The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] The Prime Minister Asked

17 May 2008 14:22:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌNA

The Prime Minister, in the meeting of the General Secretaries of ministries and regional districts stressed the need for reforms which sometimes are not likeable because certain interests are being affected, reforms that have to face forces that turn to populism and razing because they have nothing to suggest for today and tomorrow. Mr. Karamanlis sent a clear message to the attendees of the meeting saying: "We receive peoples orders we only respond to people, we owe to have our eyes open to the messages of the society, to peoples anxiety and wants.

Crucial National Scenery

We proceed with the reforms which none dared to proceed to and we guarantee benefits for the economy, the society and the citizens, he added. Mr. Karamanlis said that todays scenery is crucial, because of the unprecedented rise of oil price, the crisis reported in US stock markets and because of the alimentation crisis. "We owe to proceed with more determination and faster speed having a full understanding of the social responsibility towards the direction of reforms because that way only we can resolve unemployment, poverty and costliness, he added.

Mr. Karamanlis stressed that the Greek economy has resistance due to the reforms that were materialized in the first 4 years of the governments tenure. He added that countable and attainable results will come only with reforms.

Sending a message to the General Secretaries, the Prime Minister asked them to "to do their best every day, to overcome bureaucracy obstacles which penetrate the public administration sector.

Mr. Karamanlis also underlined that Greece has not the luxury to waste time and funds, stressing that the government is ahead of the challenge of the completion of the 3rd Community Framework in strict imposed time limits and of the application of ESPA 2007-2013.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] Political Storm on OTE

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ANA-MPA

A storm has broken out in the political scenery because of the OTE-Deutsche Telekom agreement. The Prime Minister spoke of a strategic cooperation that assures only benefits. Mr. Papandreou branded the agreement as a sell off with non transparent procedures. Mr. Alavanos asked OTE agreement not to proceed is Siemens case is not resolved while Giorgos Karatzaferis called New Democracy "Madame Hortanse". After the fierce wrangling taking place in Parliament and the accusations launched by both parties, political members are continuing today the debate for the decision taken by the government. At the same time, Marfin President submitted lawsuit against Mr. Papandreou asking 2 million dollars as compensation.

PASOK's Harsh Reaction

PASOKs (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) reaction against Vgenopoulos and the Government was rather biting.

"Encouraged by the morbid climate nourished by the Government, he [Vgenopoulos] thinks he can lay out the rules of the nations political life and dictate to the peoples representatives what to say. Although he has been heavily exposed, he is obviously provoking to stretch the truth and serve his interests and political and economical connections with his other partners and the government of ND [Dea Dimokratia]. Whatever the Nea Dimokratia administration tries to achieve, no matter how hard it tries to hide behind lawsuits, it will not escape public outcry for the national crime to sell OTE to Deutsche Telekom. Staying true to his conscience and the freedom of his convictions, the PASOK President will keep expressing his positions for the protection of public interests, the Greek peoples rights and autonomy of politics," said PASOKs Press spokesman Giorgos Papakonstantinou.

Statements' by Politicians

The Germans are the ones that have reasons to be satisfied over the deal, because they acquired OTE paying only one fifth of OTEs 2007 earnings, commented Socialist deputy section head for economy Louka Katseli.

SYN cadre Fotis Kouvelis warned that labour relations will be threatened, as benefit will be the Germans telecommunications group the only goal.

The Greek Communist Party (KKE) issued an announcement reading, "The ND government finished PASOKs work. PASOK and SYRIZA have been mocking the people with their opposition, because they both champion Maastricht and the EU."

Speaking on NET radio station, KKE cadre and House Vice President Vera Nikolaidou labeled the Parliament debate as a theatre, blasting both the Conservatives and the Socialists for selling off everything at the expense of the working class.

[03] Official Death Toll to 28.881

17 May 2008 13:03:00

Sources: ÁNA-ÌNA, BBC, AFP, Reuters

Beicuan city is in panic as there were warnings about a Chinese lake damaged by an earthquake may be about to burst its banks. The governments reassurances that Sichuan is not threatened by flood were not enough to calm the residents which evacuated the area. Hong Kong media reported that authorities evacuated Sichuan, 90 Km north-east of Beicuan as the lake waters were rising. 5 days after the disastrous quake, terror still prevails in peoples hurts. Official death toll reached 28.881 today but authorities express fears that this number may even reach 50.000 in the city of Dujiangyan which was the epicenter of the quake and victims come up to 20.000. It is estimated that homeless residents reach 5 million. China president Hu Jintao addressed appeals to rescue crews to try as hard as they can in order to save as many lives as possible. Yesterday, 3 people were found alive in Beicuan city.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Tunnel Collapses in China

Sources: REUTERS

A tunnel at a hydropower station in southwest China collapsed on Saturday, trapping eight workers, but it was not yet clear whether it was related to Mondays devastating earthquake in a nearby province, state media said. The collapse happened at a water diversion tunnel in Yunnan that is part of the Dayingjiang hydropower station, located in the Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture, the official Xinhua news agency said, citing a spokesman with the local government. Xinhua cited rescue workers as saying they could still hear voices coming from the tunnel, suggesting the workers were still alive. Authorities were investigating the accident. A 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit Sichuan province on Monday, killing tens of thousands of people and prompting concerns about damage to dams and river banks that could lead to deadly flooding.

[05] Alavanos Visits Zoniana

By

One of the main demands of Zoniana residents is the building of a football court which will lead children to athletics. Other demands include the improvement of the environmental area of Zoniana cave, the creation of a cultural center, the building of a Cheese Production School, improvements in road networks and a second chance school.

Mr. Alavanos will contribute so as new horizons to open in N. Mylopotamos area. Professors of Athens Technical University also visited Zoniana village in the framework of the effort for alternative development of the area. After the open meeting-dialogue, professor of geological sciences of the Engineering Department Mr. Giannis Kaoumantakis said that Zoniana has been wronged and this is another reason to receive help by Athens Technical University. Mr. Koumantakis branded Zoniana Cave and Canyon, as well as issues related to installations important issues.

Mr. Alavanos stated that all these issues will be discussed in Athens and proposals will be submitted.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] Kontos Visits Fire-Hit Residents

Minister of Agricultural Development Alexandros Kontos visited Saturday the fire-hit areas of Ilia prefecture. After meeting with the local governors, Kontos heralded infrastructure works in the prefecture amounting to 100 million euros. The resumption of the funds to the fire-hit farmers and the producers compensation were also discussed as well as "Alexandros Baltazis" programme.

[07] Dominican Republic: Fernandez's Victory

propelled back into office by what many see as his success in pulling the Caribbean country out of a deep economic slump

Sources: Reueters

President Leonel Fernandez swept to a third term in the Dominican Republic, propelled back into office by what many see as his success in pulling the Caribbean country out of a deep economic slump.

Fernandezs main rival, businessman Miguel Vargas Maldonado of the center-left Dominican Revolutionary Party, conceded defeat

The election on Friday that catapulted Fernandez into his third term was marred by violence and accusations that his government dipped into the public purse to ensure it won enough votes for re-election. Fernandez, 54, who was first president from 1996 to 2000 before winning office again in 2004, told reporters: "Its a democratic fiesta,"

The Dominican Republic is far wealthier than Haiti, its poor neighbor on the island of Hispaniola. But many Dominicans struggle to satisfy basic needs despite a tourism and real estate boom and economic growth that have made the country the envy of much of the Caribbean.

[08] Changes in Propeller Plane Flights

Due to the denial of EEXAs (The Union of Propeller Airplane Pilots) to conduct mixed routes (an internal and an external) as well as flight to remote areas, Olympic Airways change its flights for Saturday May 17. For more information passengers can contact Olympic Airways to 210 9666666 and to 801 11 44444.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[09] Myanmar: Opposition Party Rejects the Referendum

Sources: ANA, MNA

Burmas military government has rejected Thursdays referendum on a new constitution, according to which 29% of voters approved it.

"The result is absolutely fake. They forced people to say "yes" and did not allow voting to be secret, Ms Suu Kyi, who leads the opposition National League for Democracy, stated.

The junta insisted on the process of the referendum in most areas of the country except of the southern areas which were ravaged by the disastrous cyclone Nargis which resulted in 133.000 deaths and many missing people.

Voting will be conducted in Rangoon and Irrawaddi which have been afflicted by the cyclone, on May 24. According to UN information, the humanitarian crisis involves 2 million people.

Ms. Suu Kyis party denounced that the results of the voting were announced illegally before the voting was completed in all areas of the country.

National League for Democracy is opposing the new Constitution and accuses the junta that it insists on imposing the referendum despite the humanitarian crisis that broke out in the country.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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