The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-08-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] On Economic and Tax Policy

28 Αυγ 2008 12:08:00 (Last updated: 28 Αυγ 2008 19:23:34)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

Approved by the Inner Cabinet, the draft-bill providing for changes in Greeces economic and tax policy was submitted to Parliament on Thursday. Introducing it on Wednesday, Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis spoke of an extended taxation base, ruling out additional taxes on employees and pensioners. ND Central Committee Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis spoke of necessary measures, after his meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, further stressing that the people is aware of the existing problems, also realizing the effort being made to implement a policy without burdening the low-income earners.

PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) spoke of a Waterloo of the economic policy. KKE (Greek Communist Party) and SYN (Coalition of the Radical Left) dismissed the measures as a brutal taxation of the low-income earners, while LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) spoke of a patchwork.

Statements to NET Radio Station

The tax measures are a failure manifestation, I believe the Finance Minister will step up additional measures and VAT will be increased, Socialist deputy Mihalis Chrysohoides told NET radio station. He further underlined there is a market crisis, a fall in incomes for employees, while the fuel surge proved the government was unable to stamp out profiteering.

Also speaking on NET radio station, SYRIZA cadre Panagiotis Lafazanis spoke of an irrational and brutal measure that will exhaust small businesses instead of curtailing tax evasion. He then went on to stress that it is a social and tax Waterloo and that the situation is turning into a nightmare for the low-income earners.

The new measures to be imposed on traders are unfair and the ministry went for the easiest solution, underlined the head of the National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce (ESEE) Dimitris Armenakis.

Not half of the people of Greece can be taken as tax evaders, commented the general secretary of the General Confederation of Small and Medium Sized Business (GSEVEE) Nikos Skorinis, stressing that for some of them turnover does not allow them to evade taxes. Thousands of businesses go under every year.

Wrangling on Measures

The opposition criticized Mr Alogoskoufis for his policy, with PASOK leader George Papandreou stating that the Economy minister had admitted the failure of his economic policy.

On the occasion of PASOKs proposal for the restructuring and development of fire-hit areas, PASOK MP Evangelos Venizelos pointed out that the citizens have lost their confidence on his face.

In parallel, SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) President Alekos Alavanos accused the government of not respecting its supporters, while LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) MP Makis Voridis stated that the government had abolished its economic principles, adopting different dogmas and being unjust with the tax measures it introduced.

KKE (Communist Party of Greece) MP Nikos Karathanasopoulos reported that the employees would pay for the allowances the government will give.

[02] Testimonies on Doping Case

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

The president of the Union of Greek Gymnastic and Athletics Clubs (SEGAS), Vasilis Sevastis answered to the prosecutors questions regarding the doping case in the framework of the immediate preliminary investigation on the scandal that rocked Greek athletics, when Greek athletes Fani Halkia and Tasos Gousis were found positive in the substance M3 in Beijing Olympic Games

Mr. Sevastis answered to the prosecutors questions and who is waiting for the evidence of the investigation in order to proceed to a disciplinary control in SEGAS internal.

The chief of the Greek mission Isidoros Kpuvelos is also now giving a testimony. Next week, another two athletes are going to testify as well as two coaches and other people held responsible.

Within the following days DOE (International Olympics Committee) is expected to file a lawsuit against Fani Halkia and Giorgos Panayiotopoulos in order to investigate their participation in the scandal.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Fire Reveals Arsenal

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

A fire that has broken out in forestland in Doliana, Ioannina revealed an arsenal

As firemen were trying to contain the fire they located Kalasnikof machine guns, catridges and 270 bullets. As the area is near the Greek-Albanian border, it is believed that Albanians hid them there from 1997-98, when barracks in the neighbouring country were looted in order to be sold to Greece. The firemen handed the arms to the Delvinaki police station. The fire turned to ashes about 16 acres of forestland, while other 10 fires in Epirus burnt 107 acres of forestland and 223 acres of bushes in total.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Adulterated Dairy Products

28 Αυγ 2008 15:14:00

By

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Health control services traced serious violations in the function of seven Greek dairy companies that produced adulterated "feta" cheese without permission while two of the companies were not provided with the proper health certificates.

Controls conducted by the Greek Organization of Milk brought to light violations in the production of cheese and imposed fines that come up to 39.500 euros. These companies were adulterating "feta" cheese (traditional Greek cheese) using less goat milk that necessary.

In many cases companies were selling cheese without having the brand name and did cot comply with the necessary health rules.

Nowadays, cheese companies are obliged to state the milk they use and the products they produce. This measure was taken by the ministry of agricultural development in order to collect evidence on adulterated products so as to safeguard consumers health.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Yes by ND, PASOK and LAOS

28 Αυγ 2008 14:51:00

By

Sources: ΝΕΤ-105,8

The agreement on south steam natural gas pipeline between Russia and Greece was approved in Parliament today by the committee of production and commerce as well as by the majority of ND, PASOK and LAOS.

KKE stated that is present and does not dispute the necessity of the pipeline. However, it expresses arguments regarding the pre conditions and the framework of the materialization of the plan.

SYRIZA voted against the agreement supporting the view that there are not specific measures on the protection of the environment.

LAOS branded the project as a pipeline of oxygen for our country.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] Oil rose towards $120 a barrel

28 Αυγ 2008 13:55:00

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: Reuters

Oil rose towards $120 a barrel on Thursday after rising fears of Tropical Storm Gustav heating causing damages to US installations. U.S. crude oil for October delivery was up $1.65 at $119.80 a barrel by 1200 GMT. It reached an intraday high of $119.89 a barrel. London Brent crude was up $1.40 at $117.62 a barrel.

Stock brokers are warning against a new orbit of prices rising in international oil markets. The market surged to record highs this year in response to a string of bullish factors, including a weak U.S. dollar, expectations of a tighter supply/demand balance long term and political tensions over Iran.

The dollar has been strengthening, but slipped from a six-month high against the euro on Thursday after comments by European Central Bank officials the previous day dampened speculation about a cut in euro zone interest rates.

[07] Tsipras' Wraps up His Tour on Ikaria Island

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

SYN President Alexis Tsipras, who is on a two-day tour on the island of Ikaria, lashed out at the Education Minister and the Government.

He called the Education Minister "sponsor of the colleges," since as many as 60,000 university candidates failed to enter tertiary education.

Tsipras also blasted the Prime Minister, saying, "The governments ship has run aground and the captain pretends there is nothing wrong." Touching on Justice, he lambasted the Supreme Court Prosecutors Office for a campaign to cover up the scandals that have surfaced.

With regard to the Prime Ministers forthcoming speech at the Thessaloniki International Fair, the SYN leader stressed he would paint a distorted picture of reality.

As for the two political party system, Tsipras underlined, "The whole political scenery is shaky. The people have no expectations of the power parties, looking for a way out in Left."

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Fires in Progress

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜNA

Two fires in Kavala and Chios are in progress . Fire front in Thesprotia is abating. The fires that broke out yesterday night near Fillipous of Kavala and Chios are also in progress.

Yesterday the fire that broke out in Dragasia prefecture of Kozani burnt many hectares of grassland while the fire front in Vitsio of Kastoria burnt 15 hectares of forest land.

According to the General Secretary of Civil Protection, there is high risk for fires today in: Athens, Eastern and Western Attika, Piraues, Kythira, Evros, Samothraki, Lesvos, Limnos, Magnisia, Sporades, Evoia, Skyros, Voiotia, Corinth, Argolida and Lakonia.

General Secretary of Civil Protection briefed state services as well as local Organizations of Prefecture of Self Administration to be in alert to handle any immergency incident.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[09] 2.700 Dead in 2008

28 Αυγ 2008 08:47:00

By

Sources: ANA, AFP

Blood toll in the war conducted in Mexico between prosecution authorities and drug dealers is heavy. In a recent incident, 4 policemen and 17 civilians died raising death toll to 2.700 for this year. Victims are mostly criminals while abductions in the country are also increasing. About 36.000 soldiers and federal police officers have joined forces in order to copy with the problem. What must be noted is that 2,3 of GNP equates to $ 18 billion yearly and covers expenses related to lack of security.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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