The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-14

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis' Message to Skopje

14 Mar 2008 15:36:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105,8 -ÍÅÔ -ÁNA

""Greeces positions are consistent, non solution in Skopje name issue, non invitation to NATO," when the workings of the European Council are completed, the Prime Minister said. "Greece has no problem to meet with the delegates of the other side. It has clear stances. I consider the meeting of Greek FM Dora Bakoyiannis with the Prime Minister of the neighboring country deliberate. Our country is aiming at solutions and our friends and partners initiatives are welcomed if they help to find a mutually accepted solution in the name issue", he said. He also mentioned that stability in Balkans depends on the relations of good neighboring and the avoidance of challenges. This European way of behavior, he said is asked from all countries which wish to enter the euroatlantic institutions and the European "family". Mr. Karamanlis also said that "there are neither pressures nor we take any pressures". Meantime, a new round of talks begin in Vienna on Monday under UN.

New Round of Talks in Vienna

On answering question on the political crisis in the neighboring country, the Prime Minister said: "We want to believe and hope that the political developments in the neighboring country will not be used as an excuse or alibi for the continuation if a 17 years old deadlock or for a fake, compromising solution. Such an approach can not be accepted". Mr. Karamanlis added that Greece has covered a long distance and the other side must do the same. On Greek Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting yesterday with NATO American ambassador, he said: "when you have clear stances you have no reason at all to be afraid of discussion. I consider the meeting of Greek FM Dora Bakoyiannis with the Prime Minister of the neighboring country deliberate as far as the countrys interest is served and no other answer is necessary, he stated. He also mentioned the reasons he did not meet with other partners and allies and why he did not shook hands with his FYROM counterpart.

Marathon of Meetings in Skopje

Meantime, the "Democratic Party of Albanians" coming from the governmental coalition of FYROM is warning with political instability in the neighboring country. The Council of Political leaders is convening today while Skopje president will have a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Mr. Milososki and the Skopje president Crvenkovsk. The European Union called on all FYROM political parties to proceed to dialogue.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] PASOK 8th Congress

14 Mar 2008 16:09:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105,8-ÁNA/ÌNA

The sessions of main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) 4-day 8th congress at the indoor Tae Kwon Do stadium continues today. In his speech the general secretary of the party spoke of an opposition party of victory and prospects, stressing that unity does not mean political silence but submission of ego to collective decisions. On reference to cooperation with Coaliton of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) Vaggelis Venizelos expressed severe criticism to the peculiar dialogue as he branded it between PASOK and SYN regarding the prospect of cooperation between the two parties and stressed that PASOK has to preserve its absolute majority and go for a strong government. Andreas Loverdos kept distances from Mr. Papandreou. "Opening calls must not have a communicative character," he said referring to Papandreou suggestion to SYN president Alexis Tsipras.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] The Bill to be Debated Monday

14 Mar 2008 14:44:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8-ÁNA/ÌPA

Rallies against the Social Security bill to be tabled at Parliament Monday are continuing with strikes launched by PPC, Municipality and Bank employees. Joining the strikes will also be self government employees and lawyers. At the same time, the continuing electric-power cuts have been creating problems to households and firms, while the streets and pavements have been flooded with garbage that is threatening public health. Meanwhile, the PPC (Public Power Corporation) board has filed a lawsuit demanding GENOPs strike to be declared illegal. Finally, the Employment minister briefed the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias on the reform of the Social Security System.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Strike Fever

[04] PASOK Congress Enters 2nd Day

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

The sessions of the PASOK Eighth Congress continues for the second day with the speeches of cadres, including Evangelos Venizelos at the Tae Kwon Do Indoor Hall. Party Secretary Nikos Athanasakis opened the sessions of the Congress on the second day, while more cadres are to follow.

Meanwhile, PASOK President George Papandreou announced yesterday that his party would proceed with reforms in the society and the economy when it wins the elections, proposing cooperation with SYN (Coalition of the Left) under certain conditions.

From his side, SYN President Alexis Tsipras described Papandreous intentions sincere, pointing out that an alternative plan to rule the country should be based on a strong social movement.

From its side, the government commented that Mr Papandreou had failed once more to present coherent political proposals, adding that he held the Congress to propose cooperation with SYN.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Allotted Time to Testify

Lawyer Christos Nikoloutsopoulos, who is accused of being involved in Zahopoulos case, was allotted time to testify to the Examiner on Monday. The lawyer is facing two felony and one misdemeanor charges. Mr Nikoloutsopoulos was accompanied by his lawyers and his wife when he appeared before the Examiner. One of his lawyers Nikos Mavromatis stated that his client will testify before the Examiner the truth.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Sudan-Chad Peace Agreement

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, BBC, ÁNA-ÌPA

Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and Chadian President Idriss Deby signed a peace agreement on Thursday designed to end cross-border rebel attacks in a region which includes Sudans conflict-ravaged Darfur area. The agreement followed talks between the two parties in the presence of UN Secretary General Ban ki-mooon and the Senegalese President. "We solemnly pledge to ban the activities of all armed groups and to prevent the use of our respective territories to destabilize one or other of our states," said the agreement, brokered by Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade. The two oil-producing countries agreed to "normalize relations" and put a "definitive end" to their differences. At the same time, Human Rights First points out that the purchase of arms from China in Sudan has increased rapidly after the crisis in Darfur broke out despite the UN embargo on the selling of arms.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Sudan and Chad strike peace deal

[07] Prodi to Withdraw from Politics

By Athina Saloustrou

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi announced Thursday his decision to withdraw from politics after the last EU Summit Meeting in which he is participating. He stated he cannot meet the demands of European institutions anymore. At a Press Conference, Prodi, 68, stated he will not run in the 2009 euro-elections. On 10 March, he had already announced that he is withdrawing from Italian political life. "The world is full of opportunities and there are many people waiting for help and assistance," he said on Italian television.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[08] Iranians to the Polls

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, ÁNA-ÌPA

Up to 44 million Iranians have begun voting since morning to elect 290 MPs, with Conservatives tipped to win.

Both conservative parties as well as the authorities are urging voters to proceed en masse to the polls to exhibit their unity before their western enemy. Polls opened at 08:00 local time and will close at 18:00. The first results will be announced early Saturday.

Translated by John Crystallidis

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article