The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-12-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou Meets with his Hungarian Counterpart

Prime-minister G. Papandreou met with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban at an Athens hotel on Monday. Their talks included permanent EU support mechanism, EU enlargement and immigration within EU members states. In his statements, Mr. Papandreou said that they had the opportunity to discuss the support mechanism which the recent months -due to the financial crisis not only in Greece but also in European economy and the euro region- has become the top issue linked with the course of Europe. He also referred to negotiations on changes in the Lisbon Treaty to be held on Thursday and Friday, adding that Hungarian EU Presidency would have the responsibility to promote the procedure at European level in the next months. Furthermore, the Greek Prime-minister expressed his full support to Hungary-to assume EU Presidency next month- within the context of the targets it would have to materialize for the EU, "this big family that can do so much" .

Mr. Orban, who identified problems in Greek and Hungarian economies said: "We recognize that each country needs a special combination of economic and political decisions, or else we can not succeed", and wished Greece to manage to take control of the situation and become again one of the most successful European countries.

He also agreed with Mr. Papandreou on changes in Lisbon Treaty. Furthermore, Mr. Orban said that Greece has a special place in the hearts of Hungarian people because "it is the cradle of European civilization" and "there could not be stability in Europe without Greece".

Mr. Papandreou said that Balkan states admission course is top priority issue for both the EU and also Greece and Hungary. Within the context of EU enlargement, Turkey's EU admission course, "which Greece supports under the necessary preconditions", was also discussed. The two leaders also discussed the Cyprus issue in view of the Hungarian Prime-minister's meeting with Cyprus President Dimitris Hristofias.

Greece's support to Bulgaria and Rumania's inclusion in the Schengen Treaty was also referred.

"Enlargement is very significant for us, it is reunification of Europe this is why the Blakans are important", said Mr. Orban, adding that Hungarian EU presidency supports completion of negotiations for Croatia which would promote European prospect of the other Balkan countries.

Mr. Orban said he wanted to visit Greece again in spring.

In their talks, Prime-minister G. Papandreou was accompanied by Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas. In the meantime, the Greek Prime-minister met with Claude Guéant , secretary of the French presidency.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA-ÌPA

News item: 52033

[02] South &North Korea Artillery Clash

South and North Korea exchanged artillery fire today escalating again tension in the region. International news agencies and S. Korea television network YTN said North Korea fired artillery shells at one of its border islands causing injuries and material damage. Some 70 houses were on fire and people were transferred to underground refuges. South Korea defense Ministry statement said South Korean army returned fire.

Reactions

Russia's foreign minister warned of a colossal danger, and said those behind the attack carried a huge responsibility. The White House meanwhile called on North Korea to halt its "belligerent action".

A spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry said that both countries should "do more to contribute to peace".

"What's imperative now is to restart six-party talks as soon as possible," Hong Lei told a news conference in Beijing.

Japan's Prime Minister, Naoto Kan, said he had ordered ministers to prepare for any eventuality.

SOURCES: ÁNA-ÌPA, Reuters

News item: 48530

[03] Tens Killed in India Building Collapse

At least 64 people were killed and over 80 injured when a multi-storey building in a suburb of New Delhi collapsed. Rescue crews are still trying to locate and rescue survivors from under the rubble. It is believed that a t least 30 people are trapped under the rubble. The building collapsed at 20:15 (16:45 Greek local time), on Monday.

Rain Caused Damages

Sources: Reuters, ÁNA-ÌPA

RELATED NEWS : BBC: Delhi multi-storey building collapse leaves dozens dead

News item: 47347

[04] France: Children Held Hostage Released

About 20 children, aged 4-6, and their teacher, who were taken hostage at a nursery in the town of Besancon, in France Monday were released unharmed and the man who held them was arrested. The hostage taker, 17, is "depressed" and had been under medical treatment. Armed with two swords, the hostage-taker had entered a kindergarten and took children hostage Monday morning.

"Suffering from Depression"

He had released children in three groups before the incident ended.

A security cordon was placed around the school, and police marksmen took positions outside the school, pictures from the scene showed. They did not enter the school during the incident, the mayor said.

The incident started at 8:30 a.m. and ended about four and a half hours later.

The hostage-taker's motive was unclear, but he is known to suffer from depression and psychological problems, he has personality disorder .

Sources: Reuters, ÁNA-ÌPA

Le Monde: Fin de la prise d'otages dans l'école maternelle de Besançon

News item: 52104

[05] Trade Unions Escalate Mobilizations

Trade unions representing private and public sector are escalating mobilizations in protests against the economic policy and reforms in labour rights. GSEE and ADEDY have announced work stoppage from 12:00-15:00, on Tuesday, December, 14 and a demonstration at 13:00 at Syntagma Square and staging a national 24-hour strike on Wednesday, December, 15 and demonstration at Pedion tou Areos, at 11:00.

GSEE announcement says: "Workers united in their struggles and action will cancel the anti-labour regulations and repel attacks against their rights. Our mobilizations will continue for as long as neoliberal policies, that bear the burden on low income groups and pensioners, deepen recession and increase unemployment, continue".

Employees in local administration will also join the general strike following POE OTA decision.

Mass Transport

Employees in all means of mass transport and OSE have announced a 24-hour strike for Tuesday, December, 14. In the meantime, for Wednesday and Thursday mass transport employees' trade unions are expected to reach decisions on Monday.

Taxi drivers have decided to participate in the national strike on Wednesday with 4 hour stoppage from 10:00-14:00.

Over 140 Olympic Air flights will be cancelled on Wednesday, December, 15 due to participation of air-traffic controllers in the general strike.

For information on flights and cancellations, passengers are kindly requested to contact: 801 801 0101 and 210 3550500 (from cell phone).

Hospitals

State hospitals will operate with skeleton staff on Wednesday, December, 15 as well as IKA (Social Security) surgeries on December 13-14, 16-17 as doctors are staging 48-hour strikes.

National Pharmaceutical Association is also staging a 24-hour strike on Wednesday as well as 14.500 free lance dentists working for insurance funds and hospitals.

Thessaloniki ÅÊÈ and ÅÄÏÈ unions are also joining Wednesday's mobilizations.

Banks

Employees in the Agriculture Bank have announced indefinite strike (24-h repeated strikes) starting from Monday, December, 13 in protest against anti-labour regulations. Employees in all other banks are staging a 48-hour strike on December, 14, 15.

Workers in ports (OMYLE -PNO) are also participating in Wednesday's general strike as well as the Technical Chamber.

Trade unions embracing all professions working in mass media have also announced participation in industrial mobilizations. Journalists, administration employees and technicians are staging a strike on Wednesday, December, 15 and on 17-18.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA

News item: 52106

[06] Telemarathon Love 2010

Greek state television ET-1 hosts UNICEF Telemarathon on elimination of discriminations, respect for differences, promoting programs for admission of chidren with special needs, reduction of poverty and denutrition and vaccination of ill children. UNICEF unites with SPECIAL OLYMPICS this year and appeals to Greeks of all ages to support its mission because we should not allow people to lose hope. The telemarathon will be aired on Monday, December, 13 from 16:00 to midnight and will be also on Internet on ERT online. The telemarathon will be broadcast by ERT Satellite.Ones who want to donate can dial: 210 2785100 and 901 11 17 17 17 (charge 3,68 with VAT) or send sms blank message to 54234 (charge 1.23 with VAT) or enter www.unicef.gr

Greek state television despite the difficult circumstances of the world financial crisis and the financial crisis in Greece is always open to humanitarian missions of solidarity and assistance to peoples suffering. All nationwide television channels, Athens and regional stations are expected to have direct links.

Messages will be addressed by the President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, Prime-minister George Papandreou, Speaker of the House Philipos Petsalnikos, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos and Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Ieronymos.

Education and Employment Ministers, deputies, actors, people of the letters, athletes, businessmen officials will be present at ET-1 studio and the telephone center.

News item: 51385

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