The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] 34th Anniversary of the Restoration of Democracy

23 Ιουλ 2008 18:27:0 (Last updated: 23 Ιουλ 2008 21:58:3)

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ANA/MPA

In his message marking the 34th anniversary of the restoration of Democracy in Greece, head of government Kostas Karamanlis touched on matters pertaining to corruption. Karamanlis underlined the perils that could emerge from drives to have institutions undermined. In the meantime, the acrimonious wrangling between the Government and the opposition parties sparked in Parliament due to the Siemens case outshined another thorny issue, that of the amendment modifying courts self-governance.

"The people of Greece, heirs of a valuable legacy handed over to us by the fighters of Democracy, is aware that extreme tactics, campaigns to have institutions questioned and nihilism have only perils in store," argued Karamanlis. He then went on to claim that condemning any drive to have polarization and division revived is a dire need.

In the meantime, commenting on scenarios speaking of a coalition between the ruling party of ND (New Democracy) and other political parties, reek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis noted that the nations governance should be ridded of opportunism. Government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said that the Conservative party favours independent governments.

The Greek Communist Party (KKE) has no intention of consenting to the painting of the political system, as there are other good painters, including Alekos Alavanos and Alexis Tsipras of SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left), said KKE secretary general Aleka Papariga, when asked to commented on snap elections scenarios.

LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) leader Giorgos Karatzaferis also touched on corruption. "It is everyones duty, and especially of the new politicians and the new parties, to break free from the morbid political environment and rid political life of ill-thought activities with concerted efforts and assume the highest honour to advance Democracy."

Wrangling over Siemens Case

The Siemens scandal outshined the parliamentary debate on the amendment modifying the courts self-governance.

Justice Minister Sotiris Hatzigakis defended Justices work, pledging that all evidence on the Siemens case would come to light.

Socialist deputy Apostolos Kaklamanis lashed out at the Government.

LAOS leader Giorgos Karatzaferis stressed that in Germany those held responsible were sent behind bars, while in Greece, former Siemens Greece CEO Christoforakos has not even been called on to appear before the Parliaments Transparency Committee. The Justice Minister replied that investigations are underway, underlining that the German authorities know nothing more than the Greek ones.

"You are afraid of disclosures," said Karatzaferis. "You are spreading slander against the whole Cabinet," replied the Conservative parliamentary spokesman.

The head of the Greek Communist Party, Aleka Papariga, who met with the Siemens personnel, voiced her interest in their future, stressing that no job should be lost. Aleka Papariga, the head of the Greek Communist Party, voiced her interest in t

"We are determined to defend the Siemens personnel across Greece and especially in Thessaloniki, where the company has been taking actions over the past three years to shut down a high-tech plant," argued Papariga.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] The Germans Prefer Obama

23 Ιουλ 2008 21:15:0

Sources: Reuters

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is an admirer of U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama even though she has not yet met him in person. Asked at a news conference on Wednesday what she thought of Obama, Merkel responded: "I would say that he is well-equipped physically, mentally and politically."

Obama is due to meet with Merkel for about an hour on Thursday morning and will later give a speech on transatlantic relations at the "Victory Column" in Berlins Tiergarten park. Merkel objected to initial plans by the Obama campaign to hold the speech at the Brandenburg Gate. His appearance is expected to draw tens of thousands of Germans, who polls show prefer him to his Republican challenger John McCain.

Since coming to power in 2005, Merkel has repaired relations with Washington damaged when her predecessor Gerhard Schroeder clashed with U.S. President George W. Bush over the Iraq war. Bush was famously caught on camera at a G8 meeting in 2006 giving Merkel a quick backrub and the chancellor was asked on Wednesday whether she expected more massages from Bushs successor, whether its McCain or Obama. "Thats not really up to me," she joked. "But I wouldnt resist."

Merkel said she would not be in Berlin for Obamas hotly anticipated speech, but added: "Maybe Ill turn on the television."

[03] As of 2010

23 Ιουλ 2008 20:18:0

By Alexandros Moz

The city of Los Angeles unanimously approved a ban on plastic shopping bags, with a view to reducing plastic waste and encouraging consumers bringing along their own bags. The ban will take effect as of July 1, 2010. Having reached a turning point, the city should act to yield real effects, commented Councilman Ed Reyes, who suggested the ban.

City officials estimate that Los Angeles consumers use 2.3 billion plastic bags each year. An estimated 5% of plastic bags are recycled statewide, according to the citys Bureau of Sanitation.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Said the Gazprom Head

23 Ιουλ 2008 19:48:0

Sources: REUTERS

The head of Russian gas giant Gazprom Alexei Miller said on Wednesday the world would face a big energy shortage from 2012 and had lost its chance to enjoy low energy prices by investing too little in new fields. Miller, who has previously predicted that oil prices would rise to $250 per barrel, said consumer countries should now accept a bigger role for producers. The head of the worlds largest gas firm, which supplies a quarter of Europes gas, said the global energy imbalance could be solved if gas-exporting nations boosted their cooperation, though he refrained from calling it "a gas OPEC." "Within the framework of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, we will create a global gas balance," Miller said in an opinion piece written in English for Reuters. "This will provide us with answers to when, where and how much gas should be produced," he said. He also said energy-consuming nations should be prepared to create more cross-border joint ventures with producers to improve global energy security. "We believe that the success rests in organizing vertically integrated chains that run from the point of production to the end user, with each link in the chain representing a joint business between energy resource producers and consumers," he said.

[05] Oil Prices Keep Sliding

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ANA-MPA, Reuters

Standing at below $127 per barrel, the crude oil prices reported losses for a second day running, as figures released by the US administration have suggested that US petrol defined products stockpiles have increased beating all expectations.

In particular, in the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), US crude oil prices were down Wednesday evening $1.78 to $126.64 per barrel. In London, Brent for September delivery stood at $127.60 per barrel, losing $1.95.

The US Energy Department said that crude oil stockpiles were down by 1.6 million barrels over the last week. Furthermore, petrol stockpiles increased by 2.9 million barrels.

[06] There Is no Threat of a Tsunami

23 Ιουλ 2008 18:23:0

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ANA-MPA, Reuters

A strong earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale jolted the island of Honsu, northern Japan, said the Colorado-based US Geological Survey.

The focus of the earthquake was located 107 km below the earth surface and its epicentre some 64 km to the east of Morioka.

The Japanese media said there was no threat of a tsunami after the strong tremor.

Translated by Areti Christou

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