The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Into Strike-Prompted Power Cuts

09 Mar 2008 11:16:00 (Last updated: 09 Mar 2008 15:09:09)

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8--ANA/MPA

The ongoing strike by the Public Power Corporation staff still keeps several areas throughout Greece in the dark. The extensive power cuts prompted the Supreme Court Prosecutor George Sanidas to respond to the PPC Boards request and step in. The preliminary investigation he ordered means to probe whether the PPC board is to be held accountable for deliberate low power output and whether the necessary skeleton staff is available to make sure the smooth operation of the PPC plants.

Claiming that the right to strike is an inalienable one protected by the Constitution, Sanidas also underlined that the society also enjoys the inalienable right to this social benefit.

In the meantime, the power supply system has been brought to its limit, although yet another plant resumed operation.

Public Power Corporation CEO Panayiotis Athanasopoulos and DESMIE head Giannis Theodorakopoulos testified on Saturday evening. Upon his arrival at the Prosecutors office, Athanasopoulos said, "We [PPC Board] have requested the Prosecutors intervention to investigate the accusations regarding the power cuts."

Director of Power Distribution Dimitris Lathouris and PPC senior unionists Nikos Fotopoulos and Vangelis Mpouzoulas testified on Sunday.

Commenting on the Prosecutors intervention, the Greek Communist Party (KKE) issued a press release that read, "Supreme Court Prosecutor George Sanidas intervention is part of and contributes to the attack the government and the plutocracy have unleashed to deliver a blow to the struggles of the employees who are fighting the anti-labour measures."

In the meantime, the Athens Champer of Commerce and Industry, as well as traders associations across Greece have threatened to lodge lawsuits against the PPC unionists over the damage they have suffered.

Related News:

Prosecutor Steps In

[02] Spaniards Go to the Polls

The killing of a former Socialist councilor, which was blamed on ETA, has cast a pall over todays elections in Spain. The about 35.1 million eligible voters will be casting their ballots until 2000 hours (local time). The results are due out late on Sunday. As per the latest official surveys released last Monday, the ruling Socialists led by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero are 4% ahead of Mariano Rajoys PP. However, the gains are not enough to earn the Socialists an absolute majority. Therefore, it will take a coalition with the smaller parties to keep them in power. Regional elections are also underway in Andalucia (southern Spain), a Socialist bastion, and in Catalonia (NE Spain).

The killing of a former Socialist councillor, which was blamed on ETA, has cast a pall over todays elections in Spain. Lacking an absolute majority, the Socialists have the lead

The killing of former Socialist councillor Isaias Carrasco in the Basque Country abruptly and violently ended the pre-election campaign. Although no one claimed responsibility for the attack, it was blamed on ETA, the Basque separatist group. All political parties reacted strongly to the killing and called for a massive turnout.

Carrasco, 42, was shot dead while leaving his place along with his wife and daughter in the town of Mondragon. He breathed his last while being transferred to hospital.

Analysts believe that the killing is unlikely to influence the election results, as the Islamist bombings in Madrid in March 2004 did when then opposition leader Zapatero earned a surprise victory.

Calling for a "clean victory," Zapatero urged his voters to reverse the trend that wants them to abstain from elections, compared to the Popular Partys supporters.

Mariano Rajoy, on the other hand, addressed those who were disappointed by the Socialist government, citing the mounting concerns of the Spaniards over the sluggish economy, and "uncontrollable," as he termed it, immigration.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] To Attend Foreign Affairs Council

09 Mar 2008 17:45:00

Sources: Foreign Ministry Press Office

Greek Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyianni will represent Greece at the EU General and Foreign Affairs Council to be held in Brussels on Monday, March, 10. Issues on the agenda are: General issues include talks on preparations for Spring EU Council to be held in Brussels on 13-14 March and impact of global warming on world safety. In the sector of Foreign Relations, talks will focus on developments in the West Balkans and the Middle East, the situation in Afghanistan and Zimbabue, negotiations within the World Trade Organization framework and Irans nuclear program. On the sidelines of the Councils works there will be the following meetings: a four-member meeting of the EU with the Council of Europe, EU Foreign Ministers Troika with Albania, Cooperation Council with Ukraine and the Association Council with Algeria.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Alabanos Called for

09 Mar 2008 17:26:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ

During an interview with state television channel NET this morning, Alekos Alavanos expressed full support to industrial mobilizations and called on the government to withdraw the draft bill on social security reforms, warning of further intensification of mass mobilizations. The president of SYRIZA parliamentary team expressed satisfaction at his partys high percentage points indicated in the recent gallops. In reference to a possible cooperation with PASOK party, Mr. Alabanos repeated that it was impossible at senior level, underlining that the important point is to achieve a common course with the social forces from this political field. Finally, regarding Skopje issue he placed priority on restoration of confidence relations between the two countries while he appeared optimistic on a successful outcome of negotiations, however difficult they may seem.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Train Crashed into Bus

09 Mar 2008 17:03:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΑNA, Reuters,French

A passenger train slammed into a double-decker bus at a rural Argentine rail crossing at 02:00 local time(06:00 Greek time) on Sunday, killing 18 people and leaving at least 50 injured, of them 5 in critical condition, authorities said. The train was travelling from the Argentine capital to the South Atlantic beach resort of Mar del Plata when the collision occurred near the city Dolores, about 205 km south of Buenos Aires. Roberto Capiel, a public health official said "It is a tragedy, we are taking the most serious cases first, some of the injured were flown to hospital, there are five in critical condition. There are no reports of the cause of the accident so far.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Cultural Events in Hania

09 Mar 2008 16:38:00

By Nasos Bratsos

The Cretan Cultural Society in cooperation with the Mediterranean Architecture Center and the monthly newspaper "Pyxida tis Polis" are organizing a number of events and a photography exhibition entitled "Pictures of Trades and Activities that are Fading away even in Hania". The events are taking place at the "Megalo Arsenali" exhibition center in Hania from 12-30 March. As the years go by many trades have been abandoned, however, on the grounds of photographs from the archives of "Haniotika Nea" newpaper as well as photographs taken by Theofanis Manousakis, a trip through space and time is attempted to record the trades and the stories of the people who earned their living in these trades. Beyond that a question is raised "To what extent and what means can nowadays give a future prospect to the trades described as traditional" and include some of them in a developmental model. Documentaries dedicated to traditional trades fading away will be also screened during the events as well as trades through songs- how greek songs lyrics described traditional trades.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Obama Wins Wyoming

Sources: REUTERS

Democrat Barack Obama beat rival Hillary Clinton in Wyomings nominating contest on Saturday, bouncing back from a string of losses that gave Clinton new life in their hotly contested presidential battle. Obamas victory in the nominating caucus in sparsely populated Wyoming slowed Clintons momentum after she won three of four contests on Tuesday in their tight duel for the right to face Republican John McCain in Novembers presidential election. With 96 percent of caucus sites reporting, Obama led Clinton by 59 percent to 40 percent. "This is a very important win for us," said David Plouffe, Obamas campaign manager, in a conference call with reporters. He noted that Clinton, her husband Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea all campaigned in the state.

Translated by Areti Christou

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