The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-06-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] UN Sanctions Iran Anew

The U.N. Security Council imposed a fourth round of sanctions on a defiant Iran on Wednesday over a nuclear program the West suspects is aimed at developing the means to build atom bombs.

The 15-nation council passed a resolution that was the product of five months of talks between the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia. With 12 votes in favor, it received the least support of the four Iran sanctions resolutions adopted since 2006.

The four Western powers had wanted much tougher measures -- some targeting Iran's energy sector -- but Beijing and Moscow succeeded in diluting the steps outlined in the 10-page resolution.

"This council has risen to its responsibilities. Now Iran should choose a wiser course," U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice told the council after the vote.

Iran denies Western allegations that it is seeking nuclear weapons, insisting that its uranium enrichment program is for peaceful energy purposes only.

The resolution calls for measures against new Iranian banks abroad if a connection to the nuclear or missile programs is suspected, as well as vigilance over transactions with any Iranian bank, including the central bank.

It also expands a U.N. arms embargo against Tehran and blacklists three firms controlled by Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines and 15 belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The resolution also calls for setting up a cargo inspection regime similar to one in place for North Korea.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday that individual states will likely move quickly to pass their own measures that go beyond the U.N. sanctions.

Source: Reuters News item: 37475

[02] Inquiry Committees Calls for Further Investigation

The Siemens case keeps fueling the political wrangling ignited by a SDOE report on bribes relating to Siemens and by the walkout of the Popular Orthodox Rally from the committee investigating the case. The Finance Ministry announced there would be a supplementary report and blasted the way justice handled the case in 2009. The former secretary of Michalis Christoforakos testified to the prosecutor. She said her boss had had meetings with politicians, as well. In the meantime, the parliamentary committee probing the scandal sent a letter to the House Speaker requesting Germany step in to force the company to provide the Greek Justice with the evidence required.

The parliamentary committee sent a letter requesting the setting up of a special body to audit the assets of those ministers who were involved in contracts with Siemens in the last two decades. The committee also requested judicial authorities give the committee access to the bank accounts of those involved in the case.

Political Wrangling

ND spokesman Panos Panagiotopoulos lashed out at the Prime Minister, arguing that he himself should deal with the scandals coming to the surface. He then reconfirmed his party's faith in the members of the committee investigating the case.

KKE deputy Thanasis Pafilis urged the government anew to address to Germany and request Siemens figures.

Touching on his party's decision to walk out of the committee, LAOS head Giorgos Karatzaferis spoke of a responsible political action. He said his party could return provided there was no a cover-up effort.

Unless the situation changes, SYRIZA will reconsider its stance within the committee, commented Dimitris Papadimoulis.

Source: NET, ANA/MPA

Related News: Inquiry Committee on Siemens Continues Investigation

News item: 37472

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