The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-04-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Inquiry Committee Probes C4I Contract

The inquiry committee investigating the Siemens scandal is probing the procurement contract for the C4! security system. The chiefs of the port authorities, the Fire Service and the Greek Police have been called to provide evidence what each service has been equipped with and how the systems operate.

In the meantime, the decision of the OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organization) board, whereby the Organization refused to pay for an expert to cross check the deals signed between OTE and Siemens has sparked off reactions.

Source: NET

News item: 35334

[02] Poles Bid Farewell to Their President

The body of Polish President Lech Kaczynski will lie in state this week to allow people to pay their last respects before he is buried together with his wife, officials said on Monday, while the country is mourning the 96 victims of the plane crash in Smolensk, Russia.

In the meantime, the body of Kacyznski's wife Maria was recovered and it could be transferred to Poland in Tuesday. Putin pledged a probe into the plane crash.

Interim President Bronislaw Komorowski said Monday he would revise travel regulations for top-ranking military officials, following the death of military chiefs and senior army officers in the plane crash.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin promised to fully investigate the plane crash and offered his heartfelt sympathy to the Polish people.

The vice president of the Russian government argued that all findings regarding the fatal plane had remained intact and confirmed that the aging Tupolev's pilots had been warned of the foggy weather in the area.

The spokesman of the German government said Monday that the German Chancellor and the country's president will attend the funeral of the Polish President.

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev declared national mourning in Russia just a few hours after the plane crash. Dozens of people have not stop laying flowers and leaving candles in the Polish embassy in Moscow and the Polish consulates in St Petersburg.

There are no indications suggesting that the pilots of the Tupolev were pushed to land the aging plane, said the prosecutor.

Some media had said that the Polish President himself told the pilots to land the plane, while air traffic controllers had warned the pilots not to.

Source: ANA/MPA, AFP, Reuters News item: 35332

[03] Markets Welcome Support Mechanism for Greece

Markets welcomed the financial support package agreed for Greece. The ten-year bond spreads have fallen to 330 points, while Greek shares led a stock market advance. The European Central Bank head, as well as the Finance Ministers of the countries sharing the single currency, expressed their satisfaction over the deal on Greece. The Greek government also appeared satisfied with the loan that was decided to stand at 30 billion euros.

Reactions in Greece

Main opposition New Democracy party welcomed the deal achieved for Greece.

"We wish the latest developments which came from the Eurogroup, would give deep breaths in this tough situation we are living through," said ND spokesman Panos Panagiotopoulos. He further added that ND would wait for the talks between the government and the International Monetary Fund and the European Commission to conclude, so that the Prime Minister can give the required, full and objective briefing on the latest developments.

The Greek government would resort to the support mechanism sooner or later, commented KKE (Greek Communist Party) head Aleka Papariga.

News item: 35331

[04] Papandreou-Christofias Meeting

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is Cyprus where he met with Cypriot President Demetris Christofias. The Greek Premier attended an informal national council with the participation of the Cypriot political leaders. The joint policy of the two countries on the Cyprus row and the Turkish Prime Minister's imminent visit to Athens are running high on the agenda of their talks. Christofias and Papandreou reconfirmed the strategy shared by the two sides, as well as Greece's backing to the handlings and policy shaped by the Cypriot Republic.

The two leaders highlighted the joint policy they are going to follow as part of the campaign to resolve the Cyprus standoff both at the European Parliament and at the European Council to avert direct trade with the Turkish-occupied parts of the island.

Finally, irrespective of the election results in the Turkish-occupied territory on the coming Sunday, the two men underlined that under no circumstances can negotiations start from scratch.

"Greece is and will always stand by Cyprus in practice and not in theory" G. Papandreou

"The Cyprus issue has come to a turning point. There has been progress in the negotiations, but not the progress we had hoped for," argued the Greek Prime Minister, further adding that Greece and Cyprus are waiting for Turkey and the Turkish-Cypriot side to live up to everyone's expectations. "The only solution," Papandreou made it clear, "is the one that provides for a federal station with a sovereign and legal personality and citizenship. A solution that will signal the end to the Turkish occupation."

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

News item: 35326

[05] Train Derailment Kills 11 in Italy

Eleven people were killed and dozens were injured when a train derailed at Castelbello, near the northern city of Bolzano, in the East Alps region, officials said. The accident occurred at 9am local hour and the rescue crews that rushed to the area said it could be due to a landslide.

Source: ANA/MPA News item: 35316

[06] Charges Pressed against Six Arrestees

The six people arrested for their involvement in the Greek extremist guerrilla group called Revolutionary Army have been charged with four felonies and four misdemeanors. Police are still searching to locate the group's hideout and track down more members. During searches on homes, many findings were seized, including several proclamations by Revolutionary Struggle and hand-drawn plans of possible targets.

Referred to the Prosecutor

The six arrestees were referred Monday morning to the Prosecutor under tight security and were charged with both felonies and misdemeanors. When they exited the prosecutor's office, clashes were reported between police and a group of people who had gathered to offer their backing to the arrestees.

Police sources said that the investigation has revealed a hand-written proclamation, a computer, materials used by the perpetrators to disguise themselves, voice distortion machines and empty suitcases, which are believed to have been used to carry guns.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA News item: 35311

[07] Kyrgyzstan: Deposed President Bakiyev's Brother Ordered Police to Open Fire

Kygyzstan's interim government formed by the opposition have initiated criminal proceedings against Zhanybek Bakiyev and the president's two sons, Marat, and Maxim, on charges of illegal use of firearms and the killing of two or more people.

Zhanybek Bakiyev denied the charges saying his subordinates fired only at armed rioters who stormed the government buildings and attacked law enforcement officers.

"I ordered my men to open fire only on those who carried weapons. My conscience is clear. I radioed orders to shoot those who were running with weapons because they were shooting at us," he said.

"Shots were fired at the president's office and we were protecting him...If a person steps over the line, he becomes a target; everyone knows this very well," Bakiyev said, adding that he was willing to face a fair investigation by an independent international commission.

Meanwhile, the ousted president Kurmanbek Bakiyev urged the United Nations on Sunday to send its peacekeepers to the Central Asian republic to prevent the escalation of the uprising into a civil war.

The Kyrgyz armed forces, police and security services have now sided with the opposition. Bakiyev still has support in the country's south, his traditional stronghold.

Source: RIA NOVOSTI News item: 35310

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