The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-09-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] "Ready to Bear the Burden" All Scenarios Possible

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA

The burning subject of Olympic Airlines was at the focus of todays meeting between the Greek Prime Minister and the president of SYN. Alekos Alavanos repeated his proposals for the formation of an investigative committee and a referendum. As he stated, the aim is to form a truly public enterprise, independent from governmental strategies, which would become profitable and functional. On Tuesday, the Government repeated that the final decisions would be made once all deliberations with interested investors are concluded, while it did not rule out the possibility of the Greek Public Sector participating in the partnership. In the meantime, Kostas Alexakis, the head of the group Olympic Investors, one of the prospective investors for the buyout of OA, arrived in Athens to meet with representatives of the company responsible for OAs privatisation, as well as Economy Ministry officials.

"OA Should not Be Victimised"

The president of SYN also noted that the whole discussion took place at the expense of OA and it focused on settling the companys debts to the country, so that it could enter the EMU, and to Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. He also declared that they are asking OA to become competitive, when at the same time, they are protecting the countrys largest airport from competition, adding, "OA should not be victimised."

Mr Alavanos urged the Government to publicise all the amounts owed by the country to the company, as well as investigate a series of other matters, including supplies.

Furthermore, he stressed that flight security, tourism and growth reasons demand that OA does not lose its public character, while he invited the Government to fight its appeal to the European Court.

Finally, he noted that national security reasons demand that proposals submitted by buyers serving American and Israeli interests should not be accepted.

On the other hand, in statements he made on radio station NET 105.8, Kostas Alexakis said that Olympic Investors is prepared to bear the burden of OA, while he pledged that he would keep the flights to remote islands.

Actions for Salvaging the Company

Meanwhile, all OA workers unions, as well as GSEE representatives, participated in a rally and a meeting yesterday at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport.

Once again, the workers voiced their opposition to the companys closure, asking for a solution that would ensure its operation, as well as their rights. In addition, they decided on staging rallies at airports, in conjunction with a campaign for briefing public opinion.

The Hellenic Association of Travel and Tourist Services declared that it was prepared to contribute towards saving OA and invest in the company.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

All Possibilities Are Open

Public Interest In Mind

[02] As Per a Research in Great Britain Men Diet Better

By Annita Paschalinou

In the race between men and women for a fit physique, it seems that men finish first. A research conducted in Great Britain indicated that men lose more weight, and faster, in relation to women. The organisation Slimming World studied the cases of 120 persons on a diet. As it observed, in a time period of 12 weeks, 91% of men had lost 5% of their weight, a record that only 53% of women achieved. In particular, the men lost nearly eleven kilos, while the women only seven.

Nature On Their Side

How is mens performance in weight loss explained? As per Jacquie Lavin, a Slimming World nutritionist, men have more muscle mass and following can burn calories easier.

Moreover, they do not diet as much as women.

As it is widely know that persons who diet for the first time strictly adhere to the rules.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Time for Russia

By Vasilis Kalpinos

After achieving the first goal, namely advancing to the eight best teams of Europe, all eyes are focusing on Russia, the upcoming opponent that will determine whether the Greek team are to qualify to the final four. Head coach Panagiotis Giannakis and his boys are closely studying the Russians so as to get ready for the decisive match. The Russian team are considered favourite to win a medal, since, apart from their name, they boast grand players, including Kirilenko, Khryapa and Monya.

Scent of NBA

Former USSR remains a grant opponent for every team both in Europe and worldwide. In Europe, Russia conquered the second place in the Eurobasket of 1993 and the third place in 1997 Eurobasket.

The Russian Basketball Team boast some of the best players of the world in their roster, including the teams captain Andrei Kirilenko, who is playing for Utah Jazz in the NBA, and Viktor Khryapa and Sergei Monya, who are also playing in the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, for the Portland Trail Blazers in particular. Savrasenko, Likholitov and Morgunov, who have played for Greek basketball teams in the past, are also included in the teams roster, while their head coach Sergei Babkov has also run his course in the USA, since he was born there, while it is his first time to coach the national basketball team of his country. J.R. Holden Russias American-born point guard, who is familiar to the Greek fans since he has played for AEK, is Russias mastermind. Holden is keen on the offence, therefore the Greeks should be really careful with their defence.

Sergei Babkovs team directly advanced to the quarterfinals. The Russians finished in the first place of Group A benefited by the fact the three teams won the same points. What is left is to see to what extent the Greek team will manage to prevent the Russians from setting the fast pace they are so keen on.

Successes and Roster

Russian National Team

Successes

2nd in 1993 Eurobasket

3rd in 1997 Eurobasket

First Round Results: 2005 Eurobasket

Group A (Vrsac)

Day 1 Russia-Ukraine 86-74

Day 2 Italy-Russia 61-87

Day 3 Russia-Germany 50-51

Roster

Andrei Kirilenko

Viktor Khryapa

Nikita Morgunov

John Robert Holden

Vitali Fridzon

Petr Samoylenko

Alexei Savrasenko

Zakhar Pachoutine

Anton Ponkrashov

Sergei Monya

Andrei Ivanov

Fedor Likholitov

Head Coach: Sergei Babkov

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Greece in Quarter Finals

[04] Reality Show Leads to Suicide

By Annita Paschalinou

A Texan woman is claiming one million compensation from the producers of "Extreme Makeover," for not taking part in the show, despite her meeting the shows key prerequisite. She was ugly! Her crooked teeth, droopy eyes and her boobs that desperately needed silicone plants, made Deleese Williams an ideal candidate for the show that transformed ugly ducklings into divine women. However, the producers of the show dismissed her participation at the last minute, for Williams required a great deal of work to be transformed and the show would not run long enough to achieve that. Mrs Williams sued the producers not only because she lost her lifetime chance to get the looks of Cindy Crawford, but also because her sister committed suicide.

Awful Things

The shows producers dismissed Deleese Williams at the last minute.

Wiliams had been aware of her participation since January 2004, and she had travelled to Los Angeles, so as to see if the plastic surgeries would transform her.

At the same time, as is the case with all the reality shows, a TV crew had gone to Texas to interview her family.

The reporters coaxed Deleeses sister Kellie to say awful things about her looks.

Kellie felt sorry for the awful things she had said and fell to pieces when she found out that her sister would not participate in the show afterall.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] 70-Year-Old Priest Murdered in His Apartment Mystery Murder in Piraeus

By Jenny Charalampidou

A 70-year-old priest was found murdered at 09:00 in Piraeus. The victim is Dimitrios Pikios, who was found dead in his apartment, on 6-8 Evrymedontos Street, by his son, with his feet and hands tied and gagged. The son of the 70-year-old priest was worried since his father, who lived on his own, did not give any signs of life and searched for him, and consequently finding him dead in the hallway. He immediately called the Police, while investigations are conducted over the causes of the murder.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] TEIs Close Down

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET 105.8

Teaching staff at Technological Educational Institutes are proceeding with a 48-hour strike as of today, in view of the discussion in Parliament over the Bill for their upgrading. However, the Athens and Thessaloniki TEIs are operating as normal, with registrations of first-year students and exams taking place undisrupted. In the meantime, on Tuesday, the Education Ministry approved an emergency grant of 50 million euros. Specifically, 35 million euros will be granted to Universities and TEIs, in order to cover fixed and operational expenses, while the other 15 million will cover general educational needs.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Education Grant

[07] Upgraded to Category 3 Rita Gets Upgraded

By Athina Saloustrou

Hurricane Rita, which is now threatening Texas and Louisiana after hitting Cuba and the Florida Keys, has been upgraded to category 3, as announced today by the National Hurricane Centre in Miami. Up until now, the hurricane was a category 2 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, while it is quite possible that it may be upgraded to category 4, the same magnitude as Hurricane Katrina that swept through Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama three weeks ago. Rita is moving towards the Gulf of Mexico and has already forced the US Authorities to evacuate many areas in Louisiana once again. In addition a state of emergency has been declared both in that state as well as Florida, while all domestic flights have been grounded. Thousands of people, who had been forced to abandon their homes due to Hurricane Katrina, are now once again moving to neighbouring Arkansas. At the moment, Hurricane Rita is reaching winds of 185kph and over and is expected to hit Texas by the end of the week, threatening the coastal oil production facilities in the Gulf of Mexico.

Katrina Taught Them a Lesson

The Authorities have already declared a state of emergency in the state of Louisiana. In New Orleans, which is still trying to mend its wounds after Katrinas sweeping blow, the citizens who returned are now preparing to abandon the same city once again. City Mayor Ray Nagin declared that some 500 buses are ready to transfer people to neighbouring states. "Were a lot smarter this time around. Weve learned a lot of hard lessons," he stressed.

With grim news footage of Katrinas assault still fresh in their minds, officials along the Texas Gulf Coast prepare for Rita. An evacuation was ordered for Galveston and several schools in the region planned to cancel classes. About 1,100 Hurricane Katrina evacuees still in Houstons two mass shelters faced another evacuation as the city found itself in Ritas possible path. They were being sent to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.

"The conditions over the central Gulf are much like they were for Katrina," Hurricane Centre deputy director Ed Rappaport told CNN.

Escaped Unharmed

The hurricane passed through Cuba without leaving any victims behind, while Havanas Authorities had evacuated 230,000 residents from the western parts of the country. At 5pm (Greek local time), the eye of the hurricane was located 110km north of the Pinal del Rio coasts, the islands westernmost part, as per a spokesperson of Cubas Meteorological Institute. Domingo Carretero, head of Cuban civil defence, declared that there were no victims, stressing that at least 230,000 people were forced to abandon their homes, 130,000 of whom were living in Havana. At Varadero, a resort 150km east of Havana, some 12,000 tourists were taken to safer locations.

Power cuts were recorded in Havana as of 3am (Greek local time), due to the hurricane, while the civil protection authority ordered citizens to stay away from the streets, as winds were blowing at 100kph. Furthermore, giants 8m waves were hitting the coastal avenues. Hurricane Rita is continuing its destructive path towards the Gulf of Mexico, after having passed south of Florida.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[08] 59 Conflicts from 1990 to 2003 International Day of Peace Today

By Jenny Charalampidou

Sources: UNICEF

The United Nations have declared 21 September as International Day of Peace and non-violence, a challenge to all nations and people that should be to honoured by ceasing hostilities. In his message, Kofi Annan declared, "It is time enough for combatants and political leaders to consider the destruction they are visiting on their people, and on their lands. And it is long enough to look over the barricades, or through the barbed wire, to see if there is another path." Fifty-nine major conflicts have taken place from 1990 to 2003. The majority of their victims have been civilians, women and children, which are living their years of innocence in communities and families that have been destroyed by the consequences of those conflicts.

All Wars Eventually Target the Children

Some 3,600,000 people have been killed in conflicts from 1990 until today; while the saddest part is that almost half of those victims (1,600,000) were children.

Hundreds of thousands of children are participating in armed conflicts as soldiers, are forced to become refugees, suffer abuse and exploitation and are left orphaned or crippled by mines and explosives.

Although a peace day cannot mend the deep wounds left behind in the bodies and souls of millions of children worldwide by wars and hostilities, UNICEF welcomes the opportunity to use this day in order to precipitate all actions leading towards a more peaceful world.

UNICEF's Anti-War Agenda

UNICEF created and is promoting internationally a 10-point agenda, which should be respected by the international community in order to promote peace and protect the children from war and its consequences.

Prevention: The world must no longer wait for the outbreak of hostilities before it pays heed. Much more deliberate effort should be made to address the underlying causes of violence and to invest more resources in mediation and conflict resolution. Girls and women: In the midst of conflict, specific community-based measures are necessary to monitor the situation and needs of girls and women and especially to ensure their security because of the terrible threat they face of sexual violence and rape. Traumatized girls and women urgently need education and counselling. Because in times of conflict womens economic burdens are greater, access to skills training, credit and other resources must be secured. Education, womens rights legislation and actions to strengthen womens decision-making roles in their families and communities are all needed, both before and after conflicts. Child soldiers: UNICEF believes that the minimum age of recruitment into the military should be 18 years. At present, under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, it is 15 years. The change could be achieved through the adoption of an Optional Protocol to the Convention. Beyond that, there is a great need to concentrate on rehabilitating child soldiers to prevent them from drifting into a life of further violence, crime and hopelessness. Land mines: No international law specifically bans the production, use, stockpiling, sale and export of anti-personnel mines. It is now time for such a law. UNICEF joins many other organizations in concluding that this is the only way to stop the endless suffering of children and other civilians. UNICEF will not deal with companies manufacturing or selling land mines. War crimes: Recent years have seen the most barbaric acts of violence against children and other civilians. These must be denounced as they are revealed. International war crimes tribunals must have both the support and the resources to bring perpetrators to justice. Children as zones of peace: This idea should be pursued more vigorously. The gains from establishing such zones may be fragile and temporary. Nevertheless, zones of peace have become an important part of international diplomacycapable of prising open vital areas of humanitarian space in even the darkest conflicts. As such, UNICEF intends to pursue the possibility that zones of peace be raised to a tenet of international humanitarian law. Sanctions: Economic sanctions are imposed on the assumption that the long-term benefits of pressure on errant regimes outweigh the immediate cost to children. This may not be the case. There should be a child impact assessment at the point at which any set of sanctions is applied, and constant monitoring thereafter to gauge impact. Emergency relief: In situations of long-term conflict, aid should be seen as part of a process to help rebuild a societys capacity and promote development. Rehabilitation: A much more deliberate effort needs to be made to demobilize both adult and child soldiers and rebuild communities so as to offer not just respite but also reconciliation. An important part of rehabilitation must be to address the psychosocial damage that children suffer. Education for peace: Disputes may be inevitable, but violence is not. To prevent continued cycles of conflict, education must seek to promote peace and tolerance, not fuel hatred and suspicion.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[09] Between Rival Gangs Lethal Raid in Jail

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA - BBC

The government of Guatemala admitted that it bore responsibly after gunmen raided a youth detention centre, overpowered the unarmed guards, murdered 12 members of a rival gang and beheaded one of the victims. Frank La Rue, the presidential human rights secretary, said that the attacks, which have risen since a truce between gangs known as "Maras" collapsed last month, would have been avoided if the government kept the rivals apart. The attackers were from the Mara Salvatrucha gang and all the dead were from Mara 18.

"Social Cleansing"

The two groups, which grew out of Los Angeles Hispanic youth gangs, have seen explosive growth in impoverished and highly armed Central America since illegal immigrant gang members began to be deported from US jails in the 1990s.

"Members of the different Maras cannot be in the same centre. When that happens it gives the impression that the state is feeding social cleansing," La Rue said.

Social cleansing is a term used in Central America to describe killings, sometimes carried out by security forces, aimed at eliminating suspected criminals or even the poor.

Human rights groups have criticised heavy-handed police crackdowns in Central America, as resembling extermination attempts and ignoring the social problems that feed the gangs

Last month, 36 gang members were killed in simultaneous riots in seven prisons. In a separate attack on Monday, three gang members were killed in another outbreak of prison violence.

Under Guatemalan law, guards at youth prisons cannot carry guns, despite numerous violent attacks.

[10] As per an Iraqi Official Insurgents Penetrate Security Services

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: BBC

National Security Adviser Muwafaq al-Rubaie admitted that insurgents have penetrated Iraqi security service. In an interview to BBC, he stressed that he was not in a position to say just how far the services have been undermined, adding that problems have been recorded in many parts of Iraq. Last July, the US Pentagon had announced that the Iraqi police had been recruiting insurgents. The Iraqi officials confirmation comes two days after the British armys operation to free two British soldiers, who, as was announced, were considered to be in danger.

Violent Incidents

According to a British official, the Iraqi Interior Ministrys order to release the soldiers seems to have been ignored and the soldiers were handed over to a Shia militia group.

The British troops were then the ordered to storm a Basra prison and after confirming that the prisoners were there, they raided a house where they were being held captive.

Violent incidents were recorded outside the police station, when the enraged crowd opposed the British forces.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[11] Greece in Quarter Finals

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

In the first half it took us to paradise. In the second half it took us from paradise straight to hell and back. Regardless of the fluctuations in its performance, the Greek national basketball team earned the victory over Israel with 67-71, and qualified in the eight best teams in Europe. Following, it will face Russia on Thursday, at 18:30 on ERTSAT. A game that can only be described as a final, as well as difficult, which if Greece overcomes can find itself in the four of the event.

Suspenseful End

Armed with an excellent defence, Greece forced the Israelis into many mistakes during the fist half and lead them to very poor attacks.

It is descriptive that the players of Zvika Sherf only scored 6 points in the first ten minutes! Even though Greece was excellent defence-wise, it did not achieve the same in its attacks. Finally, Lazaros Papadopoulos and Nikos Zisis managed to find the route to the hoop, leading Greece to an 8-point difference (14-6) by the end of the first period.

In the second period, Greece made nervous attacks, with Kakiouzis and Papadopoulos missing many shots.

Regardless of the steals, which gave the team more attacks, the players kept the score very low and entered the locker rooms with a mere 25-14.

The Israelis, eying the Greeks misses, powerfully entered in the second half and with constant bombing outside of the 6.25 line, quickly neared the score. This is when the game started getting interesting.

The only reply by Greeces side came from Nikos Zisis, who by scoring 10 points kept Greece ahead. The final 49-41 of the third period gave many hopes to the Israelis, and troubled Panagiotis Giannakis.

The Greek coach ordered for a pressing defence, in order for the Greek players to steal the ball, and surprise the opponents. However, the misses continued, resulting in a low score four minutes before the end of the game.

The game seemed like a thriller until the end, and that is exactly how it went down. With Halperins three-pointer and a one-pointed by Marckovic, 2 ½ minutes before the end, Israel brought the score to 4, the smallest difference in the game.

Nikos Zisis had not had the last word, and carried Greece on his back, winning a foul from Marckovic, 1.50 before the end. Calmly he cleared both shots, and gave Greece a new lead with 6 points (59-53). A new three-pointer by Halperin brought Israel three points behind, and triggered Kakiouzis immediate answer by scoring 62-56.

In the next attack, Marckovic scored, and Sherf called a time-out in a last attempt to overturn the game.

However, Greece showed character and with Zisis passes and a shot by Kakiouzis 20 before the end ensured an 8-point difference (66-58).

Tapiro gave new hopes with a shot, and at the same time winning a foul. After a successful shot, 66-61 gave a dramatic effect to the finale, but with a foul won by Papadopoulos, 7 after the end, placed the tombstone on his opponents hopes. The final 68-61 was scored by the Greek centre-for succeeding in one of the two free shots.

The 10 minutes of the game: 14-6, 25-4, 49-41, 67-61.

Greece: Papaloukas 1, Spanoulis 2, Zisis 23, Fotsis 6, Chatzivrettas, Ntikoudis 2, Tsartsaris, Diamantidis 2, Papadopoulos 19, Kakiouzis 12.

Israel: Hagag 2, Nissim 3, Shason 8, Watson, Marckovic 9, Shelef, Burstein 6, Tapiro 8, Mizrahi 8, Kozikaro, Green 11, Halperin 6.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Passed Away in a Jakarta Hospital 5-Year-Old Girl Dies of Bird Flu

By Jenny Charalampidou

Sources: ANA, Reuters

A five-year-old girl passed away in a hospital in the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, suffering from a disease with similar symptoms to bird flu. The young girl was admitted into hospital on Tuesday with symptoms of extreme pneumonia, which are similar to the symptoms of bird flu. The young girls family confirmed that the child had come into contact with dead chickens. Already, four Indonesians have been confirmed of dying by the virus H5N1, which has cost the lives of 64 persons in Asia, since the end of 2003 and has spread to Russia and Europe.

Emergency Mass Poultry Slaughter

The outbreak of bird flu can be described as an "epidemic," stated Indonesian Health Minister Siti Fadillah Supari. "We can describe the situation as an epidemic. These cases will be repeated if we dont locate the exact source," stated Supari, referring to the cases of the last months in different areas of the Asian city.

On the same issue, the Indonesian Minister of Rural Development, Anton Apriyantono, stated that the Authorities will proceed to a mass poultry slaughter in areas where humans infected by the bird flu have been reported.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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