The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Fresh Negotiations on FYROM

Sources: ÍÅÔ - ÍÅÔ 105.8

The UN-sponsored talks on FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) name issue, scheduled to take place in New York on Tuesday have been described especially crucial. Athens expects FYROM to make specific steps at the negotiating table, as time is running out. FYROM Presidents statement that his country should discuss an honest compromise has caused sensation. For the first time Mr Branko Crvenkovski has stated that his country should compromise on the name issue, so that his countrys course to NATO is not obstructed. In parallel, the President of the New Social-Democrat Party, which is participating in the coalition government, favours a compromising solution. However, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevsky disagrees, insisting on his intransigence.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Wrangling on Social Security Continues

The Social Security bill will pass at Parliament on Wednesday. In parallel, the opposition will propose a referendum, in favour of which is GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) and ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions). Moreover, Trade Unionists are to file lawsuits and stage rallies if the reform is implemented. Meanwhile, Bank of Greece employees, who are continuing with their strike today, have declared a fresh 24-hour strike for Wednesday. At the same time, Piraeus and Thessaloniki lawyers will abstain from their duties. Finally, five GENOP-PPC (General Federation of Employees of Public Power Corporation) Presidium members will testify before the Prosecutor next Monday on the electric-power cuts during their mobilizations.

MP and Cadres' Statements

ND political planning Secretary Nikos Karachalios told NET 105.8 that there is no social front against the governments reforms, but on the contrary political parties have formed a political front. Fotis Kouvelis described some changes on social security rights anti-constitutional, adding that as a result of this the road to courts is now open. SYN (Coalition of the Left) President Alexis Tsipras called on the government from Preveza to hold a referendum on the social security bill. Finally, PAME spokesman Giorgos Mavrikios told NET 105.8 that even if a referendum was held, its result would not be binding for the government.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] In a Cordial Climate

24 Mar 2008 15:42:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA-NET

Succeeding Nikos Athanasakis, PASOK Press spokesman Giannis Raggoussis assumed Monday his new duties as the partys National Council secretary. Raggoussis will keep being the partys Press spokesman until a new one is appointed to the post.

"There is a lot of work ahead and we have to do our best," commented Nikos Athanasakis. Congratulating his successor, he appeared certain that the new secretary will meet the challenges of his post in the best possible way.

"Against a government that is attacking the living standards of the working class and the citizens dignity day in day out, we [PASOK] have to develop all our powers within the society and work along with the citizens defending their rights," stressed Athanasakis.

"Succeeding a party official with impeccable ethos and contribution to PASOK and the nation is a great honour," noted Giannis Raggoussis. He then went on to claim, "Whatever we are doing, and mostly what we will do is for the country, our people and the young generation."

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] By the State and Political Leadership

24 Mar 2008 17:59:00 (Last updated: 24 Mar 2008 19:04:30)

The commitment to the principles and ideals emerging from the 25 March Greek National Holiday was highlighted in the addresses by Greeces state and political leadership. The addresses stressed the perpetual message of the Greek nations struggles and the duty bequeathed to the younger generations. President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias noted, "The 1821 Greek Revolution [against the Ottoman Empire] is one of the highest legacies of the Greek people. Commitment to freedom, independence, democracy, dignity and justice was to the 1821 fighters not only a matter of faith but also a way of life. We [Greek people] have the historic duty to live up to this historic legacy. We have to keep our freedom in practice not in theory. To protect and make the best of this so highly-paid legacy."

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis underlined, "The objectives of our collective thoughts and activities are firm and unwavering: a strong and proud Greece. A fair and prosperous society. An international neighbourhood of peace, cooperation, respect and progress."

Parliament Speaker Dimitris Sioufas underscored, "The double celebration of the Greek nation and the Orthodox Church is reviving principles and ideals that sprang in Greece and were embraced by humanity."

Socialist leader George Papandreou noted that this day "we [Greeks] celebrate the Greek revolution that will forever symbolize the drive of every human, every nation that fights for its dignity, envisages and struggles for a better future."

The Greek Communist Party claimed, "The teachings of the 1821 revolution are the path of struggle and decisive clash."

SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) stressed, "The 25 March anniversary is a day to commemorate the struggle of the Greek people for its freedom and independence."

George Karatzaferis, President of the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS), underlined, "187 years after the 1821 revolution, it is up to us whether we keep existing as an independent and proud nation or end up being a marginal province of the EU or/and of the Turkish local superpower."

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Students' Parade at Syntagma

[05] New Pakistani PM Gets Down to Work

Sources: REUTERS

New Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani ordered on Monday the immediate release of all judges detained by President Pervez Musharraf after he imposed emergency rule in November. "I order the immediate release of detained judges of the superior judiciary," Gilani told the National Assembly, shortly after it overwhelmingly voted for him to become prime minister. Gilani, a top member of the party of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, also appealed to judges to resolve disputes through parliament, not through protests.

[06] In Ancient Olympia

24 Mar 2008 17:35:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

Minor incidents marred the Olympic Flame Lighting ceremony. Three members of the French human rights group Reporters Without Borders have been detained at the police station of Ancient Olympia. They vied to interrupt the speech of Liu Qi, the head of the Beijing Olympic Organising Committee

The three activists, who had legally entered the ceremony site as they were accredited, chanted pro-Tibetan slogans the moment Liu Qi started delivering his speech. Then, one of them approached the speaker and unfurled a black flag portraying the Olympic rings made from handcuffs.

Police officers stepped in and took them to the police station of the village of Ancient Olympia.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Olympic Flame Lighting

[07] Naps at Work Boost Memory

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

Catnaps at work can sharpen ones memory, has suggested a team of German researchers. Dr. Olaf Lahl at the University of Dusseldorf showed that short naps can clear the mind and boost memory skills. It was proved that a six-minute sleep can be as effective as a good night sleep. Dr. Lahls team asked students to memorise a list of words and studied their ability to recall it after an hour of playing solitaire. Asked to remember some 30 words, the volunteers were given an hour-long break before the memory test. During the break some fell asleep for six minutes, while the rest had to stay awake. The researchers found that those who were allowed to nap did better in the test than those who stayed awake.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] In January

24 Mar 2008 15:28:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

The figures released by the General Accounting Office have suggested that the state budget reached 209 million euros in January, posting double surplus. There has been moderate public spending. Public spending was moderated with regard to the annual target, rising by 7.6%. Revenues, on the other hand, failed to meet the target, increasing by 6.7%.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] OTE Employees Protest

Greek Telecommunications (OTE) technicians have staged a protest rally today, while on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday they will join the strike launched by the rest of the personnel.

They are protesting over the imminent purchase of 20% of OTE shares by Deutsche Telekom. At the same time, OTE technicians and employees Trade Unions are reacting to the Social Security bill, demanding their profession to join the list of heavy-duty and non-hygiene professions.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

OTE Co-Management Model

[10] Anti-Chinese Demonstration Broken Up in Nepal

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, ÁNA-ÌPA

Nepali police broke up an anti-China rally by Tibetan exiles in Kathmandu on Monday, detaining 250 protesters in the latest in a series of demonstrations. The demonstrators were heading to the UN offices. This constitutes a series of protest rallies that began in Lhasa, Tibet on the occasion of the 1959 uprising against Chinese domination established since 1951. There are more than 20,000 exiled Tibetans living in Nepal. The exiled government has announced that 130 people have been killed in anti-Chinese rallies launched in Tibet until now.

The Chinese authorities have announced in the weekend that they will continue breaking down anti-Chinese demonstrations, while journalists are not allowed to have access to the western Chinese provinces inhabited by Tibetans.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavezs statements as per which the US is responsible for the demonstrations in Tibet have caused sensation as they claim that they aim at destabilizing China.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[11] DPA Party Back to Coalition Government

Sources: ANA-MPA

A few hours before UN talks on the FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) name issue, the Albanians DPA party has decided to re-join the FYROM coalition government, from which it had withdrawn its forces on 13 March.

DPA party spokesman Veton Ibrahimi and VMRO-DPMNE spokesman Alexandar Bitsiklisi read a joint announcement in the evening, as per which an agreement had been reached between the two parties on DPAs return to the coalition government. Nikola Gruevskys government has been operating as a minority government in the last ten days with the concession of FYROMs four biggest parties VMRO-DPMNE, SDSM, DUI and DPA.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[12] Former Mrs Sarkozy Re-Marries

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters, BBC, ÁNA-ÌPA

French President Nicolas Sarkozys former wife Cecilia Ciganer-Albeniz has remarried at a private ceremony in New Yorks Rockefeller Centre Monday dawn.

The couple arrived at the Rockefeller Centre at 23:30, accompanied by many reporters. Former Mrs Sarkozy did not appear before the 50 photographers, while the ceremony was held on the 65th floor Rainbow Room at 01:00 Greek time, accompanied by the Harlem Gospel Choir.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Sarkozy's ex-wife marries in NY

Reuters: Sarkozy's ex-wife set for Manhattan wedding

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