The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Penal Charges against Doping

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

Public prosecutor, Andreas Karaflos concluded investigation on the doping scandal involving the National weight lifting team with the interrogation today of last suspect, the teams coach Hristos Iacovou. The public prosecutor filed misdemeanor charges against 25 people, among them the 11 athletes, the teams doctor, the pharmacist who produced the tablets, the businessman from Larissa who imported the banned ingredient from China. The state prosecutor asks that all 25 suspects be tried at the Athens 3-member court. According to information Hristos Iacovou emerges as the brain of the doping case while the athletes knew they were taking a banned substance.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] Students-Professors' Mobilizations

20 May 2008 09:45:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

University board elections were postponed at Thessaly University and Crete Technical University, which are under occupation. Both students and professors have announced mobilizations on Wednesday and Thursday in protest against the new framework law on education providing for universal election of university dean boards. Students unions are to stage demonstrations in the center of Athens on Wednesday and Friday. In response to a relevant question, Education Minister Evripidis Stylianidis stressed that following the autonomy granted to tertiary education institutions, all together- academic community, dean authorities, students movement and political parties- should assume their responsibilities. In an interview with NET, he stressed that the government has placed priority on state universities, stressing that revision of article 16 is the most serious and responsible way for the liberation of non state universities, adding that the Bar Association and Municipalities will be among those eligible to found tertiary education institutions

Stylianidis Statements-Opposition Reactions

Education Minister, E. Stylianidis underlined that the government has placed priority on state universities, however he clarified that universities must submit a 4-year plan budget for the Education Ministry to proceed to financing, adding that there would not be blank checks. He said that several professors react to framework law fearing judgement will reveal their academic inability. He wondered what is wrong for Greek universities to become post-graduate studies centers in the Balkans while he referred that the majority of Greek society agrees with coexistence of state and private universities. "It is hypocritical when society agrees, some to react for apparent political expediencies", Mr. Stylianidis said. "In an improvised and superficial way the Education Minister is opening the issue of education in his attempt to change political agenda at the expense of education" said PASOK. The GCP called on students and professors to avert materialization of the governments reactionary policy against tertiary education while the SYN party spoke of an attempt of the ND with the participation of PASOK to destroy higher education.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Three- day National Mourning

20 May 2008 09:30:00

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ-105,8, ÁNA-ÌPA

Thousands of panicked residents spend the night in the streets of Sichuans provincial capital Chengdu, alarmed by a television report that predicted another powerful earthquake would hit the region. The pandemonium triggered by the TV report showed how peoples nerves have been stretched to breaking point by the May 12 earthquake and aftershocks which have killed thousands of people ( 71.000 people killed and missing). The earthquake has made some 4.8 million homeless while the government put direct economic losses in Sichuan alone at about $9.6 billion.

Hundreds of post quakes have followed but it is the first time that authorities have issued such warning. Although experts maintain that quakes can not be predicted, Sichuans government webpage warns of 6-7 magnitude quake will rock the region on Monday or Tuesday. Cars jammed roads leading out of Sichuans provincial capital Chengdu and people carrying bedding headed for open ground after hearing that another earthquake of 6-7 magnitude would shake the ravaged province overnight. A magnitude 5.0 aftershock hit Pingwu County early on Tuesday, causing buildings to creak in Chengdu, about 125km from the tremors epicenter. The majority of Chengdu residents have returned home but the state has urged them to remain on state of alert.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] EFET President Resigned

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

The president of the National Food Inspection Organization (EFET) Evangelos Lazos submitted his resignation to Development undersecretary, George Blahos. His resignation was accepted and the organizations vice-president, Antonis Zambelas has temporarily assumed presidents duties.

Mr. Lazos resignation comes after several days of tense climate regarding contaminated with lubricant mineral sunflower oil delivered to Greek super-markets as well as revelation of new import of contaminated sunflower oil from the Ukraine ( 2.970 tones imported by Soya Hellas) which arrived in Halkida port, on March, 17. This new quantity was located and removed by EFET. However, level of contamination of sunflower oil does not pose direct risk to public health according to results of laboratory tests and the European authority for food safety.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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