The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] The Cabinet Convened

13 May 2008 14:41:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105,8

The cabinet met today and focused on issues of Ministry of Internal. Internal Minister initiated a proposal according to which 70.000 state employees will be given the chance of a promotion. In addition, Internal Minister. Mr. Prokopis Pavlopoulos briefed the cabinet on the bill which was submitted to Parliament regarding permanent contract employees. Mr.Pavlopoulos stated: "The bill will provide for the hierarchical promotion of permanent contract employees." Mr. Pavlopoulos also briefed the cabinet on the results of the Code of the Prefectural Administration which will be put into effect at the end of 2008. In his interview with journalists, on reference to OTE issues, Minister of Economy said that nothing is going to change in critical domains of the organization. In addition, Mr. Alogoskoufis stated that if negotiations are completed, announcements will be made on Thursday. He added that he will look into the issue when he has the official proposal. Environmental policy can not be achieved without cost, he concluded.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] Myanmar: Disappointment in the UN

By Athina Saloustrou

The European Commission is meeting today regarding the crisis that broke out in Myanmar after the disastrous cyclone that hit the country. Nargis cyclone-hit residents are facing famine and diseases while UN is addressing appeals to raise $ 187 billion funds. At the same time, two US aircrafts full of supplies are heading to Maynmar. However, the military junta is keeping humanitarian organizations away from the country providing only 47 visas. US president George Bush stated that the national community must condemn Myanmars military junta for its stance regarding the disastrous cyclone that ravaged the country. "It is impossible to say how many people lost their lives because of Myanmar authorities delay after the disaster," George Bush said in CBS. UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon expressed his disappointment for the unacceptable delay of the countrys authorities which resulted in the crisis Myanmar is facing 10 days after the deadly cyclone. Recent death toll rose to 31.938 while 100.000 people are missing. The number of the cyclone-hit resident rises to 2 million.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Papandreou Criticism on the Economy

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis will address the SEV General Assembly at the Athens Music Hall this evening. At noon, PASOK (Socialists) President George Papandreou criticized the government on the high cost of living and the privatization of OTE. SEV President Dimitris Daskalopoulos stressed that entrepreneurs should help in participate in the efforts for progress and change. Mr Daskalopoulos was re-elected president in the morning.

Speech at SEV's General Assembly

Mr Papandreou appealed to entrepreneurs to re-invest their profits in Greece, proposing a new developmental model that will be protecting the environment. He also spoke of the combating of bureaucracy and corruption. He criticized the government of imposing a mentality of passiveness and fatalism in the public life.

In parallel, he stated that for the first time in 10 years, the Greeks per capita income has dropped substantially, while loans have exceeded 45% of the GNP. Moreover, Greece is facing a competition crisis, an unprecedented increase of the current trade balance, high inflation, cartels in the market, 13billion, prodigal administration, indebted households and expensive tourist products.

He also instead that the state should have under its control over enterprises of strategic importance such OTE, as they constitute tools of national planning.

Daskalopoulos: No to Immobility

Mr Daskalopoulos spoke of a dilemma, either immobility or change. He said that entrepreneurs are ready for promote progress and changes and a new mentality about healthy entrepreneurial action.

In parallel, he reported that SEV should implement consistently the principles of company ruling and social responsibility. Private initiatives should conquer moral lead. In this way, entrepreneurs would gain the society's confidence.

Referring to SEV's activities, he committed himself that in the next years SEV would expand and upgrade its role in Greece's future.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] According to Ministry of Economy

13 May 2008 16:03:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌNA

Minister of Finance, Mr. Alogoskoufis in his interview with journalists stated that he will make announcements on OTE issue when negotiations are completed. Deputy governmental spokesman Mr. Antonaros also referred on OTE issue explaining that the government has explained with clarity its agenda and plans during the pre election period. "The Greek citizens who gave to New Democracy the mandate to govern the country for the next 4 years already knew about the governments plan and they approved it", he stressed.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Eurogroup and Ecofin Councils

Ministers of Economy are meeting today in Brussels in the framework of Eurogroup and Ecofin Councils. According to Eurogroup councils agenda, recent financial developments, the fiscal policy adopted in eurozone as well as developments on salaries in the countries of eurozone settled in accordance with current inflation pressures will be at the focus of the discussions.

Ecofin is expected to adopt a conclusion plan of the council of finance ministers regarding the presentation of a cohesive investing framework for western Balkans.

In addition, the effectiveness and productivity of social assignments, funds for education as well as the European Councils initiative regarding the improvement of citizens understanding of stock market issues, will be discussed.

Moreover, a review of UN's recent talks with its basic partners on micro economic and economic credit issues, will take place.

Finally, ECOFIN will focus on issues regarding the fight against VAT tax deceit; it will look into taxes in savings and the draft plan of 2009 Community Budget.

Greece will be represented in Eurogroup and Ecofin by the president of the Council of Financial Consultants of Ministry of Economy, Mr. Ploutarchos Sakellaris.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] On Issues of Ministry of Internal

13 May 2008 12:01:00

By Athina Saloustrou

The cabinet is meeting today at Maximos Mansion under the Prime Minister Mr. Costas Karamanlis on issues of Ministry of Internal. Earlier today Mr. Karamanlis met with Foreign Affairs Minister Mrs. Dora Bakoyiannis. According to information, Internal Minister Mr. Prokopis Pavlopoulos initiated an adjustment according to which 70.000 civil servants will have the chance to be promoted in their working hierarchy signing open-ended contracts. ADEDY (Supreme Court Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) has approved the adjustment which will be submitted to Parliament within the next weeks.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] Lebanon: Violent Clashes

By Athina Saloustrou

Overnight, there were fierce clashes in the north, particularly in the city of Tripoli where pro-government supporters exchanged rocket propelled grenades and heavy machine gun fire with opposition followers, security officials said. One woman was killed. In addition, one man was killed in S. Lebanon but the army took control of the situation and tension de escalated during the night. US President George Bush who will be touring tomorrow, Wednesday Israel, South Arabia and Egypt is warning Iran and Syria that the international community will not allow Lebanon to be put under foreign dominance.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] Vartholomaios in Athens

By Athina Saloustrou

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios is visiting Greece today. In the afternoon Mr. Vartholomaios will meet with Athens Archbishop Hieronymus. Tomorrow he will be present at the exhibitions taking place in Agios Achilleos while on Thursday afternoon he will be honored by an international organization of ecological activities. On Friday he will visit Parnithas Observatory while he will also have meetings with the President of Republic, the Prime Minister as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[09] In Asian Markets

13 May 2008 09:16:00

By Athina Saloustrou

World oil prices on Tuesday eased further, trading below USD 124 a barrel after they hit record yesterday jumping to $ 126,40 in New York. New Yorks main oil futures contract, light sweet crude for June delivery, was 37 cents lower at USD 123.86 from USD 124.23 at the close of trading in New York on Monday. Brent North Sea crude for June delivery was 14 cents lower at USD 122.77 a barrel. Crude light delivery doubled this year up to 25% since the beginning of 2008 and has exceeded for the first time $ 100. "Oil price rose very fast and in high levels while the primary figures of the market do not justify such as rise", analysts of "Purvin and Gertz" in Singapore state who believe that the latest oil prices were settled in accordance with the rising demand in China, OPECs denial to rise the daily production and the attacks launched in oil installation in Nigeria.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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