The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Draft-bill Voted in Principal

30 Ιουλ 2008 13:45:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ΑNA/ΜPA

High pitched debate on draft-bill providing for reforms in public utility corporations (DEKO) and collective labor contracts continues for the second day in the Parliament. Economics Minister, George Alogoskoufis decided amendment concerning newly hired personnel. According to the amendment, an inter-ministerial committee will determine their salaries which can not be lower to collective labor contracts. Employees have strongly reacted to reforms. HSAP is staging a 24-hour strike today and two work stoppages tomorrow from the beginning of morning shift to 09:00 and from 21:00 to the end of the evening shift. Employees of suburban railways have decided to stage 24-hour strikes on 6, 8,11 August .

High-pitched Debate on DEKO

While raging debate continues, the Parliament last night voted in principal draft-bill on money laundering, including amendment on DEKO. Voting on its articles is expected to be held tonight.

Economics Minister, George Alogoskoufis repeated that it restores balance and will gradually abolish two-speed employees. He also made clear that it does not affect salaries of present employees, stressing that they will not be lower to national collective labor contracts.

Government spokesman, Thodoros Roussopoulos maintained that tax payers can not bear the burden of DEKO deficits and underlined that the government has never blamed employees for the deficits. Mr. Roussopoulos said that some DEKO revenues are not enough to pay for employees salaries and explained that the amendment is within the frame of realignment of the system, including raises, which will never be lower to inflation rate but not as high as it happened till present. In response to whether DEKO reforms include changes in the administration boards, Mr. Roussopoulos did not give a specific response, however, he said that DEKO general managers are also judged as it happens with ministers, undersecretaries and genral secretaries. Mr. Roussopoulos expressed certainty that the draft-bill will be passed by the Parliament and stressed that the ND party is open to all positions but it has also been elected as a government committed to materialize its policy program. "Changes and reforms have been approved by Greek citizens and their deputies", he added. Mr. Roussopoulos referred to alternate government spokesman, Evangelos Antonaros response regarding question on ND deputy, Yiannis Manolis substitution in the Parliaments second summer session. PASOK party Political Council is holding a meeting, chaired by George Papandreou, on DEKO amendment. In its fresh announcement, the GCP stresses: " Employees in former DEKO and the private sector must jointly claim withdrawal of the anti-labor amendment, and if passed to scrap it through a common struggle that at the same will change correlation of forces in the unionist movement and a further general change. SYN President, Alexis Tsipras during his meeting with members of Railway Workers Federation said that the governments reforms have turned into summer parliamentary coups where substitution of deputies is necessary in order to pass bills.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] Constitutional Court's Rule

the party. The decision triggered satisfaction to the political world and financial representatives

Sources: ΝΕτ-ΝΕΤ 105,8-ΑNA/ΜNA

Turkeys constitutional court ruled against closing the governing AK Party for Islamist activities but decided to impose partial financial penalties on the party. The decision triggered satisfaction to the political world and financial representatives. After the rule, stocks in trade markets presented a rising tendency.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Perama Tragedy

30 Ιουλ 2008 14:56:0

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

The Philipino captain, safety engineer and foreman of "Friendship Gas", charged with manslaughter and body harm through negligence, are giving their statements today. Relatives of the 8 victims, killed in the Perama tragedy, staged a demonstration outside Piraeus Court, demanding change of misdemeanor charges to criminal while Metal Union president, Sotiris Bouloukoyiannis blamed Merchant Marine, Aegean and Islands Policy Minister, George Boulgarakis for lack of safety and health conditions at Perama dockyard. In the meantime, the shipping company owning Friendship Gas applied for interim injuction of up to 2.000.000 euros aginst George and Hlias Sourlis, for the economic damage due to the tragic incident. The shipping company also applied and achieved to block two checks mounting to 225.000 euros in the names of the two detained brothers. ADEDY Executive Committee announced that it will join Pan-Piraeus mobilization with a 24-hour strike on Thursday to pay the least tribute to their colleagues killed in the Perama accident as well as to demand specific security measures and punishment of those responsible for the accident.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Australian 20 Y/O in Coma

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

A 20 y/o Australian is hospitalized in a coma at "Errikos Dynan" hospital after being fiercely beaten by bouncer of a Mykonos night club. According to Police four employees of the club went after 6 young Australians and fiercely beat them up, seriously injuring the 20 y/o to the head and slightly injuring two others. The Australians were earlier in the club. The bouncer and car park man, who were arrested will face the public prosecutor today while the other two employees of the club will be also arrested. Government spokesman, Thodoros Roussopoulos expressed the governments and the Greek peoples abhorrence at the incident, saying that such acts are contrary to our countrys principals and harm our countrys picture abroad. He also said that security authorities will accelerate procedures to punish those responsible for the serious injury of the Australian citizen.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Fire in Tripoli in Progress

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

The fire that broke out in a forestall area outside Loutsos area, in Tripoli is near a residential area. However, houses are not threatened. 9 fire fighting vehicles, 2 planes, 2 helicopters and 18 firemen are taking part in the fire distinguish effort. National highway Tripolis-Kalamata remains closed. Fire in Keratea is under control.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] D.Sioufas Favours

30 Ιουλ 2008 16:25:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

After his meeting with the Prime-minister at the Maximos Mansion this morning, the Speaker of the House, Dimitris Sioufas maintained that he favoured strong majority governments. In response to a question on whether there is crisis in bipartisanism and the political system, Mr. Sioufas said that citizens express reservations and criticize some aspects of the system but underlined that strong majority governments bring political stability. In the same line, was the government spokesmans, Thodoros Roussopoulos response on the ND partys position regarding coalition governments. He said that the ND party believed in strong majority governments, adding that the country needs strong governments to go ahead.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] For Damaging Environment

30 Ιουλ 2008 11:50:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Piraeus Prefecture has imposed 139.000 euros fine to Piraeus Port Authority S.A for carrying out building demolition works causing huge environmental damage-without required licenses and approval by Piraeus Prefecture Urban Planning and Environment Directorates and Drapetsona Police, who will inform the competent prosecutor.

In his statement, Piraeus Prefect, Yiannis Mihas stressed that Piraeus Port Authority S.A seems to be operating as imperium in imperio in all its activities. It ignores laws and sectors and acts irresponsibly, this time its actions harm public health and safety. "The fines are too low for such a profitable corporation but sent a clear message that the Piraeus Prefecture spares no one in its war against irresponsibility and unconsciousness", he added.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] During Olympic Games

30 Ιουλ 2008 10:41:0

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

China broke another promise on media freedoms during the Olympic Games on Wednesday as it announced that the thousands of foreign reporters covering the Games would have to endure Internet censorship. Beijing Olympic organising committee spokesman Sun Weide said "During the Olympic Games we will provide sufficient access to the Internet for reporters". However "sufficient access" falls short of the complete Internet freedoms for foreign reporters that Chinas communist authorities had promised in the run-up to the Games, which begin on August 8. Sun specified sites linked to the Falungong spiritual movement, which is outlawed in China, as ones that would remain censored for the foreign press at Olympic venues. He did not identify any others but reporters trying to surf the Internet at the main press centre for the Games on Wednesday found a wide array of sites deemed sensitive by Chinas rulers to be out-of-bounds.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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