The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] On the FYROM Name Dispute

28 Feb 2008 10:20:00 (Last updated: 28 Feb 2008 12:23:14)

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8-ANA

New UN-sponsored talks on the FUROM name row will be taking place in New York on Friday. UN envoy Matthew Nimetz will have meetings with the Athens and Skopjes negotiators. After lending an ear to their remarks, objections and counterproposals, he will determine the nature and duration of the further negotiation process. UN diplomats believe that chances of finding a mutually acceptable solution are slim. NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer is due in Athens on Monday to meet with Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis. "The name dispute should not block FYROM from entering the international organizations," read a report approved by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament. The above report should also be okayed by the European Parliaments Plenum in coming April. "Undoubtedly, decisions regarding NATO and EU enlargement are taken unanimously," commented Greeces Foreign Ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos, further adding that Greece will exercise its rights.

Demonstrators Cause Clashes in Skopje

In the meantime, clashes were reported on Wednesday night near the Liaison Office of the Hellenic Republic. Police that had been deployed outside the Office housing the Greek diplomats pushed back the demonstrators. The latter hurled stones and bottles against the police, damaging cars parked near the Liaison Office. Firing tear gases and sound grenades, police dispersed the demonstrators around the Liaison Office. A Skopje television station reported that the demonstrators injured a local reporter. The tension outside the Liaison Office was triggered by youths who had taken part in a rally held in central Skopje.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

New Round of Talks on Friday

[02] New Testimony by the 35 Years Old

By

Prosecutor Eleni Raikou questioned Evi Tsekou, the former Culture Ministry employee involved in the Zahopoulos case for 2 and half hours today about any financial impropriety during Zahopoulos tenure at the Ministry. Mrs. Tzekou repeated her previous testimony regarding the competition Ministry of Culture organized in which she had participated too. What is stated is that the competition was illegal and the choices were made with non transparent procedures. As per the financial management of Mr. Zahopoulos she said that she has no evidence as she was not working in that position. She stated that she only knows about a paper speaking of a 650.000 grand given to "ATHINA" organization. 2 members of the Central Archaeological Committee were also called to testify today. According to information the prosecutor is going to call the 35 years old woman to testify again on Zahopoulos blackmailing case. The carrier of the dvd as well as the technician who seems to have stolen the material in one of "Proto Thema" newspaper studios will also testify.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Draft Bill on Internet at Final Line

28 Feb 2008 15:10:00 (Last updated: 28 Feb 2008 18:07:10)

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105,8-ÁNA/ÌNA

After investigation taking place in the Parliaments building the computer user who was writing on "press gr" blog was not traced. The government is planning a new draft bill on crime in Internet. As announced by the prosecutor who is handling the case the Computer Division did not manage to trace the blogger as there is no system of record and check in Parliamant. IP department is in reality one of the 25 available departments in Parliament for about 1500 Internet users. Special prosecutor is investigating the case. The director of the Department of Computer-Related Crime, Emmanouil Sfakianakis came in the morning in Athenns preosecution office to testify and handed in the protocols of 150 and more lawsuits which have been submitted for printing and are related with the slanderous and blackmailing comments written in the blog. At the same time the government is planning a draft bill regarding crime in Internet which will be in accordance with the European Council.

The New Draft Bill

Meantime, the government is planning a new bill on crimes in Internet which will be in accordance with the European Council

According to this bill confidentiality will be revoked and those who commit crimes will be persecuted.

In addition, measures will be taken so as to secure the electronic files so as traces and evidences recorded in Internet not to be destroyed.

More specifically, the provider (the one who provides the connection) must proceed to the necessary technical procedures so as traces and evidences to be reported immediately to prosecution offices and the Communication Regulatory Authority for the safeguard of confidentiality.

Furthermore, police authorities will be able to conduct investigation in real time in order to collect the necessary evidence throughout the prefecture before they get lost.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Local Administration Strike

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.08-ÁNA/ÌPA

Local administration employees intend to stage repeated strikes as of Friday, March, 7 in protest against merging of their two funds. During their strike today, they gathered at Karaiskakis Square and next marched to the Employment Ministry where their trade union representatives met with Employment Minister, Fani Petralia, who ruled out any changes in social security reforms.

The president of the Panhellenic Federation of Local Administration Employees, Th. Balasopoulos said that the governments proposal violates pension and social security rights, adding that all employees will fight united against reforms.

Strikers handed a resolution to Mrs. Fani Petralia, stating their objection to the merging of their funds with the other funds of civil servants and demanding abolition of distinctions between old and new insured employees, abolition of contribution of employees for medicine and improvement of services. The POE-OTA General Council will meet on Friday to discuss escalation of mobilizations.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Robbery in Halandri

An unidentified man barged in Attika bank carrying a gun and grabbed money. The director of the bank chased him and the robber was forced to drop the bag with the money and his gun and run away. The gun was taken by policemen to the laboratories of criminal investigation and it is being checked while the robber is still missing.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] New Quake in Methoni

By Vivian Papastefanou

According to Athens Geodynamic Institute and Thessaloniki Laboratory of Geophysics a strong quake measuring 5 in the Richter scale and with epicenter the sea area of Methoni was reported at 6:54 in the morning 250 Km. south west of Athens. Seismologists are estimating that this quake is included in the seismic activity following the 14 February quake.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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