The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-21

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] EFET Releases New Evidence

21 May 2008 15:42:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ANA/MPA

EFET, Greeces food safety agency released new evidence over the quantities of the contaminated sunflower oil imported in the country, while authorities are in the middle of withdrawing all quantities imported since early 2008. EFET head Mr Zabelas said that the total of sunflower oil quantities that worked their way to the Greek market will also be withdrawn, irrespective of their import date, as another 1,000 tonnes of contaminated sunflower oil were located in Agrotiki importing company. Zabelas also stressed that of the 3,000 tonnes imported by Sogia Hellas, about 1,000 were purchased by Korres company. In the meantime, he denied rumours that as many as 10,000 tonnes of sunflower oil had been located in a multi-national company, arguing that EFET had no knowledge of that. In the meantime, a Ukrainian-registered ship carrying sunflower oil has been docked at Halkidas port. Yet another ship loaded with sunflower oil is expected to dock at the port. On Thursday, the EU is expected to impose a year-long ban on sunflower oil imports from Ukraine, since another eight EU states have come up against the same problem. Later on Wednesday, PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) President George Papandreou will meet with Development Minister Christos Folias, who will brief him on the food scare.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Karamanlis' Message to FYROM

21 May 2008 15:31:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA-MPA

Addressing the SE Europe Cooperation Process conference held in Bulgaria, Greeces Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis sent a message to Skopje over the name row. Karamanlis stressed that it is high time Greece and Skopje brokered a realistic and viable deal that will be sealed by the UN Security Council. He then went on to claim that Greece is after a solution that will benefit both sides. FYROM President Branko Crvenkovski, on the other hand, requested all parties contribute to FYROMs NATO bid. The two men shook hands at the dinner hosted on Tuesday night by the Bulgarian Premier. In the meantime, the members of the SE Europe Cooperation Process conference agreed on the establishment of a Regional Development Centre in Thessaloniki, with a view to the economic growth of the SE countries.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Of the Greek Swimming Champion

21 May 2008 12:54:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜNA

The Greek champion of swimming who was submitted to a second anti doping test for illegal substances was found positive.

The Swimming Federation is expected to make an official announcement releasing in public the name of the athlete and then the athlete will be referred to the discipline committee.

If the athlete is found guilty, all his performances will be cancelled including his participation in Waidhofen European Championship as well as World Swimming Cganpionship (25m) Manchester.

The athletes lawyer in his written statement claims that his client has never taken or even thought of taking illegal substances on his own.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Obama and Clinton Share Victories

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reueters

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton shared on Tuesday victories in the primary elections in Oregon, Kentucky. However the Afro-American presidential nominee gathered the majority of delegates. Hillary Clinton denies withdrawing herself from the presidential race. As it was expected Clinton obtained a wiping victory in Kentucky, 65% of votes and 37 delegates in contrast with Barack Obama who managed to gather 30% of votes and 14 delegates. On the contrary, in Oregon Obama won 58% of votes and 21 delegates while Hillarys votes reached 42% and delegates came to 14.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Child Porn Ring Broken in Greece

Sources: REUTERS

Greek police broke a child pornography ring, believed to be part of a European network, and charged 21 people with possessing and trafficking hard-core material on the Internet, officials said on Wednesday. Police said they had detained 13 men and were searching for the rest, who are aged between 25 and 50. They included a teacher, a doctor, a businessman, a therapist and a shepherd who had created a hi-tech Internet corner in his sheep-pen. "These people are detained on charges of accessing, possessing and trafficking hard-core child pornographic material," a police official, who declined to be named, told Reuters. "Such a case is a first for Greece." After a six-month, Europe-wide investigation, Greek authorities tracked the suspects down after being tipped off by Interpol, the official said. Operations are continuing in Italy, Germany and the Britain. About 50 computer hard-drives were confiscated in the raids, the official told Reuters. Greeces conservative government passed a law in 2007, which imposes heavy sentences, up to life imprisonment, for crimes related to child pornography.

[06] Mr. Papoulias Visits Sweden

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The President of Republic after his meeting with the Swedish leadership during his visit in the country branded the Cypriot issue as a major issue. Mr. Karolos Papoulias stressed that it is unacceptable for a European country to be divided by walls. Mr. Papoulias had a meeting yesterday with the royal family of Sweden and also visited the Nobel museum in Stockholm where Greek poets Seferis and Elytis were awarded the Nobel Prize.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] Ship Collided in Patmos Port

Sources: ΑNA-ΜNA

Ferry boat "Marina" heading from Dodecanese islands to Piraeus collided at dawn in Patmos Port. The 60 members crew and the 206 passengers are all safe. The collision caused a 20 cm crack in the left stern of the boat. Fortunately there was no pollution and there were no injuries. The damage was fixed today and the ship departed for Piraeus port.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] Center of Development in Thessaloniki

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

The members -states of the Southeastern Europe Cooperation Process, in the framework of the conference held on Promorie, Bulgaria, on Tuesday decided on the creation of a Regional Development Center in Thessaloniki, targeting at the financial development of South Eastern European countries

The inter Balkan cooperation was branded by the Prime as the moving force of the regional cooperation in South Eastern Europe. Kostas Karamanlis announced the initiative of the Greek government to fund the creation of a Regional Developmental Center in Thessaloniki targeting at the improvement of the institutions of the regional cooperation and of the financial activity of the broader area.

The Prime Minister stressed that the institutionally boosted inter Balkan cooperation guarantees that it will constitute in long term the south eastern pylon of the European Union.

Earlier today, on reference to Skopje he stressed that the support and respect between good neighboring relations as well as the adoption of mutual principles constitute the path for the Euro Atlantic path.

Commenting on Bucharest decision, he underlined that Greece does not pursuit FYROM to be isolated but to find a solution which will be profitable for everyone. We are asking for a realistic, functional and applicable handling of the issue for a sustainable agreement which will be sealed by the UN Security Council.

Mr. Karamanlis also said that the Greek government has pronounced repeatedly and clearly that the incorporation of the countries of the region to the European and Euro Atlantic constitutions is Greeces strategic choice. This is a strategic choice which can not be bargained. The conditions of entrance agreed by all partners and allies are related with all candidate countries including FYROM.

Regarding Kosovo Mr. Karamanlis stressed that it is the only challenge-key for the wider area and for all Greece. Greece has stressed that the only solution in Kosovo must be found through a mutual handling of the situation.

Europe must play a leading part in Kosovo because Europes values are those which provide guarantees for stability in the region.

Mr. Karamanlis also expressed the hope that discussions among parties will lead to a fertile result regarding the formation of a government as soon as possible.

On Tuesday, during the working lunch hosted by the Bulgarian Prime Minster in honor of the European leaders, the Greek Prime Minister exchanges hand shaking with the President of Skopje Branko Crvenkovski.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[09] Regarding the Contaminated Sunflower Oil

21 May 2008 12:08:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

National Food Inspection Organization (EFET) is meeting today after the resignation of its president yesterday in order to look into the latest evidences regarding the contamination of quantities traced in sunflower oil. In addition sunflower oil that was imported in Greece from January was pulled yesterday for testing. The issue has triggered reactions by the opposition party while the government is held responsible for the scandal. Competent authorities have committed to continue investigations until the 3.000 tones of oil imported from Ukraine to Halkida on behalf of Soya Hellas are traced.

Controls in Markets Continue

Port authorities blocked two ship from Ukraine carrying 5.500 tones of sunflower oil today after receiving an emergency call by the European Committee to stop imports of suspect products from Ukraine.

"I hope EFET new personnel will constitute the occasion for a further boost of the Organization" the resigned president said. In his written statement he stresses that EFET worked with transparent procedures, objectivity and with sense of responsibility and proceeded to all necessary actions for the protection of the consumer.

The governmental spokesman pronounced the modernization of the organization which will be achieved by modern laboratories. The Competitiveness Programme undertook the funding of the new infrastructure targeting at better controls in the quality of products. The government intends to incorporate EFET to the Ministry of Agricultural Development in order to smooth food controls.

However, according to the European Authority of Food Safety the contamination traced in quantities of sunflower oil does not put in danger public health.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article