The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] On the FYROM Name Dispute

31 Mar 2008 15:57:00 (Last updated: 31 Mar 2008 17:50:16)

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ANA/MPA

A diplomat marathon on the FYROM name raw is underway shortly before the NATO Summit in Bucharest, while time to reach an agreement is running out. The USA seems that it wishes to have the case settled, while FYROMs leaders insist on their intransigent and provocative stance. The Greek Government, on the other hand, keeps stressing that unless a mutually acceptable solution is found, FYROM will be declined an invitation to join NATO. In the meantime, Athens lodged a demarche in protest of several billboard ads hoisted on Skopjes streets, which replaced the blue Cross depicted on the Greek national symbol with Swastika.

New Stern Message

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis sent a new stern message to FYROM just two days prior to the crucial NATO Summit, which will consider enlargement issues.

Bakoyannis stressed that the Greek foreign policy pursues to have ties FYROM smoothed over on the basis of a mutually acceptable solution, also underlining that no mutually acceptable solution means no NATO invitation.

"We [Greece] want and wish for a solution. We have done anything in our power to convince our neighbours that they should take steps towards a solution. Of course, we have no intention of succumbing beyond the points we have, and which are crystal clear and we think that they can satisfy the Greek peoples feeling, as well as history," argued Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos.

Asked whether the Greek side is expecting a new proposal by UN envoy Matthew Nimetz and whether there is still time to have the problem resolved before the NATO Summit, Roussopoulos said that should there be such a proposal that can be discussed, the answer would yes provided that the proper Security Council procedures are fulfilled. Otherwise, the answer would be no, added Roussopoulos.

The Government spokesman declined the possibility of a conditional invitation, claiming that nothing like that has resulted from the Prime Ministers public positions.

Demarche over Flag Insult

The billboard ads hoisted on Skopjes streets, replacing the blue Cross depicted on the Greek national symbol with Swastika, triggered Athens strong reactions.

Greeces ambassador to FYROM Alexandra Papadopoulou lodged a demarche, demanding that the ads be immediately removed.

Speaking to ERT and ANA/MPAs correspondent in Skopje Nikos Fragopoulos, FYROM Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki voiced his profound sorrow over the incident.

"It is a particularly unfortunate incident taking place at a particularly crucial moment," noted Milososki, who had a telephone contact with Greek ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou, to whom he conveyed his sorrow over the insult.

Milososki dismissed the content of the posters as an abuse of the freedom of expression, adding that the two countries have struggled against fascism and Nazism and have lost many lives in this struggle.

"We should not allow such unacceptable moves, like the posting of billboard ads that insult Greeces national symbol to tarnish the relations between the two sides," concluded Milososki.

Commenting on the ads, the Greek Foreign Minister said that statements echoing bigotry do not help countries who wish to earn a NATO membership. She also noted that such moves prove the Greek arguments right.

Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos dismissed this move as unacceptable, further adding that the Skopje government should have condemned it. Education Minister Evrypidis Stylianidis underlined that a nation that wishes to become an ally cannot insult another nations honour.

At the same time, FYROM President Branko Crvenkovski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who met Sunday night, did not ruled out a parliamentary session to consider the name issue prior to the NATO Summit in Bucharest, if necessary.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Diplomatic Fever

[02] Deadline for E9 Document Extended

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

The deadline for property owners in Greece who wish to declare their property by filing an E9 form with the Greek tax office has been extended to 18/4.

In parallel, deadline for farmers whose Tax No ends in 1 and who wish to submit their income tax return form has been extended to 9 April.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] At an Event Staged by "Economia Business Tank"

31 Mar 2008 16:35:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA

Greeces Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis elaborated on key sectors of the Greek economy, while addressing an event staged by "Economia Business Tank. Figures released by the General Secretariat of the Greek National Statistical Service have suggested that the 2006 per capita gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 7.3%, while, as Alogoskoufis said, more than 4 billion euros could be saved up to 2012 from reduction of bureaucracy. Touching on denationalizations, Alogoskoufis stressed that the planned denationalizations mean to give a boost to market competitiveness. "With the denationalizations in banks, we [Greece] succeeded in raising competitiveness to the benefit of the enterprises and the citizens. With regard to OTE (Hellenic Tlecommunications Organization), which is currently at the fore, we are after a strategic alliance with a major European telecommunications organization. Deutsche Telekom has already expressed its interest, and talks are underway for the signing of an agreement that would safeguard a balanced and effective board. With this cooperation, we pursue OTEs development and modernization, not only in Greece but also in the wider region, cementing, at the same time, our national and defence interests."

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] P. Moliviatis Awarded Pushkin Prize

By Vivian Papastefanou

Following Russian governments decision, Former Foreign Minister, Petros Moliviatis has been awarded the Pushkin prize for his contribution to the strengthening of the two countries relations. Russian ambassador to Athens, Andrei Vdovin referred to the excellent relations between Greece and Russia in the last years and the national consent among the people of both countries for the further deepening of relations. On his part, Mr. Moliviatis underlined that the two countries friendship was built through bilateral relations framework which reflects the feelings of the two peoples and not his personal contribution. Attending the award ceremony were: Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyianni, and the Ministers of Interior Minister, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Health, Dimitris Abramopoulos, Education, Evripidis Stylianidis and the Speaker of the House, Dimitris Sioufas.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] While Israeli Settlement Activities Continue

31 Mar 2008 15:43:00 (Last updated: 31 Mar 2008 16:30:56)

Sources: REUTERS

Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier captured by Hamas in 2006, is safe and sound, the exiled leader of the Islamist Palestinian Hamas group, Khaled Meshaal, said. Hamas asked his exchange with 450 Palestinian detainees. A French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman endorsed the call for a prisoner swap.

101 Settlements

Peace Now said Israel was building in 101 settlements and not a single construction project had been frozen despite a U.S.-backed peace road maps call for a halt to all settlement activity in the West Bank. The group, which regards settlements as harmful to Israels security, society and economy, said construction of at least 500 buildings was under way in the enclaves. The Word Court has determined that settlement building on land captured in the 1967 Middle East war is illegal. Peace Now noted that Israel announced this year plans to build hundreds of housing units for Jews in and near Arab East Jerusalem, a surge compared with two tenders issued in all of 2007 for the construction of 46 homes in the area.

[06] In protest against Lay offs

31 Mar 2008 15:17:00

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Tram employees are to stage work stoppage from 08:00-12:00, on April, 3 in protest against the lay off of two of their colleagues last week and a demonstration at the Hellinikon tram depot house at 09:00 on the same day. Today they proceeded to symbolic occupation of the administration board office.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Demonstrations outside the Chinese Embassy

31 Mar 2008 14:53:00

Sources: ANA, AFP

Nepali police arrested several Tibetan protesters outside the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu. Of the 227 arrestees, 113 are females and are due to be set free later on Monday. Demonstrations outside Chinas embassy have turned into an everyday phenomenon, while police beat Sunday protesters with sticks, arresting as many as 100 people.

[08] Vavylis Was Set Free

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8-ΝΕΤ

Sent behind bars for his alleged role in scandals related to the Greek Orthodox Church, Apostolos Vavylis was released Monday without making any comments. His lawyer Giannis Vlahos said that his client was framed so that he and late Archbishop Christodoulos could be blamed for economic scandals related to the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Fined a 10,000 euro bail, Vavylis is not allowed to leave Greece, while he has to appear to a police station every month.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] In Reaction to Power and Steel Plants

31 Mar 2008 14:09:00

West Attika Prefecture and Municipalities are staging a 24-hour strike on Wednesday and a demonstration at 12:00 at Elefsina exit opposite Halibourgiki (Steel Plant) in protest against the a power and a steel plant. In a press interview West Attika Prefect, Aristeidis Arkoudaris and the Aspropirgos, Elefsina, Magoula and Mandra Mayors object to the building of DEH power production plant and Steel Plant as well as to the extension of other industrial plants which will not only increase pollution levels in the region but also in broader Attika.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[10] On Culture Ministry Affairs

31 Mar 2008 13:23:00

By Athina Saloustrou

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis met Monday morning with Culture Minister Michael Liapis at Maximos Mansion, the formers official residence. Asked on the FYROM name dispute, Liapis stressed that the Governments positions, which have recently been reconfirmed by the Prime Minister, are crystal clear and endorsed by the countrys political powers. The Culture Minister also underlined that, following the recent crisis in his Ministry, a new strategy with regard to the rationalization of the Ministrys spending is in the making. "Everything will be assessed and audited. There is transparency, all decisions will go public and all discussions within the Ministrys institutional bodies will be open to the Press," said Liapis, further underlining that the goal is to have the Culture Ministry revamped. "We can come out of the crisis united, and therefore we are to abolish the special account. The spending foreseen by the new state budget will be included in the regular budget, so that there can be everyday audits."

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Aleka Papariga in Ioannina

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ANA

The head of the Greek Communist Party (KKE), Aleka Papariga, outlined her partys alternative governance model from Ioannina, NW Greece. Commenting on the current political choices, Papariga said: "The response to the barbaric policy followed by the ruling party should be one and only: employees should staff their unions, class struggle should be developed through the alliance between workers and self-employed and farmers, and the youth movement should be enhanced. A movement that will not only question the Conservatives anti-labour policy, but will also fight both the EU and NATOs choices. Otherwise, the fighting against certain aspects of the ruling partys policy will not be effective."

The Developments in the FYROM Name Issue

With regard to the FYROM name raw, Papariga stressed that the USA, the leading EU nations and Russia are after strengthening their role in the Balkans. "This is the bottom line. Therefore, Greeces relations with FYROM are determined by this controversy. The USA is committing a blatant blackmail. We [KKE] demand the Greek Government not exchange the name issue with pledges in the Balkans with relation to the imperialistic game."

Translated by Areti Christou

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