The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-02-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] A Dream Start for Greece

By Stathis Petropoulos

Greece is ahead by 2-0 and has dominated against Denmark, in Karaiskakis Stadium, since it is ahead in all areas, having lost opportunities to score and not ensuring the win. If Greece continues in this manner a win is surely on the agenda, although the Danish have started being more alert. The start of the game was a dream for the European Champions since they made their presence known to the Danish defense from the first minutes. During the 13 Karagounis hit the goal post and terrified the opponents and after ten minutes of great pressure from the Greek players, Zagorakis in the 25 made use of a foul shot and opened the score. In the 32 Giannakopoulos won a penalty and Basinas, not missing his shot, scored 2-0 and raised the 30,000 Greek fans from their seats. Only then did the Danish realize where they were and why they are in Greece and in the first halfs last minutes Dennis Rommedhal scored taking advantage of a mistake by Nikopolidis.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[02] "Greece will Soon be Ratifying EU Constitution" "Greece Can Stand in European Vanguard"

By Despina Hristopoulou

The Prime Minister, asked for the active participation of the citizens in the dialogue for the European Constitution. Mr Karamanlis attended an event organized by the Economic and Social Committee for the 10 years since its founding with subject "The European Constitution and the Society of Citizens." "Greece can and will stand in the European vanguard," stated the PM and noted that the "European Constitution may not constitute a big step towards European completion however it is a historic step in the road of a common European future and a link to all European institutions." "The Constitutional Treaty will contribute to the prominence of the European citizen as a member of a grand total and will reinforce the society of active citizens," stated Mr Karamanlis and stated the respect of the fundamental human rights, established by the European Constitution which our country will ratify much sooner than the other countries in the Parliament. In the meantime, outside the event around 100 not appointed successful ASEP winners were shouting protest slogans.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] So Much for Survivor Guantanamo Becomes Reality Show

By Annita Paschalinou

Sources: Reuters

In the middle of March, British television network Channel 4 will broadcast a reality show for nerves of steel and great physical power. Seven contestants will be locked in a warehouse and undergo torture techniques used on Guantanamo detainees. The concept of the new reality show is based on declassified information about the captivity conditions and investigation of the detainees in Guantanamo at the American Base, in Cuba.

Inspired by Torture

How effective are the tactics used by the U.S. Army in Guantanamo in order to receive information from prisoners?

In a few days, British viewers will have the chance to answer to that question, sitting from their livings room viewing the same torture that prisoners undergo in the modern Auschwitz of the Americans in Cuba.

The reality show is called Guantanamo Guidebook and will be broadcast in March by Channel 4. The seven players will have to last through some of the torture techniques that prisoners in Cuba undergo. The will have to go through extreme conditions of heat, cold, food and sleep deprivation and isolation. After all the above, they will be taken in an interrogation room in order to see if they will talk or not. During the videotaping , the prisoners/players will be closely monitored by doctors and psychiatrists. As it was made known, one of the contestants was removed since the doctors diagnosed hypothermia symptoms.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Over interview for job candidates Swords Crossed in Parliament

By Athina Saloustrou

The issue of the personal interview caused clashes today in Parliament, during the discussion of the Bill regarding public sector contract workers. The matter arose when Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos referred to an article of the Peponis law, which provided for the right to be re-hired in cases of discrimination owing to political convictions. PASOK parliamentary representative Charis Kastanidis spoke of selectivity in the article and expressed doubt on the smooth operation of the democratic state. PASOK withdrew from Parliament after the appeal for unconstitutionality of the Bill was rejected. The Opposition party cast doubt on the result of the vote and withdrew from Parliament. Deputy Speaker of the house Georgios Sourlas proposed that an open vote should be held, while he spoke of a pre-arranged decision to withdraw on the part of the Opposition.

Tension Over the Church

Tensions rose dramatically when the discussion, in which former Speaker of Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis participated, extended to the events taking place in the Justice sector and in the Church, as well as Media proprietors. Mr Kaklamanis warned that: "the government is entering a path of no return." On the other hand, Mr Pavlopoulos accused PASOK of party nepotism, stressing that the Minister of Justice pledged to submit a Bill on purging the sector, something which has not taken place in the last ten years. A the same time, he clarified that the identity cards issue was an issue of conscience, and there was no effort to canvass, while he underlined that isolated incidents cannot hurt institutions. As for the Church, he stated "when it is going through a crisis, you support an institution so that it can get over it."

Regarding the issue of the interview, accusing PASOK of propagating misleading information, the Interior Minister stressed that the interview is to apply only when the jobs announcement is within the points system, and not a written competition, and only when requested by ASEP.

Translated by Millie Williams

[05] PASOK Agriculture Events

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA

Harsh criticism of the government regarding its policy in the agricultural sector came on Wednesday from PASOKs president Giorgos Papandreou, speaking at his partys day set aside for agriculture. Mr Papandreou accused the government of "lacking in seriousness in the way it deals with farmers," and stressed that PASOK should be ready to deal responsibly with the problems of the agricultural sector when it is reelected to government. Besides this, the President of PASOK accused the government of opening "a thousand fronts" and of not preparing the farmers which would be brought by the new Common Agricultural Policy. Taking part in the days events, which were organized by the partys Production and Trade Sector, were MPs and MEPs from the party as well as members of the farmers movement.

During his speech, Mr Papandreou also referred to PASOKs convention, proposing that a panel should be created to deal with agricultural issue, with delegates participating from all over Greece, in order for constructive dialogue to take place, leading to the adoption of a new strategy in the agricultural sector.

Mr Papandreou added that PASOK will contribute to see that the new agricultural policy in Europe does not become a threat, but instead an opportunity for the Greek farmer, whom he noted would be told the truth.

Translated by Millie Williams

[06] He kept a weapons store behind GADA Vavilis Supplies Public Sector

By Annita Paschalinou

New revelations regarding the dark activities of Apostolos Vavilis have come to light to shock Greece. According to new evidence, the ghost-man, although wanted by Interpol, lived a rich, undisturbed professional life, even supplying the Ministry of Public Order with armoured vehicles, as well as supplies for other public services!

His Services for the Patriarchate

As NETs correspondent in Jerusalem Panos Charitos revealed, in February 2004 in an appeal against the election of Eirinaios, a sworn statement by Vavilis is presented to the High Court of Israel. In this, Vavilis reports that until 2001, which is when we went to support Eirinaios in his pre-election campaign, he worked as a military marketing advisor in Greek and foreign companies in the sectors of security, managing danger and weaponries.

While in 2001 he went to Jerusalem to support Eirinaios, in February 2004, he switched sides and testifies against him. In fact, he asked the Israelis for asylum in order to testify to all his illegal activities on Israeli soil, which he said were by order of Patriarch Eirinaios, in order to slander his rivals for the Patriarchal seat.

In the meantime Vavilis appeared to move around using another passport under the name of Apostolos Anagnostakis. Specifically with this passport and with the one that pictured him as monk Rafail Apostolos Anagnostakis, he reached Assisi with Archimandrite Nikodimos Farmakis and introduced themselves as official delegates of the Jerusalem Patriarchate for a religious meeting.

However when further information was asked of the two delegates the Patriarchate answered that no formal letter from them existed.

Around 10 months later when Vavilis passport expired as Apostolos Anagnostakis it seems that he visited a representative of the Vatican in Jerusalem as monk Fokas and asked for a laisser-passer to be given to him, a document that would make his movements easier.

The representative asked for more explanations concerning his identification and from the Patriarchate but they were not given, just as the laisser-passer document.

Patriarchate Categorically Denies From its side the Patriarchate has made an announcement in which it expresses its deep sorrow and its repugnance over the developments while it states that all that has been said about Mr Eirinaios are false. It also speaks of an orchestrated attack against the Patriarchate, which is directed by specific centers in and out of Jerusalems walls.

Supplies to Postal Service and Ministry of Public Order

Regarding his professional activities, from his sworn statement, given to Athens notary Marianthi Karapiperi in February 2004, it arises that in collaboration with a representative of an Israeli company, he supplied armoured vehicles to the Ministry of Public Order and to the Postal Fund.

Regarding his supplies to the Postal Fund, through the company Armadillo, which he represented, Apostolos Vavilis supplied the Postal Fund with three armoured Jeep Cherokees in 1995, after an open competition.

Vavilis did not initially appear amongst the companies that had submitted offers, and turned up subsequently when the contract was awarded to Armadillo, who had the best technical and financial proposal.

Collaboration Confirmed

Sources with the Hellenic Police force confirm Vavilis cooperation with the public sector.

The ghost-man was the representative of an Israeli-Finnish company that armoured ministers cars in Greece. There is even correspondence between the Ministry of Public Order and the company, where Vavilis is mentioned as representative.

Weapons Shop

Apart from this, he kept a weapons shop in Dimitsanis Street 16, behind the General Police Headquarters (GADA)! And supplied the Greek weapons industry with bullet-proof vests, which were then bought by the Greek police.

Translated by Millie Williams

[07] Between Palestinians and Israelis Aftermath of the Historic Meeting

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Just a few hours after the ceasefire agreement between the leaders of the Palestinians and the Israelis, and, as stated on Israeli state radio, the Israeli Defence Minister Saul Mofaz decided to allow access to Israel to about a thousand Palestinians from the Gaza Strip who wanted to enter in order to work. At the same time, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom announced that he would take part in a referendum on the issue of withdrawal from Gaza, despite the fact that PM Ariel Sharon is categorically opposed to the idea of the referendum, which he considers a move to overthrow him. In the meantime, the Palestinian Press remains reserved over the results of the Summit meeting in Egypt, considering that it all depends on Israel. In the meantime, the Israeli PM is ready to meet with the Palestinian President in Ramallah.

Quartet to Meet on 1-2 March

Besides granting access to Palestinian workers, the Israeli Defence Minister will allow freedom of movement on a 24-hour basis, between the West Bank and Gaza, for 400 people working for humanitarian organisations. In the meantime, the Quartet for the Middle East will meet on 1 and 2 March in London, as has been announced by Great Britain and Russia. A spokesperson for the British Foreign Office expressed the hope that owing to the participation of the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the British PM Tony Blair, "the quartet will be represented at the highest levels."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that delegates from the four (USA, Russia, UN and EU) would meet to discuss the matter of economic aid for the Palestinians as well as the need to progress within the Road Map.

Translated by Millie Williams

[08] 9 People Missing Siberia: Mine Explosion Leaves 17 Dead

By Anna Kourti

Seventeen coal-miners lost their lives and a further nine are missing, following an explosion in a mine in the province of Simenovo in southern Siberia. A team of thirty coal-miners and experts had gone to the mine, as smoke was seen in the shafts following a methane leak. Four people are being treated for burns at a local hospital.

Translated by Millie Williams

[09] Greek-Serbian Chamber of Commerce Founded

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

President of Serbia Boris Tadic addressed the Greek-Serbian economic conference, which began on Wednesday with the participation of relevant Greek and Serbian political and business bodies. In the business convention, which is taking place under the aegis of the Ministry of Development, the founding of a Hellenic Serbian Chamber of Commerce was decided on, in Athens and Belgrade, aimed at the further reinforcement of business and economic cooperation between the two countries. In his speech Mr Tadic committed in the support of the Greek business in Serbian. The President of Parliament, Anna Psarouda-Benaki, who addressed the conference, made reference to the importance that Greece gives to the consolidation of peace and security conditions in the Balkan area.

Aim is Reinforcement of Bilateral Relations

Minister of Development, Dimitris Sioufas, in his speech stated that our country supports Serbia and Montenegros future EU accession and stated that Greece has decided to go forth with the National Plan of Economic Reconstitution of the Balkans.

The Minister of Interior, Prokopis Pavlopoulos stated "Greece is a patron in the European accession of its neighbors."

The Minister of Employment, Panos Panagiotopoulos and PASOK Coordinator of Defense and Foreign Affairs, Anna Diamantopoulou made short interventions as well as Serbian business and political relevant bodies.

Earlier, Mr Tadic held consecutive meetings with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou with who he discussed the conditions of the area and bilateral areas.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Proposal from Commission for Greece's deficit Extension for the Deficit

By Annita Paschalinou

The European Commission has granted Greece an extension of one year, which means until the end of 2006, to reduce the deficit to below 3%. With a proposal to Ecofin, the Commission recommends strict adherence to the 2005 budget and structural reforms for 2006. The Commissions proposal will be discussed at the next Ecofin meeting on 17 February. In the meantime, in statements today, alternate government spokesman Mr Antonaros clarified that the government will not deviate from its economic policy. "With absolute priority, the government is involved in cleansing the Greek economy, and this will be achieved through strict adherence to the budget," he stated.

Greece's Obligations

The Commission requires Greece to faithfully implement the 2005 nudget and implement measures of a permanent measure in 2006 in order to push the deficit below at least 0.6% of the GDP.

As he notes, "if we accept that the deficit for 2004 is 5.5% of the GDP and that the 2005 budget will be fully implemented, then the deficit will fall to 3.6% of the GDP in 2005."

In fact, with further measures, in 2006 it is expected to fall below the baseline of 3% of the GDP.

By 21 March, Greece should submit a report presenting the measures necessary to reduce the deficit.

Greece must also submit three further reports, in which efforts to conform and progress will be detailed.

The first must be submitted by the end of October 2005, and the next in April and October 2006.

Translated by Millie Williams

[11] Bitterness But Optimism

By Stathis Petropoulos

Vangelis Mantzios was the protagonist, but also ill-fated with his penalty kick that missed, in yesterdays Under 21s match against Denmark. In statements today on radio station Super Sport FM, the Panionios player expressed his own and his team-mates bitterness over the unexpected defeat. However, he stressed that optimism is not lost, as in continuing the games, Greece could get the good results it needs in the away match. "We really wanted to win against Denmark, which is why we went on an uncontrolled attack," noted Mantzios, adding: "We forgot about defence and it cost us. The bad thing is that our opponents have got far ahead in the score, and we should at least have got a draw. Denmark is very good and a united team, which is what we expected. It was an open game, we had opportunities to score, but we didnt manage to. When you dont score goals, its very difficult to achieve your aim. The team feel bitter, as this was not the result we had expected, but we are optimistic about the next stage. We could still qualify. We could get a good result in the away matches in both Denmark and Turkey. I still believe that we are the best team in the group."

Translated by Millie Williams

[12] More WADA Controls

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Greek champions received yet another surprise visit by WADAs flying doctors on Tuesday night. The doctors of the World Anti Doping Association arrived at the Agios Kosmas facilities, which is the place where most Greek athletes choose to train, and asked Iakovakis, Devetzi, Meletoglou and Mainiani to undergo tests after completing their training session.

No Problems

The flying doctors have frequently been visiting Agios Kosmas, as well as the Olympic Stadium lately, but have never detected any problems with the Greek athletes, who have always put themselves at the disposal of the doctors whenever asked.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[13] Carrot a Biological Weapon Against Cancer

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: BBC

The beneficial properties of vegetables are well known. Up to now, medicine was not in a position to say exactly why. Systematic research slowly has unlocked natures secrets. It was recently discovered that the identity of the compound found in cabbage, fights uterus and intestinal cancer. Now it is carrots turn to confess of how exactly it keeps cancer away. The answer is falcarinol, a substance that works as a natural pesticide protecting it from specific fungi. The first experiments performed on mice decreased the chance of developing cancer by a third, a fact which makes the scientists speak of a creation, in the future, of a new generation of medicine but also for the production of super-strength carrots.

A Carrot Away Keeps the Doctor Away

The relative research was presented by the scientific team of the Newcastle Upon Tyne University in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

The researchers based their work on a previous study, which spoke off a preventive action of carrots against cancer. The experiments were made on 24 mice that had pre-cancerous tumors. After 18 weeks the mice who ate raw carrots or a feed combined with falcarinol, presented a smaller chance of developing cancer by a third in comparison to mice who did not eat carrots. The specialists consider that the compound activates defense mechanisms of the body that fight cancer.

"We already know that carrots are good for us and can reduce the risk of cancer but until now we have not known which element of the vegetable has these special properties." We now need to take it a step further by finding out how much falcarinol is needed to prevent the development of cancer and if certain types of carrot are better than others," states Kirsten Brandt, a member of the research group.

"We could also expand our research to include other vegetables. For consumers, it may soon no longer be a case of advising them to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables per day but to eat particular types of these in certain quantities," she adds.

According to the scientist the research could be useful for farmers as well, as far as agricultural methods of vegetables are concerned and how they could reinforce their valuable properties.

Dr Brandt suggests eating a carrot daily, given that it is not yet known if it works in the same way cooked or squeezed. It is noteworthy to say that falcarinol in large quantities is toxic. But do not worry, in order to kill yourselves you have to eat 400 carrots all at once.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[14] Escape from the Galaxy

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: Reuters

A star set sail for the expanse of Space, leaving behind its neighbourhood in the heart of our galaxy. After "close contact" with the black hole in the centre of our galaxy, the star shot off at the inconceivable speed of 2,414,000 kilometres per hour in a spiral route towards the depths, the outside, the impassibility of Space. The phenomenon, which has been observed for the first time, was recorded by astronomers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Astrophysics Centre. In fact, they compared it with "ostracism" from the "astral community", granted that its flight took place and double the speed needed for an astral body to escape the networks of the galaxy. It could, however, be seen in another way: as escape from the sacrifice on the altar of the monstrous god of the black hole.

The Chronicle of a Death Foretold

We have never before seen a star moving fast enough to completely escape the confines of our galaxy," he said. "Were tempted to call it the outcast star because it was forcefully tossed from its home," says Warren Brown, astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre

Until recently, the star used to be part of a binary pair, moving with its companion star close to the rim of the black hole. In this case, "close" is a relative term; the actual distance was probably about fifty times greater than that separating the Earth and the sun. Nevertheless, in terms of the universe, this is "small."

As the two stars twirled around each other, suddenly they were pulled in by the force of the black hole, starting a deadly dance at faster and faster speeds. One of the stars could not escape from the fateful absorption into the black hole. The second star, however, continued its path around the rim. The effect of the black hole, which makes objects that approach it accelerate to speeds of millions of kilometres an hour, combined with its orbiting speed, and gave it the necessary boost, launching it outside the borders of the Milky Way.

The star is now 180,000 light years away, in the halo of the Milky Way.

Translated by Millie Williams

[15] Holy Samba!

By Tina Valaoura

In this part of the world, the Church is going through a corruption scandal, in Brazil, its samba. Scandal has arisen and clashes were triggered by a Catholic bishop who decided to take part in the Sao Paolo carnival parade. His colleagues paled and were shocked, but the man himself declared that he had a great time. "I very much enjoyed participating in the parade. I have been a bishop for 40 years and I have always been among the spectators," said 69-year-old Dom Mauro Morelli from Duce de Caccias. This is the first time that a senior cleric has stooped to take part in the wild, colourful celebration.

Naturally, Fr Morelli took care that the samba school he chose was not too provocative. After all, Sao Paolo may not be Rio de Janeiro, but the carnival is generally celebrated with very few clothes on and a noticeable theme inspiration. However, 69-year-old Fr Morelli avoided the pitfall. His appearance with Angia de Uro Samba School, whose theme was angels and demons, did not produce direct condemnation from the Archbishop of Rio, who simply said: "how sad the carnival has become." So far, however, we havent noticed any melancholy faces!

Translated by Millie Williams

[16] After Five Years MSF of Greece Once Again International

By Despina Hristopoulou

After five years of exclusion, the Greek Doctors Without Borders constitute once again one of the 19 departments of the movement and share with the rest of the departments, the humanitarian and corporate beliefs of the Doctors Without Borders. Representatives of the International Office of MSF and Doctors Without Borders of Greece signed an agreement which gives the permission to use the logo and all the relative insignia of the organization to the Greek doctors, as a result of their re-accession of the Greek department in the International Movement. The Greek department was been secluded from the movement in November 1999, after a dispute with the corporate application of rules of the Doctors Without Borders for the independence and neutrality in the Kosovo crisis. Todays agreement was a result of a process, which lasted for over a year. As the Greek department states "the re-accession of the Greek department in the International is being performed at a time when all the parts of MSF are committed to working together aimed at the fortification of the capability of MSF to answer to the needs of populations in danger."

The MSF of Greece are performing mission in Malawi, Zambia, Ethiopia, Armenia, Palestine, while the programs developed in Serbia are being transferred to other organizations.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Doctors Without Borders Greece

Medecins Sans Frontieres

[17] Due to an Employees' Strike Trains Will not Run Tomorrow

By Despina Hristopoulou

The Hellenic Railways Association (OSE) employees are going on a 24-hour strike, besides the fact that it was judged as improper by the court. According to an announcement by OSE, the planned routes will not take place tomorrow, while many routes planned for this evening have been cancelled. The OSE employees are reacting to the segregation in the departments of infrastructure and development, even though the Ministry of Transport has assured that the workers and social security rights will not be affected. The 24-hour strike announced by the Panhellenic Organization of Railway Workers (POS) was judged as improper by the court, to which the administration of OSE took its case, however the employees are determined to go forth with the strikes.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

OSE Workers Will Not Back Down

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