The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-08-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] ND Deputy Y. Manolis Resigns

ND party Argolida deputy Yiannis Manolis in a letter to the Speaker of the House on Monday afternoon submitted his resignation. Mr. Manolis had repeatedly expressed objections specifically to the government's economic policy. In his letter he calls the Prime-minister to meet the historical responsibilities of the ND party. Mr. Manolis will be replaced by Dimitris Cranias.

In a written announcement distributed to parliament analysts, Mr. Manolis said that his move in view of the ITF aimed to facilitate the prime-minister ânot to succumb to ones that propose suicide electionsâ.

News item: 26254

[02] H1N1 Vaccine to Be Approved in October

The National Committee on Flu Pandemic, which met on Monday under the chairmanship of Health Minister D. Abramopoulos, has ruled out a major outbreak of the H1N1virus as there is a long summer period in Greece. Mr. Abramopoulos described the new flu as âmoving sandâ as scientists are not yet certain on the effectiveness of the vaccine and recommendation of groups that need vaccination. In Greece 9 serious H1N1 cases have been confirmed while the virus has killed 2.185 worldwide.

Health Minister D. Abramopoulos said that the European drug Organization is expected to approve the swine flu vaccine in October while Greece would receive first supplies in mid September.

Mr. Abramopoulos said that IKA has opened 158 vaccination centers and 100 flu outpatient centers. He also announced the setting up of three special committees to supervise measures for the peoples' protection from the flu. So far 1.839 cases have been recorded of whom 43 seriously but 37 have already recovered.

According to statistics 1/100 patients gets admitted to hospital and 95% have escaped danger. Mr. Abramopoulos repeated that schools will open on the regular date and conveyed the scientists prediction that there would not be a major flu outbreak as winter sets in late and does not last long in Greece.

SYN Party

In its statement SYN party said that the emergency situation in schools in view of the flu pandemic has brought to surface inefficiencies specifically in school medical services and inexistence of an integral Health and Prevention Center in Greece . Low budget for state and social services of vital importance are the cause of the present problem. The responsibilities of both ND and PASOK parties are enormous.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

News item: 26246

[03] At Final Stage Attica Road Extension

Attica Road extension has entered into final stage with the assignment of its construction. The new roads will link Kaisariani with Poseidonos Av. And Agia Marina, in Koropi with Rafina. Environment and Public Works Minister G. Souflias, in a press interview announced that a bid for the construction of the Attica road would be placed on December, 22. The contractor will be decided at the beginning of 2010 and the project will be ready in 2015. Mr. Souflias described it as a major project linking Katehaki with coastal Poseidonos Av. Through a Hymittos tunnel. The project completes the ring road of 71km total length and estimated budget 1.8 billion euros.

350.000 Trees in Hymettus

Environment and Public Works Minister G. Souflias said that the contractor could start works at the beginning of 2010 provided that no serious objections are raised. He said the estimated time for the completion of the 71.6km long road will range from 55 to 65 months with an interim 50 month agreement for the completion of the 14.7km critical west Hymettus ring road from Katehaki- Oulof Palme till Poseidonos Av. Eighty-five percent of the new ring road will be underground to protect the environment.

Mr. Souflias also announced the installation of an electronic system for the payment of tolls per kilometer. Which as he said is the most fair system. He also referred to another important point which is the planting and conservation of more than 350.000 trees in a total of 5.5 thousand acres of land along the borderline of residential area in west Hymettus. Also a fire detection system will be installed for the protection of the area which has been declared national park Natura. Environment Minister described it as a major project where comments and observations of several competent sectors were taken into consideration.

In parallel, procedures for the completion of other road projects in Attica are under way. Among those projects are extension of Kymi Av, till the national road, partial sinking of Alexandras Av., widening of Kifisos Av.

Mr. Souflias underlined that he had placed top priority to Metro projects during his 5.5 years at the Ministry. Operation of Nomismatokopeio station begins in a few days while another four stations Holargos, Peristeri, Anthoupolis and Haidari will be delivered at the end of the year.

Source: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

News item: 26243

[04] K. Karamanlis Meets FinMin &EdMin

Prime-minister K. Karamanlis met with Finance and Education Ministers on Monday morning within the framework of his contacts in view of the ITF. Mr. Karamanlis will also meet with the boards of SBBE,PASEGES and EBEA.

Talks focused on developments in the economy, the opening of the new school year as well as the implementation of a program within the frame of activities for the modernization of education.

The program provides for the distribution of coupons to all high school freshmen for the purchase of 126.000 portable Õ/Ç which will also be supplied with 16 software programs. In their statements after the meeting both Finance and Education Ministers underlined that the program aimed at modernization in the field of education.

Aris Spiliotopoulos

Mr. Spiliotopoulos said that they briefed the Prime-minister on their initiative to provide all high school freshmen with a portable Y/H which will give them the opportunity to get acquainted with new technologies and to us to invest in âdigital classâ, substantially invest on the best possible training of the future of our country, the youth, in the digital world.

G. Papathanasiou

The cost of the initiative is estimated to 68 million euros and was achieved after tough negotiations with the EU to include the expenditure in the ESPA program. Finance Minister Y. Papathanasiou stressed that the program was part of an integrated strategy for âdigital classâ, adding that students would also receive 16 software programs and all high school books in digital version. The first stage of this program also includes a large number of teachers and 5.000 interactive charts for a systematic and effective training of the new generation, who are the future of our country, within efforts to proceed rapidly to digital revolution.

News item: 26240

[05] Slave Traders' Gang Dismantled

Police arrested 19 Pakistani illegal immigrants on Saturday, in Aspropirgos as well as 2 of the three slave traders who crossed them to Greece from Turkey.

Police have launched manhunt to arrest the third Pakistani slave trader. The 19 Pakistani illegal immigrants arrested will be sent back to their country.

The slave traders transported illegal immigrants from Turkey to Greece by boat and then by land to Aspropirgos in Attica. The 19 illegal immigrants were held in a specially adopted house all last week and were daily beaten and threatened to have their families pay an additional 4.000 euros apart from the 7.000 euros pre-agreed fee.

Investigation indicated that the members of the gang shortly before their arrest had harassed and threatened a 86yo woman from whom they stole â¬3.000 euros. The arrestees will face the Athens prosecutor on Sunday.

News item: 26231

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