The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-09-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] On Olympic Airways

19 Σεπ 2008 14:20:00 (Last updated: 19 Σεπ 2008 18:41:11)

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105,8-ΑNA/ΜNA

Olympic Airways issue triggered debate today in Parliament. Minister of Transport Kostis Hatzidakis confirmed that the companys brand circles and name will be preserved, employees rights will not be affected and the flights to the Greek Islands will be conducted as normal. Apostolos Kaklamanis supported the view that Mr. Hatzidakis caused damages in Olympic Airways with his questions and accusations in Euro Parliament while Alekos Alavanos said that this is the wrong government that acts in the wrong time and makes the wrong move. Olympic Airway employees staged today a protestation and marched to Parliament, attempting to enter PANTHEON offices but were prevented by police forces.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] On Developments in Economy

19 Σεπ 2008 18:04:00 (Last updated: 19 Σεπ 2008 19:21:05)

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ΑNA/ΜPA

The American authorities are attempting to implement a shock therapy to restore the economic situation worldwide. Although specialists believe the worst is not over the US plan for the exodus from the crisi pushed international Markets up. Although Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis appeared optimistic for Europe, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis did not had his concern over the negative developments and repurcussions on the Greek economy.

"Europe Holds"

During his meeting with his Danish counterpart Anders Fogh Rasmussen Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis discussed the international economic crisis.

Although Europe has not suffered seriously from the US economic recession, it experienced its side effects Karamanlis stated after the meeting, adding that Europe has rules that can play a regulating role in the monetary system.

In parallel, the President of the Hellenic Republic and the Minister of Economy discussed the course of the economy and the repurcussions from the international crisis in the morning.

Mr Alogoskoufis described the crisis big, adding that it had hit the heart of capitalism. Referring to the international crisis, he stressed that the crisis that began from America has affected the whole world because it had led to the rise of interest rates and the lack of cash in the Markets.

Regarding the repurcussions of developments in Europe, he reported that many economies experienced stagnation due to the rise of inflation, adding that the Greek economy suffered mainly from the rise of interest rates and inflation. These have affected the economy and development.

Finally, he described the repurcussions on the Greek economy smaller in relation to other economies, adding that what matters if for the government to continue with its programme in order to combat inflation and interest rates.

Recovery Plan

The US government is working on a plan to rescue banks from the bad debts at the center of Wall Streets financial crisis.

U.S. stock market indexes soared about four percent late Thursday following reports of the governments plans.

The Finanial Times Index went up by 9%, while the Athens Stock Exchange rose by 8.68% today.

It was the biggest one-day percentage gain for the indexes in six years and nearly recovered the steep losses of the previous day.

News reports say the governments plans could involve an entity similar to one created during the savings and loan crisis two decades ago.

Earlier in the day, fears of a global financial meltdown forced the U.S. Federal Reserve and other major central banks to pump hundreds of billions of dollars into the worlds financial markets. The banks hoped the move would help restore the confidence of investors.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] After the New Gallop

19 Σεπ 2008 15:41:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜNA

Tension rises in the political scenery after the second gallop showing PASOK in the lead. ND parliamentary members ask from the Prime Minister to take initiatives in order to reverse the negative atmosphere. Reserved optimism prevails in the opposition party. The government through its spokesman Thodoros Roussopoulos announced its determination to proceed without deviations in the materialization of its decision. "The country needs stability. The government pursuits and services it in every way", State Minister said. He also denied rumors per cabinet reshuffle and said that the Prime Minister will not go for vote of confidence in Parliament. Minister of finance Mr. Alogoskoufis on reference to the accusations launched against him lately commented: "I keep on looking at with persistency the meaningful financial problems of our country. The government is moving steadily towards this direction because if we do not resolve the important problems of our society and economy, the citizens will pay the price", he concluded.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Rainfalls and Stormy Winds Expected

Sources: ΝΕ-ΝΕτ 105,8-ΑNA/ΜNA

The weather is expected to change starting from tomorrow with strong winds, storms and winds that will reach 8 to 9 Beaufort. More specifically, on Saturday rainfalls and storms will prevail in Ionian Islands, Western Greece, the Mainland, as well as in Peloponnese, Evoia, Thessaloniki, Cyclades and Crete. On Sunday morning Aegean Islands and Dodecanese will also be affected by these weather conditions. More specifically, as far as Attika prefecture is concerned the weather will change starting from Saturday afternoon. Bad weather will abate on Sunday during the morning hours in Attika. As far as western Greece is concerned weather will improve in Sunday while for the rest of the country weather conditions will abate on Sunday.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Bakoyiannis-Milososki Meeting

Greek FM Mrs. Bakoyiannis who is participating in the meeting of the European Union with Asian Countries, will meet today her counterpart in Skopje Antonio Milososki. Skopje name issue will be at the focus of the discussion. Greek governmental spokesman Mr. Thodoros Roussopoulos made clear that the Prime Minister and Mrs. Bakoyiannis statements still stand for the finding of a solution. When asked if the Bakoyiannis-Milososki meeting took place after USs initiative, Mr. Roussopoulos answered that Greece welcomes every initiative that can help for the finding of a solution and stressed that our country pursuits the best solution and a clear answer to this political as well as historical issue.

New Debate in FYROM

At the same time a new debate broke out in FYROM between the president and the prime minister of the country.

Nikola Gruevski din not agree with a meeting of FYROM leadership before the departure of the delegacy in New York where it will attend the UN General Assemblys meeting. This fact annoyed Mr. Branko Crvenkovski reps of whom said that they have repeatedly suggested a meeting but they received no answer by the Prime Minister.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] Karamanlis-Rasmussen Meeting

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105,9-ΑNA/ΜNA

The Prime Minister had a meeting today with his counterpart Prime Minister of Denmark Anders Fogh Rasmussen and discussed international, political and financial developments. In addition, they focused on the expansion of the European Union and the Lisbon Treaty. Mr. Karamanlis is hosting now a working lunch for Mr. Rasmussen during which financial developments will be discussed. Mr. Karamanlis stressed that Europe is not affected by the economic recession in the US. Crisis create side effects but the European Council has taken measures in order to preserve transparency and better co ordination in the financial system of Europe so as to avoid similar problems with those prevailing now in the US, he said.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] Bakoyiannis-Kouchner Meeting

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Dora Bakoyiannis will meet today her French counterpart Bernard Kouchner in a working lunch before the UN General Conference next week. In the afternoon Mrs. Bakoyiannis will meet her FYROM counterpart Mr. Antonio Milososki who has been invited as observer in Paris in the "European Union-Central Asia".

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] World Maritime Day

19 Σεπ 2008 11:30:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

To mark World Maritime Day, the Evgenidio Foundation is holding an event entitled "International Maritime Organization, 60 years in the service of Shipping". Opening the event Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis praised the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for its contribution to reducing maritime accidents as well as for its sensitivity on matters of environmental protection describing it as an example of multi-sided and institutional cooperation. Mr. Karamanlis pledged that Greece would assist IMO in every way and support its efforts for speedy introduction of new technologies. He also stressed that maritime is a basic field for the growth of the Greek economy although it has not always received the recognition it deserves. On his part, Merchant Marine Minister, Anastasis Papaligouras underlined that Greece is the first force in shipping and the Ministry will firmly support IMO efforts. The International Maritime Organization, which operates within the United Nations framework numbers 163 members. It was founded in Geneva, in 1948 while Greece joined the organization in 1958.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] Inspection ordered over Possible

19 Σεπ 2008 11:20:00

There is high unrest over possible transfusion of AIDS-contaminated blood to a 70-year old woman. The Inspection and Disease Prevention Center is carrying out an investigation while all measures have been taken to clarify the case.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[10] Debate in the Parliament, Employees Took to the St

19 Σεπ 2008 11:03:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

Debate on 48 PASOK deputies interpellation on the Olympic Airways issue opened in Parliament while employees are staging a protest demonstration and occupation of the companys offices at Syggrou Av. Earlier, OSPA president, Manolis Patestos said "no" to dialogue on privatization and called on employees to escalate mobilizations. In his statements, transport Minister underlined he sent an explanatory letter to employees calling them to start talks and reach an agreement with their unions while he repeated that all employees would be fully covered, flights would not be suspended and the government would support the national carrier until privatization. Opposition parties described the Olympic Airways issue as a sell off of public wealth to investors while employees announced that they would refer to Justice.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[11] Australia May Freeze Uranium Export to Russia

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

Australia may back away from its billion-dollar deal to sell uranium to Russia, with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd saying he feared relations between the former superpower and the West were "at a turning point". Former prime minister John Howard and Russias Vladimir Putin agreed to the deal, worth an estimated $1 billion last September. A competent Parliament committee said the deal should not proceed until the Government was satisfied effective controls were in place to ensure the uranium could not be sold, lost or stolen by terrorists.Asked if he would block the sale, Mr Rudd said he had not yet studied the full report but obviously the Russian situation was made complex by its invasion of Georgia. He said his Government was going to spend a lot of time working on questions about the Wests long-term engagement with Russia. The opposition supports the sale because the terms of the contract already providing that Australian uranium could neither be used for nuclear weapons nor for export to third countries. Last month Russia warned that cancelling the deal could have serious economic consequences for Australia.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[12] Computer Brain Exercise-Miraculous

Sources: ANA

Western Australia will be the first State of Australia that will have access in a programme of brain exercise according to which the human memory and perception will be improved for ten years at least. Alzheimers Australia started this programme stressing that it targets elderly people who have small or no experience in using computers. It will give help the users to think faster and to concentrate better and improve their memory. It will be a 8 weeks programme, attendance will require 5 days per week and is expected to improve concentration ability to 130% and the skill to absorb information up to 300%. Experiments have proved that the improvement of memory can last up to 10 years. This discovery is expected to benefit people who play sports, drive or are involved with works that demand fast response.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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