The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Six Police Officers Were Suspended

05 May 2008 11:12:00 (Last updated: 05 May 2008 15:33:22)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA-MPA

The 33yo male who killed Saturday a bus driver in Thessaloniki was charged with premeditated murder, theft, possession and use of gun. The perpetrator was given until Wednesday to testify. The two police officers who were assigned to transfer him to prison were referred Monday to court. The Thessaloniki Prosecutor charged them with releasing prisoner by negligence, while one of the two is also accused of failure to safely guard his gun. Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos spoke of gross negligence on the part of the police officers, while a sworn administrative inquiry has been ordered.

Roussopoulos: "Slow Response"

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos voiced the Governments sorrow over the human loss.

"I know that such a case, which unfortunately led to a human loss, is a case that appeals to all," stressed he, further adding that the Interior Ministry issued a relevant announcement.

Roussopoulos said that the six police officers were suspended because of their slow response and failure to stay committed to their duties.

Touching on political responsibilities, given the fact such an incident had been repeated, Roussopoulos claimed that in every big organization like the Greek Police (ELAS) there are those who perform their duties impeccably, those who carry them out moderately and those who shirk them.

"The states response has been prompt to that. It suspended these six police officers," he commented.

Shifting his attention to the police officers training, he argued that there are clear guidelines when it comes to prisoners transfers.

Asked on the policemens wages, he said that putting down the policemans slow response and failure to cuff the perpetrator to his low wages would be an insult to the memory of the victim.

Drilled on the case, Justice Minister Mr Hatzigakis spoke of a rocking event, which was promptly addressed by the state.

On his part, PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) section head for domestic affairs Haris Kastanides said, "The tragic incident in Thessaloniki once again proved the disorganization of the Greek Police."

Head of SYNs parliamentary group Alekos Alavanos expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and stressed that it surfaced the police officers inefficiency. He then blasted the Government for deploying hundreds of policemen against street protests, instead of trying to avoid such incidents.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Talks with Deutsche Telecom Continue

05 May 2008 15:44:00 (Last updated: 05 May 2008 17:57:27)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA-MPA

The days to come are to be rather crucial for OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation), as the last details for the deal between the Greek state and Deutsche Telekom are to be discussed.

There are still some pending issues, Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis told NET television, including the Greek states veto right over corporate decisions. Alogoskoufis made it clear that OTEs pricing policy will be under the surveillance of the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission.

Transport Minister Mr Hatzidakis spoke of a balanced deal that serves the interest of Greece, the Organisation and the Greek consumers. The Greek state will have major rights to all matters of national importance, while as for labour affairs, the Greek law will be applied, added he.

The Minister termed the week crucial, because the talks are still in progress at technical level, with a view to brokering a deal that will cement OTE, make it stronger and provide the Greek citizens with better services.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

OTE Talks Reach Final Stage

[03] Memorial Service for Constantine Karamanlis

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA-MPA

A memorial service to mark the 10th anniversary from late Greek statesman Constantine Karamanlis death was held at the Constantine Karamanlis Foundation, where he is buried, on Monday morning. Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, Cabinet members, Parliament Speaker D. Sioufas and Constantine Karamanlis friends and associates attended the service. Former Education Minister Marietta Giannakou also attended the event, making her debut after being charged from hospital.

Former President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Ministers of the Interior, Finance and Culture, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Michael Liapis respectively, as well as several Conservative deputies paid their respects.

Speaking to journalists, Giannakou referred to her health problems, saying that she found the strength to fight thinking her child and that there is still a lot she can offer. She then noted, "Survival is really important. I was thinking what the average people think."

The former Education Minister said that she would leave past and the attacks on her behind and that she was planning to write a book on her 30-year-long political experience.

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis had a brief talk with her, and Giannakou commented it was friendly and pleasant as always.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] In Central Athens

05 May 2008 15:14:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ

A bus hostage situation took place in central Athens on Monday noon. A bus driver said that, no sooner had all passengers got off the bus at Menandrou Street, than a man approached him, pulled a knife and a syringe on him and ordered him to take him to Halkida. The driver obeyed and started heading for Halkida. However, the perpetrator asked him to stop near Nea Filadelfia district, get off and vanished into thin air. A police probe is underway.

[05] Karamanlis-Hatzidakis Meeting

Pending court cases would be addressed in the near future, Justice Minister Mr Hatzidakis said, after his meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis. Xatzidakis also referred to the draft laws to be submitted to Parliament shortly and to the Ministrys intention to speed up procedures with regard to pending court issues, including the SIEMENS scandal. Commenting on the draft laws, Hatzidakis claimed that a draft law laying down the foundations on family relations will be submitted to Parliament in the near future.

Asked on his move to request the revision of a former ruling, whereby a book was asked to be removed from school libraries, the Ministry Minister said that the issue of the protection of intellectual property rights is an important one.

Drilled whether the decision to have pending court cases promptly addressed is closely related with possible elections, Hatzidakis gave an outright negative answer, stressing that the Ministrys intention is to solve the case the soonest and prove to the Greek people that Justice is prompt and fair.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Cruise Runs Aground off Latvia

Sources: REUTERS

A cruise ship with 984 people on board ran aground off the coast of Latvia on Sunday, the coast guard said. The Bahama Islands registered Mona Lisa ran aground in the Irbe Strait, which is the main route from the Baltic Sea into the port of the Latvian capital Riga. "The vessels crew is currently checking the hull, but there is currently no information about damage to the hull or fuel storage," the coastguard service said in a statement. It gave no information on the passengers. Several coastguard vessels were on the scene, it added. Riga port is visited by many cruise ships during the spring and summer months, as well as having a regular ferry service between Latvia and Sweden.

[07] Separatist Moves in Bolivia

Sources: AFP

Thousands celebrated in the streets early Monday after Bolivias Santa Cruz voted for autonomy but President Evo Morales warned that the vote was "illegal and unconstitutional." Huge crowds filled the main square in Santa Cruz city to dance and triumphantly wave the opposition run provinces green-and-white flag. Morales went on television to sternly tell the provinces governor and citizens that he would ignore the result however.

There were fears violence might erupt after the poll, which was punctuated by clashes between pro- and anti-autonomy militants that left at least 20 injured. Bolivias military chiefs have already said they view the autonomy move as a threat to national territorial integrity. The crisis is set to deepen next month when three other opposition-run provinces in Bolivias eastern lowlands hold their own autonomy referendums. Two more of Bolivias nine provinces are also thinking of following. An official partial count of 22 percent of the ballots showed that Santa Cruz voters approved autonomy with 82 percent in favour. Santa Cruz provincial electoral commission officials said 18 percent of the ballots were against the proposal. They did not immediately give turnout figures.

The government had urged its supporters to boycott the vote. Television exit polls for all the province had put approval of the autonomy measures at 85 percent. The referendum has caused concern as the region sits atop natural gas fields that are vital to the economy of Bolivia, South Americas poorest nation. It also has the countrys biggest farming properties, concentrated in the hands of just a few families, several of which helped organize the referendum. Morales has been making a drive to rewrite the constitution to redistribute gas revenues and land to benefit Bolivias indigenous majority, of which he is part.

In a nationally broadcast address, he said: "This illegal and unconstitutional vote didnt have the success hoped for by certain families." He called it a "complete failure" and stressed that the high level of abstention, combined with the "no" votes, robbed it of any legitimacy.

[08] Microsoft withdraws offer for Yahoo

Sources: Reuters

Microsoft Corp walked away from its bid to buy Yahoo Inc on Saturday after the Internet company turned down its offer to raise the price by $5 billion to $47.5 billion. Microsoft's offer was for $33 a share but Yahoo would not lower its demand below $37, Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said. The software company initially bid $31 per share for Yahoo more than three months ago.

"We believe the economics demanded by Yahoo do not make sense for us, and it is in the best interests of Microsoft stockholders, employees and other stakeholders to withdraw our proposal," Ballmer said in a statement.

Analysts say Yahoo has overplayed its hand and they expect the Web pioneer's shares to fall as much as 30 percent to $20 levels when Nasdaq trading resumes on Monday. The stock rose nearly 7 percent to $28.67 on Friday on hopes of an agreement between Microsoft and Yahoo.

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Microsoft walks away from Yahoo

[09] Obama Regains Ground

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, ANA-MPA

Following the losses in the recent polls, White House hopeful Barack Obama regained the lead in the surveys over his rival Hilary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, as a poll commissioned by CBS television and New York Times has suggested.

The Illinois Senator is 50% ahead of Clinton, who garnered 38%. A few days ago, their difference was only 8%, mostly due to statements by former pastor Obama Jeremaih Wright, who put down the 9/11 attacks to the US foreign policy, also claiming that the US administration helped to spread HIV virus among the Afro-Americans.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

The NY Times: Poll Shows Most Voters Unaffected by Wright

CBS: CBS Poll: Support For Obama Rebounds

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