The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-06-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] G. Papandreou- UN Sec. Gen Meeting

Prime-minister George Papandreou described as highly constructive and positive his meeting with UN Sec. Gen. Ban Ki moon in NY, on Tuesday. Issues discussed included Skopje name, developments in Cyprus and ME issues as well as the G20 meeting. He will chair the Socialist International Council in the afternoon.

Papandreou: "There Is no Secret Diplomacy on Skopje Issue"

On the Skopje name dispute, the Prime-minister underlined Athens political willingness for a compound name including a geographical term for all uses and categorically denied accusations of secret diplomacy.

"We remain firm on a compound name with a geographical term for all uses. We are ready and take initiatives for the solution of the issue. These initiatives are not secret, they are open initiatives within the framework of the above terms".

On the Cyprus issue, Mr. Papandreou said that Greece fully backs the efforts of Cypriot President Dimitris Hristofias within the framework of UN resolutions and european status quo without outside interventions and fabricated timetables.

On Greece's side attending G.Papandreou-Ban Ki moon meeting in NY were alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas, Greek permanent representative at the UN and ambassador Anastasis Mitsialis and on UN side were UN Sec. Gen. Aide responsible for political affairs Lyn Pasco and several officials.

In his intervention during a teleconference at the International Confederation of Trade Unions meeting held in Canada, Mr. Papandreou asked for the imposition of taxes in bank transactions. GSEE president Yiannis Panagopoulos attends the world meting.

Addressing the Socialist International Council, Mr. Papandreou said Greece's financial crisis was the result of mismanagement, over-expanded state and lack of transparency to the benefit of big interests. But the country has already entered into the economic purging orbit.

Source: ÍÅÔ105.8 ÍÅÔ ÁNA-ÌPA

Related News: G. Papandreou: Building Credibility

News item: 37892

[02] Teachers Suspend Strike

The federation of High School Teachers (OLME) has decided to suspend mobilizations. Teachers will return tomorrow Wednesday to National Exams evaluation centers to complete grading of tests. OLME president Dimitris Peppes said the administration board (6 votes in favour 4 votes against) decided to put an end to teachers' abstention from grading in order to ensure credibility of national exams and end the anxiety of candidates and their parents. DAKE and PASKE unionists voted against continuation of mobilization.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8 News item: 37902

[03] Indonesia Quake Killed Two People

Two strong quakes struck the province of Papua, Indonesia early on Wednesday. The quakes measuring 6.2 and 7.1 on the Richter scale hit a few minutes apart from each other. The powerful quakes triggered a tsunami warning . Police said two people were killed on Yapen island while extensive material damage was reported.

Quake Lasted 40 Seconds

The powerful quake sparked panic on Yapen island, the worst hit region.

French news agency correspondent said the quake lasted 40 seconds. He added frightened residents ran out of the houses ready to flee to higher ground. On Yapen island, 150 houses had been crushed and a church collapsed.

The powerful tremors on the island of Biak caused scores of people to leave their homes and head for higher ground The country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world's most active areas for earthquakes and volcanoes.

Source: ÁNA - ÌPA News item: 37710

[04] Four Killed in Turkey Bomb Attack

Three Turkish soldiers and a 17-year old girl were killed in Konstantinopolis Halkali district early on Tuesday when a roadside bomb hit a bus carrying passengers from a military housing complex.

The dead included the 17-year-old daughter of an officer said the French News Agency. The number of injured come to 6, two of them seriously injured according to NTV.

The explosion took place in the morning rush hour as a military shuttle bus traveled between a residential compound and offices that include the military police headquarters. The bomb, planted in advance, had been detonated by a cell phone signal. The exact number of passengers has not been confirmed, the French news agency says there were over 10 people in the bus. No organization has claimed responsibility so far

Source: ÁNA-ÌPA News item: 37893

[05] Deficit Drops- Dispute in the Parliament

Recent data indicate reduction in state deficit and increase in revenues in the first five months. The Finance Ministry believes state revenues will increase after activation of new measures. From London the chief of the Public Debt Management Agency said Greece would be able next year to reorient its economy. In the meantime left wing opposition parties and LAOS have expressed strong objections to an article included in draft-bill authorizing the Finance Minister to sign and ratify cooperation memoranda, borrowing agreements or contracts with the European Commission, Eurogroup and ECB without briefing the Parliament.

Stability Program on the Right Path

Greece's economy is observing the targets of stability program and is well shielded against the financial crisis.

Data in the last 5 month course of the State Budget show drop of deficit to 8.97 billion euros from 14.65 billion euros, or 38.75% points lower compared against the annual target of 35.1%. This result has been achieved both by reduction of expenditures and rise in revenues without having yet seen results of additional measures introduced in March and May, 2010.

The Finance Ministry believes that the additional measures to increase revenues introduced in March and May will bear fruit in the next months making feasible materialization of annual targets

From a conference in London, the chief of the Public Debt Management Agency Petros Hristodoulou said: "Greece will be able next year to focus on reforms that will lead to fiscal purging and reorient its whole economy".

Alpha Bank chief Yiannis Kostopoulos, during a general assembly of the bank's shareholders, appeared optimistic saying Greece will son exit from recession despite the difficulties.

"Greece is on the right path and will come out stronger from the financial crisis to prove that willingness brings results. Data indicate recession in 2010 will not be as high as anticipated", stressed Mr. Kostopoulos.

High pitched Dispute in the Parliament

Smaller opposition parties strongly reacted to an article included in draft-bill authorizing the Finance Minister to sign and ratify cooperation memoranda, borrowing agreements or contracts with the European Commission, Eurogroup and ECB without briefing the Parliament.

On the grounds that the article does not provide for the Finance Minister's commitment to brief the Parliament and also has a retroactive effect as of June, 1, 2010, the GCP and SYRIZA parties spoke of "Parliamentary coup" while LAOS described the article weird, requested its withdrawal underlining that it denies to give him a blank authorization.

Finance Minister George Papakonstantinou, however, committed himself after the signing of contracts to bring them to Parliament for debate and ratification.

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8-ÁNA/ÌPA News item: 37905

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