The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-08-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Premier's Legal Advisor Resigned

Prime-minister George Papandreou legal advisor Glykeria Siuti submitted her resignation on Monday amid uproar over her proposal for the hiring of an aide who had not fulfilled his military service. Mr. Papandreou accepted her resignation and thanked her for her services.

Hiring Suspended

Mrs. Siuti was relieved of her duties with the acceptance of her resignation by the Prime-minister amid uproar over the hiring of special advisors to the premier's office while Aggelos Hasapopoulos will not be hired although fulfillment of military service is not precondition for the hiring of personnel under temporary contracts.

Reports say A. Hasapopoulos, 25yo received his lawyer's license last year and has not served in the armed forces yet.

The Premier's office announcement reminds that the Prime-minister has set up a committee tasked to examine the operation of the Premier's office services as well as aspects of the ruling system in order to study the best practices taking into consideration experiences of countries with modern administration structures. Amid furor over the hiring of personnel in the Premier's office, the announcement says that there is provision for 105 temporary contract job positions in the Premier's office which have been recently risen by 20 to cover future needs. It also clarifies that from the total number of positions only 72 have been covered of which 45 positions by employees transferred from other services and 27 by temporary contract employees.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA News item: 39907

[02] T. Mantelis Facing Money Laundering Charges

On Monday, former minister Tasos Mantelis, allegedly involved in the Siemens bribery case, is giving his statement to judge ( special interrogator ) Maria Nikolakea. Mr. Mantelis is facing money laundering charges for the sum of 450.000 german marcs. The sum is said to have been deposited in a Swiss bank, in a bank account opened by George Tsugranis, businessman and friend of the former minister, under the code name "Á. Ñüêêïò".

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8 News item: 39899

[03] Full Smoking Ban from 1/9

Full smoking ban in all public places will be in force as of September, 1, 2010. A meeting was held at the Health Ministry on Monday to determine inspection mechanisms for the imposition of fines to ones who do not observe the law. Violators could pay fines up to â¬500. An 8-month transitional period is allowed for casinos and night clubs covering a space larger than 300 square meters. Health Minister Mariliza Xenoyiannakopoulou, in a press interview, made extensive briefing on the smoking ban plan which also includes information campaign and a telephone line for communication.

Health and Social Solidarity Minister Mariliza Xenoyiannakopoulou , in an interview with newspaper "Ta Nea", reconfirmed the government's determination to materialize decision for complete smoking ban in public places as well as to provide the necessary inspection mechanisms.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8

News item: 39891

[04] China: Hundreds Trapped in Mudslides

Fresh heavy rains in west China have caused more flooding and massive mudslides with over 10.500 trapped in rising flood waters. In Gansu province alone at least 15 people have been killed and 10.000 trapped in mudslides. More than 1.000 people were killed after a mudslide swept through the town of Zhouqu ripping homes apart. In Setsuan province in south China, landslides killed 5 people while at least 500 are trapped.

Torrential rains started in Mianzhu on Thursday but landslides were recorded mainly in the towns of Qingping and Tianshui. Local authorities are trying to estimate damage and say that number of dead may rise.

Security forces evacuated many residents of Qingping city between mountains - with 6.000 people population - where the ground is unstable after earthquake in 2008, says New China News Agency.

At least another 1.000 people were killed in floods in central, south and north China this year.

Source: ÁNA/ÌPA News item: 39401

[05] New Circle of Contacts in View of ITF

In view of the ITF, the economic staff continue meetings with market sectors while the Prime-minister begins his contacts on Wednesday. Finance and Economics Minister met with representatives of the Federation of Greek Commerce and the Central Union of Greek Chambers on Monday morning. Merchants asked for injection of liquidity into the market, incentives to create job positions and not rise in VAT. A meeting with representatives of the Industrialists Union will be held in the afternoon. Participating in the meeting are Ministers for Environment and Education Tina Birbilis and Anna Diamantopoulou respectively as well as undersecretaries for Finance and Employment. Agriculture Minister Katerina Batzelis has meetings with representatives of farmers unions ( PASEGES, GESASE, SYDASE). The government places importance in the revenues gap,

Source: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA - ÌPA

Related News: Focused on Fiscal Recovery

News item: 39896

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