The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-01-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cash-Transport Vehicle Ambushed

A bloody robbery attempt took place Saturday noon outside a game shop in Athens. The shooters used two trucks, which they set them on fire, to block the way of a cash-transport vehicle that had received money from the shop, and opened fire at the people inside the cash-transport vehicle. One of them sustained a head injury and was rushed to hospital, only to succumb to his wound a few hours later. The other two suffered minor respiratory problems but they did not open the doors of the vehicle and the shooters run away on two motorbikes driven by their accomplices. A police manhunt is underway to track down the shooters.

Source: NET 105.8 News item: 32032

[02] Ant. Samaras: I'll Fight G. Papandreou Really Hard

Opposition leader Antonis Samaras lashed out at the PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) government in his interview with Kosmos tou Ependyti paper. Antonis Samaras made it clear that he will be really harsh on Prime Minister George Papandreou in case the latter's policy proves to be detrimental to the country. He took a stand against the German model and the immigration draft-bill. The Conservative New Democracy party head also touched on domestic affairs, stressing that introverted tactics belong to the past.

"Period of Grace Exhausted"

"I won't hammer down my opponent. Yet, if he his actions are detrimental to the nation, I will fight him harder than you can imagine. I will fight him with political means"

Antonis Samaras

Using sharp language, the opposition leader commented the first 100 days of the Socialist rule, underlining that the period of grace was exhausted.

Touching on economy, he claimed that more bold spending cuts, growth measures and reforms are required. "Should the above happen, leaving the crisis behind will take place sooner and a lot easier than the majority believes," said he.

Antonis Samaras then took a stand against the proposal to have the electoral law in Greece follow into the footsteps of the German model, arguing it is the wrong solution to a wrong problem.

Shifting his attention to immigration issues, his criticism was rather biting, stressing, "We believe in the cultural society, and not to the one of blood." He then suggested that the government should adopt the German model with regard to naturalization and nationality and the French with regard to the social integration and national identity.

Commenting on the Cyprus row, he reiterated his stance whereby if the new plan is similar to the Annan plan, the people of Cyprus will reject it.

As for the Greek-Turkish relations, Antonis Samaras underlined that what matters the most is to see Turkey committing itself to the bilateral deals signed with regard to illegal immigration.

Referring to his party, Antonis Samaras noted: "We are shaping a party that is aware of the nation's problems and is building its own prospects for governance with determination and responsibility."

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA News item: 32028

[03] More than 200,000 Haitians Are Feared Dead

More than 200,000 people are feared to have perished in the earthquake that devastated Haiti last Tuesday, while more than 1.5 million people are estimated to have been left homeless. Life in the streets of Port-au-Prince is tragic, as several people remain trapped in the rubble, the injured lay down next to unburied bodies, people clash with each other for food and water. The lack of government coordination has caused huge distribution problems, thus hampering get the aid to the survivors. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is due Saturday in quake-hit Haiti to monitor the distribution campaign and hold talks with President Rene Preval. The US President, in his third message after the devastating earthquake, expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the victims. A crew of doctors and rescue workers will leave Greece on Tuesday.

Chances of Survivors Getting Slim

About 40,000 bodies have already been buried, with authorities fearing that at least another 140,000 may have died in the ruins. Those sustained injuries have exceeded 250,000 people.

The crucial 48 hours for the survival those trapped in the ruins have gone by, as well as the three-day margin. This means that the rescue crews, at least 17 international groups that will be boosted by another 10 in the days to come, will have to stop search and rescue operations. Experts claim that survival rates for those who have remained trapped more than 72 hours is dwindling due to dehydration.

Every five minutes, a vehicle stops outside the capital's cemetery gate to drop more bodies that are being buried in massive tombs, in a drive to clear the roads from the corpses.

The country's Interior Minister fears that the dead could amount to 200,000. If this fear comes true, this hit will be one of the ten worst one in world history.

Entire neighbourhoods have been reduced to ruins. The government's seat has been transferred to a police station near the country's international airport, while all stadiums and sports halls have been turned into open-air hospitals. The Health Minister estimated that the ¾ of the Haitian capital will have to be built from scratch.

In the meantime, security concerns are mounting. Authorities fear a violence surge could follow, since there have been reports of gangs preying on residents and looting.

Officials say thousands of prisoners are unaccounted for after the main prison was destroyed.

Obama's New Message

"The devastating earthquake in Haiti, and the urgent need for humanitarian support, reminds us that our service and generosity of spirit must also extend beyond our immediate communities"

Barack Obama

Invoking the legacy of legendary civil rights leader Martin Luther King, US President Barack Obama urged his fellowmen to help the Haitians.

"By lifting up our brothers and sisters through dedication and service -- both at home and around the world, we honour Dr. King's memory and reaffirm our common humanity."

In the meantime, the USA decided to offer temporary asylum to Haitians lacking necessary documents and were already in the American soil.

News item: 32026

[04] Cypriot President Visits Athens

The Cypriot President is visiting Athens to hold talks on the Cyprus standoff. Demetris Christofias met Saturday with the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias, while he has been invited by Prime Minister George Papandreou to attend Sunday the opening ceremony of the village of Artemida in the fire-stricken area of Ilia, as the building of the village was funded by the Cypriot government.

Source: NET 105.8, ANA/MPA News item: 32024

[05] Farmers Erect Road Blocks

Farmers in Greece have erected road blocks in the Athens-Lamia highway and the Egnatia Odos, while others throughout the country are staging demonstrations without blocking the traffic. Agricultural Minister Katerina Batzeli invited the farmers to a dialogue, placing emphasis on the debate on the agricultural policy scheduled to take place in central Athens on 25 and 26 January.

"Ministry Is Open to All"

"The Agricultural Ministry's gates are open to all," commented Minister Katerina Batzeli, noting, however, that it is impossible to meet the entire spectrum of the farmers' grievances.

Batzeli stressed that the government is still young and that it is now proceeding with the changes. Supporting the farmers' income is one of the government's key priority, along with education and employment.

In a black and white announcement, KKE (Greek Communist Party) expressed its backing to the fair grievances of the farmers, who have revolted to prevent their demise.

Source: NET 105.8, ANA/MPA News item: 32020

[06] Police Probes New Bomb Hit

Police in Greece is investigating the blast that occurred shortly before Friday midnight outside the building housing the General Secretariat of Press in Neos Kosmos district. The explosive devise used was similar to the one used in the recent hit outside the Parliament building. Two anonymous calls preceded the blast. In the meantime, an anonymous call a television station received Saturday morning warning for a bomb blast at the Hilton hotel proved to be a hoax.

Blast Bears the Hallmarks of Fire Conspiracy Cells

After two anonymous calls to two television stations, police cordoned off the area to prevent any injuries.

However, damage was caused to the building's faƧade and parked vehicles.

Bomb technician and members of the anti-terrorist department remained in the area to investigate it. The blast seems to bears the hallmarks of leftist guerrilla group Fire Conspiracy Cells.

"Hoaxes equal to stupidity and not criminality, which I do not question, and I believed it will be dealt effectively in the coming months," Deputy Civil Protection Minister Spyros Vougias told NET state-run radio.

Conservative MP and section head for civil protection affairs Nikos Dendias vehemently blasted the new act of terror: "It is obvious that the political world and the society have to join forces against terrorism."

Source: NET 105.8, ANA/MPA News item: 32019

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