The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Fuel-Truck Owners

14 May 2008 10:52:00 (Last updated: 14 May 2008 17:46:29)

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

In their general meeting today, held in a tense climate, industrial truck and fuel truck operators decided to continue mobilizations indefinitely with 43 votes in favour and 29 against. Earlier, Fuel-truck operators Federation had proposed suspension of mobilizations. In response to truck and fuel-truck operators demand for rises above 5% in transport fees, Transport Ministry officials maintain that higher rises will spark a new wave of rises in products and inflationary pressures. In reference to measures regarding restrictions from national roads, the Transport Ministry said that the agreement reached last week provides for a balanced solution for a safe transport of citizens and smooth transport services. The supply of petrol has slightly improved in Attika today with shorter and fewer queues at petrol stations but in Thesaloniki only few petrol stations have fuel. The biggest problems are in regional Greece with shortages in produce. In a good will gesture some trucks have transported perishable goods to many ports. Problems have emerged in sea transport with ship lines cancelling or reducing services. In his speech at the Industrialists Union meeting yesterday, Prime-minister, Kostas Karamanlis called on strikers to take into consideration the impact of their mobilizations to society.

In Expectance of Developments

While queues at petrol stations in Attica are now fewer, the province continues facing most problems with the supply of petrol.

In Crete most petrol stations are out of petrol, while the market in Heraklion is already facing shortages in dairy products, meat and frozen foods. Merchants are protesting as they argue they are facing a financial deadlock.

Achaia is supplied with petrol by 10 petrol stations, while the market is already facing shortages in medicines and foodstuffs.

In Larissa and Volos however, most petrol stations are operating normally.

The market is facing mainly shortages in garden produce, while sea services are also facing problems.

Meanwhile, the port authorities have ordered a preliminary examination to see whether sea services were disrupted due to lack of fuel.

Public Transport is running smoothly, while KTEL (Long Distance Busses) has announced that its fuel will last only a week.

At the same time, businessmen and traders are protesting as their sector has been affected by the fuel-truck owners strike, while raw materials are already running out.

Furthermore, truck owners strike has created problems in passenger ships transport, with some sea lines cancelling services and other reducing number of services. There is no problem for means of public transport as they are supplied by the army and police reserves while KTEL said that the company has petrol for a week. Athens Trade representatives Union calls for immediate measures to deal with the situation as a large number of businesses can not replace their products while shortage of raw materials is emerging. Petrol station owners federation demands abolition of restrictions for the granting of fuel truck permits.

[02] Agreement on OTE Approved

Sources: NET-NET 105.8-ÁNA/ÌPA

The Inter-ministerial Privatisation Committee has approved the agreement between Deutsche Telekom and ÏÔÅ (Hellenic Telecommunications). Earlier, the Committee had been briefed by the advisers that an agreement had been reached between OTE and the strategic investor. Detailed announcements will be made later. Meanwhile, the PASOK (Socialists) Political Council is presently meeting under George Papandreous chairmanship. The meeting will focus on current developments and especially on OTE.

Referring to the agreement, LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) President George Karatzaferis stated that the two big parties had decided to constitute Greece Germanys county. "The PASOK party assigned the Germans to build the Spata airport and the ND party sold the telecommunications to the Germans. The Greek people should see all this and decide when the elections come," he concluded.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

OTE: Announcements on Thursday

[03] Two-Day Rallies

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

Reacting to the privatization of the public sector, GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) and ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) are staging a strike Thursday. GSEE will hold a rally at Kaningos Square at 12:00, ADEDY in Korais Street and PAME (All Workers Militant Front) at Omonia. In parallel, hospital doctors are staging a 48-hour strike across Greece as of today, demanding pay rises.

Specifically, GSEE has announce a 24-hour strike at OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications), at the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki and a three-hour work stoppage at PPC (Public Power Corporation), at ELTA (Greek Post Office), Olympic Airlines and EYDAP (Athens Water Supply & Sewerage Company).

Changes in Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines flights will follow due to the work stoppage staged by ADEDY, in which participating are air traffic employees with a four-hour stoppage.

At the same time, 12 domestic flights have been cancelled and two more changed due to the rallies staged by propeller aircraft pilots.

Due to the changes in air services, passengers are advised to call 210-966 66 66 and 801-11-44 444.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] The 18yo Clarinetist

14 May 2008 15:35:00

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ÍÅÔ

ERTs President Christos Panagopoulos invited Dionysis Grammenos to join ERTs music family. The winner of the 14th Eurovision Young Musicians was presented at a Press conference by Panagopoulos and other ERTs board members. Shy, modest and reserved, Dionysis, 18, elaborated on his participation in the contest. "Earning the first prize filled me with great joy. I hope Greece has many more successes," said the 18-year-old clarinetist.

"It all comes down to ERTs systematic work at all levels, whether it has to do with TV shows, or social, cultural activities, or its participation in major European contests," argued Panagopoulos, who invited Dionysis Grammenos to join, if he wishes, ERTs musical ensembles.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Environmentally Friendly Garbage Trucks

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

After Berlin, Athens and Piraeus are the first cities in Europe to run environmentally friendly garbage trucks. Athens and Piraeus Municipalities received the first 16 and 4 vehicles respectively. These new trucks, powered by clean burning compressed natural gas, friendly to the environment were ordered within the Development Ministry operational program "competitiveness" incorporated in the 3rd Community Support Framework.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Alekos Alavanos in Acropolis

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

President of SYRIZA Parliamentary Group, Alekos Alabanos intends to meet shortly with Culture Minister, Mihalis Liapis after his meeting with employees doing maintenance work to Acropolis monuments. Mr. Alabanos, who visited the holy hill and the new Acropolis Museum criticized the governments policy concerning delays in employees payments as well as the financing of preservation of monuments programs. "The existence of the Parthenon is a reason for Greeces pride. However, we are all ashamed at the way the government is dealing with maintenance works. There is no excuse for 8 month delay in payment of maintenance workers, who are doing an excellent job- which we project in Beijing- and interruption of financing programs for the supply of the necessary material for the continuation of the projects" he said.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Contacts- Events

14 May 2008 15:03:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

With state leaders honors, Larissa received Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is paying a visit to Thessaly capital to attend religious celebrations for the citys Patron Saint Ahillios. Mr. Bartholomew arrived in a special flight and received a grand welcome headed by Defence Minister, Baggelis Meimarakis. Earlier, the Ecumenical Patiarch had met with PASOK president, George Papandreou and the US ambassador to Athens Daniel Speckhard.

Turkey must respect the Ecumenical Patriarchates rights, which are issues concerning respect to EU principals and ideals and not only Turkey said PASOK president. The US ambassador said that the US support the reopening of the Halki School as a vocational school and continue encouraging Turkey towards this direction. Patriarch Bartholomew will head a mass in the afternoon and later attend a dinner in his honor hosted by Prefect Loukas Katsaros.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] School Bus Accident

Sources: NET 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

Five primary school pupils were slightly injured when the bus they were in hit the protective bars on the Thessaloniki and Klimanoglou crossroads near Nea Philadelphia.

As per the Traffic Police, the accident took place because the driver lost consciousness. After the accident he was transferred to Sismanoglio Hospital, where he is undergoing tests.

The bus was carrying 28 pupils in total. The injured children were transferred to Paidon Hospital (Childrens Hospital) for precautionary reasons.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[09] Fresh Cyclone Threat

By Betty Savourdou

As per scientists, a fresh cyclone may hit Myanmar in the next 24 hours. At the same time, the Nargis cyclone-stricken people are accusing the authorities of not having forwarded them with any help, but instead they are pressing them to abandon their provincial settlements and return to their villages. In parallel, humanitarian organizations are accusing the junta of keeping the aid from abroad and instead distributing rotten rice to the people. Meanwhile, European Development Commissioner Louis Michele is visiting Myanmar in order to persuade the regime to facilitate the access of international aid to the cyclone-hit victims. As per latest estimates, 32,000 people have lost their life, 30,000 are reported missing, while diplomats speak of more than 100,000 dead. The number of the cyclone-stricken people has been estimated to two million.

Rotten Rice to the Cyclone-Hit People

Thailands Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej arrived in Myanmar on behalf of Washington, London and the UN in order to mediate to the military regime, in order to allow the distribution of aid to the cyclone victims and the arrival of humanitarian agency personnel to the country.

At the same time, EU Development Ministers convened Tuesday and decided humanitarian organizations in Myanmar to be granted free access to the victims and in parallel request Burma to take extra measures.

On a relative development, humanitarian organisations have accused the junta in Myanmar of keeping the international aid and distributing rotten rice and poor quality foodstuffs to the cyclone victims.

The UN estimates that only 20% of the aid arriving in Burma finally reaches the victims in the delta area.

Finally, the Commissioners office in Greece has appealed for international aid. Those interested can call the Resources Development Section on 210 6726296.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Thai premier in Burma aid talks

Related News:

Myanmar: Disappointment in the UN

[10] Hits New Records

14 May 2008 09:49:00

Sources: ANA, MNA

Crude oil prices eased in Asian trade on Wednesday after striking an all-time high near 127 US dollars. New Yorks main oil futures contract, light sweet crude for June delivery, slipped eight cents to 125.72 US dollars per barrel. Brent North Sea crude for June delivery dropped 13 cents to 123.97 US dollars a barrel, after closing at 124.10 US dollars on Tuesday in London. Oil prices recorded yesterday new records as information released to the public warn that Iran plans to reduce oil production and despite of the International Energy Agency (IEA)s predictions speaking of reduction in the global demand by 2008 at 87.2 million bpd. During the latest 10 days, oil crude records new records every day rising up to $ 15 dollars since May 1st.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[11] Clinton Wins a Broad Victory

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA, MNA, Reuters

Hillary Clinton won a victory-oxygen yesterday in West Virginia at the sigh of the forthcoming presidential elections. With 100 percent of the precincts reporting in West Virginia, 67 percent of voters supported Clinton while 26 percent backed Obama. Despite the predictions of most political analysts of Obama being the final winner, Hillary states that she will continue until the end. Next appointment for Democratic candidates is set in Oregon, Kentucky on 20th of May.

"The Race isn't Over Yet"

"This race isnt over yet. Neither of us has the total delegates it takes to win," the New York senator and former first lady told a victory celebration in Charleston, West Virginia.

"I am more determined than ever to carry on this campaign until everyone has had a chance to make their voices heard," she said, looking ahead to the final five nominating contests that conclude on June 3.

Less than an hour after the polls closed, Clinton, whose campaign is at least $20 million in debt, sent supporters text messages and e-mails, urging them to donate money to her campaign, according to The New York Times. She made a direct appeal to the remaining Democratic voters and superdelegates -- party officials who can back any candidate and will help decide the nominee.

A delegate count by MSNBC gives Obama 1,880 delegates to Clintons 1,718 with six more delegates to be awarded in West Virginia. That leaves him 145 short of the 2,025 needed to clinch the nomination.

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