The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-10-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Opening 5th Congress of ONNED Central Committee

04 Οκτ 2008 11:20:00 (Last updated: 04 Οκτ 2008 17:21:10)

The Prime Minister with his speech in New Democracy partys youth organization (ONNED) opened ONEED 5th Congress of Central Committee. Mr. Karamanlis put emphasis on the issues of Education and the international crisis that hit the international economy as well as its effects. "The consequences of the international crisis are affecting our country too", the Prime Minister said stressing that the Greek economy has been shielded in order to tackle the crisis. Mr. Karamanlis also launched accusations against the opposition party saying that PASOK pretends not to see the consequences of the international crisis in order to serve political feasibilities.

The consequences of the international crisis, high oil and food prices are affecting expensiveness and the state's incomes and expenses, Mr. Karamanlis noted and added that these consequences are smaller in our country. The Greek economy preserves double growth paces than Eurozone's while unemployment rates dropped to the lowest levels, for many years now, and the bank system seems to be resistant. There are weaknesses, Mr. Karamanlis pointed out, but we can cover them.

We are facing hard times, Mr. Karamanlis said but we are tackling the biggest crisis reported after the post-war era.

The explosion of first material prices, the rise of inflation and the reduction of growth paces concern the eurozone; the vibrations are reaching our country, he explained. In addition, Mr. Karamanlis attacked the opposition party, saying that it tries to convince citizens that rises in international prices do not concern them and the government is to blame for everything. "They have lost track with the international reality," Mr. Karamanlis concluded.

Addressing the ONNED youth Mr. Karamanlis said: "Keep the essence of politics, keep the flame of hope and mutual fights lit up".

Mr. Karamanlis also made a self assessment acknowledging the fact that during the 4 years of his tenure, mistakes have been made. However he underlined "I have a clear and complete picture for everything. I will not place political feasibilities' above by country's well being. I will not take pressures by anyone. I exercise the policy my country needs".

Mr. Karamanlis made an extensive reference on the educational reform that has not been completed yet. He noted that discussion on the changes to be implemented in the system of university entry exams has started. The purpose of these changes is to reinforce the independence of Greek Lyceums, to preserve the potentiality of choices and to radically tackle substitute education.

Reforms will continue, Mr. Karamanlis said and stressed that the government is working to reinforce the protection net of vulnerable social groups that are mostly affected by the consequences of the international crisis.

Mr. Karamanlis completed his message saying "we are moving ahead without making compromises, all together, determined, with optimism and vision".

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[02] Paris Summit Angered Finland

Finland has strongly criticized the Summit Meeting to be held in Paris today, attended by Europes four biggest economic powers, members of the G8, to discuss a response to the global financial crisis. The summit follows approval on Friday by the U.S. Congress of Paulson $700-billion rescue plan to tackle a crisis sparked by a housing market collapse and a surge in bad mortgage debt. French President Nikola Sarkozy on Saturday, at 17.30 Greek local time is hosting heads of government from Germany (Angela Merkel), Italy (Silvio Berlusconi) and Britain (Gordon Brown). They are to be joined by the chairman of European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, Jean-Claude Juncker, who chairs the eurozone single-currency group and Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank for a summit he hopes will restore confidence to the banking sector and help an economy on the brink of recession in much of the developed world. EU member Finland strongly criticised Sarkozys summit saying all European countries should have a say on how to resolve the crisis rather than just the bigger nations. "In my opinion its a very bad idea," Finance Minister Jyrki Katainen told national Finnish broadcaster YLEHe also underlined that EU Finance Ministers are due to meet on Monday and Tuesday anyway. "A meeting of EU big nations and representatives of EU institutions is not the best way to work. We are all in the same boat" Katainen added. Finland, Sweden and all EU member states should be in the same position regarding decision-making. "Is the message from the meeting going to be: We have agreed on this and you have to accept it? Lets hope not", the Finish official concluded.

Strauss-Kahn Statements

Europe must adopt a coordinated approach to the financial crisis and individual countries should not show signs of acting alone, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said on Saturday after his meeting with Nikola Sarkozy."In Europe there is a need for coordination," Strauss-Kahn told journalists. It has to be indicated to the markets ... that European countries will not react as every man for himself.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Hatzigakis-OA Pilots' Meeting

By

Minister of transport, Kostis Hatzigakis will meet today with reps of Olympic Airways pilots in the framework of the discussions held on the denationalization of the Greek flying company. Mr. Hatzigakis in his interview in "Eleftheorypia" newspaper stresses that the initiative adopted by the government combines the attractiveness of potential investors with the necessary sensitivity towards OA employees.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Deadly Kurdish Attack at Turkish Outpost

Fifteen Turkish soldiers and 23 Kurdish rebels were killed during clashes with Kurdish separatist PKK members in southeast Turkey on Friday, Turkish officials said, in one of the deadliest attacks on the military this year. Two Turkish soldiers are also missing after rebels based in northern Iraq fired heavy weapons at a military outpost in the Semdinli region bordering Iraq and Iran, a military spokesman said. Turkish Prime-minister Tayip Erdogan cut short an official visit to Turkmenistan on Saturday to chair an emergency security meeting in Ankara while he also cancelled a two-day official visit to Mongolia. "The struggle against terrorism will continue with the same determination as before," says Turkish President Abdullah Gul in a video message published on the webpage of the Turkish Presidency.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Turkey: Multi Fatal Kurdish Attack

Sources: Reuters

Fifteen Turkish soldiers were killed in clashes with Kurdish PKK separatist rebels in southeast Turkey on Friday, Turkeys General Staff said, in one of the deadliest attacks on the military this year. It said at least 23 members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) were killed in the fighting in the Semdinli region bordering Iraq and Iran. Turkeys military has staged several cross-border operations, including a brief land offensive in February, against PKK bases in mountainous northern Iraq over the past 12 months.

[06] Fire in 3E Coca Cola Factory

A big fire broke out at 2:00 midnight in Coca Cola 3E factory, Vari-Koropi highway. 42 firemen and 14 fire-distinguish vehicles arrived immediately and managed to put the fire under control at 7:00 in the morning. Extensive damages were caused in the building. The causes will be investigated by specialists of the Fire Brigades interrogation department.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] Spain: Zapatero Grants Recognition to Franco's Victims

By

Sources: ANA, MNA, German News Agency

The Spanish government approved four decrees on Friday aimed at recognizing the suffering of the leftist victims of the 1936-39 civil war and the subsequent dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. Those jailed, tortured or forced to work in labour camps, their relatives, or relatives of executed people will be able to apply for a document which gives them no monetary rights, but constitutes the first official recognition of their status as victims. In addition, certain families which have not already received any economic damages under other laws can also seek a compensation of 135,000 euros (185,000 dollars). The other decrees provide for Francos victims to retrieve personal documents from the civil war archives, and for foreigners who fought against Franco in the civil war to get Spanish nationality.

Francos mutiny against the leftist republican government sparked the civil war, which Franco won and ruled Spain until his death in 1975. The dictatorship paid tribute to Francoist victims of the war, while the republicans were forgotten.

Measures to rehabilitate their memory are based on the 2007 Law of Historic Memory, which the Socialist government passed despite the disapproval of the conservative opposition.

[08] Nicaragua: 10 Killed by Stormy Rainfalls

10 people at least were killed by stormy rainfalls in Nicaragua that caused serious damages in many houses and installations in the central part of the country, officials of the civil protection service reported. Many rivers overloaded causing landslides mainly in the northern part of the country. More than 2.500 residents had to be transferred to shelters. However rescue crews did not complete the evacuation of the flood hit areas yesterday and authorities fear that death toll may rise. The victims -among whom 3 children- were killed when trying to cross overflowed rivers.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[09] By Murderers of Drug Cartels

04 Οκτ 2008 10:51:00

A former deputy district attorney and 4 police officers were the last victims, rising to 19 in a day, of murderers of drug cartels in Ciudad Juarez area, Mexico, local authorities stated. Police found six charred bodies, one still on fire, dumped on a street in the northern Mexican city of Tijuana on Monday, in the latest brutal killing on the U.S.-Mexico border. Following two months of relative quiet in Tijuana, across the border from San Diego, California, drug murders and kidnappings are rising again, police say. At least 14 people have been killed in drug violence since early Sunday.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[10] Strong River Currnets Swept her Car Away

04 Οκτ 2008 11:41:00 (Last updated: 04 Οκτ 2008 18:39:33)

An EMAK rescue crew and fire brigade forces are conducting extensive investigations in Zervas Rivers and Kastrakios Lake looking for the woman who disappeared the day before yesterday in Aitolokarnania area. Her husband was killed when strong river currents caused by stormy rainfalls swept their car away.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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