The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Profiteering Cases

11 May 2008 10:29:00 (Last updated: 11 May 2008 18:58:22)

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: ÍÅÔ - ÍÅÔ 105.8

Due to the continuing strike of fuel truck owners about 90% of petrol stations in Attika as well as regional Greece have run out of fuel, mainly of unleaded gas and diesel. Petrol station owners representatives believe that 9 in 10 petrol stations are to close today as they have sold out the last litter of petrol while strikers have blocked refineries entrances to prevent petrol stations private fuel trucks from being supplied. However, in a good will gesture, the Board of Fuel truck owners Federation has decided to allow 200 fuel trucks to supply the market with fuel Monday. With few gas stations still having fuel, motorists have no other choice but to wait in the extremely long queues to fill their tanks. Specifically, in regional Greece motorists have paid over 1.5 euros per litter for super unleaded petrol as petrol stations had run out of regular unleaded petrol while profiteers have taken advantage of the situation selling petrol at sky high prices.

Truck and fuel truck owners, who are staging a strike since last Monday, demand 13% rise in shipping services to face high rises in operation of their vehicles costs while the government has agreed to a 5% rise. However, Mr. Tsiamos president of fuel truck owners said that the Federation is willing to hold talks with the government to reach a compromise solution. Representatives of the Federation are most likely to have a fresh meeting with Transport Minister, Kostas Hatzidakis today while their general assembly tomorrow is considered crucial. In the meantime, supply problems have been extending to other fields in the market particularly in Thessaloniki where apart from the truck owners strike port dockers are also staging industrial mobilizations.

Thousands of tones of products remain at ports and customs while perishable products such as tomatoes, fruit and others run risk of going bad. There was tension at the Heraklio port yesterday when truck owners tried to prevent 20 trucks with perishable shipment to board ship to Piraeus. Taxi owners, which have announced a 24-hour strike, are joining industrial mobilizations at 05:00 demanding fares rises above 5%

With Understanding and Modesty

The strikers met with Transport Minister Kostis Hatzidakis on Friday. The minister met partially the strikers demands on the circulation of certain vehicles in the national roads in the weekends, promising in parallel to mediate to Employment Minister Fani Petralia so as the fuel truck drivers social security demands are met.

Thus, the minister hopes that the strikers will show understanding and modesty and end their strike by Monday.

As for the financial demands, he said that Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis has committed himself to meet their demands.

[02] Hezbollah Declared General Strike

11 May 2008 12:02:00

By Athina Saloustrou

Lebanese troops are patrolling Beirut after Hezbollah agreed to withdraw its fighters who had seized the city. However, the organization is in control of some street blockades, the airport and national road network while it has declared a general strike to force the government to resign. In the meantime, Lebanese troops have deployed in the norther city of Tripolis to end fighting between Hezbollah sympathizers and supporters of the government said the French news agency. A woman was killed and many people were wounded during clashes between the supporters of the ruling majority and Alawite sectarians loyal to Hezbollah, backed by Syria and Iran. The clashes had broken out at dawn in the crowded neighbourhoods of the citys Bab al-Tebbaneh district but calm was restored a few hours later when the army assumed patrol of the areas.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Myanmar Death Toll Could Reach 1.5 Million

11 May 2008 12:18:00

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: ÍÅÔ - ÁNA-ÌPA

Although death toll among Burmese cyclone survivors could rise to 1.500 million people unless they are urgently delivered aid, Myanmar military regime is holding constitutional referendum to consolidate its power. Many people in Burma are cynical about the vote and had felt compelled to vote "yes" because of the presence of soldiers around polling stations. Voters have spoken of violence and fraud in election procedures, stressing that it is impossible to vote against the constitution because election representatives at poll stations hand them YES ballots and they will be arrested if they refuse to cast it. In the meantime, the international organization Oxfam has warned that Burma will face an unimaginable tragedy with death toll reaching 1.5 million people unless a massive delivery of aid is organized as it happened in the case of the tsunami in Indonesia and foreign nationals are allowed to distribute relief to cyclone victims. A likely death toll of 100,000 could rise to 1.5m without provision of clean water and sanitation, Oxfam said

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Burma's survivors 'facing crisis'

Reuters: "Unimaginable tragedy" if Myanmar delays aid

[04] Crucial Elections in Serbia

By Athina Saloustrou

Early elections are held in Serbia today without any problems. According to observers the vote could decide whether the Balkan country heads towards integration with the European Union or returns to isolation. Some 6.7 million registered voters are called to cast their ballot to elect 250 Parliament representatives among 3.137 candidates from 22 political party lists. According to polls the Nationalist Radical party ( SRS) is in the lead but results are too close and neither bloc is expected to win a decisive majority. Second in intention of voting comes pro-Western alliance led by President Boris Tadic who supports Serbias European prospect. Polls indicate that the coalition led by outgoing Prime-minister Kostunica comes third place. The Socialist and the Liberal Democratic parties are expected to get a 5 % necessary to be represented in the Parliament. The Albanian and Hungarians of Boibodina minority parties are likely to be represented in the Parliament as they do not need the 5% ceiling. Political observers do not rule out a post-election coalition of Kostunica with the nationalists of the Radical party. Voting is held without problems in the 275 poll stations in Kosovo regions with Serbian majority population while Kosovo police have not taken any additional measures but will intervene if citizens safety is at risk. KFOR spekesman said that calm prevails in Kosovo and there is no tension due to Srbian elections. Municipal elections are also held today while early elections were announced after the collapse of Kostunica-Tandic coalition due to the two sides strong arguments on the policy to be followed. First results are expected at 20:00 this evening.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Serbs voting in watershed ballot

Reuters: Serbs weigh pride against prosperity in key election

[05] Fresh Turkish Provocation

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÁNA-ÌPA

The new site of the Turkish Foreign Ministry carries provocative statements about Greece. It argues that Greece is undermining Turkeys integrity, insisting in parallel on the theory of "grey zones" in the Aegean.

The site presents Ankara as the protector of Greek Muslims, adding that Greece is refusing a national identity to other groups of people, using the phrases "Albanian Muslims", "Vlachi", "Macedonians", "Bulgarians" and "Turks". In parallel, it describes the Pontians genocide mere propaganda against Turkey.

The Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos told NET that the renewed site of the Turkish Foreign Ministry is being constantly assessed, adding that Greece will take all necessary diplomatic measures, presenting the Greek positions which are founded on international justice and the principles of the EU.

PASOK (Socialists) spokesman on foreign issues Andreas Loverdos described the above site provocative, stressing that the government is handling things in the worst way. He also stated that Turkey has been distancing itself from Democracy lately and not meeting the EU criteria as it had promised.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] KKE's Proposal to Rule

Sources: ÍÅÔ

In an interview with Eleftheros Typos tis Kyriakis newspaper, KKE (Greek Communist Party) Secretary General Aleka Papariga stressed that workers should re-align and take over, putting and end to todays anti-popular policy. In parallel, she did not question her opponents honesty, adding however that the policy ND (Conservatives) and PASOK (Socialists) implement are dangerous for the workers interests.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Taxi Owners Go on Strike

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

Taxi owners are staging a 24-hour strike as of 05:00 Monday, demanding higher taxi fares. The strike is expected to create problems to patients using taxis and especially to nephritics. The Nephritics Association has been assured by the Municipal Police and the City of Athens that they can count on their help if nephritics cannot find another means of transport. Thus, in case of emergency, they can call: EKAV:166 Taxi Owners Association in Attica: 210-52.27.986 and 210-52.42.589 Panhellenic Association of Nephritics: 210-77.71.176.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[08] Flights Cancelled and Merged

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

As a result of the continuation of the propeller aircraft pilots strike, eight Olympic Airlines flights have been cancelled. Specifically flights from Athens to and from Paros, Kos, Naxos, Astypalaia, Skiathos, Ioannina, as well as the flight from Thessaloniki to Constantinople have been cancelled.

Moreover, two flights to Santorini have been merged into one, while flights to Limnos and Mytilini were also merged.

Besides, departure hours for Athens-Chios flights and Athens-Thessaloniki flights have changed.

Passengers can contact 210-966 66 66 and 801-11-44 444 for further information.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[09] Bartholomew-Ieronymos Co-officiate in Phanar

By Athina Saloustrou

After co-officiating with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the historic Zoodochos Pigi monastery in Constantinople, Archbishop of Athens Ieronymos expressed his faith and devotion, as well as that of the Greek Church to the Patriarchate. The Patriarch stressed many times the unity of the two Churches, praising the Archbishop and his knowledge on church issues. From his side, the Archbishop, who is ending his first official visit to Phanar today, referred to the history of the Constantinople Church and its role through the centuries. Mr Ieronymos also promised devotion to the Patriarchate, denouncing any divisions between the two churches. Then, the two men held a Trisagion at the tombs of the Patriarchs at Panagia Balukli and visited Chalkidona Cathedral.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Vartholomew-Ieronymos Talks in Good Climate

[10] In Missouri and Oklahoma after Tornadoes

11 May 2008 12:37:00

By Athina Saloustrou

At least 18 people were killed on Saturday in Missouri and Oklahoma after tornadoes swept through the area, authorities in the two US states said. There were at least 12 storm-related deaths in south-west Missouri according to Susie Stonner of the Missouri Emergency Management Agency. Communication with the area is bad, there are many power cuts she said, adding police had not ruled out finding more victims.Six people were also killed in the small north-eastern Oklahoma town of Picher, officials said."Basically a 24-block area is virtually destroyed," said Michelann Ooten, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. She added that Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry had ordered National Guard troops to arrive in Picher by Sunday morning to help in rescue and recovery operations.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Tornado wrecks central US towns

Reuters: At least 18 said dead in Missouri, Oklahoma tornadoes

[11] Dedicated to Mothers' Day

11 May 2008 11:53:00 (Last updated: 11 May 2008 16:56:20)

By Athina Saloustrou

The 25th Athens Round, which this year was dedicated to Mothers Day, concluded with a closing ceremony at 12:30. Participation was particularly high with over 20.000 runners said Athens Mayor, Nikitas Kaklamanis. The Athens Mayor underlined that the "fair competition" ideal attracts participation while the specific event has become an establishment embraced by all Athenians.

[12] Peace March in Memory of G. Lambrakis

By Athina Saloustrou

Due to the 29th Marathon Peace March in memory of Grigoris Lambrakis, held annually by the Hellenic Committee for International Detente and Peace, special traffic measures are in effect in Attika. There will be interruptions of traffic along the route of the march from Marathonas to Syntagma Square. The Peace March concludes at 19:30 with a concert.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[13] Quake 5.6 Rocked Messinia-Lakonia

By Athina Saloustrou

A strong earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richer scale rocked south Peloponnese at 23:53 on Saturday night. The Athens Geodynamic Institute has located its epicenter in the sea region south-west of Tainaro cape, 225 km south-west of Athens. The quake was felt in Kalamata and Sparti, no damage has been reported.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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