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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Siemens Case

08 Ιουλ 2008 14:39:0 (Last updated: 08 Ιουλ 2008 17:40:1)

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ΑNA/ΜPA

Developments over the Siemens secret coffers have caused wrangling between the opposition and the government. The government is accusing PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) of prevaricating, rejecting a proposal over the setting-up of across-party committee on political money. Meanwhile, a PASOK meeting of party cadres chaired by its leader George Papandreou is focusing on the stance the main opposition will adopt on the occasion of publicized evidence. At the same time, KKE (Communist Party of Greece) has issued an announcement reaidng that it will not participate in the cross-party committee.

Attack Launched against PASOK & SYRIZA

On the occasion of the stance PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) and SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) adopted against the PMs proposal on the setting up of a cross-party committee, the government spokesman launched an attack against them. The cross-party committee will examine and propose measures on transparency and political money.

Mr Roussopoulos described the two parties position that they will participate in the cross-party committee on condition an inquiry committee is set up an excuse. He said they are not really after transparency.

He also said that compared to inquiry committees, the cross-party committee would have completed its work by October or November.

Furthermore, he stated that the ND party would set up working groups, adding that the government has proved its will to consolidate transparency.

"If the opposition is really interested in boosting institutional measures, it ought to participate," he continued, adding that PASOK only wishes to impress, not being intrerested in the essence of things.

At the same time, SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras has reiterated his request for the setting up on an inquiry committee.

Finally, former PASOK minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos has filed a lawsuit against Proto Thema newspaper, demanding 500,000 as compensation because he appears to have received electric appliances from Siemens as gifts.

Mr Tsochatzopoulos argues that he had asked for better prices and not gifts, a right each consumer is entitled to have.

German Minister's Statements

German Finance Minister Michael Glos, who is in Athens in order to attend the General Assembly of the Greek-German Commercial and Industrial Chamber said that something had gone wrong with the Siemens case, adding that a probe is in progress.

He also said he is opposed to under the table payments and secret money.

Meanwhile, Siemens has announced it will cut 17,200 jobs worldwide, 6,500 of which will be in Germany. The news triggered a 1.7% drop of the Siemens share in the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

SKY Poll

In an opinion poll conducted by SKY and Public Issue for July, 53% believe that neither the ND nor the PASOK parties is good for Greece, despite the fact that the former raised its power by two percentage points to 25%, compared to June, while PASOK rose from 15 to 16%.

Regarding intention vote, the ND party is ahead PASOK with 3.5 percentage points garnering 34.5%, while PASOK has received 31%.

SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) gets 18%, KKE (Communist Party of Greece) 8% and LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) 5%.

43% believe that Kostas Karamanlis is the best person as prime minister, while 24% believe George Papandreou is more suitable.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Karamanlis Initiative

[02] Culture Ministry Finances at Parliament

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ΑNA/ΜPA

The illation of Prosecutors Eleni Raikou and Panagiotis Athanasiou on Culture Ministry funding will be debated at Parliament. As per the two illations, ministers who served from 2001 to 21 October 2007 have a penal responsibility on the money channeled to bodies and Culture Ministry Trade Unions under ministerial decisions.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] EU Concerned over the Economy

Sources: ΝΕT-ΝΕT 105.8_ΑNA/ΜPA

After the end of the ECOFIN meeting, the "27" block expressed its concern over the rise of inflation and the slow pace economic development in the eurozone. European Commissioner Joaqu&#237;n Almunia did not rule out a drop of the development rate in the eurozone. Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis pointed out Europe will affected more than originally believed.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] On Food, Oil &Global Warming

08 Ιουλ 2008 08:37:0 (Last updated: 08 Ιουλ 2008 16:47:3)

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA

Group of Eight leaders, meting in Japan, agreed on a shared vision of at least halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said on Tuesday, adding that all major economies needed to contribute to achieving that goal. "Needless to say, we cannot achieve the long-term goal without contributions from other major emitters," Fukuda told reporters. "At tomorrows major economies meeting, I would like to callfor their cooperation.", he added. A Major Economies Meeting, which brings the G8 together with big emerging economies such as China and India, is set for Wednesday on the summit sidelines.

The Group of Eight industrial nations expressed strong concern about sky-high food and oil prices, which they said posed risks for a global economy under serious financial strain. G-8 leaders have already called oil producers to boost output and refining capacity in the short term to stop oil price rises. They also said that joint efforts were necessary to expand upstream and downstream investment in the medium term. G-8 leaders will examine possibility to lift some import restrictions which hamper poor countries access to food surpluses in developed countries. Trying to indicate concern to global warming, G-8 leaders were photographed planting trees

Bush Favours Strong Dollar

At the G-8 meeting today US President George Bush reaffirmed that he wants a strong dollar said his advisor on international economy issues during an interview on the sidelines of the meeting. The fall of the dollar, which has lost about 30% of its value against the euro in the last two years, has contributed to sky high oil prices. However, economic officials announcements in the last months favouring a strong dollar have not brought any results so far.

Solana to Visit Iran

EU Commisioner on Foreign Policy Xavier Solana will visitIran to be briefed on any developments on its nuclear programme, said French President Nicolas Sarkozy. He added that Mr Solana would try to find out more about what the Iranian regime intends to do.

The G6, which is trying to reach a solution with Iran on its nuclear programme consists of the US, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany.

[05] Truck Hits on a Bridge

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΝΕΤ

A PPC(Public Power Corporation) truck carrying a crane hit the lower part of Tarsinon bridge on 102 kilometre of the Athens-Patras national road, damaging seriously two cars that were following. It appears that the truck driver did not estimate correctly his vehicles height and thus when he tried to pass underneath the truck hit the lower part of the bridge. The drivers of the two cars were slightly injured by the broken windscreens.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] SMS-A-TAXI

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA

By the end of 2009, civilians will be able to reserve a taxi through a telephone centre or by sending an SMS. This news was the result of a meeting held between Transport Minister Kostis Hatzidakis and representatives of the Panhellenic Taxi Federation.

The minister stated after the meeting that the new labour rule of taxis will go into effect as of autumn. In parallel, a four-digit telephone centre ready to accept the civilians complaints will be founded by the end of the year, while taxi ranks will be created at Erithros Stavros, at Laiko Hospital and Metro stations.

Finally, a GPS system will go into effect across Greece, allowing the surveillance of taxi drivers, who will be able to get facilitated by it. This system will also include the use of SMS messages.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Oil Prices Drop Slightly

Sources: ANA-MPA

Oil prices dropped below $US141 per barrel Tuesday in the international markets, following Mondays four-dollar drop, due to the weakening dollar against yen and slackening of concerns over Cyclone Berthas possible course. At the same time, investors wish to see what will happen with Irans deadlock with the West on Tehrans nuclear programme.

U.S. light crude was trading 32 cents lower at $US141.05 a barrel by 0930 GMT, reversing a $US1 gain earlier. London Brent crude dipped 45 cents to $141.42.

Oil prices fell $US3.92 on Monday on signals that Iran would be more flexible in negotiations over its nuclear program. Oil has fallen from a record high of $US145.85 hit last week.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[08] Karamanlis-Pavlopoulos Meeting

By Vivian Papastefanou

Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos briefed Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis on the results of the recent informal EU Justice Ministers meeting held in France. The meeting focused on migration, measures against slave trading, as well as countries such as Turkey that do not respect their relevant obligations.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[09] Turkey: Two Killed and Two More Reported Missing in Fire

Two women died in a tragic way when a fire broke out in Mersin, Turkey yesterday, while two more are reported missing. The fire continues burning despite firemens efforts. As per the areas deputy prefect, the fire broke out in Gulnar district, killing an 82-year-old woman and her 16-year-old granddaughter. Moreover, two excavator operators, who were trying to contain the fire, are reported missing. The authorities evacuated certain areas, while the fire continues burning, despite the civilians and firefighters efforts to contain the fire. A water-dropping helicopter is also fighting the blaze. About 40 persons facing respiratory problems, among whom the 16-year-old girls mother was hospitalized.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[10] Japan Rocked

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: REUTERS

A strong seaquake measuring 6 on the Richter scale hit the sea off Okinawa southern Japan Tuesday. However, the Meteorological Service reported that there is no danger of a tsunami.

The epicentre of the quake was located in the ocean, at a 50-kilometre depth near Okinawa and Amami islands.

NHK TV network broadcast that there is no information on casualties and damages. Okinawa is about 1,600 kilometres south-west of Tokyo.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[11] Policeman Injured in Malades

08 Ιουλ 2008 11:46:0

Narcotics Squad policeman, Thodoros Genitsaridis was transferred to a regular hospital ward today. He was treated at the intensive care ward of Heraklio University Hospital for the last 15 days after he suffered serious head injuries during a clash with a hash grower in Malades, Crete. According to doctors the state of his health is improving. Genitsaridis has contact with the environment and able to communicate while he will remain for further treatment at the Neurosurgery clinic.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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