The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-29

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tabled in the Parliament

29 Ιουλ 2008 13:18:0 (Last updated: 29 Ιουλ 2008 18:52:4)

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

A debate is being held in the Parliament on draft-bill providing for reforms in labor relations inDEKO companies (Public Utilities and services) with huge deficits. Following the Inner Cabinet meeting, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said that he amendment restores the balance between employees in the private and public sector. He also defended reforms in DEKO companies, underlining that they are aimed to cut down huge deficits and alleviate burden on taxpayers.

GSEE gen. secretary, Kostas Poupakis called for withdrawal of the draft-bill. PASOK party said that employees can not pay for the cost of DEKO administrations that have failed.

In an interview with NET 105.8, ND deputy, Apostolos Stavrou said that he did not have any major objections to DEKO reforms , underlining that the ND party wants PASOK to come up with proposals for the cutting down of DEKO deficits and not just criticism.

In the meantime, GSEE sent a letter relevant to labor reforms in DEKO to Economy and Employment Ministers, George Alogoskoufis and Fani Petralia respectively. The letter describes the ammendment anti-constitutional, expecting ralies to be staged by employees when they conceive the provisions of the ammenment.

Manolis Replaced

Before the debate on the amendment on Public Utilities, the government replaced ND MP Giannis Manolis with MP Giorgos Kontogiannis. Mr Manolis had expressed his disagreement with the amendment and had briefed the party that he would not vote whatever the cost would be.

GSEE's Letter

In its letter, GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers) reports that given that pay increases constitute the core of collective negotiations and collective contracts, the government not only intervenes with the proposed regulation, but is trying in essence to abolish collective negotiations and contracts in these enterprises. Furthermore, reference to arbitration is allowed after employees and the enterprise agree to do so and with the approval of the Biministerial Committee.

Meanwhile, Trade Unions are threatening to stage rallies, while GSEE will hold a meeting. At the same time, the electric rail will not operate Wednesday and ISAP employees will stage work stoppages on Thursday.

[02] Establishing Industrial Areas

29 Ιουλ 2008 09:45:0

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

Voting of national Land Plan opens the road for new developmental activities nationwide. The Inner Cabinet, chaired by Prime-minister, Kostas Karamanlis is among other discussing determination of specific areas for industrial development under specific construction terms. It is also discussing regulations for the establishment of a new model for summer residences and opening road for mass investments on reusable energy sources.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Gruevski's Fresh Provocation

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) Prime Minister Nicola Gruevski is proceeding with a new provocation with the letter he sent to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. In his letter his reiterates the allegations about "a Macedonian minority" in Greece and about Slav-Macedonian political refugees rights since the civil war. Among others he reports that the Greek authorities have been questioning the identity of the Macedonian minority for decades, adding that it systematically bans the use of the Macedonian language and cultural expression, as well as the change of toponyms. In reply, government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros stated that the government has made explicit its positions on Skopjes attempts to distract the international opinions interest on the name issue. At the same time, US Ambassador to FYROM Gillian Milovanovic has called Skopje to examine Mr Nimetzs proposals carefully and take the opportunity to reach an agreement with Greece until the EU Summit Meeting in December. Mr Milovanovic told a private TV station in Skopje that those proposals protect the countrys interests and can serve as the base for further negotiations with Greece. The ambassador considers this a great opportunity for "Macedonia."

The Letter

Furthermore, the FYROM PM reports in his letter that the Slav-Macedonian refugees have not been able to get the Greek citizenship since the civil war an cannot get back their property.

As per Mr Gruevski, the above constitute the violation of the international law on human rights, which Greece has committed itself to respect.

Finally, he hopes that Greece will accept a dialogue that will resolve the Macedonian issue, a development that will serve as an incentive for the further boosting of good neighbourly relations between the two countries, improve the situation in the Balkan region and help his country join NATO and the EU.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Papandreou-GSEVEE Meeting

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA, ΝΕΤ

PASOK (Socialists) President George Papandreou discussed today with the GSEVEE (General Confederation of Small and Medium Sized Business) board the problems craftsmen are facing. He called on the government to start a dialogue with the confederation, stressing that PASOK will stand by the confederation and fifth for the resolution of its problems. Mr Papandreou described the new social security bill a "threat to craftsmen, putting their pension in jeopardy." He also expressed his solidarity to GSEVEEs efforts to save its Fund.

"Depreciation in the Public Sector"

Mr Papandreou stated that although the government asks from small and medium-sized entrepreneurs to take risks in a completive economy worldwide, at the same time it has depreciated the basic safety networks, such as health, education and social welfare in the public sector. Mr Papandreou was referring to the Social Security Fund of Freelance Entrepreneurs.

Moreover, he said that the government's new Social Security bill has jeopardized the tradesmen's pension, constituting a danger for him and for the prospects to continue with his productive work. He also reported that PASOK will stand by the Social Security Fund of Freelance Entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, GSEVEE President Dimitris Asimakopoulos spoke of under-financing of the Fund and indifference on behalf of the government and Employment and Social Protection Ministry.

In a Press Conference that followed, GSEVEE Secretary General Nikos Skorinis announced mobilizations by the Confederations on 3 September and 13 October.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] PPC: Avraam Mizan Removed

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

The PPC (Public Power Corporation) board accepted Chief Executive Officer Takis Athanasopoulos proposal to remove the General Director for Production with seven votes for and two against. Mr Avraam Mizan was removed because of delays that had taken place in many programmed projects. Employee representatives voted against Mr Mizans removal. General Manager of western Macedonia Dimitris Lappas will replace the Director of Production temporarily.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Refreshment Withdrawn

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

EFET (Hellenic Food Authority) in cooperation with the General Chemical State Laboratory of Greece have decided to withdraw "Power Genius/Refresh" refreshment, distributed by EVGA AVEE as contained a non-approved foodstuff. The foodstuff contained in the refreshment is Ginkgo Biloba, a substance still not approved by the EU.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Fire in Keratea

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The fire that broke out in Maliakousi and Porto Ennea, Keratea at 10:00, Tuesday is under control. The fire is burning dried grassland and bushes, but due to the strong winds blowing in the area it has spread near an inhabited area, without however threatening any houses. Combating the fire are two fire-fighting planes, a helicopter, 30 firemen and 10 fire engines.

High Risk of Fires

As per the General Secretariat of Political Protection, there is a high risk of fires for Athens, eastern Attica, Piraeus, Evia, Lesvos, Chios, Samos, the Cyclades, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi.

The self-governments have been briefed in order to be on alert. In parallel, people should avoid outdoor works that might cause a fire. Such works include the burning of dried branches and grassland, and the use of machinery that generate sparks.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[08] Under Partial Control

29 Ιουλ 2008 11:04:0

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

A fire that broke between Maliakousi and Porto Ennea in Keratea around 10:00 has been contained. The fire which is burning bushland rapidly spread due to strong winds. Flames have approached an inhabited area but it is not threatening houses according to reports. A strong force of 30 firemen in 10 fire engines, 30 member infantry crew, two aircrafts and one helicopter are battling against the flames.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] On Cyprus Issue

29 Ιουλ 2008 10:53:0

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Newly appointed UN special envoy on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, who paid a protocol visit to Nicosia, is leaving Cyprus today. Early this morning, Mr. Downer had an acquaintance meeting with Cyprus President, Dimitris Hristofias while he is to meet with Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. He met with UN officials in Cyprus who briefed him on developments.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[10] China Rights

29 Ιουλ 2008 10:05:0

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, ΑNA-ΜPA

Less than two weeks before the opening of Beijing Olympic Games and International Amnesty report released in Hong Kong, on Monday sees deterioration of human rights in China because of the Olympics and increased use of re-education through labour as a means to clean up Beijing and surrounding areas. In the name of the Olympic Games, authorities intensify existing measures and practices which have led to extensive violation of human rights. Amnesty International calls on the International Olympic Committee and world leaders to speak out against violence to prevent even more suppressive measures after the Games.

In its report Amnesty International documents the use of "re-education through labour", the suppression of rights of activists and journalists, and the use of arbitrary imprisonment. Chinese activists have been locked up, people have been made homeless, journalists have been detained, websites blocked, and the use of labour camps and prison beatings has increased. Amnesty International calls on China to promise improvement in human rights, media freedom and better provision in health and education.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: China rights 'worsen with Games'

[11] Sicily Italy

29 Ιουλ 2008 10:00:0

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA-German News Agency

An ancient Greek ship returned to surface Monday some 2,500 years after it sank in the Mediterranean Sea and two decades after its wreck was discovered by divers off Sicily. Ship sirens wailed and Italian culture officials and other onlookers applauded as a crane lifted from the waters what remains of the 21-metre-long wooden vessel, the ANSA news agency reported. The ships 11-metre-long keel and part of the stern, both of which were preserved as the vessel lay buried for 25 centuries under clay below the sea floor, are to be transported to the Sicilian port of Gela. The archaeologists will place the wreckage in tanks filled with protective chemicals before transferring it to a laboratory in Portsmouth, Britain, where part of the ships prow recovered in 2004 is stored.

The ship, manufactured using a technique involving natural-rope bindings, was a merchant vessel believed to have sunk in a storm, while sailing from Sicily, then a Greek colony, back to Greece around 500 B.C. A small part of its haul of traditional ancient Greek vases as well as two rare examples of askoi - a type of ancient Greek pottery vessel used to pour small quantities of liquids such as oil - decorated with red figures, were retrieved after divers discovered the wreck in 1988.

Culture officials intend to construct a museum in Gela to store the wreckage as well as some of the artefacts recovered.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[12] Letter to UN

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

FYROM Prime-minister, Nikola Gruevski proceded to a new provocative move, this time with a letter to UN Secretary General accusing Greece of "violating human rights" of the so called Macedonian minority in Greece. In response, Greek alternate government spokesman said that continuous provocations do not contribute to the resolution of name issue.

On Sunday, FYROM Foreign Minister sent a letter to EU Commissioner for Multilangualism, Leonard Orban asking him to support the request of "Macedonian minority" in Greece regarding protection and promotion of "Macedonian" as minority language". Earlier, Manuel Baroso, in response to N.Gruevski letter, had clarified that the European Commission has no competence on minority issues and urged FYROM to build good neighbourly relations with Greece.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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