The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-06-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Political Heat over Siemens Case Rising

Bitter Political Dispute between ND and PASOK over Siemens Case

Rising political heat a few days prior to euro-elections, government spokesman E. Antonaros called PASOK spokesman George Papakonstantinou to inform Greek people on his actions during the period he served in OTE administration board, as he made no reference to this specific position in his CV posted in his personal webpage. Mr. Antonaros spoke of a state of nervousness and concern indicating that PASOK spokesman wanted to hide something.

The government spokesman spoke of other PASOK party members involved in the Siemens case. Among them are: 1-Thodoros Tsoukatos, who admitted having given 1 million German marks to PASOK fund, 2-Skarpelis, PASOK senior unionist permanent member of OTE administration board for 15 years, presently detained, 3-Mantelis, former PASOK Minister, no one knows where he is, 4-Trepeklis who certainly is not Kostas Karamanlis close friend.

In response to the arrest of members of Karabelas family, Mr. Anotonaros expressed conviction that authorities carried out their duty based on specific evidence. In the same line was the response of Justice Minister Nikos Dendias who described the moves of the prosecutor fully legal. Referring to fugitive Hristos Karabelas, the government spokesman described as inconceivable to blame the ND party for his escape as he acted during PASOK ruling. Dinos Roblias, member of PASOK Political Council describe the arrest of defendants' wives and daughters as extreme legal procedures and spoke of government omissions, responsibilities, delays and interventions to justice regarding Siemens case.

Asked to respond on political responsibilities in the case of fugitive Hristos Karabelas, Environment and Public Works Minister George Souflias underlined that the government has already responded but expressed his grief that once again mud slinging tops a pre-election campaign.

From Corfu, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyianni repeated that an investigation is being carried out regarding delay of diplomatic staff to inform about the telegram from Uruguay related to Hristos Karabelas. So far investigation attributes responsibility to a diplomatic clerk. Mrs. Bakoyianni categorically belied the announcement of the Diplomatic Clerks Union that herself or her office knew about the cable from Uruguay on Saturday. She also added that she could not understand the attack against her as nobody wants Mr. Karabela back to Greece more than the Foreign Ministry.

News item: 23101

[02] Cancer Incidence to Triple by 2030

According to the world Health Organization, number of people diagnosed with cancer will rise to 26.4 million of which 17 million will die, triple the number of today's patients. He also said that deaths from cancer have dropped in the US in the last 15 years, however, the number is double among Americans who have no medical insurance and it is estimated to some 40 million. In developing countries the situation is very bad where cancer incidence outnumbers AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Apart from inefficient means to treat cancer in developing countries there is also ignorance on the seriousness of the situation. An example is Ethiopia, a country with a population of 40 million people which had only one oncologist and no cat scan till 4 years ago when Astrazeneca launched an anti-cancer program.

News item: 23084

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