The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Access to 300 Garbage Trucks to Ano Liosia Landfil

15 Mar 2008 10:10:00 (Last updated: 15 Mar 2008 19:14:10)

By Athina Saloustrou

POP-OTA (Contract Workers-Local Self-Government Organisation) strikers meeting with Employment Minister Mrs. Fani Palli Petralia resulted in no agreement. Strikers have allowed 300 garbage trucks from all Attica municipalities to have access to the Ano Liosia landfill for Saturday and Sunday, except for those carrying hospital and chemical refuse. Garbage trucks have commenced collecting garbage as of 22:00 Friday. This move has created a rift in the strikes front. However, POE-OTA Federation will continue with its strike until Sunday, when it will hold a meeting to decide whether it will continue with its strike until next Wednesday.

Strikes Ring Greece

In an interview with NET 105.8, POE-OTA Vice President Vasilis Polymeropoulos stressed that the strike would not be affected by POP-OTAs stance, describing it a small federation of employees mainly in Athens. We went on saying that it would take long before the garbage is collected from Athens and other cities.

Besides, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, who is participating in the EU Summit Meeting in Brussels, stated that nobody is entitled to use his post at the expense of the people.

Meanwhile, the trial that will decide whether the GENOP-PPC (General Federation of Employees of Public Power Corporation) strike should be declared illegal and improper will commence 12:00 Saturday. At the same time, GENOP-PPC employees have just suspended their strike. No electric-power cuts will take place today announced the PPC due to low demand.

Finally, Bank employees will stage a fresh 48-hour strike on Monday, while GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers) and ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) will stage a 24-hour strike on Wednesday, one day before the Social Security bill is debated. In parallel, Bar associations will meet today to decide on their next moves. However, lawyers will abstain from their duties for five days as of Monday.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

PM on Strikes

Strike Fever

[02] Bloody Explosion in Albania

outskirts of the capital Tirana. First information speak of 150 injured people at least, most of them civilians

A major explosion at an Albanian military base was reported a while ago on the outskirts of the capital Tirana. First information speaks of 150 injured people at least. Most of them were civilians living near the military base. Houses demolished from the explosion while windows broke in the centre of the Albanian capital. The explosion was also felt 20 Km. away in Durres city. A 63 people crew of a US company were working in the tunnel dismantling ammunition. No one knows the exact number of dead, while rescue crews are in contact with the trapped on the tunnel. Hospitals are crammed with injured people mainly from nearby areas.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Cooperation-Pondering

The sessions of the Eight PASOK Congress are continuing today with more cadre speeches and a vote on the partys positions and charter. On Friday, MP Evangelos Venizelso spoke of PASOKs lack of political position, demanding from the party to strive for self-independence. Referring to George Papandreous proposal to cooperate with SYN (Coalition of the Left) he spoke of an idiomorphic dialogue between the two parties, adding that both parties should channel of communication. At the same time, PASOK cadres are concerned with the partys revival and cooperation with other political parties.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] They Suspended the Strike but...they Continue

By

Sources: ÍÅÔ - ÍÅÔ 105,8

The president of the Court asked not to be the one who will examine DEHs Board (Power Coorporation, PPC) appeal for sensitivity reasons. PPC asks for insurance measures to be taken in order for the strike to be declared illegal and abusive. The relevant Council will decide now on the presidents suit and if it is accepted a new president will be assigned for the case. Earlier today, GENOP-DEH lawyers demand for suspension of strikes was rejected. Meanwhile, strikers suspended their strikes earlier today so as insurance measures of PPC Board not to be discussed. According to the trade unions decision mobilizations will continue. However, PPC announced that there will not be no power cut outs until 6:00 in the evening today.

Hatzigakis: Dialogue not Law Suits

Minister of Justice Mr. Sotiris Hatzogakis speaking to the annual general meeting of Administrative Lawyers asked for law suits submitted by strikers and the PPC Board to be put to an end. "Justice is not a boxing punching sack for political and social competitions and fights", he said stressing that these issues must be resolved with dialogue and through institutional procedures.

[05] One Dead and Two Injured

15 Mar 2008 17:37:00 (Last updated: 15 Mar 2008 18:56:53)

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÁNA-ÌNA

A train accident occurred today a few minutes after 2.00 at noon in the old train station of Alfeiousa in Ilia prefecture. A man died while another two were injured.

More specifically the train was conducted the route Kyparissia to Pyrgos when it crashed with a lorry which was crossing the train lines resulting in the tragic death of the lorry driver and the injury of an OSE officer and an employee.

It must be noted that the first train carriage jumped the trails and crashed to a restaurant. Fortunately, there were no costumers in the restaurant while the owners had just left. The two injured are being hospitalized in Pyrgos hospital. Their health condition is not critical while no one of the passengers suffered an injury.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] Kalomoira's Eurovision Video Clip Ready

The video clip of Secret Combination, Sarantis Kalomoiras song that will represent Greece in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest is ready, with Kostas Kapetanidis being the director. Those interested in watching the video clip can see it in the Eurovision official site.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Diplomatic Fever on Skopje Issue

By Athina Saloustrou

In view of the new round of talks in Vienna, Monday, diplomatic fever has swept Athens and Skopje, with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis reiterating once more from Brussels Friday that "no solution to the name issues means no invitation to FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) to join NATO." Furthermore, the prime minister stressed that Greece is working constructively to find a solution on the name issue. In parallel, he pointed out that the current political developments in Skopje cannot be used as an excuse or alibi for the continuation of the deadlock or a pseudo-settlement. At the same time, the bigger FYROM parties decided on Saturday to express their support to Prime Minister Nikola Gruevskis minority government until the NATO Summit Meeting scheduled to take place in Bucharest from 2-4 April. Gruevskis government lost its parliamentary majority when the Albanians Democratic Party withdrew from the government coalition.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Our Stances on Name Issue Consistent

[08] Police Trade Unionists Stage Sit-In

By Athina Saloustrou

Over than 30 police officer Trade Unionists staged a sit-in in their offices on Chalkokondyli Street in the morning chasing out their president and demanding fresh elections for the election of a new board. The specific Union has been written off by the Panhellenic Federation as their president is held responsible for maladministration and illegal expulsions.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[09] "Revenue Policy to Depend on Budget Resistance"

In an interview with Imerisia newspaper the Finance minister states that the revenue policy will depend on the budget resistance, while certain civil servants allowances will be gradually incorporated to their salary. Mr George Alogoskoufis describes the imported inflation as the greater danger for the economy, adding that in the second half of 2008 its de-escalation will commence. Furthermore, he adds that privatizations will continue with airports, pointing out that the transaction tax in the Market will be replaced by a short term tax of share surcotes.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[10] China Sets Deadline to Tibet Protesters

By Athina Saloustrou

Tourists have no access to Tibet following clashes between anti-Chinese protesters and Chinese forces in Lhasa, where Chinese tanks have been deployed and with China setting a deadline to the demonstrators to surrender. State media said the 10 killed in earlier clashes had included business people who were "burnt to death". But exiled Tibetan leaders put the death toll higher and blamed China. "We have unconfirmed reports about 100 people had been killed," said a statement from the Tibetan government in exile, which is based in northern India. Besides, it has been announced that 580 people, including three Japanese tourists have been rescued by the Chinese police, without any further information being available. Meanwhile, the EU and the US have appealed to Peking to act with restraint. Officials told Xinhua that those killed on Friday were "all innocent civilians" - among them hotel employees and shop owners. From exile in India, the Dalai Lama called for an end to the violence and urged China to "address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue". Chinese officials quoted by Xinhua alleged that the riots had been "organised, premeditated and masterminded by the Dalai clique" - which the spiritual leader denied. Actor Richard Geer from his side stated that the 2008 Olympic Games should be boycotted if the Chinese authorities did not handle the situation in the right way.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: China sets Tibet protest deadline

Reuters: China sets deadline for Tibet rioters to surrender

[11] New Historic Record

By Athina Saloustrou

Gold has hit an historic high record, verifying reports about an insecure international economy and US economy recession. Meanwhile, oil and euro prices remain high, with concern rising after turbulence hit US monetary firms. US crude prices fell modestly by 12 cents, closing at US$110.12 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In London, North Sea Brent rose by one cent, closing at US$107.55 per barrel. At the same, time losses were recorded in the New York Stock Exchange. Dow Jones dropped by 1.60% to 11,951.09 units and Nasdaq composite fell by 2.26% to 2,212.49 units. Standard & Poors Index fell by 2.08% to 1,288.14 units.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Oil-Euro to the Sky

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