The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-12-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Socialist Leader Blasts the Government

The Socialist President also reiterated he was after forming an independent government, yet he assured he was open to other progressive powers, saying, "What Greece needs is a crystal clear mandate on which political powers can help the country progress."

He finally blamed the government for vying to shirk off its responsibilities and look for scapegoats either in the young or in the political parties.

News item: 16655

[02] Conclusions of the EU Summit

On Financial Crisis

With regard to the financial crisis, the European Council gave thumbs up for a stimulus plan amounting to 1.5 percent of the EU Gross Domestic Product, namely about 200 million euros. The conclusions text read that the EU laid down coordinated emergency measures to restore the operation of the financial system and the people's trust in it. The European Council urged lenders to take full advantage of all the provisions offered to support economy and transfer the cuts in key interest rates to the loanees.

On Energy and Climate Change

The EU vowed to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent by 2020. The European Council stressed that if, in the framework of a world agreement on climate change brokered in Copenhagen, the rest developed nations pledged to significantly cut emissions and booming economies play their part depending on their responsibilities and capabilities, the EU will trim carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent by 2020.

Lisbon Treaty-Ireland

The European Council agreed that all nations should ratify the Lisbon Treaty by late 2009, while Ireland pledged to hold a new referendum before 1 November 2009. In exchange, the EU member-states will take into consideration and meet all the concerns and worries that made the people of Ireland reject the Lisbon Treaty in June 2008.

Reactions

News item: 16654

[03] Karamanlis' Press Interview from Brussels

From Brussels in a press interview , Prime-minister, Kostas Karamanlis ruled out any talks about early elections and succession scenarios and described recent incidents in Greece as a complex phenomenon under unprecedented conditions. "We all understand the problems and the agony of young people but sympathy could not be confused with blind violence and destructive mania of some extreme elements targeted against citizens, their assets and finally against democracy itself", stressed Mr. Karamanlis. We faced a multi complex phenomenon under unprecedented extent of tension and violence and the tragic incident of the death of a teenager for whom the whole Greek society and police have expressed their deep sorrow.

In reference to Batopaidi property transfer case, the Prime-minister said that objectively the government bears the responsibility for whatever happens in the country, he added, however, that the government would wait for the Inquiry Committee report to express an integrated view on the case. With regards economy, Mr. Karamanlis stated that the government would continue taking measures to assist lower income groups and middle sized businesses.

Sources: ÍÅÔ / ÁNA-ÌPA

News item: 16652

[04] Former Cyprus President T. Papadopoulos Dies

Tasos Papadopoulos attended the London Conference and was one of the two representatives who voted against the signing of the Zurich-London pacts. He was also among the 4 representatives of the Greek-Cypriot side at the Constitution Committee who drew the Cyprus Constitution.

He was advisor to first negotiator on Cyprus issue, Glafkos Kleridis and then appointed negotiator himself till July, 1978. He was elected deputy for the first time in July, 5, 1970 elections with the United Party and deputy of the Democratic party in May 19, 1991 elections, assuming the party's leadership on October, 7, 2000. Tasos Papadopoulos served in the post of Democracy Minister for 12 years and successfully as Minister of Interior, Finance, Labour and Social Security, Health and Agriculture &Natural Resources. He was Cyprus President from 2003-2008 and objected to Anan plan in 2004 despite foreign pressure from the US and UK and domestic pressure, particularly from the main opposition party. Tasos Papadopoulos resigned from the Democratic Party leadership on August, 29, 2006 while Dimitris Hristofias succeeded him in the Presidential office in 2008. He was also member of the National Council, President of the European Affairs Parliamentary Committee, member of the Selection and Finance and Budget Committees. He was also president of the Parliamentary delegation in the EU-Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee.

News item: 16644

[05] Strong Dispute in Parliament

In response to a relevant question by PASOK deputy, K. Brettos, Interior undersecretary announced review of framework for the use of weapons by policemen and more frequent health check ups of police forces. Referring to the necessity for in depth examination of readoptions of the legal framework on the use of weapons, Mr. Hinofotis said that a special work group will be set up to study the issue and the results will be submitted to the competent sectors.

Regardless of the course of the study, major importance should be placed on proper training and mind and body health fitness of the police force in accordance to 3169/2003 bill, said Mr. Hinofotis. Specifically, he said that obligatory annual health tests would be established for the police force.

On his part, Mr. Brettos said that neither Kaltezas nor Grigoropoulos would have been killed if police force were not using weapons. He added that there was no reason for policemen to carry weapons neither during demonstrations nor during patrollings. Referring to the recent incidents, PASOK deputy said that "the government has lost control" and spoke of Mr. Hinofotis personal responsibility maintaining that he should have insisted on his resignation.Heated debate continued with LAOS deputy Adonis Georgiadis question regarding the police stand during the incidents. He maintained that police were ordered to remain inactive. In response, Mr. Hinofotis called him to "officially prove that police were ordered to remain inactive". Mr. Georgiadis also said that nobody including the Prime-minister can oblige an undersecretary to remain in his post and claimed that there was a negative climate within law enforcement and riot police against Mr. Hinofotis because he did not allow them to do their job.

In response, Mr. Hinofotis said that he does not hesitate to assume his responsibilities wherever it is requested but one can not resign in the mid of this battle, "it is undignified and cowardly". Regarding criticism in foreign mass media, he said that they comment on the incidents under the legal prism of their countries.

In the meantime, prior to his response to Mr. Brettos question, Mr. Hinofotis called for respect to the dead teenager's memory adding: "Unfortunately, as it has not been done on the part of the defendant and without wanting to intervene in the legal part of the case, I personally sincerely apologize for the incident and this reflects my real feelings" said Mr. Hinofotis.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

Relevant Articles: New Protest Rallies, Wave of Reactions

Dispute in Parliament-One Minute's Silence for Alexis

News item: 16640

[06] Heavy Losses in Asian Markets

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA

News item: 16637

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