The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-08-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Steadily Proceeding to Reforms

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA

G. Alogoskoufis in his statements after his meeting with the Prime Minister announced the governments decision to proceed steadily to the materialization of its policies. According to information, during their meeting today the Prime Minister and finance minister focused on the route of the course of the economy as well as on the draft bill per special accounts promoted by the ministry at the sight of the International Exhibition of Thessaloniki. Meantime, Julys inflation report is going to be announced soon. It is expected to be settled at the same levels, 4,9%, with Junes.

Mr. Alogoskoufis' Statements

Mr. Alogoskoufis said that the meeting included a review on the financial situation and international developments as well as on the hardships prevailing internationally.

The direction of the governments polices is given, as far as the fiscal policy and the structural reforms are concerned, the minister said.

"We are taking into consideration the effects caused by the international developments and the hardships created, but we continue steadily the strategy we have announced", the minister added.

The Government's Agenda on Economy

The government targets at dropping inflation, rising of incomes, limitation of tax invasion and targeted through the fund of social cohesion provisions in low pensioners, unemployed, people with special needs and one parent families.

The Prime Minister agreed on the draft bill minister of Economy will submit to Parliament at the end of the month. It provides for:

-submission of budgets and financial statements -business plans for employees needs -control by inter ministerial committees on commissions and expenses of bodies in the wider public sector -criminal responsibilities for distribution of public money

In addition, 80 out of 213 special accounts will be annulled while the rest will be included in the state budget, so as more transparent procedures to be applied in their administration.

On reference to the budget's deficits, Synaspismos notes in its announcement that employees and pensioners can not be the ones who will pay the price.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of Greek Traders has sent Mr Alogoskoufis a letter, requesting a meeting with the minister to discuss the purification of their Social Security Fund.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] Psychologists in Santorini to Support Citizens

06 Αυγ 2008 12:52:00

The unfortunate 25 years old teacher was buried today in a funeral taking place in an intense atmosphere in Metemorfosi area of Pefka prefecture. The murderer is still hospitalized in "Gergios Gennimatas" hospital in critical condition while health condition of the two women but also of the student who was injured by mistake by the policemens bullets is smooth. Psychologists arrived in Santorini today to support the residents children and the students of the unfortunate teacher who witnessed the horrendous pictures of the crime.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Other Fire Fronts Under Control

06 Αυγ 2008 08:48:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

The big fire that broke out in Southern Evoia near Lichadas and Agios Georgios is abating. Fire fronts in Afpalio of Fokida, Daskaleio of Keratsea and Mazarakia of Thesprotia are under partial control. 32 vehicles, 78 firemen, ground forces as well as 6 planes and two helicopters have arrived at the place of the fire. Strong winds of 4-5 Beaufort are blowing while small rekindles were also reported. According to the responsible of civil protection of Evoia prefecture, the fire was spread quickly and threatened residential area. At the same time, fires in Afpalio of Fokida, Daskalio of Kerate and Mazarakia of Thesprotia have been set under partial control.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Works for Death-Trap Motorway Begin

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Works for the new Elefsina-Corinth-Patras-Pyrgos-Tsakonas motorway are beginning with the Environment and Public Works Minister assigning the project to the bidder to materialize it. During the signing ceremony, Mr George Souflias described the project huge; adding that the motorway will be 365 kilometres long and its overall cost will be 2.8 billion euros. The motorway will be ready in six years.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Coup in Mauritania

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: AFP, ANA-MPA

Troops overthrew Mauritanias president in a military coup on Wednesday after he tried to sack senior army officers accused of being behind a political crisis destabilising the country. President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi was arrested as troops rolled through the capital Nouakchott and took over the presidential palace and the prime ministers office. They chased staff from the headquarters of state radio and television, though there was no sign of fighting in the city.

A statement read on public radio said the coup was led by the head of the presidential guard, General Ould Abdel Aziz, who had been sacked earlier in the morning. The coup leaders formed a Military State Council and immediately annulled the army appointments made by the president, according to an information ministry statement broadcast on the radio. "The president has just been arrested by a commando, who came to fetch him, arrested him here and took him away," the presidents daughter, Amal Mint Cheikh Abdallahi, told Radio France International from the presidential palace in Nouakchott. "This is a real coup detat," she said.

[06] Oil below $US119

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA-REUTERS

Oil prices fell below 119 dollars in Asian trade Wednesday on continued worries about waning demand amid signs of slowing global economic growth, dealers said. US Light crude oil at New York was up 12 cents to $US119.29 per barrel Wednesday noon, while earlier it had been trading at $US118.10 per barrel. Londons Brent North Sea crude for September delivery was down 9 cents at $US 117.79.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Focus on Greek-Turkish Relations

06 Αυγ 2008 17:48:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Four Turkish Fantom jet fighters have violated the Agathonisi island airspace this morning. Eight jet fighters have violated eight times the national airspace, while Greek jet fighters intercepted them and an engagement took place south of Ikaria.

Meanwhile, the military leadership hosted a luncheon to Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis on Tuesday and discussed Greek-Turkish relations and the political situation in Turkey. The attendants stressed that although Greece had tried many times to boost good neighbourly relations with Turkey, the latter has not done the same.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[08] Adulterated Corn-Oil Withdrawn

Sources: ANA-MPA

EFET (Central Food Control Agency) has ordered the immediate withdrawal of 23 tons of adulterated corn oil with rape-seed oil and contaminated paraffin oil. The corn oil bears the name "Aravositelaio EVIOL", packaged by Pappas M.-G. Verousis & Ltd. The above product was sold in one-litre bottles, bearing the consignment number Lot 127, with expiry date 12/2009.

Moreover, checks in the above company proved that it lacked a self-control system and was facing running problems.

As a result has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the above consignment and briefed the prefecture of Evia to take the necessary steps.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[09] The Philippines Concerned over Cholera Outbreak

Sources: ANA

A cholera outbreak in a remote southern Philippine town has killed at least 20 people in the past week, health officials said Wednesday. The Health Department said at least 127 people have also fallen ill in four villages in Palimbang town in Sultan Kudarat province, 1,005 kilometres south of Manila. Eric Tayag, chief epidemiologist at the department, said 17 of the fatalities were from the village of Milbuk while three victims died in Napon village. Tayag said the victims exhibited symptoms of cholera, a water-borne disease characterized by acute diarrhoea, vomiting and leg cramps. Tayag advised residents in the affected villages to boil their drinking water and observe personal hygiene after their water sources were found to be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. Most of the victims were children. Three months ago, eight people were killed and 60 others fell ill from cholera in the neighbouring village of Ligaw.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[10] Juvenile Driver in Car Accident-16y/o Girl Dead

By Athina Saloustrou

A 16 years old girl was killed and three young men were injured in a car accident in the province road of Zagliverio-Gerakarous Str. A 17 y/o boy was driving the car when it was overturned. A young female student was killed while another 3 men were transferred to the university hospital of ACHEPA, Thessaloniki. Police arrested the 17 y/o drivers father and the prosecutor pressed charges of allowing his juvenile son to drive his car and of neglecting a juveniles supervision.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[11] Turkey: Flow of Oil Pipe Stopped

By Athina Saloustrou

As announced by the news agency "East" Turkish authorities temporarily stopped the flow in an oil pipe in Baku-Tiflida-Tseihan, Eastern Turkey after an explosion in the pipe line reported on Tuesday. The causes of the explosion are unidentified. The capacity of the pipe line that ends in the Mediterranean coast is expected to rise to 1.2 billion barrels in 2008.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[12] Fires in Apartments of Thessaloniki

By Athina Saloustrou

Sources: ANA-MNA

A fire broke out in an apartment in the center of Thessaloniki. Fire brigade forces arrived immediately. Rescue crews saved two elderly women from an apartment in 5th floor. At the same time, another fire was in progress in an apartment in Karolos Dyl St. which was put off quickly

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[13] Tropical Storm Near Texas Coasts

By Athina Saloustrou

The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane watch for the coast of Western Louisiana and eastern Texas. The fifth named storm of the 2008 hurricane season has sustained maximum winds of about 50 miles per hour. At 10 p.m. CDT, Edouard was located about 80 miles east-southeast off the mouth of the Mississippi River and about 390 miles east of Galveston, Texas. It was moving west at 5 mph and was expected to strengthen before making landfall Tuesday morning in Texas.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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