The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] On Siemens Case

05 Ιουλ 2008 12:41:0 (Last updated: 05 Ιουλ 2008 14:30:5)

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

The government has fully covered Culture Minister Michalis Liapis, describing his case closed, after the minister publicized the receipts for his trip to Germany. In parallel, he ruled out the ministers resignation or the eventuality of a government reshuffle. From his side, PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) leader George Papandreou accused the government of being a hostage of big interests, demanding the state to turn against Siemens and ask for compensations. In reply, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said that the Mr Papandreou should inform us about the one million euros that ended into PASOKs coffers. Answering back, PASOK accused the government of covering the case, adding that it is in a state of embarrassment and nervousness. Meanwhile, KKE (Communist Party of Greece) described the ND and PASOK parties responsible for the Siemens case, adding that they are distracting the peoples attention from everyday problems. SYN (Coalition of the Left) held the government responsible for not letting the people learn about the secret money that had been channeled to Greece. In parallel, the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias, who is on an official visit to Austria, referred to corruption during his address to expatriate Hellenes. Finally, former Prime Minister and PASOK leader Costas Simitis also referred to the Siemens case yesterday evening.

Wrangling Goes on

At the same time, President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias, who is on an official visit to Vienna commented on the developments in Greece, saying, "We [the Greeks] do well abroad." "We may have domestic problems, yet I will repeat what was said in the past, We do well abroad," said Papoulias, expressing his joy for the hailing remarks he received on his contribution to the Greek community in Austria.

In an interview with Eleftherotypia newspaper, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis speakes about a problem with transparency and the financing of parties. She stresses that Mr Zagoritis investigations proves that Siemens has not given any money to the ND party.

Ms Bakoyannis describes Mr Liapis explanations convincing, denouncing the incrimination of social relations and admitting that she has always been accused because she knew Mr Michalis Christoforakos.

Regarding Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis involvement in the Siemens case she reports that although we are lawful and "clean", we ought to be more careful.

Delivering a speech in Pyrgos, former PASOK leader Costas Simitis left barbs against the PASOK leadership, rejecting the eventuality for a new party to be founded or for PASOK to be dissolved.

In an interview with NET 105.8, PASOK MP Tilemachos Chytiris stressed that is one of the 70.8% of Greeks who believe that the Siemens scandal will be tucked up. In parallel, in an interview with Imiresia newspaper, former President of Parliament Anna Psarouda Benaki believes that corruption will be combated only when the system of financing parties changes.

Addressing the SYN Central Political Committee, Alexis Tsipras left barbs against the government and Justice on the Siemens case, criticizing strongly the two-party system. He also criticized the government of not approving the setting up of an inquiry committee. Justice from its side, he said, said that no politicians are responsible for the Siemens case, something which also applies with the phone-tapping issue, the structured bonds issue and the Stock Exchange issue.

Furthermore, he argued that the two-party system cannot tackle the crisis, which it had created, rejecting PASOKs proposal to cooperate with it.

Finally, SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) Parliamentary Group Head Alekos Alavanos wished the ND lost power, not ruling out PASOK dissolution. Also, he called on PASOK cadres who are not corrupt to join SYRIZA.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Liapis Case Over

[02] State Mechanism on the Alert

05 Ιουλ 2008 16:36:0

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA

The state mechanism and the Power Corporation DEH ( fearing failure on power system network from possible over consumption from the operation of air-conditioners) are on the alert in view of heat wave forecast for Monday and to reach 42C on Wednesday. A drop in temperatures is expected to start late on Wednesday in the west and north parts of the country and on Thursday in the rest of the country. High risk groups of people (elderly and children) are advised to limit outdoor activities during the hot days.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Indignant German Arrested

05 Ιουλ 2008 16:18:0

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΑNA, Reuters, German

A 41 year old man tore off the head from a waxwork figure of Adolf Hitler in protest at the exhibit on the opening day of Berlins Madame Tussauds museum on Saturday, giving his personal solution to the controversial issue.

The creation and display of Adolf Hitler waxwork figure has given rise to many reactions with most critics mainly supporting that it was inappropriate to display the Nazi dictator, who started World War Two and ordered the extermination of Europes Jews, in a museum alongside celebrities, pop stars, world statesmen and sporting heroes. The 41 year-old German was arrested and held in a Berlin prison. About 25 workers spent about four months on the waxwork, using pictures and pieces of archive material to make it as close as possible to his waxwork figure in the London branch of Madame Tussauds.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Biofuels Guilty

A secret World Bank report reveals what many analysts had already assumed -- that the increased use of biofuels has had a direct, powerful impact on the cost of living. The internal report was obtained by the U.K.'s Guardian newspaper and the results were published on Friday. The study -- the most detailed of its kind so far -- shows a much more dramatic rise in food prices than had been previously estimated. The report finds that food prices have risen 75 per cent, according to the paper. The study is a direct contradiction to claims by the U.S. that biofuels -- those made from plant products -- have only caused prices to rise by three per cent or less. With many Western nations turning to biofuels to reduce their dependence on petroleum products, as well as cut down on greenhouse gas emissions, the report will come as a stunning rebuke. The report, written by respected World Bank economist Don Mitchell, has not been published. The G8 Summit due to be held in Japan from 7-9 July will focus on the report. German Chancellor Angela Merkel believes that measures will be taken during the summit to combat the rise of food prices.

[05] Video on Betancourt's Release

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA, BBC, NET, NET 105.8

Colombia has released video footage of the daring rescue operation of Ingrid Betancourt. Betancourt, as well as the 15 hostages release video was publicized by Colombian Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos, who rejected information of Swiss radio station Radio Suisse Romande as per which ransom amounting to $US20million had been paid to some Farc members to assist the operation.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Betancourt Was Freed over Ransom?

[06] Meeting to Take Measures

05 Ιουλ 2008 17:51:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA

A 10 year-old, who suffered a tick bite, removed by a doctor is being hospitalized at Alexandropolis University Hospital since Thursday afternoon. The results of lab tests are expected at the beginning of next week. Although the young boy had fever his clinical picture is good and symptoms do not give rise to concern.

The Infection and Disease Prevention Center in cooperation with the Agricultural Development Ministry are carrying out an epidemiology research. A meeting was held on Friday with the presence of doctors and officials from Thrace to discuss the case of the first victim of hemorrhagic fever in Greece recorded in the Rodopi prefecture. This is the case of a 49 year old woman from Komotini, who died of infection in her attempt to remove the tick from her skin. Lab tests confirmed that the specific tick carried a bacteria causing the Crimean hemorrhagic fever.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] AirLand Battle with Flames

A firefighting force of 15 vehicles, 45 firefighters, three water bomber aircrafts and one helicopter are heading to Skourta, Boiotia where a fire is raging. Already two water bomber Canadair aircrafts are trying to put out the fire. Six Canadair water bomber aircrafts are trying to put out a fire that broke out in Chrisobitsi, Tripolis while 70 firefighters are flying from Thessalonki aboard a C-130 to enforce fire crews in Tripolis. Strong firefighting forces are still trying to put out the fire in Mainalos Arcadias, on the same region hit by a fire in 2000. In the meantime, the fire that broke out in Palaiokastro, Kozany has been placed under control.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] Hailstorm Caused Extensive Damage

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

Less than half an hour hailstorm which hit the prefecture of Serres yesterday has caused extensive damage to agricultural and forest roads as well as the water supply system in the mountainous communities of Oreini and Brontous according to the president of Oreinis community, Athanasios Gatsios.

Damage was also caused to farm lands in the Emmanuil Papa municipality. The hailstorm also destroyed large tobacco and cotton cultivations. ELGA crews will conclude recording of exact extension of damage on Monday.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] US Bombs Kill Civilians

Sources: ANA-MPA, AFP

An Afghan provincial governor said Saturday 16 civilians including women, children and doctors were killed in US-led coalition air strikes but the force insisted the dead were militants. The strikes were on Friday in the remote district of Waygal in the mountainous northeast province of Nuristan, about 50 kilometres from the border with Pakistan. Provincial governor Tamim Nuristani told AFP 16 civilians were killed as they were travelling out of the area after being told by security forces to leave ahead of an operation. "The casualties were all civilians. They included two women, two children and workers and shopkeepers travelling in two pick-up vehicles," Nuristani told AFP. Two doctors and a female nurse were also dead, he said. "Altogether 16 people, all civilians, were killed," he said. Seven other people -- all men -- were injured in the strike by attack helicopters, the governor said. District governor Zia-ul-Rehman said Friday that 22 civilians had been killed in the strike.

[10] FYROM: Agreement to Form a Government

VMRO-DPMNE party leader and mandatary PM Gruevski has agreed with the leader of the DUI party Ahmeti to form a government, said sources from both parties. As per the same sources, DUI will take up five ministries (Economy, Health, Labour and Social Welfare, Self-Government and Environment). It will also have a vice president in the government, responsible for the implementation of the Ohris peace agreement.

Although Mr Gruevsky could have formed a government as he has 63 seats out 120 in Parliament, he chose to cooperate with an Albanian party to keep a balance among the nationalities in FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).

Translated by John Crystallidis

[11] Fatal Attack against Iraqi

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

A 30-year-old Iraqi passed away at the Nikaia State Hospital at 07:00 Saturday after being hit in the chest with a screwdriver.

The Iraqi was injured when he was discovered on Kennedy and Parnassos roads in Peristeri at 06:30 today.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[12] Man Arrested in French Students' Murder

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA-French News Agency

British police arrested a man in connection with the knife murder last Sunday of two French students in London, Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez. According to the same source a 21-year-old man was arrested in the early hours on a street in southeast London as part of an investigation into the killing of the two French students.

He is the first person arrested in connection with the murder of the French students. The 23-year-olds were bound, repeatedly stabbed and left in a blazing flat in southeast London last Sunday. Police would not say whether the arrested man was the prime suspect in the case, and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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