The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-10-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] On Vatopedi Property Scandal

15 Οκτ 2008 14:14:00 (Last updated: 15 Οκτ 2008 19:01:29)

Sources: ANA-MNA

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and ND deputies have called for the setting up of an enquiry committee on the Vatopedi monastery case. The Prime Minister called the Speaker of the House to call the relevant debate on Wednesday 22 October. According to the New Democracy proposal, transparency reasons and the full implementation of the principle of legality mandate an investigation by the Parliament on the case since the issue of the initial administrative statements on which the property titles were branded to the monastery". The Parliament inquiry committee will carry out the investigation of the Vatopedi case without interfering in the investigation conducted by justice. Under Parliament regulation article 144, the bodys Plenum sets up inquiry committees comprised of its members for the examination of special cases of state interest. The relevant proposal must be signed by 1/5 (60 deputies) of the total number of deputies. The proposal is recorded on the daily agenda and the debate must end within one single session. The decision of the Parliament Plenum for the setting up of an inquiry committee must be taken by an absolute majority of present deputies which can not be less than 2/5 (210 deputies) of the total number of deputies.

In the meantime, the Socialist Party (PASOK) filed a motion for a probe to investigate the involvement of State Minister Theodoros Roussopoulos, then Deputy Finance Minister Petros Doukas and then Rural Development Minister Evangelos Bassiakos in the ministerial decisions signed.

[02] Measures to Support Bank System

The Inner Cabinet, during its todays meeting chaired by Prime-minister Kostas Karamanlis, approved the sum of 28.000 billion to strengthen banks liquidity. Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis assured that the 3 measures package to strengthen bank liquidity will not burden tax payers.

No Fiscal Burden

After the government committee meeting, Mr Alogoskoufis announced three measures in support of bank liquidity and their capital.

The state will guarantee loans to banks amounting up to 15 billion , issue of special state bonds of up to 8 billion, while up to 5 billion will be allocated to banks in support of their capital. This framework provides for the purchase of privileged bonds by the state.

Mr Alogoskoufis stated that the plan is aiming at preventing the repercussions from the rise of interest rates from affecting civilians and businessmen and at the same time secure employment. Any bank interested in these package of measures should submit an application which will be examined by the Bank of Greece.

Mr. Alogoskoufis underlined that the international financial crisis has taken up unprecedented dimensions and repeated that Greeces financial system has healthy bases but due to the crisis there is always fear for rises in interest rates and lack of liquidity. The Finance Minister added that the measures were decided to guarantee equal competition terms and they were in accordance to measures taken at the EU Finance Ministers Council.

Mr. Alogoskoufis repeated the governments commitment that there is no risk of any savings account in Greece and assured that the package of measures will not become a burden to tax payers. The draft-bill providing for implementation of these measures will be submitted to the parliament the latest in 10 days.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

Related News:

Markets on Tight Rope

Karamanlis Visits Brussels

[03] Urgent Meeting on Financial Crisis

Sources: Reuters, ANA, MNA

ΗLeaders of Eurogroup countries held an emergency meeting in Paris at the sight of the Summit Meeting, Brussels. The Prime Minister, who is leaving today for Brussels, will attend the sessions of the European Council on Wednesday and Thursday. Just before the start of the meeting the president of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso as well as the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called on the US to co operate closely in order to monitor the financial system after the end of the crisis.

Appeal to Europe-US for Co Operation

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged the world on Wednesday to use the financial crisis as an opportunity to conclude a global trade deal and said central and east European economies will need extra help.

Brown, whose rescue plan for British banks has set a template for Europe and the United States, appealed to the US for a closer international co operation in order to monitor the international financial system when the crisis ends. He also said central and east European economies will need extra help from international lenders to cope with the credit crisis.

"I believe a forum to decide on big changes in the international economy can be held in the next few months... There is now a general agreement there should be an international leaders meeting," he told a news conference before a European Union summit.

He said he expected the Group of Eight industrialised nations, the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Russia -plus key emerging nations such as China, India, Brazil and South Africa to hold a summit on financial reform in November or December.

[04] In Many Areas around the Country

15 Οκτ 2008 16:34:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

According to the decision of minister of education, 2.855.900 funds will be provided for the construction and restoration of school buildings in many prefectures around the country: Patra, Amorgi, Andravida, Ierapetra and Jermiado of Lasithi.

The plans for school building constructions were approved and are going to be implied in Athens city center and Keratsini while the ministry of education also approved the operation of Centers of Environmental Education in Heraklion, Crete, Corfu, Trikala and Evritania prefectures.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Income Tax Statement

15 Οκτ 2008 11:41:00

The Finance Ministrys Information Systems General Secretariat has announced that e-service for application and printing of income tax statement for settlement and clearance of non-inspected income declarations according to bill 3697/2008 is operating since 14:00 o clock Monday, October, 13, 2008. Access to the service is feasible through webpages www.gsis.gr and www.taxisnet.gr with the selection of option "Clearence of Non-inspected Income- tax Declarations". The service is addressed to all self-employed and companies who want to clear income tax declarations for the financial years from 2001-2007 with automatic calculation of clearance tax amount. By completing the form "Registration of new User" in taxisnet.gr, a code number is given, necessary for access to TAXISnet system. Applicants should allow 3-5 working days for the provision of their codes. For further information either look on taxisnet@taxisnet.gr or call 210 4802 552 from 08:00- 18:00, on week days

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Prosecutors Insist on their Resignations

15 Οκτ 2008 10:54:00 (Last updated: 15 Οκτ 2008 16:19:58)

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΑNA-ΜPA

Following yesterdays developments on the Vatopedi Monastery case, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos reported that the ND party is proposing the setting up of an Examining Committee to examine the case. Shortly after the government meeting began at Maximos Mansion under the PMs chairmanship, Mr Roussopoulos stated that the NDs (Conservatives) fixed principle is that the Examining Committee should be set up only after Justice concludes its work. "Following yesterdays developments on the case Mr Karamanlis has decided to propose the setting up of an Examining Committee," Mr Roussopoulos said. He also did not rule out a preliminary examination if new evidence comes into light. All began yesterday when two Prosecutors examining the Vatopedi Monastery case tried to resign, a development that sparked tense wrangling between political parties. The two Prosecutors reported that their work on sending the case to Parliament had been obstructed. Then, the prime minister intervened and asked from the Justice Minister to reject the Prosecutors resignations and if necessary to take the case to Parliament. However, it appears that Prosecutors Koliousis and Sotiropoulou insist on resigning.

Strong Clash on Judicial Investigation

The Prosecutors Association has described the Prosecutors resignation a huge moral and substantive issue for the operation of the institution of Justice.

PASOK (Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement) leader George Papandreou spoke of a coup by the government, demanding Justice Minister Sotiris Hatzigakis resignation. Commenting, the government reported that Mr Papandreou now honors the judges he had been accusing in the past of whitewash.

KKE (Communist Party of Greece) reported that there are judges who are against interventions, while LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) President George Karatzaferis stated he would file a lawsuit against the Justice Minister for violation of duty if Messrs Sanidas and Karoutsos are not charged.

Statements Made to NET 105.8

PASOK (Socialists) MP Maria Damanaki stated that the government had been forced to retreat, adding that the people are angry with the PM because he had tried to whitewash the case in Thessaloniki.

PASOK MP Andreas Loverdos spoke of mistakes on the Vatopedi Monastery case by the government, adding that Justice had omitted from sending the case to Parliament.

ND MP George Kalatzis described the problem in Greece smaller in comparison to that in the US and the EU, attributing this to the governments policy. Moreover, he said that if pressure was exerted on the Prosecutors they should say so.

ND MP George Kontogiannis stated that the PM had stepped in because the government wishes to shed light on the case.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Karamanlis Steps In

[07] Palestinian Juvenile Dead by Israeli Fire

Israeli troopers fired, killed, Tuesday a 17 year old Palestinian and injured two more near Ramala, as announced by Palestinian security services. Juveniles were crossing the central road that divides the camp refugee from the Israeli camp. A representative of the Israeli army said that the youth were about to launch Molotov bombs. The body of the young man is kept by Israeli troopers. The two injured were transferred to Ramala were they were provided first aid.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] Obama Leads MacCain

15 Οκτ 2008 08:45:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΑNA, French, Reuters

According to a poll published in "Los Angeles Times" newspaper, Barrack Obama leads MacCain 9 percentage points (50% against 41%). In last months poll the gap between the two presidential rivals was 4 percentage points (Obama 49%, MacCain 45%). Seven out of 10 respondents believe that Obama is able to deal with the financial crisis. A poll jointly organized by CBS television channel and New York Times newspaper indicate that Democrat candidate Barrack Obama leads his Republican rival John MacCain by 14 percentage points (53% against 39%). A nationwide survey conducted by the same mass media on October, 6 indicated a 3 percentage lead of Obama.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[09] Early Elections

15 Οκτ 2008 08:22:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ANA, Reuters, AFP

Conservatives party lead by Stephen Harper won in the early elections, Canada. Conservatives had won or was leading in races for 143 of Parliaments 308 seats. The Liberal Party dropped to 76 seats from 95 in the previous Parliament, according to the election agency. Bloc Quebecois won 50 seats, the New Democrats 37 and independent candidates 2. The opposition Liberals have typically been the party in power, forming the government for most of Canadas 141 years. Liberal Party leader Stephane Dion stated that Canadians have voted him to be the leader of the opposition party and that he accepts that duty with honor. 13.650.000 out of 23.400.000 voters participated in the parliamentary elections that is 58,3% the lowest percentage recorded ever over the last 141 years since the foundation of the Confederation. In 2006 participation reached 64,7%.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[10] Omar Heading to Puerto Rico

Tropical storm Omar hit hurricane strength on Tuesday as it headed toward Puerto Rico and the small islands of the north-eastern Caribbean, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Omar, which grew quickly from a tropical storm, had sustained winds of 120 kph as it churned about 505 km southwest of Puerto Rico, the Miami-based hurricane center said. In Venezuela, the storm stopped tankers from loading crude oil at refinery facilities and knocked out power at the OPEC nations 200,000 barrel-per-day Puerto La Cruz refinery, officials said.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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