The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-02-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tackling the Crisis Is a National Issue

Calling efforts to tackle the ongoing global credit crisis a "national issue," the Greek head of government invited the country's political and social powers to join forces.

"When it comes to national affairs, historical experience does not allow illusions," said Karamanlis, further adding, "Whenever we Greeks were disunited, whenever we gave priority to petty politics, whenever we adopted divisive practices the result was negative for all. Sometimes it was even disastrous for the country. When we joined forces we reached lofty targets; we successfully met major challenges."

The Greek Premier described the days to come as tough, also claiming that the efforts to ease the crisis' impact required national unity and a joined front.

"The days to come will be crucial. They will be tough. Efforts have to be sped up by everyone, the enterprises and the unions, the social partners, the government and the entire spectrum of political powers above all. We are required to do our best to further cement the nation's economy," underlined the Prime Minister.

He underscored, at the same time, that the nation could not take any head-on conflicts, irresponsible positions, divisive practices, noting that understanding and consensus were needed.

The Prime Minister then went on dropping hints at the stance of the opposition parties, stressing, "Saying no to everything is not responsible. There is no time for such practices."

Touching on the difficulties expected to emerge in the coming months due to the global financial crisis, he warned that unless all parties joined forces in shared goals, the repercussions of the global financial storm would be even harsher.

"I will not stop repeating that. Both the coming months, which are to be touch, and the nation's future depend on everyone's responsibility," concluded he.

In the meantime, in his interview with Sunday paper Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia, opposition leader George Papandreou stressed, "We submitted our proposals, including the emergency solidarity benefit, protection framework for the loanees, provisions that will allow banks transfer the money from the stimulus plan to the debt-ridden households and small enterprises."

Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos lashed out at the Socialist party, blaming it for having one sole goal: to come to power. "While the government is leading the way offering new prospects, PASOK appear irresponsible and ruthless." Avramopoulos further added that the governing party of ND would win the elections, which he estimated they would take place in two and a half years' time.

Socialist cadre Evangelos Venizelos, in his interview with Sunday paper Vima tis Kyriakis, he focused on economy, arguing: "Greece's real problem is to have a single national plan to fight the crisis and boost the competitiveness of the Greek economy."

The opposition parties reacted to the Prime Minister's call for consensus.

The Greek Communist Party (KKE) stressed: "The problems of the people have no colours. Their roots have. They are blue and green."

"The Greek society has rejected the consensus the Prime Minister has called for through the struggles of the working class, the farmers and the youth, because they do not want the crisis hit the low brackets," stressed SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left).

"The Prime Minister has called for consensus to deal with the financial crisis, yet again. We say yes to consensus, but we won't allow ourselves become accomplices to the crimes," commented LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally).

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA

News item: 18947

[02] Train Tragedy in India

At least 15 people were killed and 150 injured Friday when 12 carriages of a passenger train derailed in eastern India, a railway spokesman and reports said, with the toll expected to rise.

The high-speed Coromandel Express, connecting the eastern metropolis of Kolkata and the southern city of Madras, jumped tracks at Jajpur, 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Orissa's state capital Bhubaneswar. "We have 15 people dead," the spokesman for eastern railways, Murlidhar Sahoo, told AFP. Many passengers were trapped in the derailed carriages raising fears of the casualty numbers rising, he said. It was not immediately known why the train jumped the tracks.

Source: NET

News item: 18945

[03] Rain and Slight Snowfalls

Traffic is conducted by anti-skid chains in the provincial road of Florina-Kastoria. In addition, in many parts of the provincial road net of Pellas Traffic police suggests drivers to be extra cautious especially at night because of ice.

The lowest temperature was reported early in the morning today in Florina (-4), Edeesa, Serres (-1), Kozani and Grevena (-2). What must be stressed is that temperature did not exceed 4,5 degrees Celsius today in Thessaloniki city center. Anti-skid chains are necessary in the provisional raods of Karditsa, Mouzaki-Petrilo-Arta, Sofades-Loutra Dmokomvou-Redina provincial roads wherethere is 5 to 10 centimeters snow.

News item: 18946

[04] Day Two of SYN Conference

With eyes fixed on the forthcoming elections for the European Parliament, SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) entered day two of its conference. Deciding the names to run for MEPs has triggered intra-party rivalry, with Dimitris Papadimoulis speaking of a campaign against his candidacy. He did not miss, though, confirming his loyalty to the party's unity and collective spirit.

Addressing the conference, MEP Dimitris Papadimoulis revealed his intention to run for another term. He said, however, that some circles within the party were after his being isolated.

"Everyone puts in a good word for me. Some of the leading party officials, however, have decided and are after my being isolated because they do not take as 'their own.' Aspirations and ambitions are welcomed. I embrace the candidacy of comprade Nikos Hountis, as well as any other candidacy. But SYN is our home. I request all SYN members judged based upon our collective interest and political criteria," stressed Papadimoulis.

Replying to Tsipras' speech at the opening session of the conference, Papadimoulis said, "Instead of searching for domestic rivals to serve intra-party expediencies, we need a constructive dialogue. He then went on to add that SYN's relations with the rest opposition parties, namely PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) and KKE (Greek Communist Party), were rivals, predicting that the dispute would heat up in view of the elections.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA

News item: 18950

[05] Large Amount of Cocaine Seized

Society

A ring running and smuggling cocaine was broken up in northern Greece, when two men were seized. Police located at the Macedonia airport a cocaine package coming from Colombia. The package had been sent through courier services.

Police had been tipped by a private courier company off a package containing a large amount of cocaine arriving from Colombia.

After locating the package, police arrested a 38-year-old man when he went to the company's offices to take the package presenting a stolen id card.

About four kilos of cocaine were seized, while police arrested his 30-year-old accomplice, who had been waiting outside. The two arrestees claimed that the true receiver of the package was a third person.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA

News item: 18949

[06] Emergency Landing in London City Airport

The nosewheel of a British Airways passenger jet collapsed with a loud bang as it landed Friday evening at London City Airport, officials and witnesses said. All aboard escaped by emergency slides, but one person was taken to a hospital with a minor injury.

The plane was arriving from Amsterdam about 8 p.m. when the front landing gear failed and the front of the plane slammed onto the runway and skidded, officials and firefighters said. The airline said it did not yet know what caused the landing gear problem on the Avro 146 RJ100, which had been carrying 67 passengers and four crew members. The government sent three investigators to the scene.

News item: 18944

[07] European Union: Measures on Economy

European Union is expected to undertake measures on state members that do not meet the standards of the Stabilization agreement. A total of five eurozone members were in breach of the deficit threshold last year, according to the European Commission's interim economic forecasts issued last Monday: Malta, Ireland, Spain, Greece and France. In addition, Greece will be asked to undertake additional measures so as to lower its state deficit to 3% for 2010. However, head of the Greek financial ministry insist on their estimations that growth rate will rise to 1,1% despite Brussels estimations speaking of 0,2% of growth. Greece stresses that negotiations are in progress and the final decisions will be taken in Ecofin, March 10. It must be noted that the day after tomorrow, the Greek social services will provide the heat allowance to unemployed citizens as well as to OGA social fund beneficiaries.

President of IMF Dominique Strauss-Kahn stated from Rome that economies of developed countries as well as global economy have entered a phase of deep recession. The G7 meeting taking place in Rome is looking into the creation of a mutual basis of financial rules that all countries have to respect.

Statements to NET 105,8 Radio Station

"The crisis is obviously financial but the issue of its management is deeply political", SYRIZA PM Fotis Kouvelis stated in his interview in NET 105.8 radio station. PASOK PM Panos Beglis said that the country is affected by the consequences of the international crisis but also by the consequences of the government's deadlock policy. "We are facing the situations responsibly. We are not opposing consent but not when this consent has to do with the tackling of the crisis without initially submitting a plan and without co responsibility", he added.

"A balance between social protection and deficit clearness is necessary. No measure can be applied if there is no cohesion and consent, and for this reason our arguments must be explanatory. Scenarios per early elections do not stand for the ruling party, New Democracy PM Kostandinos Agorastos said.

Source: NET 105,8

News item: 18943

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