The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-09-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Prime Minister's Interview in TIF

07 Σεπ 2008 13:44:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105,8

The Prime Minister gave a press conference in the framework of Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF). Mr. Karamanlis excluded the possibility of early elections and cabinets reshuffle. When asked about possible co operations if a non majority government comes out he noted that they may be possible. As per Mr. Voulgarakis issue he made a distinction between illegal activities and business activities every citizen can have. He also sent a message to all parliamentary members disputing him that all have made a commitment to support the governments policy and that each one has to take his responsibilities while he branded PASOKs charges of falsification in the voting procedure in Parliament, an unjustified gaffe.

Any thought for early elections has nothing to do with the reality Mr. Karamanlis stressed adding that not even 12 months have passed since the citizens last verdict. There is a strong mandate, he added, and underlined that there is not an issue of cabinets reshuffle.

On reference to PASOKs accusation regarding charges of falsification in Parliament, he said that such gaffes can not be justified due to political weakness or lack of proposals.

The Prime Minister excluded the possibility of co operations saying that there is not such possibility in the political scenery, and repeated the statement he had made that he is not thinking of early retirement, adding that he will not sacrifice the well being of his country in order to serve a temporary governmental popularity.

Regarding the Euro Elections, he stated that they have political content but they do not determine the political developments.

As per Siemens New Democracy repeated that it has nothing to fear about, the government does not know what is going on with the other parties and that after the completion of the prosecution procedure, the Parliament will handle the issue.

Finally, when asked about the statements of the US deputy Foreign Affairs assistant Mr. Matthew Braiza in Kathymerini newspaper, Mr. Karamanlis said that this is not the proper time for the promotion of Athens-Moscow energy agreement. He answered that energy agreements and Caucasus crisis must not be confused.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] Papandreou Launches Harsh Attack

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

PASOK president, Mr. Papandreou in his interview in "Eleftheros Typos" newspaper, branded the forthcoming Euro elections a referendum, presenting Mr. Karamanlis government as a government that its time has run out. Mr. Papandreou asks from citizens to avoid a possible "loose vote". KKE General Secretary of Central Committee referred on the same issue in her interview in "Saturdays Eleftherotypia", calling on citizens to be disobedient to the European Union.

"Loose Vote a Trap"

PASOK president, in his interview, a few days before he goes to Thessaloniki, expressed the estimation that the governments political time has run out.

"New Democracy did not understand that the Greek people offered ND a border line majority in Parliament. And for that reason it did not change its policy. On reference to "loose vote", in Euro elections, Mr. Papandreou said that this is exactly the danger we must prevent. Citizens must not be indifferent in these Euro elections which must not only concern European issues.

In his interview, PASOK president brands the co operation of his party with Synaspismos, useful for our country while Thodoros Pagalos, in his interview in "Saturdays Eleftherotypia" newspaper refers on the difficulty of a strong government. "PASOK on its own faces difficulties, it will try but it is extremely difficult. It is obvious that SYRIZA can not make it. But PASOK along with SYRIZA can give hope and the conviction of victory", and concluded that there are central political forces that do not want him in power.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Two Dead in Train Collision

The Inter City 40 train conducting the route Larissa-Volos crashed to a lorry that overrun the trains right of priority yesterday, Saturday. The train and lorry drivers were killed. According to TRAINOSE announcement, 1 passenger was slightly injured. The rest 44 passengers are well. All local train routes, including Larissa-Volos-Larissa and Thessaloniki-Volos-Thessaloniki were cancelled.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Police Suspect Parents

Halkida Prosecutor has filed suit against former Japanese diplomat in the Vatican and his Greek wife on charges of intentional murder, illegal possession and use of weapon. Police believe that 36 year-old woman, found dead at her parents villa in Amarynthos, Halkida, died from suffocation after her mother covered her face with a pillow. According to reports, refusal to give custody of her child to her mother was the cause of the abhorrent crime.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] ND-Karamanlis in the Lead

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

A gallop conducted by MRB on behalf of the newspaper "Eleftheros Typos tis Kyriakis" indicates that the ND party is 2% ahead of the main opposition PASOK party. Specifically, in intention of voting, the ND party is in the lead gathering 28.1% against 26.1% of PASOK, followed by SYRIZA 11.9%, GGP 7.8%, LAOS 5% and Greek Ecologists 2.5% while percentage point of undecided votes comes up to 17.3%.

Kostas Karamanlis is also considered the most appropriate personality for the prime-ministers post with 35.3% against 19.3% of George Papandreou. Furthermore, 62.5% of respondents want government reshuffle while the same percentage of voters is against early elections.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Croatian Bus Crash Killed 13

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

At least 13 people were killed and 30 injured in a horrific coach crash on the motorway on Croatias Adriatic coast early on Sunday. The accident occurred at 06:00 Sunday morning when the bus deviated from its route and struck on a metal rail at the toll station. The driver was also killed while the nationality of the victims has not been released yet. Police are conducting investigations on the exact cause of the accident.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Salamina Tragedy

A 85 year-old man shot and killed his neighbour today, an 80-year old woman for a square meter of land in Batsi, Salamina that both had been claiming and having arguments for years. The most tragic part is that the 85 year-old man died of heart failure immediately after realizing that he had killed his neigbour. According to police, the woman started pulling out the wire fence, he had installed in the claimed piece of land, which infuriated him and after a strong argument he returned with a riffle and fired at her.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] Thessaloniki Arrests

Thessaloniki security forces have arrested 13 people, charged with involvement in last nights violent incidents in the city center during protest demonstrations within the frame of inauguration the 73rd International Thessaloniki Fair. According to police demonstrators were marching peacefully through the streets when shortly after 19:00 some 200 people moved out of the main mass of demonstrators to Egnatia and Agia Sophia streets and started throwing bottles stones and iron bars causing material damage to shops and bank offices. Police intervened to disperse rioters while 13 people were arrested, on charges of involvement in violent incidents.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] Poland Winner of Eurovision Dance

The second running of Eurovision Dance, held at Glasgows Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, concluded with Polands triumph. The duo of Polish actor Marcin Mroczek and dancer Edyta Herbus scored 154 points with their energetic routine among 14 contesting couples made up out of a professional dancer and a national celebrity. Greece with Jason Roditis and Tonia Kosovich finished in 7th place. Countries participating in the new Eurovision contest were Azerbaijan, Austria, Denmark, UK, Ireland, Spain, Lithuania, Holland, Ukraine, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Finland, however, many countries have indicated interest to participate in the next contest. The show was hosted by Graham Norton and Claudia Winkelman while the winner was decided by a public vote (televoting) and a separate panel of judges. The top five acts were Poland in first place, Russia second, Ukraine third, Lithuania fourth and Denmark fifth.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[10] Due to Floods

07 Σεπ 2008 11:24:00

Sixty-nine miners were trapped after a coal mine flooded in central Chinas Henan Province, rescue headquarters said Sunday night. The flooding occurred at around 8:40 a.m. Sunday at the Zhijian coal mine in Shanxian county, about 200 kilometers west of Zhengzhou, capital of Henan, when 102 miners were working underground, the rescue headquarters said. Floodwater triggered by rainstorms Saturday night swamped the mine through an aluminium mine pit and an old shaft of the mine, the headquarters said. According to an official toll, 20% of losses, about 3.768 workers, in China have been caused by working accidents in mines. Governments are trying to improve working conditions in mines.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[11] Hurricane Ike: Cuba in Alert

Sources: Reuters

Hurricane Ike barreled toward Cuba as an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm on Sunday and was forecast to sweep into the central Gulf of Mexico as a large and powerful storm echoing Hurricane Gustav. Ikes top sustained winds reached 135 miles per hour (215 kph), making it a savage Category 4 on the five-step Saffir Simpson scale of hurricane intensity, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Authorities have ordered the evacuation of Florida Keys Islands although Ike is almost impossible Ike to hit the densely populated Miami coasts.

[12] Police-Taliban's Clashes

07 Σεπ 2008 10:40:00

A suicide bomber triggered explosives killing 5 people in a governmental building, western Afghanistan. More specifically, two suicide bombers detonated explosives inside the headquarters of the main police station in Afghanistans southern city of Kandahar on Sunday, causing casualties. Police officials and some civilians were among the casualties in the explosions. Meantime, in western suburbs of the same city, a Taliban group attacked a police station near Ban Kamal where a sever clash took place resulting in the death of 7 Taliban and two police officers. Battles in Afghanistan this year have killed at least 3.800 people.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[13] Outside PASOK Offices

07 Σεπ 2008 10:28:00

A group of about 40 people launched an attack against MAT police forces outside PASOK central offices, 51 Harilaou Trikoups St. at 2:00 at dawn. Perpetrators threw stones against police officers. Major damages were caused in the offices, shop windows broke while police officers used chemicals in order to scatter the anarchists who vanished running towards Exarcheia square.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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