The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] "Endless Slander"

06 Ιουλ 2008 10:48:0 (Last updated: 06 Ιουλ 2008 19:12:5)

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA

Returning from Austria, Culture Minister Michalis Liapis spoke of a merciless and unjust attack against him, aiming at disorientating the public opinion. Mr Liapis had accompanied President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias to his three-day visit there. Publicity has focused on Mr Liapis during the last days in relation to Siemens secret funds. The minister rejected his involvement in the case, speaking of endless slander. Meanwhile, polls conducted on behalf of Sunday newspapers, indicate high concern over price rises, distrust on governments steps to combat corruption and ND party lead in intention of voting. Although, civilians believe the Siemens financing from its secret coffers concern the ND and PASOK parties, their voting preferences remain the same. At the same time political wrangling has reached its peak. Former Minister Christos Verelis statement, who is stigmatizing those who pretend not to know anything, has caused sensation. In parallel, top government cadres have presented a new way to finance political parties.

Finally, in reply to a question whether he intends to resign, Mr Liapis said that when one is fighting for his honesty, truth and justice, he does not resign.

Meanwhile, today's issue of Ethnos tis Kyriakis newspaper carries Siemens internal correspondence, as per which 770,000 euros in the form of commission were paid through an off-shore company within the framework of contracts with Cyprus Telecom, Cosmote and the Armenian Telecommunications Organisation.

From its side, the government considers Liapis case closed, while several ND MPs are openly supporting him.

Statements by Politicians

We have neither commitments nor unpaid debts and we are only interested in the truth underlines Justice Minister in his interview with "Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia" newspaper, describing the Siemens case as "complex".

In his interview with "Eleftheros Typos, Health Minister, Dimitris Abramopoulos stresses that all funds to parties must have a signature while he proposed reform in the electoral law with the establishment of one-seat districts.

Siemens scandal has sparked skepticism among the political world. In an interview with "Kyriakaktiki Eleftherotypia" newspaper, Hristos Berelis speaks of hypocrisy in the political system while in reference to Tsoukatos case he maintained somehow this way political parties funds were filled.

Dora Bakoyianni proposed coverage of political parties expenses from state budget or state subsidy and supplemented by personal contributions. In reference to Kyriakos Mitsotakis involvement in the Siemens case she said: "Despite being legal and clear, we should all be more careful".

Anna-Psarouda Benaki, in an interview with "Hmerisia" newspaper attributes to politicians responsibility for corruption and not businessmen while Alekos Alabanos predicts that the present political system is counting down days without ruling out PASOK division and calls its healthy6 forces to find thei position in SYRIZA attempt. In his speech to SYN party Central Political Committee, Alexis Tsipras spoke of a political game playing with write offs.

Kostas Skandalidis believes that George Papandreou should agree with the Prime-ministers proposal for intra-party committee on transparency issue.

Polls Indicative of the Political Climate

Gallops, conducted on behalf of Sunday newspapers, indicate high concern over price rises, distrust on governments steps to combat corruption and ND party lead in intention of voting.

According to Kapa Research gallop for newspaper to "Bima", 72.25% of respondents consider price rises as the countrys major problem while 55.65% attribute equal responsibilities to both ND and PASOK parties for the difficult economic situation of the country.

MRB gallop for "Eleftheros Typos" newspaper ND party has increased from 3.1% to 3.9% its lead over PASOK, however, it has lost two percentage points and PASOK three percentage points compared to the same companys last gallop. In response to intention of voting, the ND party gathered 29.2%, PASOK 25.3%, GCP 7.7%, SYRIZA 14% and LAOS 4.3%. Kostas Karamanlis is still considered the most appropriate personality for the post of Prime-minister with 35.4%, followed by George Papandreou with 20.9% while 24.1% of respondents said none is appropriate. In response to the question, where Siemens black money was channelled to, 56.5% of respondents said to both large parties, 24.9% to isolated persons and 12.9% to party funds.

A gallop by Public Issue, on behalf of "Kathimerini" newspaper indicates that 62% of respondents believe that the government is not determined to combat corruption phenomena while 63% is the percentage for PASOK. One in two believes that both large parties are responsible for corruption in Greece while 67% attribute responsibility to PASOK for the Siemens case and 58% to the ND party.

ALCO carried out a nationwide gallop for "FANTOMAS" magazine which indicates that 26.7% of registered voters states "slightly satisfied", 50.8% "least satisfied" from ND party while 50.1% of ND party voters states either slightly or least satisfied. Of respondents 60.7% states "least satisfied" from PASOK party opposition policy and 27.8% "slightly satisfied" with percentage of PASOK supporters being 74.1% and 45.6% respectively.

Of PASOK party voters 68.7% support PASOK-SYN parties post elections coalition (22.8% against) while of SYRIZA voters 43% support coalition and 21% are against while 39.8% of the electoral body supports coalition and 42.9% is against. Of PASOK voters 54.2% favour PASOK-SYN pre-elections coalition against 35.6% against while a respective gallop among SYN voters reads 43% in favour and 43% against.

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[02] AirLand Forces Fighting

06 Ιουλ 2008 13:14:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA

Fire in Hrisobitsi, Tripolis is abating, however, strong fire-fighting forces remain there due to the difficult landscape. The fire broke out two days ago in a scant fir forest region which was burned in a previous fire. Fire fighters can not put out the fire as tree trunks are being burned and the wind is continuously changing the direction of the fire.

A fire fighting force of 26 vehicles with 78 fire-fighters, 4 water bomber aircrafts, two helicopters dropping water and 265 ground firefighters are trying to put out isolated fires. Ground fire fighting forces are trying to put out a fire raging in a forest land in Zerba, Pella, which broke out last night around 23:00. Fire in Mount Manalon is abating while a fire fighting force of 10 vehicles and 178 ground firefighters with the aid of 4 aircrafts and two helicopters dropping water are trying to extinguish it.Fire-department deputy chief, Stylianos Stefanidis is coordinating firefighting efforts in the region. Fires in Skourta and Atalanti are under partial control.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] GCP Released

06 Ιουλ 2008 10:10:0

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA

Almost a year prior to the forthcoming Euro-elections, the Greek Communist Party released it Central Committee declaration, stressing that the ND and PASOK parties should suffer tough blows with parallel condemnation of SYRIZA double identity and LASO demagogy. The declaration characteristically says: "Euro-elections can and must condemn at nationwide level anti-popular policy and its sectors, the ND government and generally the parties of the euro-one-way street and the EU, all in one package!" and predicts: "Confrontation in Euro-elections is a battle which will certainly have a strong impact on domestic developments also extending to Europe". Maintaining that "the GCP is the only Greek aprty justified for its clear stand against the EU" the declaration says: the ND must suffer a tough blow as the Greek people have felt what "reforms" widely advertised in its pre-election campaign- mean and has revealed its tough anti-popular policy, as expresser of the big capital interests".

In reference to PASOK, the GCP stresses: "it neither wants nor is able to offer a real alternative solution because it has the same strategy with the ND party and the same policy in EU and domestic issues. Both parties serve the superordinate class and monopolios.

Criticizing SYRIZA, the declaration calls workers not to trust it stressing: "neither SYN-SYRIZA is an exit for popular vote but on the contrary an indirect support of anti-popular EU as it systematically hides the truth and cultivates illusions about the EU character. About LAOS the declarartion says: Most of the times LAOS launches demagogies against the EU in order to cover up its nationalism and its support to the big capital. It is trying to hide its old fashioned positions of racism, nationalism and the policy of substantial support to the system.

Finally the GCP calls for the vote of the Greek people because "With a strong GCP, the battle of euro-elections can become the start for a strongly united popular movement, a strong coalition of workers, farmers and self-employed and the start for the hopeful road of rifts and reversals to serve the interests of the people.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Tsipras' Speech to SYN C.P.C.

SYN (Coalition of the Left) does not constitute a part of the problem and crisis Greece is facing regarding the Siemens case and the high cost of living. On the contrary, SYN constitutes a part of the solution to the above problems, said Mr Tsipras, while addressing the Central Political Committee, which ended its sessions today.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] French Proposals on Illegal Migration

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

France, which is presiding the EU now, will present its plan on combating illegal migration on Monday, hoping to the EU member-states will adopt it in October despite disagreements and statements on xenophobia. The French proposals will be discussed by the EU Interior ministers in Cannes. EU member-states will be asked to commit themselves to boost the struggle against illegal migration and agree on deporting most of illegal immigrants, as well as pass a joint policy on asylum by 2010. The European Union believes that up to eight million illegal immigrants are presently living in EU member-states.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Iraq's Debts Written off

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

A diplomatic source of the United Arab Emirates told Reuters today that the United Arab Emirates had written Iraqs debt, amounting to less than seven billion US dollars.

Iraq and the US have asked Arab countries to adopt the same policy as the West, writing off Bagdads debts to them, amounting to 80 billion US dollars.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] The EU Urges G8 for Pledge on Emissions

Sources: REUTERS

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said today the United States and other rich nations might be ready to step up their pledges on cutting greenhouse gas emissions when leaders meet this week. Climate change tops the agenda of the G8 meeting this year, commencing at a luxurious hotel in Hokkaido on Monday. The EU, which has agreed to cut emissions by at least 20 percent by 2020 compared with 1990 levels, wants big polluters to agree to halve emissions by 2050. "I hope this G8 will not disappoint all those who are waiting for concrete results from this gathering -- mainly on climate change," Barroso said. "I believe things are now on track for that."

Translated by John Crystallidis

[08] Culprit Arrested

06 Ιουλ 2008 14:50:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Murder case of a 32 year old Syrian immigrant, found dead on Saturday in Peristeri, has been cleared. The murderer is a 24 year old Rumanian who was arrested. The Syrian immigrant claimed a relationship with the murderers sister who had an affair with an Albanian. The victim was living for many years in Greece, having fake documents indicating he was Iraqi.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] To Discuss Food Crisis

06 Ιουλ 2008 13:41:0

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΑNA, German, French, Reuters

During their summit on Monday, in the resort town of Hocaido, in Japan leaders of the worlds leading industrialized powers are expected to reach an agreement for the storage of seeds in order to more effectively deal with future food crisis. Only Germany and Japan have already stored seed reserves for difficult periods. However, wheat seeds can not be stored for a long time therefore supplies must be renewed. In periods of food crisis the seed reserves will supply the market in a coordinated effort to stabilize wheat prices.

The Japanese prime-ministers, Yasuo Fukuda wife will entertain the partners of the G8 leaders ( the only absent are Nikola Sarkozy wife Karla Bruni and Angela Merkel husband ) . US President, George Bush, who is already in Tokyo, during talks with Japanese Prime-minister, Yasuo Fukuda in reference to gas emissions said:"My role will be constructive. However, we will not resolve global warming issue if the two Asian giants (China and India) do not participate in a long term agreement.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[10] For Repair

06 Ιουλ 2008 11:28:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Passenger ship "Theofilos", that ran aground near Oinouses island last week, anchored at Elefsina port at 10:00, on Sunday. A tug boat will guide the ship to Skaramaga shipyard for repair. All cars and lorries in the ferry will be unloaded today putting an end to their owners one week waiting

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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