The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Pension Bill in Parliament

11 Mar 2008 16:03:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌNA

The discussion on pension bill started today in a tense atmosphere. 11 trade unions are called to testify today. Minister of Employment will present its positions on the issue today evening. Discussion in the Parliaments relevant committee will last until Thursday evening while next week pension bill will be discussed in Parliaments Plenum. GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers) trade union president Mr. Giannis Panagopoulos in his press conference called on all employees to proceed to mobilizations. A protestation rally has been scheduled for Wednesday at 13:00 at noon in front of Parliament. DAKE (Democratic Independent Working Movement) says "yes" to mobilizations but under conditions. Meantime, PASOK accused the government of serving political causes while SYRIZA Parliament Group president Mr. Alekos Alavanos launched severe criticism against the government and asked from the Prime Minister to withdraw the bill.

Wave of Strikes

GSEE and ADEDY, have announced a three-hour work stoppage on Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm, while they have already called for a 24-hour nationwide strike on 19 March. Garbage collectors will be on strike up until Wednesday, intensifying the problems caused by the carbage pile-ups. Their union, POE-OTA, is to decide Thursday on their future stance. POE-OTA head Themis Balasopoulos told NET radio station that the Government fell back on its promises and that the strike would go on at least until Sunday. Employees at the Bank of Greece are on a 24-hour strike, while OTOE (Hellenic Federation of Bank Employee Unions) will join Wednesday the three-hour work stoppage called by GSEE, and will hold a 48-hour strike on 13 and 14 March. Lawyers, doctors, notaries, engineers and pharmacists will also go out on a strike on Wednesday. Furthermore, there will be no underground and electrical train services from 12pm to 3pm on Wednesday, while there will be no services at all on Thursday.

Government spokesman Mr. Theodors Roussopoulos when asked if the draft bill has been finalized and if it is going to be voted in Parliament stressed that for every bill discussion in Parliaments relevant committee is necessary and that the government will listen carefully to every side.

PASOK president Mr. Giorgos Papandreou said that the government proceeds to anti social anti pension adjustments while he branded social security pension a very critical issue.

Mr. Papandreou said that the governments responsibility within the last years for social security is very big stressing that the new bill will have a major affect on women and other social groups and that strikes are taking place because working rights are being abolished and because the government adopts a repressive stance without any trace of dialogue. "We support DEHs strike", Mr. Papandreou added.

PASOK spokesman Mr. Ragousis stated that the government did not submit any plans and did not proceed to any dialogue so as to copy with tax evasion and after 4 years it attacks without remorse the pension right of working women and pensioners. Mr. Ragousis also stressed that PASOK will fight so as the draft bill not to be voted in Parliament.

SYRIZA parliamentary group Mr. Alekos Alavanos launched severe criticism to the government supporting the strikes that are about to take place.

He underlined that the country does not deserve this government and stressed that it is important to end its tenure as soon as possible.

LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) on its announcement yesterday said that it is in favor of working people "who react to the anti popular anti pension policies promoted by the government. He also stresses that the government is trying to undermine and to sabotage the fights of working people targeting at terrorizing and making the labor movement bend.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] Piles of Garbage on Streets

11 Mar 2008 17:08:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌNA

Garbage collectors will be on strike up until Wednesday, intensifying the problems caused by the carbage pile-ups. Their union, POE-OTA, is to decide Thursday on their future stance. Today Thursday the situation in Athens streets was unbearable as more than 8.000 tones of garbage pilled up in streets. "The government will take all the necessary measures to protect public health", internal minister Mr. Prokopis Pavlopoulos said after his meeting he had in the morning with the Prime Minister Mr. Costas Karamanlis.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] A Few Days before PASOK Congress

11 Mar 2008 15:50:00

By

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

A few days before PASOK 8th Congress, many party members express their estimations on the partys route. Mr. Skandalidis interview in Ta Nea newspaper where he talks about the partys crisis raises interest. Meantime, social security reform, DEH and the last details on the 4 days congress of the opposition party were at the focus of PASOK Coordination Political Body which convened on Tuesday in Harilaou Trikoupi under Mr. Giorgos Papandreou.

Mr. Skandalidis' Interview

Mr. Skandalidis stressed that electoral victory is difficult in PASOK that it is turning into a "Union of Central Oriented Officers".

The top PASOK member holds responsible for the crisis of the opposition party the head leadership pyramid stressing that every party member is so absorbed with his/her own goals that can not see that the party is dieing out every day. "We do not need any gallops true or false to see our downgrade", he said.

Mr. Skandalidis appears pessimist about the route of the party after the congress calling on all party members to support Mr. Papandreou.

"With this congress we want to turn a new page for PASOK" Michalis Chrisohoidis said in NET 105.8 radio station while Kostas Kartalis said that renewal is necessary not only in people but also in ideas. "The day of the congress will be a day of creative and dynamic intervention in the society", Mr. Polyzogopoulos said.

Meantime, SYN president Mr. Alexis Tsipas accepted the invitation of the Secretary of PASOKs National Council, N. Athanasakis and he will represent Synaspismos in the opening of the congress on Thursday March 13.

[04] Leonard Kohen Tours

Sources: ANA, MNA

Canadian singer Leonard Kohen announced today his plans for his first tour starting in Toronto, June 6.

In the framework of his tour he will give big concerts in the Glastonbury festival in June 29 where he will perform in front of 150.000 fans but he will give smaller concerts too like the one taking place in Manchester Opera.

The 73 years old Leonard Kohen will perform in Toronto and Montreal and will give a series of concerts in Europe. The last one which has been officially confirmed will take place in Vienna in August 29 but the organizers of the tour do not exclude the possibilities of other concerts to come up. "For many people this tour will be the only chance they will have in their lives to see the legend who is called Leonard Cohen", Rob Hallet said of AEG Live the company that is promoting the tour.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Karamanlis-Pavlopoulos Cooperation

11 Mar 2008 17:32:00

By

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÁNA-ÌNA

The Prime Minister discussed today with Internal Minister Mr. Pavlopoulos about Greeces participation in the Meeting of EU Internal Ministers starting in Slovenia regarding the EU external borders administration. In their announcements after the meeting Mr. Pavlopoulos stressed that Greece supports the set up of technical centers which will guard external borders.

[06] North of Baghdad

11 Mar 2008 17:19:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

Iranian police sources report that a suicide attack killed 8 people at least while 13 were injured in a suicide attack North of Baghdad in a barricade of Iranian security forces and armed Sunnites who were fighting against Al Qaeda.

A police officer said that a kamikaze fell drove with his car packed with explosives and crashed in a barricade 70 Km. North of Baghdad. The barricade was guarded by Iranian police officers members of the Sunnite group which is fighting against Al Qaeda.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] Last Farewell on Wednesday

11 Mar 2008 15:28:00

Sources: ANA

Actor Vaggelis Kazan who specialized in roles of "the bad guy", Theodoros Angelopoulos favorite, passed away on Clean Monday night, beaten by cancer. He was 70 years old.

Vaggelis Kazan was born in Nafplio in 1983. He studied in Kostis Michailidis Drama School. He made his debut in the theatrical stage in 1960 with the play "Richard the 3rd", in the National Theatre of Greece. In the 60s he worked in the United Troupe of Young Actors of Nea Ionia as well as in other artistic groups too.

He made his first appearance in theatre in 1953. He was honored by Thessaloniki Cinema Festival with the performance award for his role in the movie "Thiasos" (The Repertory). Vaggelis Kazans funeral will take place at "Schistos Cemetery" at 10.30 on Wednesday.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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