The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-09-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Ministers Council Convenes

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Closure of 2000-2009 taxation cases, Justice Ministry two draft-bills on acceleration of distribution of justice as well as mergers in the Public sector are some of the issues discussed during Monday's meeting of Ministers' Council, chaired by Prime-minister George Papandreou.

Urgent Voting Procedures

Draft-bill on closure of taxation cases, after receiving green light from Ministers' council, will be directly tabled to the Parliament to be passed on Thursday through urgent voting procedures.

Taking into consideration relevant suggestions by production sectors, the economic staff is examining improvement of initial plan providing for increase of installments and reduction of advance payment for the voluntary settlement of taxation cases.

Finance Minister, George Papakonstantinou made clear, however, that the new settlement of taxation cases excludes ones who used 2007 closure with exemption the 2002-2007 sample inspection.

Source: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Σχετικές ειδήσεις: Στην τελική ευθεία η περαίωση

News item: 41302

[02] Criminal Network Revealed

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Police and judicial authorities are carrying out investigations to find the extent of activities of a criminal network who have appropriated state and private real estate properties. The prosecutor's Office is considering blocking real estate properties and bank accounts.

Tens Involved

Police have launched a big operation code named βAtis" to dismantle a criminal network who has appropriated with fake documents state, private and banks' real estate properties and transferred them to some 150 fake companies to secure them. The gang has been operating for about 13 years mainly in Attica.

Tens of people, who are facing charges blackmailing, smuggling and influencing judicial authorities, are involved with the criminal network.

Gains from frauds come up to millions of euros that was laundered through at 1east 100 fake companies in all parts of Greece.

A civil engineer -whose bank account had $500.000 while he has more accounts in US banks - is believed the mastermind of the gang. A former judge and 4 lawyers were the hard core of the network.

A person, whose name was linked with the first parajudicial ring- appears to be a basic member of the gang who had the task to influence judges in return to money reward.

The police investigation started in Novemeber, 2009 following information on the activities of the gang. Intelligence Service (EYP) played an important role in the revelation of the case that used special equipment to monitor telephone conversations after lifting of secrecy approved by the prosecutor's office. The Authority on Money Laundering has also being informed on the case.

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA News item: 41317

[03] Radical Reforms in Tertiary Education

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From Delphi, Prime-minister George Papandreou and Education Minister Anna Diamantopoulou announced radical reforms in university admission system and administration of Tertiary and Technological Education Institutes. According to reforms tertiary education candidates will be admitted to Universities and not specific Schools while merger and even abolition of certain schools has been proposed. In an interview with state television channel NET this morning, Education Minister A. Diamantopoulou gave further details on reforms. She said exams and exam periods will be reduced, lectures at amphitheaters will be abolished while absences and progress of students will be recorded .

"Kallikratis for Universities - TEI"

Mrs. Diamantopoulou underlined that the Education Ministry expects the support of presidents of university and technological institutes as well as social partners within this effort, and invited students to suggest how they would like to participate in the dialogue. She also added that program of studies would be introduced and the student himself will draw up his study program.

Several higher education institutes and schools will merge, others abolished or united with others and each university will determine students' exams and evaluation of professors.

Furthermore, an Independent Authority to finance Tertiary Education institutes will be set up while there will be agreements with banks to issue students' loans.

Education Minister also underlined the need for participation of prominent figures in University boards while the dean and the senatus will be responsible for the academic program.

The dialogue on the sweeping reforms will be completed in December so to be passed at the beginning of next year.

University deans spoke of a good beginning but they are awaiting to be informed on details.

Reactions

GCP general secretary Aleca Papariga objected to reforms underlining that the new education policy minimizes access to universities of students from low income families.

"The axis of proposals is on the right direction", said LAOS president George Karatzaferis and added that his party would participate in the dialogue.

Source: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΑNA/ΜPA News item: 41307

[04] Truckers' Unions Decide Today

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Presidents of truck and tanker truck owner unions are holding a meeting to decide on their future moves. They are expected to reassess the situation following a meeting on Sunday with the president of the National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce, Basilis Korkidis , who committed himself to convey their requests to the competent government bodies. To dissolve road blocks, representatives of truckers have called for a meeting with the Prime-minister.

Shortages in the Market

It is a matter of time for problems with market supply to extend to consumers. Some ten thousand containers remain at Piraeus and Thessaloniki ports while there are not signs that mobilizations are fading away.

Source: ΝΕΤ 105.8

News item: 41299

[05] OSE Employees Mobilizations

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Hellenic Railway (OSE) employees are staging repeated work stoppages from 27-29 September in protest against draft-bill providing for the company's privatization. Specifically, on Monday and Tuesday there will not be train services from 06:00- 09:00, 14:00- 17:00, 21:00- 24:00 while they have announced a 5-hour work stoppage from 12:00-17:00 on Wednesday. Changes in Hellenic Railway services start today with suspension of night service to Thessaloniki. On Tuesday 28/09 , Metro services will cover all its network, including Doukissis Plakentias -Airport route regardless of OSE work stoppages said the Metro Operation Company (AMEL).

Source: ΝΕΤ 105.8 News item: 41288

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