The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] The Biggest in Marathonas-Elia

31 Ιουλ 2008 08:22:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜNA

Fires that broke out in Aigina, Lakonia, Marathona, Preveza and Hleia are still raging. Strong firefighting forces are battling against flames which are rapidly spreading to to strong winds today. The fires, that broke out in Pallini this morning and Samothraki last night have been contained. However, residents of the island of Samothraki had a nightmarish night when flames approached Alonia village and threatened the military camp in the region. Also fires in Partheni, Eraklio and Markopoulo, Attika are under control.

The fire in Marathonas has rapidly spread due to strong winds in the region. Flames extending to 500m are heading towards the sea and approaching houses, which are not threatened so far. Air firefighting forces have assumed the major responsibility to put out the fire as the region is inaccessible to vehicles. Six aircrafts and two helicopters are dropping water to put out the fire despite the strong winds which make their mission even more difficult. Local authorities speak of arson, underlining that fires break out every year in this region.

[02] Voting on DEKO Completed

High pitched debate on draft-bill providing for reforms in public utility corporations (DEKO) and collective labor contracts continued for the second day in the Parliament yestsrday. Reforms on DEKO were submitted in Parliament for voting after PASOKs demand. The procedure was completed earlier. "Tax payers can not continue covering damages of businesses", finance minister repeated. PASOK parliamentary member Mr. Evanggelos Venizelos branded the reform as anti institutional underlying that a newly hired employee can not be paid differently from an older employee. Other political parties stated that they are against the reforms and trade unions reacted strongly.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Confrontation over PC Drat-bill

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

High pitched debate is raging in the Parliament after the submission of draft-bill providing for creation and operation of private colleges in Greece. Taking the stand, Education Minister, Evripidis Stylianidis defended the draft-bill while opposition parties called for its withdrawal.

High Pitched Debate

Debate on education draft-bill began today and will end on Friday with its voting. Defending the draft-bill, Education Minister, Evripidis Stylianidis stressed that it has achieved to strictly observe Greek Constitution and EU Law. He also referred to Messrs Papandreou and Alavanos statements and interviews indicating that they do not actually object to the specific government move.

Mr. Stylianidis observe that Mr. Alavanos position was withdrawn from SYN party webpage and blamed him for change of stand. The Education Minister also accused the PASOK party President, George Papandreou of "ideological weakness, political timidness and entrapment in partisan expediency" while he also referred to PASOK parliamentary spokesman, Evangelos Benizelos older positions in favour of non-state and non-profit universities.

The President of SYRIZA Parliamentary Group, Alekos Alavanos described the government as illegal and government of constitutional deviation, maintained that it is against the students movement and the forces that supported it and warned that a rough response comes in autumn.

LAOS President, George Karatzaferis launched an attack against the SYN party, calling it to show braveness clearly expressing its position on private universities.

On his part, PASOK Parliamentary spokesman, Evangelos Benizelos said that the government is trying to indirectly legalize the most extreme business form of low quality education and stated that PASOK favours state universities and creation of non-profit tertiary education institutions and not institutions through agents. In parallel he accused LAOS President of playing political games and Mr. Alavanos of speaking on behalf of the university community and the DRAFT students movement without authorization.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Eurozone Inflation Hits 4.1%

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ΑNA/ΜPA

Inflation within the Eurozone is estimated to have inched up to 4.1 % in July, from the 4 % level of inflation recorded in June according to estimates made by European statistics office Eurostat. This increase was expected due to high rises in oil prices. Rate of inflation is now well above the European Central Banks 2 % target for inflation. At the same time, Eurostat said the unemployment rate rose to 7.3 % in June.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Moving Statement

31 Ιουλ 2008 15:30:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Greek society is highly moved by the dignity of the father of the 20 year old Australian tourist, whose health state is at critical juncture between life and death, after he was fiercely beaten up by doorman of a Mykonos club. The young man is in life support mechanism at Errikos Dynan intensive care ward while his father is waiting for all lab tests that will confirm brain death of his son. His statement was shocking, despite his personal drama, he did not turn against our country and its people. On the contrary, he thanked authorities and Greek citizens for their support to his drama and attributed the incident to bad luck.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Tax Statement of Politicians

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105,8-ΑNA/ΜNA

The tax statements of politicians were released to public today. The Prime Minister declares the smallest income and possesses land in Kythnos and Proti Serron as well as residencies and offices in Thessaloniki, Rafina, Philothei, Athens and Myconosand possesses land in Kythnos and Proti Serron as well as residencies and offices in Thessaloniki, Rafina, Philothei, Athens and Myconos.

Mr. Papandreous possession includes a house which the opposition party president shares with his wife Anda in N. Erythrea, Athens and two other houses in Patra.

General Secretary of KKE Mrs. Aleka Papariga declares profits of 107.500 euros, a 90 square meters house that she inherited and a bank deposit of 530 euros in National Bank of Greece.

President of the parliamentary group of SYRIZA, Mr. Alavanos declares incomes of about 170.000 euros, 21.000 of which was provided to SYN as reinforcement and 5.000 to the Greek caravan of solidarity. In addition he possesses 1 hotel in Tynos Island and estate property in Penteli, Chania, Heraklion, Athens and Brussels.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] Co operation with Mr. Folias

31 Ιουλ 2008 14:04:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105,8-ΑNA/ΜNA

The Prime Minister is hosting today a working lunch to party members who participate in summer sessions of Parliament. In the morning, Mr. Karamanlis had a meeting with development minister Mr. Christos Folias. At the focus of discussion was the Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipe line. Mr. Folias briefed the Prime Minister on his latest trip to Moscow where he met with Russian ministry of Energy. Mr. Folias stressed that they agreed on the necessity of the speed up of works. Time he added is an important factor for all investments.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] Papandreou-Petralia Meeting

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΑNA-ΜNA

PASOK president had a meeting with employment minister Mrs. Fani Palli-Petralia as both are vice presidents of the International Foundation of the Olympic Truce. Meantime, PASOK youth national delegates elected the new secretary Mr. Kostas Pantazis. During his speech on Wednesday, Mr. Papandreou addressing the delegation said that he was sorry for the mistakes of the past and mainly referred on the issues young people face. He asked from them to reject mentalities that manipulate the organization, underlying that there is another road for the governance of the country. On his side, PASOK representative on agricultural issues Vassilis Exarchos branded the governments decision to return to farmers taxes on petrol, misguidance.

After the meeting Mrs. Petralia said that "Greece has co operated all this time in all levels regarding the preparation of the Olympic Games and this co operation has opened new roads between the two countries regarding the noble competition, the peaceful co existence of the two countries that constitute the basic principles and values of the Olympic spirit that Greece gave birth to".

In addition, Mrs. Petralia added: "Mr. Papandreou and I are representatives of the International Foundation of the Olympic Truces and we have worked towards this direction for Beijing Olympic Games targeting at the safeguard of peace and security; I believe that Beijing Olympic Games will send this message", she concluded.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[09] Strike for Perama Tragedy

Sources: ΝΕΤ

ADEDY trade union staged a 24 hour strike for Perama tragedy which led to the death of 8 workers. In the morning, protestors working in Perama gathered outside employment ministry where their delegates had a meeting with deputy minister Mrs. Sofia Kalatzakou. Yesterday, after prosecutors order, the captains of the tanker ship from Philippines as well as the two contractors of the repair crew were imprisoned waiting for trial.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[10] Karadzic Faces Judges

Sources: Reuters

Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic faces a U.N. war crimes judge for the first time on Thursday to answer genocide charges after his dramatic arrest that ended 11 years on the run. Karadzics lawyer in Serbia has said the 63-year-old will not enter a plea but will instead make use of the 30-day-period he is allocated. Under court rules if he refuses to enter a plea then, a plea of not guilty is entered for him. Trustworthy sources stated in Serb Television Radio network (RTS) that Karadzic just before leaving prisons of Supreme Court in Belgrade, had a meeting with the general prosecutor and told him that in 1996 American diplomat Richard Holboorg had promised him that he will not be persecuted if he leaves politics and abandons public life.

Holboorg Denies Claims

Richard Holboorg in his statements in Sarajevos newspaper denied Mr. Karadzic claims stating. "All these are products of fiction, if such thing ever happened it would be unethical and illegal", but admitted that someone showed him a fake document. US diplomat appeared ready to testify in Karadzic trial.

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