The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-04-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] During the Discussion for Constitutional Treaty National Issues in Parliament

By Annita Paschalinou

National matters, the developments in the issue with FYROM and the recent actions for the Greek-Turkish relations were at the focus of a discussion among political leaders, in the context of the ratification of the European Constitution. PM Kostas Karamanlis appeared determined to finalise any national matters based on the countrys interests and without taking into account the political costs. He also agreed to a convocation of the political leaders, as well as including a discussion on Foreign Policy to the Parliaments daily agenda, the latter having been proposed by PASOK. "I do not dispute such matters," he stressed. George Papandreou accused the government of providing incomplete information on the issue with FYROM, underlining that "consent cannot be stolen, but is based on reliability and credibility."

Maximum National Consent

"The Government, and me personally, are determined to assume any political costs on matters of national interest. These matters do not involve political parties and our strategies aim to resolve the problems of the past," stressed the PM

He also announced that the Political Leaders Council will convene to discuss the issue with FYROM, while he underlined that the government had no intention of hiding the Nimitz proposal.

"The document, which was eventually made public, was considered confidential. It was inessential to hide it from anyone. Anyhow, no one disputed the fact that this was a result of a final agreement," he said, noting that the government will listen to the political leaders and inform the citizens of Greece, before taking any more steps.

He also added that the government aims to finalise this pending matter and smooth out the relations between the two countries.

Molyviatis' Actions Supported

Referring to the Greek-Turkish relations, Kostas Karamanlis fully supported the actions of Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis.

Furthermore, he responded to all those who said that the FM should have left Ankara when Turkey was proceeding with provocative actions in Imia.

"This kind of talk demonstrates irresponsible views, while it harms the progress of national matters," he stressed, claiming these issues are composite and cannot be solved from one day to the next.

Criticism from Papandreou

PASOKs president George Papandreou accused the government of making wrong choices over national matters.

"Consent cannot be stolen, but is based on reliability and credibility," he claimed, noting that the government abandoned a stable policy on national matters and replaced it with a void.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[02] Hefty Fines Says SESME Bad News for Supermarkets

By Annita Paschalinou

The Competition Committee Secretariat issued an unprecedented report on seven supermarket chains, after ruling they made secret deals to keep prices up. The Secretariat proposed hefty fines for chains that rise to 450,000 euros, as well as for SESME, which is in danger of paying 15 million euros. In an announcement SESME said the fines are unprecedented and will voice their positions at the Competition Committee assembly on May 19.

Hefty Fines

The Committee suggested the implementation of the following fines:

Á-Â Vasilopoulos: 450,774 euros É & S Sklavenitis: 382,403 euros Veropoulos: 332,531 euros Atlantik: 268,800 euros Diamantis Masoutis: 217,365 euros Metro: 211,375 euros Trofino: 6,000 euros A the same time, the Committee warned SESME that if such an incident is repeated, ie the phenomenon of conformed prices, then SESME will pay a fine of 30 million euros, while supermarkets will be penalised with 3 million euros.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[03] European AEK

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

As it seems, AEKs achievements this season have touched Europe. UEFA, which has been impressed by the efforts of the management, technical staff, players and the people to help AEK escape the summers dead-end, made sure to award the team with a simple but very important title. Recognizing the struggle and the hard efforts of AEK, UEFA proclaimed it Team of the Week, posting on its official website an article on the teams course in this seasons championship.

"A OK for AEK"

With the title "A OK for AEK," the article is dedicated to the team's course from last summer until now, underlining that "with a little help from the courts, AEK have managed to overcome losing half their playing squad in the summer, and with a 2-0 win against PAOK FC last weekend are now within a point of leaders Panathinaikos FC having lost just one league game all season."

What is more, the article referred to the significant changes in AEK's players, to the fact that many players left the team in the summer, as well as to the fact that "the Portuguese coach took no time in rebuilding AEK" skillfully combining old and new players together.

There is special reference to AEK's dedicated fans who exceed 26,000 and support their team at every single match.

Uefa.com also cites statements of AEK's chairman, Demis Nikolaidis, who underlined that "football is a means of giving joy to the fans, no matter whether you're playing or staying on the sidelines." As for coach Fernando Santos, he stressed once more that his decision to coach AEK at that particular period was based merely on his friendship with Nikolaidis, as well as on his estimation for AEK's captain Kostas Katsouranis, who in his turn supported that "I trusted the new administration and I knew that the situation would change for the better. It turns out that I was proved right." As for Bruno Alves he said "maybe our success has been unexpected, but there is no harm in giving the league and cup our best shot."

"Twelfth Player" Present

Once more, AEK's twelfth player, its people, will be present on Sunday at OAKA stadium, since tickets for the match sell like hot cakes. In the critical match against Xanthi, AEK is expected to have more than 40,000 fans by their side.

As of tomorrow, Saturday, fans will be able to buy tickets for the first semifinal round of the Cup against Olympiacos.

Tickets will be sold at the box-offices outside Eirini train station from 11:00 to 17:00 and at AEK Shop (Grammou 71, Maroussi).

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[04] Iakovos Lies in his Last Residence

By Vagelis Theodorou

Former Archbishop Iakovos of Northern and Southern America was buried in the afternoon at the Theological School of Boston. The Hierarch was buried at the school's Chapel. Deputy Minister of Economy Petros Doukas and the general Consul of Greece to Boston Konstantinos Bikas attended the burial on behalf of the Greek government. The late Archbishop was escorted to his last residence by Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and all Greece, Archbishop Grigorios of Great Britain representing the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archishop Dimitrios of America, Metropolitan Bishop Kyrillos of Imvros and Tenedos, Metropolitan Bishop Methodios of Boston and by many other Hierarchs and Expatriate Greeks. Former president George Bush and the wife of Martin Luther King sent a letter of condolences.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Intensive EFET Controls Sugar of Unknown Origin

By Annita Paschalinou

Thessaloniki Prefecture authorities confiscated 35,000 1kg packs of sugar, which did not indicate the country of origin. The authorities located the sugar quantities in two distribution businesses and two supermarkets. As it was ascertained, the sugar was coming from Serbia-Montenegro and was distributed in the market without any indication of the country of origin, so as to make consumers believe it was Greek. In view of the Easter holidays and in cooperation with competent control authorities, EFET has scheduled systematic and intensive controls at all points of massive distribution and selling of food.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] Objections for Pavlopoulos Decree

By Despina Hristopoulou

Rapporteurs of the Supreme Administrative Court, which will convene on Thursday, Kostas Pispiringos and Giorgos Tsimekas suggested that the Pavlopoulos Presidential Decree for the permanency of contract workers should be considered as unconstitutional. Although having different arguments, both Supreme Court associate judges support that the Presidential Decree opposes article 108 of the Constitution, which explicitly forbids the conversion of temporary work contracts to permanent without a competition. They also suggested that the issue should be referred to the Plenary Session of the Supreme Administrative Court.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[07] Rainier's Funeral Attended by 800 Guests Monaco Said Goodbye to Prince

By Athina Saloustrou

Today, hundreds of official guests, among them Kings, Princes, diplomats and the Monegasque people, said goodbye to Prince of Monaco, Rainier. The tragic figures were his two daughters Carolina, Stephanie and 47-year-old son Albert II, who is his successor to the throne, and Carolinas children, Andrea, Charlotte and Pierre who have gathered around Rainiers body, which was buried next to his wife Grace Kelly. The funeral service for Rainier, who died on April 6, started at noon in the Cathedral of Monaco, and was attended by 800 guests, among them the President of France, Jacques Chirac and King of Spain, Juan Carlos, as well as other royalty and European aristocracy members.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Almost 5,000 Workers Fired Rover Stepped on the Breaks

By Vagelis Theodorou

British automobile industry Rover is ready to close down. One week after declaring bankruptcy, the administrators who took over the liquidation of the company announced that 5,000 employees will be fired over the weekend. At the same time, head accountants stated there is no realistic eventuality of selling the company, since Shanghai Automotive, which had shown interest to buy out Rover, has withdrawn its offer. Efforts to save Rover fell flat a few weeks before elections in Great Britain and while the Blair Government was preparing to announce measures for the relief of employees. Tony Blair stated that the Government did its best to salvage the automobile company, adding that he is not willing to give employees vain hopes. On a total, MG Rover occupies 6,100 people, mainly at the Longbridge factory, in Birmingham.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] Review of the Athens Airport Contract

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET 105.8

The Greek Economy Ministry is considering reviewing the contract with Hochtiff for the Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, aiming for cheaper and more competitive services offered. On Friday at noon, Economy Minister Mr Alogoskoufis and Transport Minister Mr Liapis announced that a committee will be formed immediately to review the terms and conditions of the contract and propose changes if necessary. As per Giorgos Alogoskoufis, this process has to conclude prior to making any plans to privatise the airport, which is something the government is considering for next year. Mr Alogoskoufis did not provide any details regarding the percentage of shareholders after the company is floated in the Stock Exchange. Furthermore, he excluded the possibility of privatising OSE or the Suburban Railway. On the other hand, the German company did not issue any announcements, while the two ministers declared that the discussion was very positive.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[10] Because of Financial Problems Freud Museum Closing

By Vivian Papastefanou

The Vienna Freud Museum, housed in the apartment of the founding father of psychology, is in danger of closing down in 2008, if the Austrian state does not undertake its funding. The Museum, established in 1971, expects to have a significant increase of visitors in 2006, at the 150-year anniversary since Freud was born, but in the following year (2007) it will take more than 2 million euros for renovation works, as per its Executive Chairwoman Inge Scholz Strasser. The Freud Foundation, which funds 55% of the Museum's expenses, does not have the means to undertake such a venture. Therefore, if the state does not intervene, then the Museum will no longer be in a position to accept visitors. The Austrian Ministry of Culture has made no comments on the issue so far. The Sigmund Freud Museum, where Freud lived from 1891 since 1938, had more than 55,000 visitors last year. The management is hoping that for 2006 they will be able to borrow and exhibit the legendary couch Sigmund Freud was using during his sessions from the respective London Museum, where it is exhibited at the present.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[11] Replacement Crew at ISS

By Tina Valaoura

The spacecraft Soyuz TMA 6, after a successful launch from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, has started its trip towards the International Space Station (ISS). Its passengers are Russian Sergei Krikalev, American John Phillips and Italian Roberto Vittori who will replace Salizhan Sharipov and Leroy Chiao who have been working there since last October.

Soyuz is expected to arrive at the ISS on coming Sunday. This is the 11th mission to the International Space Station. It will remain there for ten days, during which Vittori will perform a series of experiments and then return to Earth with Sharipov and Chiao, while the other two astronauts will remain in orbit for the next six months. When they will return, 46-year-old Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, who has served in the ISS and Mir, will have completed the record of 800 days in space.

In the meantime, NASA is working with intense rhythms in order to send its own spacecraft, Discovery at the ISS sometime between May 15 and June 3. It is noted that the U.S. fleet that served the communication between the International Space Station, remains grounded since February 2003, when Columbia exploded during its entrance in the atmosphere and resulted to the death of its seven passengers.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Three Lawyers to Testify It Is Time for the Lawyers

By Athina Saloustrou

Lawyers Sakis Kechagioglou, Giorgos Nikolakopoulos and Nikos Emmanouilidis have been called to testify before the Supreme Courts Deputy Prosecutor, Giorgos Sanidas next week. The three lawyers will have to provide explanations as they are suspected of participating in a gang that rigged trails and released drug dealers, as well as of violation of their duties and bribery. In the meantime, First Instance Judges Panagiota Tsevi and Anna Korovesi are testifying today for their involvement in the extrajudicial circuit, while the two have already been referred to the Supreme Courts plenary session, facing permanent dismissal. Archimandrite Iakovos Giosakis, who is being remanded in custody for a case of illegal antiques trading in Kythira, also appeared before the court on Wednesday as a suspect for participating in the gang. Furthermore, yesterday, the Supreme Court decided to permanently dismiss three First Instance judges, namely Lenonidas Stathis, Fotini Keledidou and Konstantinos Barberis.

Three Justices Struck Off

Criminal proceedings have been brought against Leoidas Stathis for money laundering and bribery, since 32,000 euros in remittances were discovered in his bank account, which were deposited in a space of a few months by five lawyers who have already been indicted for bribery.

Furthermore, according to the charges, Fotini Keladidou delayed in passing rulings, played in the casino and did not exclude herself, as she should have, from a smuggling case, in which the defendant was a friend of hers and his lawyer was her then husband, who is now diseased. Keladidou will not be able to work in the public sector again.

As opposed to the other two, although the Court said that Konstantinos Barberis was an ethical judge, he was dismissed for inadequate service, as in 2002 he delayed passing rulings in 219 cases. Barberis will continue to work in the public sector as administrative officer.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Three Justices Struck Off

Supreme Court Rules on Justices

[13] Klimentini Makri's Relatives Relieved Obstetrician Avataggelos Found Guilty

By Annita Paschalinou

Upon hearing the ruling of the Three-Member Misdemeanour Court of Appeals for obstetrician Michalis Avataggelos, the relatives of Klimentini Makri cried with relief and applauded. The court found the physician guilty for the death of Klimentini Makri, while giving birth to her third child in December 1999 in Thriasio Hospital. The Court of Appeals imposed a 20-month suspended sentence, despite the fact that he had been acquitted in October, which prompted incidents in court by the disgruntled relatives of the unfortunate woman. Following the then ruling of the First Instance Court, the public prosecutor lodged an appeal.

The Case

When the Three-Member Misdemeanour Court acquitted the obstetrician in October, the relatives of Klimentini Makri reacted violently and as soon as the judges left the courtroom, they attacked the defendant and his family, throwing bottles of water.

The situation was also tense in the Three-Member Misdemeanour Court of Appeals in March, as the physician did not appear in court, but submitted a document, as he was being hospitalised.

The trial was postponed and the court ordered a coroner to examine the doctor.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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