The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-10-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis-Trichet Meeting

17 Οκτ 2008 13:08:00 (Last updated: 17 Οκτ 2008 19:05:58)

Sources: ΑNA

Prime-minister, Kostas Karamanlis, accompanied by Finance Minister, George Alogoskoufis and the governor of the Bank of Greece Mr. Probopoulos, had an one-hour meeting with the president of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet as well as Greek deputy chief Mr. Papadimas. Mr. Karamanlis described developments as unprecedented n the post war period and underlined the positive role of the European Central Bank in the bid to restore smooth function of the financial system. He also briefed Mr. Trichet on the governments decisions and plan to shield Greek banks and expressed the view that the European Central Bank must help to avert impact of global financial crisis on low-income groups. Developments are so rapid under these circumstances of crisis that neither an hour delay is allowed said the Prime-minister in his statements, underlining also the importance of information-sharing.

Karamanlis Statements

Karamanlis also stressed that the impact of the credit crisis had spread to Europe through the interdependence in todays world, resulting in the liquidity problems on both the European interbank market and in the operation of European banks.

The premier expressed satisfaction, however, with the concerted and decisive way in which the EU leadership has acted in the past few days.

"We adopted a broad plan, which contains a series of measures, the goal of which is to restore the citizens and investors confidence in the banking system," he said, noting that the plan guarantees the liquidity of the banks so that they may continue to carry out their role. "These measures have already brought results, as the interest rates on the interbank market have started to decline," he elaborated.

Regarding the role of the ECB, Karamanlis described it as "particularly positive, noting that "from the very first moment, under the guidance of its president, Mr. Trichet, it provided substantial liquidity to the banking system".

He said the European Central Bank had displayed full comprehension of its wider role in the course of the European economy, and expressed his conviction that the ECB, in cooperation with the EU governments, would continue to contribute decisively to improvement of the standard of living of Europe and its citizens.

Karamanlis further said that he briefed Trichet on the decisions taken by the Greek government, and particularly the legislation of a minimum guarantee on deposits, as well as on its political commitment for full guarantee of the savings of depositors in banks operating in Greece.

He also briefed the ECB chief on the programme for fortifying the Greek credit system which, the premier stressed, provides the necessary guarantees for the medium-term borrowing of the credit institutions, but stressed, however, the strict conditions and continuous monitoring by the State of all banks entering the credibility restoration program.

Karamanlis told Trichet that the weaker social strata needed to be helped, and noted that the governor of the Bank of Greece, George Provopoulos, who accompanied the premier to the meeting, was in constant contact with the ECB.

[02] PASOK- LAOS against Sanidas

17 Οκτ 2008 10:19:00 (Last updated: 17 Οκτ 2008 17:35:01)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

Next week is expected to be crucial regarding Vatopedi case. Government-opposition dispute on Batopedi case is escalating. Interest focuses on Wednesdays voting for the set up of an enquiry committee as well as on Fridays meeting on the set up of a preliminary examining committee, a proposal initiated by PASOK. PASOK parliamentary member Evaggelos Venizelos announced that the opposition party approves the governments proposal for the setting up of an enquiry committee.

On Friday morning, PASOK filed a suit- signed by all its deputies- against Supreme Court Prosecutor George Sanidas and Court of Appeals chief-prosecutor Kyriakos Karoutsos on charges of violation of duty and abuse of power concerning their refusal to forward the Batopedi case file to the Parliament. The law suit among others refers that the two Prosecutors aimed to delay preliminary inquiry and cover up the case as well as to influence the deputy prosecutors while they were looking into the case.

Shortly after, LAOS president, George Karatzaferis filed a suit against all responsible for Batopedi case, including Justice Minister, Sotiris Hatzidakis and Supreme Court Prosecutor George Sanidas. Mr. Karatzaferis has charged them of "high treason" by appropriating competencies of the Parliament by not forwarding evidence concerning the Batopedi case.

In the meantime, a debate on ND party proposal for the setting up of an Inquiry Committee will be held in the parliament next Wednesday. From Brussels, the Prime-minister underlined that he wants clearing up of the Batopedi case and labeled PASOK party request for the setting up of a preliminary investigation committee as a game to create impressions. Mr. Karamanlis rendered his decision for the setting up of an inquiry committee to the climate created after the resignation of two deputy-prosecutors looking into the Batopedi case while he did not rule out the setting up of an investigation committee provided that Justice comes up with evidence.

[03] G. Papandreou: Coordinated Interventions Mandatory

Sources: ΝΕΤ

PASOK president, George Papandreou stressed the need for coordinated and constructive interventions to deal with the global financial crisis after his meeting on Friday morning with Serbian vice-president and Interior Minister, Ivica Da&#269;i&#263;. The two statesmen discussed issues of bilateral interest, developments in the Balkans and the global crisis.

Bilateral Interest Issues & Balkans

PASOK leader and president of Socialist International, George Papandreou expressed his pleasure for the visit to Athens of Serbian vice-president and leader of the Socialist party Ivica Da&#269;i&#263;, particularly because the visit comes after the formation of Serbias coalition government for which PASOK as well as the Socialist International have contributed. Mr. Papandreou described as "clear" the Serbian governments European, democratic and social-democratic orientation.

After predicting significant achievements of Serbias government within its efforts to be admitted in the EU, Mr. Papandreou stressed that PASOK will always strongly support Serbias European orientation which is not only to the benefit of Serbia but also the broader Balkan region. The two statesmen had the opportunity to discuss Balkan issues as well as the global financial crisis where coordinated and constructive interventions are necessary as Mr. Papandreou stressed. Finally they also hold talks on admission of Serbian Socialist party to the Socialist International.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Presidential Race at Final Stage

17 Οκτ 2008 09:31:00

By Anthi Ntaousani

Sources: ΑNA, Reuters

Democrat Barack Obama holds a five-point lead over Republican John McCain, with little immediate indication their final public debate did much to sway the U.S. presidential race, a Reuters/C-SPAN/ZOGBY poll showed on Friday. This is the first survey after the third and last tele-debate of US presidential rivals. Obamas edge over McCain held steady at 49% to 44 % among likely U.S. voters in the four-day tracking poll, unchanged from results before the two men met on Wednesday for their third and last debate before the November 4 election.The poll of 1,210 likely voters had a margin of error of 2.9 %.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Friday, October 17

17 Οκτ 2008 15:57:00

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty has been observed every year since 1993, when the General Assembly, designated this day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty. The international organization stresses that poverty and human rights violation can stop when people that live in poverty can speak and be heard. It encourages governments to adopt policies according to which people living in such conditions to be able to take part in the decisions taken and to analyze how the violation of human rights can direct and make poverty worse. State members must abolish bounds that block human access to education, health treatment, food, clean water and drainage, the director of International Amnesty, Widney Brown said. The theme for this years International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Working together out of poverty, highlights the need for a truly global anti-poverty alliance, one in which both developed and developing countries participate actively.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] Regarding Olympic Airways

17 Οκτ 2008 14:32:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8, ΑNA

The legislative adjustments regarding the working and pension status of OA employees are submitted in Parliament today. The name "Olympic" and the brand mark of the company will be property of a state company but will be rent to the private investor.

The ITF (International Transport Workers Federation) and its European arm the ETF (European Transport Workers Federation) have instructed the Greek Minister of Transport that his plan to close and then privatise the airline contravenes European Law. The Federation states that in violation of the European Directive on Consultation and Information the Ministry has engaged in no consultation with the ITF-affiliated OSPA (Greek Federation of Civil Aviation Unions), which represents the entire workforce. OSPA denies proceeding to dialogue with the government and stated that it will appeal European Courts.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] 11 Dead, 46 Injured

17 Οκτ 2008 09:49:00

Sources: ANA

A blast in a northwest China mine Thursday killed at least 11 people and injured 46 more, mine managers said.The dead included six workers. The other five were people passing the site in a vehicle and workers living in nearby sheds, the Shenhua Ningxia Coal Mining Group Corp. said, Xinhua reported. Among the injured, 12 were listed in serious condition. The incident occurred at the Yangchi mining section of the Dafeng mine in Shizuishan City in Ningxia Hui province. The report said workers were using more than 2 tons of dynamite to blast away rocks in the mine, the report said. The cause of the blast was under investigation.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] Robbery in Peristeri

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

Two unknown men attacked a 60-year old businessman upon arrival to his business premises in Peristeri at 07:30 this morning. The two men shot at the businessman and grabbed his bag. The robbers believed he was carrying a large sum of money in his bag but according to police there were a small amount of cash and checks in the bag. The culprits escaped on a motorcycle while the 60-year old businessman was transferred to hospital.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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