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Wednesday, 24 April 2024
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-06-16The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] Tensions Run High in IranAt least seven people have been killed in clashes that marred yesterday's rallies held by tens of thousands of people protesting against Iran's election results. In Tehran, supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's rival, are planning to hold yet another rally. Mr Mousavi urged followers not to take part in the rally, amid fears of new violence, since Ahmadinejad's followers are also planning to take to the streets.After arresting at least 100 people, authorities in Iran announced tough new restrictions on foreign media, requiring journalists to obtain explicit permission before covering any story. In the meantime, Iran's powerful Guardian Council decided to recount disputed votes from Friday's vote. The EU Commission has expressed its grave concern over the escalating violence in Iran, since the country has been experiencing one of the most violent street protests since the 1979 Revolution. Source: NET 105.8, NET, ANA/MPA, BBC News item: 23677 [02] Military Service & Armament Programmes to Be TrimmedMilitary service will be reduced to 9 months starting from August, said the Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA), which held a session chaired by the Prime Minister. Defence Minister Vaggelis Meimarakis made it clear that conscripts who started their military service in February will serve a month less, while those to start in May will serve two months less. KYSEA decided to have spending on armament programmes between 2010 and 2015 trimmed.Speaking on NET state-run television, Meimarakis said that newly-conscripts will serve away from urban centres. As for the armament programmes, they will be cut by 10% in 2010 and by 10% in each of the five years to follow. Exiting Maximos Mansion, the Defence Minister said that the money to be saved will be spent on social activities. In the meantime, Meimarakis and the army chief General Grapsas briefed the Council on the new structure of the Armed Forces. The new structure provides for the creation of an air control centre in Larissa, central Greece. Reactions Socialist deputy section head for National Defence matters Vasso Papandreou commented: âThe government's absurd policy on the country's defence and security is unprecedented. They had promised a 6-month military service in 2004. After 5.5 years of inertia, after their defeat in the European elections and shortly before the general elections, they decided to reduce the military service lacking any planning. Without changing the structure of the Armed Forces, without increasing the number of professional servicemen, they decided to reduce the military service for election reasons, paying no attention to the operational ability of the Armed Forces and their living conditions which are bound to get worse. A military service reduction requires planning, without torpedoing the country's defence. They accepted a Turkish Commander at the NATO offices in Larissa, without having agreed on matters pertaining to our nation's strategic interests, due to their inertia and inability to negotiate.â Source: NET 105.8, NET, ANA/MPA News item: 23670 [03] âEndâ to Card Cell Phone AnonymityTransport and Communications Minister Evripides Stylianidis presented a draft-bill providing for the abolition of anonymity of cell card phones within efforts to contain crime. Procedures for the identification of 13.5 million cell card phones start in July. Deadline is set till the end of July 2010 for owners of card cell phones to go to shops of mobile phone companies with either their IDs' or passports for identification otherwise their numbers will be cancelled.Identification Procedures Begin in July Transport Minister will brief the competent Parliament Committee on the draft-bill which ensures confidentiality of personal data.It is estimated that there are 13.5 million cell card phones in Greece while there is identification of SIM card and user only for 5 million phones. From now card cell phone will be activated only at mobile phone companies' shops, showing their identification cards. It means that children without IDs' will not be able to buy card cell phones unless they under their parents' name. Only legal immigrants with work permits will be able to get card phones. In case a card phone is stolen, the owner has to inform the company for disconnection of his number. The draft-bill will be released on Wednesday to allow political parties and sectors to express their views. According to data, crime rate has dropped in countries which have introduced this measure. Greece is the 12 country in Europe and the Mediterranean where presentation of an ID is necessary for the purchase of a SIM card. Other countries where an ID is necessary are Norway, Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Slobakia, Hungary, Albania, Bulgaria and Turkey. The draft-bill will be passed in the first summer session of Parliament. News item: 23664 [04] Karamanlis-Bakoyianni Cooperation on Illegal ImmigrationForeign Minister D. Bakoyianni met with Prime-minister K. Karamanlis at the Maximos Mansion, on Tuesday to brief him on the results of the General Affairs Council in view of preparations for the EU Summit on Thursday. Illegal immigration is top priority in Greece's agenda which states dissatisfied at the outcome plan for the forthcoming Summit. Greece demands a written reference including rules for the return of illegal immigrants to specific countries- among them Turkey.Greece has requested a EU common policy on illegal immigration. Mrs. Bakoyianni said that Luxemburg and other countries, mainly Mediterranean expressed their solidarity to Greece's position on illegal immigration and its management. Mrs. Bakoyianni underlined the need for the upgrading of Frontex, in other words enforcement of forces guarding borders in the Aegean and financial support of countries bearing the burden of illegal immigration. Yesterday's telephone contact of Prime-minister K. Karamanlis with his Czech counterpart centered on Illegal immigration. Commenting PASOK said that the Outcome Plan for the forthcoming Summit Meeting does not include any reference to Greece's positions on immigration policy. Source: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8 News item: 23661 [05] KYSEA Meeting on Military Service-ArmamentsPrime-minister Kostas Karamanlis is chairing a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Government Council (KYSEA) at noon, on Tuesday. The Council will examine 10% cuts for 2010-2015 armament programs and approval of Defense Minister Baggelis Meimarakis proposal for reduction of military service from 12 to 9 months for those joining the Army from August, 2009.In an interview with NET state television channel, Mr. Meimarakis had said that recruits from now on will serve in regional Greece. According to his proposal those who joined the Army in January will serve 11 months and those in May will serve 10 months. Military service in the Navy and the Air-Force will still be 12 months. News item: 23651 [06] Iran Pot BoilingNewsSeven people were killed on Monday, in Iran after an attack on a military post close to a largely peaceful rally of supporters of presidential candidate Mir Houssein Moussavi disputing the results of a presidential election. A source close to Teheran security forces spoke of 8 people killed while Iranian officials belied reports about deaths. The violence occurred later in the evening amid protests against re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejab. In the meantime, reformist Mohammad Ali Abtahi, former vice-president and supporter of Mir Houssein Moussavi was arrested on Tuesday. Iran's state media reported incidents as following: "Several thugs wanted to attack a military post and vandalize public property in the vicinity of Azadi Square," the radio said, referring to the site of the rally."Unfortunately seven people were killed and several others wounded in the incident." An Iranian photographer said on Monday evening that at least one person was killed when protesters attacked a paramilitary police post and they opened fire with automatic weapons against protesters. Ahmadinejab in Russia Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejab arrived on Tuesday in the city Yakaterinburg, in Russia for the Shanghai Co-Operation Organisation (SCO), in which Iran has observer status. This is a regional organization in which Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tadzhikistan and Kirgizstan participate. Ahmadinejab was initially scheduled to arrive in Russia, on Monday but protest rally disputing elections results delayed his departure. Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, welcomed Iran's new president on Russian soil stressing that disputed election result was Iran's domestic issue. In the same line was Israeli Foreign Minister statement , who stressed that his country did not intend to take part in the political dispute in Iran. Recounting of votes agreed Iran's Guardian Council, which supervises elections, may order a recount of some votes in the disputed presidential ballot after the anti-government demonstrations, said Iranian mass media. According to Iranian television recounting of votes may bring changes in the percentage points of candidates . Defeated presidential candidate Mir Houssein Mousavi has lodged a formal appeal asking results to be annulled and stated optimism about the outcome of the appeal. Source: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8 News item: 23646 [07] New Death from H1N1 in the USA young child from Minnesota is the last victim to die from H1N1 in the US raising the number of deaths from H1N1 to 46. According to health authorities the child died last week but he was suffering from other serious health problems. In the meantime, French authorities are highly concerned over reports of 10 cases of H1N1 flu in a school in Toulouse. For the first time the source of contamination is not known as none of the children have travelled to countries hit by the flu and have not come into contact with people who have contracted the H1N1 virus. All children have been hospitalized, their health state is satisfactory while the school will remain closed till Wednesday. The total number of H1N1 cases are over 100 in France.Source: ÁNAOlder news items: News item: 23645 The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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