Putin in the 3 March Presidential elections, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov are visiting on Monday Belgrade to discuss bilateral issues, among which Kosovo.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Protests against Kosovo Independence Continue

[06] PPC Employees Protest

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

PPC (Public Power Corporation) employees are protesting to the companys privatization through its cooperation with German RBE. The protest is taking place near Rentis market on Kifisos. The PPC board will discuss the issue on Tuesday, while a four-hour work stoppage will be staged the companys headquarters in Halkokondyli street.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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