The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-11-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] "New Breadth in NHS-Vaccine Safe"

After her first meeting with the borad of the Panhellenic Federation of State Hospital Employees( POEDHN) in the presence of Health undersecretary, Fofi Gennimata, Health Minister Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou stressed the government's intention to give a new breadth in the operation of the National Health System. She announced the hiring of 3.000 hospital staff , apart from hiring people to fill post of ones retiring. Stavros Koutsoumbelis, President of POEDHN expressed satisfaction at the outcome of talks. The National Pandemic Committee will announce the new vaccination program while the state mechanism is ready. The new vaccine has been approved by world organizations and experience from countries abroad has proved that the vaccine is absolutely safe, said Mrs. Xenoyiannakopoulou earlier in an interview with state television channel NET.

Experts assure that benefits of vaccination are greater to risks.

Cases of the new flu have increased due to change of weather. Vaccination will start in the next days while first to be vaccinated are personnel in the health sector.

In the meantime, a 34yo man with other health problems and a 42yo in the island of Crete are two new victims of the new flu in Greece.

Source: NET, NET 105.8

News item: 29178

[02] D. Abramopoulos Pulled out of ND Presidency Race

D. Abramopoulos announced his withdrawal from ND presidency race. "I do not want to become part of the crisis. I act on the grounds to safeguard party unity", said former Health Minisiter. In the meantime the other three candidates continue their campaigns.

D. Abramopoulos: "I act to Serve Unity"

After a meeting with his close aides he notified of his decision to pull out of the race for the ND party presidency.

He said he announced his candidacy on October, 13, believing that the crisis that followed the ND big defeat in October, 4 election would be also an opportunity to turn the election procedure into a start for renewal of the ND party and the political system. He went on to say that he insisted on the opening of the party beyond organized members to include supporters and friends in the election procedure because they would be guarantors of the party's unity and leaders in renewal. He admitted failing to convince his rivals and accept a solutions that did not depict his personal views to avert direct danger of a rift of the party's cohesion. Following developments after the meeting on Saturday he said he had to take decisions dictated by his conscience and principals to safeguard the party's unity and ensure overcome of the crisis. He said he refused to be part of the internal crisis. He underlined that he wanted to be a factor for the generation of a new policy which would prepare the future without reproducing the past and its divisions.

The other candidates continue their campaigns. Dora Bakoyiannis will address a gathering of ND supporters on Monday, held at the Peace and Friendship Stadium. Miltiadis evert expressed his support to her candidacy.

Antonis Samaras, who is in Arta, called ND supporters to take part in the vote regardless of their preferences.

Panagiotis Psomiadis said he respected but objected to D. Abramopoulos withdrawal as he shared his positions.

News item: 29165

[03] November Brought Chilly Weather

November brought chilly weather, snow on high ground and gale force northerly winds, which are forecast to abate on Monday. Meteorological Service has forecast have forecast heavy rainfall, storms and strong southerly winds from Tuesday. Gale force winds caused problems in sea transport.

Wintry weather with low temperatures and gale force northerly winds prevail across the country. Gale force winds have caused problems in sea transport while a ban on sails has been issued for the ports of Lavrio and Rafina and only services to Marmari are allowed. Ships are also anchored at the Piraeus port and only closed ships sail to the islands of Argosaronikos. First snow fell on Mt. Parnitha.

The Meteorological Service has forecast of northerly winds gradually abating on Monday and improvement of weather in the east part of the country but also gradual deterioration of weather from Monday night with heavy rainfall from the west and snowfall in the northern parts of the country.

On Tuesday, northwesterly winds force 4-5 in the southeast parts of the country, and south, southeasterly force 6-8 in the east parts of the country. Winds turning to westerly, north-westerly and abating in the evening.

In Attika on Monday forecasters say cloudy and cold day with temperatures ranging from 6C to 13C, notherly, north-easterly winds force 3-5 in the east and locally force 6 gradually abating.

In Thessaloniki, fair weather with temperatures ranging from 5C to 12C but later in the evening developing local clouds, light northerly winds force 3-4.

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA

News item: 29135

[04] Piraeus Port Employees Stage New Strike

The Federation of Greek Port Employees and Piraeus Port Dockworkers Union are staging a 48-hour strike starting on Monday, at 12:00. Employees call competent Minister, Louka Katselis to clarify terms of negotiations with Chinese company COSCO and ensure their labour rights. COSCO officially begins operations on Tuesday. Government spokesman George Petalotis repeated on Monday that talks centered on employees rights and taxation terms are being held between competent ministries and COSCO.

"...decisions reached will have retroactive effect as of October, 1, 2009..." George Petalotis

"What I can only say is that a dialogue between OLP ( Piraeus Port Org.)- SEP (COSCO subsidiary) opens and whatever decisions reached will have retroactive effect as of October, 1, 2009. The European Commission has sent a letter with a large number of questions to the Greek government. We can only state today that issues laid at the negotiations table include: Piraeus Port development, directives and taxation frame as well as labour issues which are very important to us" said G. Petalotis.

Earlier, Louka Katselis met with SYRIZA deputies who asked the annulment of the contract with COSCO. The Minister for Economics briefed SYRIZA deputies on the government policy's axes and its willingness to renegotiate terms of the contract to the benefit of employees and public interest.

On their part, SYRIZA deputies expressed reservations on the final outcome as they did not express a positive response from the Chinese side.

News item: 29174

[05] G. Papakonstantinou- ADEDY Meeting

ADEDY ( Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions) representatives met with Finance Minister George Papakonstantinou on Monday. After the meeting ADEDY president Spiros Papaspirou said that apart from inflation rate the government should also take into consideration cost of life in formulating income policy in the public sector. He added that the benefit system should also be reviewed.

In reference to the rise in pension age limit of women in the civil sector, Mr. Papaspiros expressed the confederation's objection underlining that it turns a social security system into a professional system.

On his part, Finance Minister G. Papakonstantinou said that equalization of men-women pension age limit in the public sector including Security Forces is an important issue which would be brought on during a dialogue with ADEDY after the conclusion of his briefing.

Furthermore, a dialogue on changes in taxation system and new salary policy would start shortly after the submission of state budget draft-bill.

News item: 29173

[06] Papandreou Meets European Ombudsman & Archbishop of Athens

Prime-minister George Papandreou met on Monday with European Ombudsman, Nikiforos Diamantouros and Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Ieronymos. The Prime-minister's talks with the Archbishop among others included taxation of Church property.

G. Papandreou- N. Diamantouros Meeting

"We are determined and I am determined to face any practice hampering the establishment of state of justice that protects citizens' rights".

George Papandreou

Protection of citizens' rights was the subject of the Prime-minister's meeting with European Ombudsman at the Maximos Mansion, on Monday.

Mr. Papandreou spoke highly of Mr. Diamantouros work both in Greece and Europe, adding that the meeting contributed to the exchange of views on how to better protect the rights of Greek and European citizens.

On his part, Mr. Diamantouros stressed: "The Prime-minister used crucial words which I also use" and added that he briefed the prime-minister on the course of European ombudsman institution as well as efforts in the last 6 years to promote the rights of Greeks in their European identity.

Also, Mr. Diamantouros expressed his willingness to cooperate for the promotion of state of justice at European level and referred to his excellent cooperation with Greek Ombudsman George Kaminis "He in Greece and I in EU", he characteristically said.

Finally, Mr. Diamantouros thanked the Prime-minister for his support, underlining that this "would help in the prospect for a further term".

Papandreou- Ieronymos

Για μία σε βάθος ανταλλαγή απόψεων μίλησε ο πρωθυπουργός, σχολιάζοντας τη συνάντησή του με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Ιερώνυμο.

"....state and church can share in common efforts to relieve the poor and immigrants..." George Papandreou

Commenting on his meeting with Archbishop Ieronymos, Mr. Papandreou spoke of an in-depth exchange of views.

Mr. Papandreou referred to the start of a big effort to establish a society of principals where the state and the church can share in common efforts to relieve the poor and immigrants. Talks also included state-church relations and each sides distinct roles. They also reached decision to set up committees to examine all issues in a positive spirit.

On his part, Mr. Ieronymos said that he would convey all issues for discussion at the Holy Synod and underlined that there is good climate and willingness for cooperation.

According to reports, Mr. Papandreou touched on the issue of Church property taxation.

According to reports, Mr. Papandreou touched on the issue of Church property taxation.

Sources:ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

News item: 29171

[07] ND: Compromise after Deliberations

The ND Central Committee unanimously decided that the new president of the party would be elected by members with voting right and ones who would register on election day. Earlier Kostas Karamanlis clearly expressed his position in favour of the initial agreement of the four candidates while he stressed that the urgent issue was the party's leadership. President of the Organizational Committee Dimitris Sioufas on Sunday sent a letter to members inviting them to attend the extraordinary Congress to be held on November, 7. In the meantime, the 4 candidates for the presidency continue their campaigns with tours of regional Greece. Dora Bakoyiannis will visit Agrinio and Patras on Sunday while Antonis Samaras will visit the SAthens districts of Peristeri and Marousi as well as western Greece city of Yiannena.

Tours of Candidates for ND Presidency

Dimitris Abramopoulos on Saturday withdrew his suggestion for participation of ND party friends in election procedure after Kostas Karamanlis intervention clearly expressing his favour for the initial agreement signed at the Organizational Committee by the four candidates.

In an interview with newspaper "Kathimerini tis Kyriakis", Dora bakoyianni proposes "social alliance against blind violence". During the last year she stresses "we experienced an unacceptable situation of social anomy for which we all have our share of responsibility". She also denounces "the demonization of the concepts of security and order which are "as equally significant values as the right to demonstrate".

Concluding, she says "Greece is a mature democracy that can not be threatened by a minority with hidden faces" but underlines the need "to be on the alert to protect social peaceβ¦we need social alliance within the context of this effort".

Dimitris Abramopoulos, in an interview with "Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia" denounces the power of party bureaucracy and speaks about a new party architecture in the center-right wing. He also underlines the need for the ND to regain its attractiveness, particularly the young generation.

He reconfirmed that he would remain in the race till the end while he did not respond with whom of his rivals he had more differences, saying that he placed emphasis on "common frame of principals" and parallel courses within the frame of the same politically and ideologically determined family.

Determined to broaden the ND party to all directions, stated Antonis Samaras in an interview with "Real News" newspaper while he objected to television debate of candidates as it "would neither serve for a better picture of the party nor the candidates" .

βI have overcome the problems of the past and I am certain that the party will be strongly united after the election of the new president" said Mr. Samaras in response to question related to his relations with Dora Bakoyiannis.

News item: 29144

[08] Afghanistan: Abdullah Withdraws from Poll

Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah announced that he is withdrawing from Afghanistan's November, 7 presidential run-off election against Hamid Karzai saying a "free and fair" ballot would not have been possible as his demands had not been met. On his part Karzai will participate in the election as planned despite the pull out of his rival. The UN office in Kabul asks to bring the electoral process to a conclusion in a "legal and timely" manner.

"Difficult Decision"

"I will not participate in the election," Dr Abdullah told supporters, saying his demands for ensuring a fraud-free election had not been met. But he stopped short of calling for a boycott of next Saturday's vote. Mr Karzai had rejected his demand that election officials who presided over the first round should be dismissed.

He urged his supporters "not to take to the streets" or demonstrate in Kabul The former Afghan foreign minister said he was "absolutely not" calling for a boycott of the run-off. "The Afghan people deserve a better election" than the one that would have occurred, Abdullah said. He said the cost and potential violence connected with staging a second round were among his considerations in dropping out. The reason that I decided not to participate is that I have strong feelings and reservations about the credibility of the process," Abdullah told reporters today.

President Karzai's spokesman said the withdrawal was "very unfortunate", but the election should go ahead as planned. After this development Karzai is the only candidate for the presidency.

Opposition and international observes had denounced extensive fraud in the initial August, 20 vote when Karzai had gathered 49.76% of votes and Abdullah 30,59%.

The UN office in Kabul said that the next step after Abdullah withdrawal was to bring the electoral process to a conclusion in a "legal and timely" manner.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said a pull-out would not invalidate the vote's legitimacy : "We see that happen in our own country where, for whatever combination of reasons, one of the candidates decides not to go forward."

News item: 29137

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