The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Nimetz-Bakoyannis Meeting

18 Apr 2008 18:41:00 (Last updated: 18 Apr 2008 19:23:36)

Sources: ΝΕΤ

UN envoy Matthew Nimetz arrived in Athens in the framework of the new round of talks on the FYROM name dispute. Nimetz met Friday afternoon with Greeces Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis at the Foreign Ministry. He will later meet with opposition leader George Papandreou. Exiting the Foreign Ministry, the UN envoy stressed that negotiations were alive and underlined that the Greek side had clarified its intentions to strive for a mutually acceptable solution that would pave the way for a future cooperation between the two countries. On Thursday, Nimetz held separate meeting with FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and President Branko Crvenkovski, who are not eye to eye on FYROMs stance on the negotiations, with the latter reiterating the need for a compromise with Greece. In the meantime, Athens put down the demarche FYROM lodged to the Greek veto at the NATO Summit to the heated pre-election climate prevailing in Skopje.

"Negotiations continue," argued Matthew Nimetz following his meeting with Dora Bakoyannis.

He reiterated that he did not put a new proposal on the table, nor did he bring up previous ones. Asked whether a solution could be found by June, he said there were no fixed deadlines and timelines.

Commenting on the political crisis in Skopje, the UN envoy claimed that pre-election periods had always been an obstacle to the progress of negotiations, however, he added, both sides had assured him that they wished to keep working for a solution.

With regard to his next moves, Nimetz said that he might visit Athens and Skopje anew, or hold new talks with the two sides negotiators in New York.

Dora Bakoyannis, on her part, argued that Nimetz conveyed his impressions from the contacts he held in FYROM on Thursday. The Greek Foreign Minister reiterated Greeces firm stance in favour of the UN-sponsored talks, with a view to striking a deal. She noted, though, that no deadlines had been given.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Nimetz in Athens

[02] Important Political Issues

18 Apr 2008 12:12:00 (Last updated: 18 Apr 2008 16:28:09)

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is presently answering questions set by political party leaders during the Prime Ministers time in Parliament on rural policy, fire protection, doping and the relations between politics with the Mass Media.

"The government is planning its rural policy with long-term prospects," stated the prime minister in reply to a question set by PASOK party leader George Papandreou. Papandreou had accused the government of lack of planning and of spreading fear and insecurity among farmers.

Karamanlis rejected the accusations, stressing that in the future special attention should be given to infrastructure on water, announcing the building of lake-tanks, dams and reclaimed projects.

The protection of the environment and forestland are a priority for the government said the PM in reply to a question set by KKE Secretary General Aleka Papariga on forest fires.

To that end he said in addition to the 2,000 firemen who will be hired 5,000 seasonal firemen will be added for the protection of forests.

As for the doping cases the PM stressed that all doping cases are under investigation and those responsible will be punished.

Mr Alavanos spoke of a huge economic game and financial forces who through certain groups are trying to exert pressure to politicians.

He asked for a stricter legislation on supplements, accusing Supreme Court Prosecutor Giorgos Sanidas of not intervening.

As for Justice, Mr Karamanlis said that it is not being influenced in its work, denouncing personal attacks against judicial personnel.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Strict Checks in the Market

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8

In view of Easter checks on profiteering are stepped up, while merchants in Varvakios market are concerned as due to the disagreement between producers and merchants on prices the market has not the necessary amount of meat to sell. Merchants will not purchase meat that will cost over 5-5.5 euros per kilo and sell less than 6 euros. Meanwhile, imported lamb is being sold at 5-6 euros per kilo, local lambs from 7-9 euros, beef from 3-7 euros per kilo, while butchers in various neighbourhoods sell the above meat 1-2 euros more.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] To the District Attorney

18 Apr 2008 14:34:00 (Last updated: 18 Apr 2008 18:54:16)

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Two former Siemens members and a former OTE executive member asked and received from the District Attorney Panayiotis Athanasiou, a new deadline to testify as witnesses of culpable actions on the scandal of the German company until April 30.

All three members are called to testify as witnesses of culpable actions. According to information, the District Attorney is investigating crimes involving profits coming from criminal activity, bribe for participation in a criminal organization and deceit against the public sector.

The case is about the 8002 contract related to the digitization of OTE signed on December 1997 which bore profits of 800 in Siemens from the Greek state.

According to the same sources the District Attorney is waiting for the results of German bank balances of the suspects involved in the case. However, the above witnesses as well as 4 other people are called to testify on the case on the occasion of bank orders given the legality of which is under investigation.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Speech in an Open Rally

18 Apr 2008 15:12:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

KKE general secretary Aleka Papariga will deliver today a speech in an open rally in Ioanniana at 8:00. Mrs. Papariga states: "KKE will visit the most remote village of Greece in order to brief and pronounce the dangerous policy adopted by the European Union which intensively tries to take into advantage issues in Balkans so as to satisfy monopoly financial interests." Mrs Papariga will deliver a speech at the central square of the city.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] 5,4 Quake Shakes Illinois

Sources: Reuters, ΑNA-ΜNA

US Institute of Geophysics announced that a quake measuring 5,4 in Richter scale was reported in Illinois. No damages were caused. Up until now there is no information about injuries caused by the quake which was felt in other American sates too. The epicenter was traced 8 Km. north east of Belmond, Illinois in 11,5 Km depth.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] For Personal Reasons

18 Apr 2008 14:40:00

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA, MNA

General Secretary of the Competent Committee on Financial Controls Spyros Kladas resigned for personal reasons. Finance and Economy Minister Mr. Giorgos Alogoskoufis accepted his resignation. According to Finance Ministrys media report, Mr. Kladas visited Mr. Alogoskoufis in his office and submitted his resignation. Mr. Alogoskoufis thanked Mr. Kladas for his cooperation in a very crucial governmental service and wished him good luck in his future plans. Mr. Kladas also thanked Finance Minister for his support in his work.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] From 1/1/2008

18 Apr 2008 14:34:00

Sources: ANA

The new 2008-2009 labor collective agreement will be submitted today in Employment Ministry by the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and will be applied from 1/1/2008. The new agreement will provide for the following rises on salaries: 3,45% rise on 1/1/2008, 3% on 1/9/2008, 5,5% on 1/5/2009. The overall rises on salaries will be settled at 12.41%. This means that minimum wage-earning will rise from 29,39 to 33,4 and the minimum salary from 657,89 to 739,57 (the adjustments involve newly hired employees with no former working experience and singles). Employees with working experience (marriage allowance) wage-earnings will rise from 39,22 to 45,74 (16% rise). Accordingly, salaries will be boosted from 908,07 to 91020.80 (12,41% rise).

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[09] Al Zawahri 's New Message

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: AFP, ANA, MNA, Reuters

Turning Iraq into "Islam's fortress" is the most important duty of Muslims, Al Qaeda leader Ayman Al Zawahri said in a taped message which was posted through Internet by Intelligence Group SITE stressing that 5 years after, "the US invasion is a failure and defeat".

The message has the title "5 years after the invasion in Iraq and decays of injustice of the tyrants", and includes references of David Petraeus Iraq strategy on trial in Congress and of the strikes of textile employees in Egypt. According to SITE Intelligence Group which records Islamist messages, the tape is fresh.

In the 16 minutes message Al Zawahri calls on Muslims to fight for the creation of a very big Muslim state. "We only want to regain our rights with our own hands and not through ridiculous fake elections", he stressed.

As far as Bin Landen is concerned, US and Iraq Sunnites are plotting against Iraq and this could lead to an explosion in Middle East. This is the second message sent by Al Zawhri this month. In the first one on April 2 he had launched threats against the UN.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[10] US: The Pope Met with Victims of Abuse

By

Pope Benedict in a surprising movement, met yesterday Thursday with a group of people who had been sexually abused by Romeo Catholic priests. According to an announcement made by Vatican, the victims of the priests were accompanied by the archbishop of Boston the Most Reverend Se&#225;n Patrick OMalley. "They prayed with the Holly Father who then listened to their narration and he offered words of encouragement and hope", he sayed in his announcement. The meeting took place on Thursday evening at the chapel of Vatican embassy in Washington during the three days meeting of the Pops in the US.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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