The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Snowy Weather throughout Greece Bitter Cold Front

By Vagelis Theodorou

The new wave of extreme weather conditions affecting Greece has created a multitude of problems, as the snowfalls and gusty winds continue. As announced by the Civil Protection Authority, 59 villages remain snowbound, 10 in Achaia and Fthiotida, 5 in Trikala, 4 in Karditsa and 2 Magnisia, while the other 22 are located in Evia, which is cut in two, as it is impossible to travel from the northern to the southern part of the island. The ships have docked in the ports of Piraeus and Rafina due to the strong gusts blowing in the seas, while only closed ships are performing the Argosaronikos routes. In addition, the ferry ports of Kavala-Thasos, Alexandroupoli-Samothraki and Volos-Sporades are closed. Schools in many prefectures remained closed, while snow chains are necessary on many parts of the national and regional road network. Furthermore, the Corinth-Kavala train route was cancelled for Tuesday and Wednesday due to the adverse weather conditions.

Disruptions in Transportations

The Chalkida-Aidispos national highway is closed, as is the case with the Chortiatis-Agios Vasilios regional road and Egnatia Odos, from the VIPE intersession to the border customs house of Kipoi. In addition, trucks over 3.5 tonnes are banned from travelling in the Prefecture of Xanthi.

In the meantime, the roads to Kalavryta, from Patras, Aigio and Diakofto, have been opened; however, snow chains are needed for all vehicles.

In Attica, snow chains are needed in Parnitha, from the cable car upwards, on the roads surrounding Kleistoi Monastery and on the intersection of the Elefsina-Thiva national highway to Vilia, Porto Germeno and Psatha. In addition, snow chains are needed in parts of Fyli, Malakasa, Afidnes, Varibobi and Katsimidi

Furthermore, all cars travelling on the regional and mountainous roads of Grevena, Kastoria, Imathia, Kilkis, northern Chalkidiki, Florina, Kozani and Katerini (apart from the Thessaloniki-Athens National Highway) have to be equipped with snow chains. Those are also necessary for all cars travelling towards the ski resorts 3-5 Pigadia and Seli.

Snow chains are also necessary on the following parts of the national highway: Trikala-Ioannina, Trikala-Arta, Trikala-Grevena and many other parts of the Prefecture of Trikala.

In addition, snow chains are also needed on the island of Mytilene and specifically on the roads: from Kalloni to Petra-Molyvos-Filia, from Agra to Mesotopos, from Karyni to Polychnito, from Kleious to Stypsis and from Lagadas to Plomari and Trygona.

In Crete, the severe rainfalls caused landslides in the Prefecture of Chania. Part of the road surface subsided on the regional road to Keramia, while there are also problems with the traffic flow towards Loulos, Elos and Panagia, as well as the road from Petra to Seli and Omalos.

Domestic and international flights at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport were also disrupted, as many local airports are experiencing problems due to the weather conditions.

Furthermore, due to the extreme conditions on the national and regional railway networks of the Prefectures of Arcadia and Corinth, the following OSE railway routes for Tuesday and Wednesday were cancelled: 420, 421, 422, 423, 424 and 425 (Corinth-Kalamata-Corinth), and 1432, 1432, 1433 and 1434 (Corinth-Nafplio-Corinth), while customers will be served with OSE coaches. Those who have already purchased tickets will be refunded.

Which Schools Will Remain Close

As announced by the relevant authorities, classes in the Prefecture of Grevena will be cancelled.

In the Prefecture of Kozani, kindergartens will be closed, while primary, secondary and high schools will start an hour later.

Fortunately, the problems with the power supply are minimal. The damage reported on the island of Samothraki was repaired, while the problems reported in three villages on the island of Lesvos will be restored on Wednesday. However, problems have also presented themselves in two villages on the island of Kefalonia, the villages on Mt Taygetos, four villages in Halkida, Kapandriti and Varnavas.

As per the meteorologists, the wave of adverse weather conditions is subsiding, whereas bitter cold, heavy snowfalls and gusty winds are forecast to affect the Cyclades and Crete. In the mainland, people should be particularly careful due to the frost.

Related News:

Polar Temperatures

Related Links:

Hellenic National Meteorological Service

Civil Protection Authority

[02] Parliamentary Committee Briefed Wiretapping Case to Parliament

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET

The wiretapping case has been taken to Parliament, as the Ministers of Public Order and Justice, Messrs G. Voulgarakis and A. Papaligouras, briefed the Special Permanent Committee on Institutions and Transparency on the issue. Mr Voulgarakis stressed among others that if the mobile telephony company had not stopped the software from running, then it would be possible to pinpoint the perpetrators exact whereabouts. Meanwhile, deceased Vodafone executive Kostas Tsalikidis fianc&#233;e testified this morning to Public Prosecutor Ioannis Diotis on the case. The fianc&#233;e, with whom Tsalikidis was romantically linked for 8 years, testified for 2 and a half hours and according to information, she estimated the death of her fianc&#233;e is connected to the wiretapping scandal and was not suicide.

Important Briefing on the Case

While briefing the Parliament on the wiretapping case, Mr Voulgarakis said Vodafones CEO Giorgos Koronias had informed on the March 10 meeting of Tsalikidis suicide and the order was to deal with it as a highly serious case. However, investigation showed the death of the 39-year-old was not linked to the wiretapping scandal, argued the Public Order Minister.

Regarding the criticism over the surveillance points, Mr Voulgarakis said these areas came up from Vodafones data, while he made it clear that he called Mr Koronias stance responsible, because he briefed the Prime Minister.

When Mr Voulgarakis said that if the mobile telephony company had not stopped the software from running, then it would be possible to pinpoint the perpetrators' exact whereabouts, ND Honorary President Miltiadis Evert described the CEO as "co-responsible." Lastly, the Public Order Minister revealed that during a meeting with all mobile telephony companies before the Athens Olympics, it was understood that wiretapping mobile phones was not possible, not even for security reasons, because the software of legal listening-in was not in operation.

On his part, Mr Papaligouras said the Hellenic Authority for the Information and Communication Security and Privacy was not informed on the case by decision of Mr Linos, a fact that PASOK Parliamentarian Evangelos Venizelos described as a "misdemeanor and penal offence." Lastly, referring to the suicide case, the Justice Minister underlined some questions remain unanswered and Justice is called on to answer them.

Furthermore, Mr Voulgarakis submitted to Parliament a new list with people whose phones had also been bugged.

Former Greek Police Chief Fotis Nasiakos, current Greek Police Chief Giorgos Aggelakos, Senior Police Official Anastastios Dimoshakis, head of the Olympic Games Security Department Vasilios Konstantinidis, Giorgos Mitropoulos, Anti-Terrorism Squad top-ranking official Dimitris Gallikas, Giorgos Galiatsos, former Anti-Terrorism Squad Chief Stelios Syros, current Anti-Terrorism Squad Chief Efstratios Kyriakidis, as well as the phone the chief of the Greek Intelligence Service had on his car, are the new names released.

Clarifications over the Software

Ericsson, the company that produces the software used by Vodafone, issued an announcement clarifying that two types of software were employed for tapping the phone conversations.

The first one employed legally had been developed by Ericsson and had been installed in Vodafone, yet it was not activated. The second software, which was of unknown origins, namely it had not been developed by Ericsson, had been illegally installed in Vodafones system to activate the legal software and erase the traces of the phone-tapping.

Political Wrangling Continues

The phone-tapping case topped the briefing of the political reporters by government spokesman Thodoros Roussopoulos. Mr Roussopoulos lashed out at PASOK for its criticisms against the judicial workers assigned the case, while, regarding the Parliaments inquiry committee, he clarified that such a committee can only co-exist with the judicial investigation.

Following the meeting of PASOKs Political Council, PASOK leader George Papandreou reiterated that the ministers involved in the wiretapping case should have tendered in their resignations and he also referred to the Prime Ministers personal responsibility.

"The Greek people require the truth, the whole truth. They demand crystal clear answers. The government will have to provide them," underlined Mr Papandreou and further added, "This case is related to the institutions of our state and the fundamental rights of the Greek citizens. Trust in institutions, the implementation of the laws and the protection of civil rights are of outmost importance for us [PASOK]."

Commenting PASOK leaders statements, Mr Roussopoulos claimed that Mr Papandreou "tried to cloud the issues, by declaring PASOKs trust in the institutions. So long as he does not reprimand his partys officials, which attacked Justice, he is not at all convincing."

Lawsuits by Tsalikidis' Family

Tsalikidis fianc&#233;e also said that she had not paid attention to some incidents in the past, but now that they are coming back to her, she is starting to believe that it was not just a simple suicide, a view also shared by Tsalikidis relatives.

The prosecutor also visited the lawyer of Taslikidis family, Themistoklis Sofos, who announced that his clients will be filing a lawsuit against unknown parties for embezzlement and falsification of documents pertaining to the deceaseds emails. In addition, they will subpoena all those who participated in the much-publicised meeting just before the revelation of the wiretappings; a meeting Vodafone denies ever having taken place.

Furthermore, Mr Sofos noted that Tsalikidis family might even request that the body of the 39-year-old be exhumed so that a new post mortem could be performed, as it wishes that the mans name be completely exonerated from any criminal activities; an issue that arose when suspicions were voiced concerning Konstantinos Tsalikidi;s involvement in the wiretaps. Finally, the family will also examine whether any expediencies were served by separating the suicide from the phone tapping case. The deceaseds brother, Panagiotis Tsalikidis, will testify to the Prosecutor on Thursday.

Various Scenarios

Meanwhile, there are various scenarios over the purpose of the wiretaps and who is behind this case.

Press articles spoke of a well-known Greek businessman, who would have major benefits from gathering such information, while other scenarios speak of two Greek businessmen, who channeled this information to local or foreign centres.

There is also mention of information contractors, who used the information for industrial espionage. There is also a possibility Vodafone employees are implicated in the wiretapping ring and used the system's technical abilities for third parties.

According to top Vodafone executives, the "case is closed." At the same time, they stressed the company has no knowledge over the purpose of wiretapping the particular numbers and repeated that law enforcement agencies are investigating the case. Regarding the possible implication of Vodafone employees in the scandal, Vodafone noted that relevant investigations indicated there is no such eventuality and this is why criminal proceedings were brought against unknown parties.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

Week of Developments

[03] Doctors Recommend Second Dose Measles Outbreak

By Vagelis Theodorou

The measles outbreak that has been reported over the last three months in northern Greece prompted the Greek Paediatric Society to sound the alarm. Some 150 measles cases have been recorded in the cities of Thessaloniki, Alexandroupoli and Xanthi, with 100 of them being admitted in Thessalonikis hospital. The Greek Paediatric Society described the cases as isolated and recommended that the paediatricians administer both doses of the vaccine. Scientists explained that the lack of second dose, which should be administered by the age of five, sparked off phenomenon, and suggested the second dose be administered by the age of 3 due to the outbreak. Measles symptoms are mild, yet, parents tend not to pay attention, since they mistake them for allergy.

Pay Attention to the Symptoms

Measles is a contagious respiratory infection caused by a RNA virus. When someone with measles sneezes or coughs, he or she can spread virus droplets through the air and infect others. It usually takes the virus nine to twelve days to run its course.

The symptoms of the infection are high fever lasting for about four to five days, runny nose and full-body rush, which first appears on the head and then spreads down to the feet.

The first vaccine dose should be administered at 15 months, while a second one should be given at the age of two or three, due to this years outbreak. Normally, the second dose is recommended at the age of four or five.

Apart from the vaccination, parents had better make sure their children avoid crowded places.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related Links:

Greek Paediatric Society

[04] For Converting TEEs to Vocational Lyceums Cabinet Approves Education Bill

By Athina Saloustrou

On Tuesday, the Greek Cabinet unanimously approved the Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs bill for converting Technological Vocational Schools (TEEs) to Vocational Lyceums and Technical Schools. As per Education Minister Marietta Giannakou, the new types of Lyceums will be established gradually, starting from the next school year, while the bill in question will soon be submitted to Parliament for ratification. The schools certificates issued by Vocational Lyceums will be equivalent to those issued by General Lyceums, while the graduates will be able participate in the nationwide exams for entering tertiary education. Those already enrolled in TEEs, will continue the studies they are already undertaking until their graduation.

The technical schools will offer two years of studies, while students who successfully complete their first year in a General of Vocational Lyceum will be able to enroll.

The graduates of technical schools will either receive a license to practice their profession or they could continue their studies at Vocational Training Institutes (IEK), but not universities.

Finally, night Vocational Lyceums will also be established, offering four years of study.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Papandreou-Lavrov Meeting

By Vicky Keleri

Sources: NET, ANA

The Greek-Russian bilateral ties, the developments on the issue of Cyprus and the prospects of its being settled in accordance with the UN resolutions, as well as Russias role in the international community and the UN, topped the meeting held between PASOK leader George Papandreou and Russian FM Sergey Lavrov. The talks also centred on the developments in Kosovo and in the Middle East following Hamas victory, energy issues, as well as the Iran nuclear dispute. Upon exiting the meeting, Mr Papandreou praised the close ties the two countries enjoy and added that Mr Lavrov voiced his will to establish much closer relations with Mr Papandreou in the context of his new capacity as the President of the Socialist International, so as to further coordinate their actions.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] The Synod Praised Christodoulos' Statements Dialogue on Separation not Ruled Out

Sources: NET

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece did not rule out discussing the Church-State separation, either. In fact, the members of the Synod praised Archbishop Christodoulos for his decision to go public and openly say under which circumstances the Church of Greece is willing to discuss the issue with the state. The spokesman of the Holy Synod spoke of a crystal clear stance, yet he underlined that the government has not yet brought up the issue. On her part, Education Minister Marietta Giannakou spoke of continuous dialogue and close collaboration between the Church and the state. PASOK parliamentarian Maria Damanakis asked for speeding up the opening the opening of the dialogue.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Christodoulos on Conditional Separation

[07] Kehagioglou: "Unfair Detention"

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET

Remanded-in-custody lawyer Sakis Kehagioglou accused of being involved in the extra-judicial ring authorised his attorney Dimitris Tsovolas to send a letter to Dimitris Paxinos, President of the Athens Bar Association. In his many-paged letter, Mr Kehagioglou requested that the President and the members of the Athens Bar Association take a stand regarding his detention, while, citing a Criminal Proceedings Code article, he described his detention as illegal. He also spoke of libellous attacks journalists and lawyers have been mounted against him and went on to argue that the charges against him lack substantiating evidence. It is noted that Sakis Kehagioglou has been detained for almost a month and a half.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Tension in Arab World Continues Student Arrested for Priest's Murder

By Athina Saloustrou

The Turkish security forces arrested a 16-year-old student as a suspect for the murder of a 61-year-old Catholic priest in Trabzon last Sunday. According to Turkish news agency Anatolia, the young man had in his possession the gun that killed priest Andrea Santoro, while the latter was praying inside a church. The police located and arrested the suspect with the help of a video from the security camera of a shop located next to the Santa Maria Church, where the heinous crime took place. The police used the video to generate a sketch of the suspect, which it later distributed. As per the Turkish news agency, the teenager, whose identity has not been revealed yet, will appear before Justice sometime on Tuesday. Priest Andrea Santoro, who had been living in Turkey for the last five years, was shot twice in the chest on Sunday morning, after the end of service. According to witnesses, the killer screamed "God is great" in Arabic, a fact that led the Turkish Press to link the crime to the latest protests and the escalating tension among Muslims for the printing of cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad in European newspapers. On its part, the Turkish government condemned the murder. However, the Turkish police denied any connection between the two incidents. In addition, some newspapers in Ankara did not rule out the possibility of the teenager being affected by the recent publicity over Mehmet Ali Agca, who had attempted to assassinate Pope John Paul II in Rome in 1981.

At the same time, in Yemen, Sanaas Prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for the editor-in-chief of weekly Al-Huriya, which was forced to suspend circulation after reprinting the controversial drawings. The announcement about the suspension and the arrest of the editor was made on Monday night by a spokesperson of Yemens Information Ministry. Yemens journalists union also placed editor Abdul-Karim Sabra on suspension, because he willingly ignored the rules of journalistic ethics.

Denmark's Travel Directive for Indonesia

Copenhagens Foreign Ministry announced that all Danish nationals should depart Indonesia since they had reliable information that attacks by Muslims fanatics would take place.

Protest marches took place in Indonesia on Monday, with thousands of Muslims voicing their rage for the publication of the drawings.

On the occasion of the attacks against the Danish embassies in Damascus and Beirut, the Foreign Ministry in Copenhagen issued travel directives, urging Danes to avoid trips to 16 Muslim countries, Indonesia, one of the biggest Muslim countries in the world, was added to the list on Tuesday.

Iranian Newspaper to Reward Holocaust Cartoons

In the meantime, Hamshahri, one of the leading Iranian newspapers announced that it was running a cartoon contest depicting scenes from the Holocaust, in response to the appearance of Prophet Muhammads drawings in European newspapers. "The western newspapers printed those cartoons on the pretence on freedom of expression. We will see whether they will practice what they preach and whether they will reprint the cartoons of the Holocaust," said Farid Mortazavi, one of the editors of Hamshahri.

The newspaper also announced that twelve prizes will be given away at the end of the contest, i.e. as many as the drawings printed in Danish daily Jyllands Posten.

As per Rabbi Marvin Hier, the founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre in Los Angeles, the Iranian newspapers intention to run the contest demonstrates that the views of Adolf Hitler remain "alive" in the Islamic societies, since they continue to follow Hitlers recipe, whereby the Jews are responsible for any problems that arise.

Rabbi Hier also described the Muslim ideology as "hypocritical", as it encourages and tolerates drawings and texts against Jews and Christians, but demands respect for the Muslim ideals. However, he admitted that the cartoons published in Denmark were offensive.

"Orchestrated Reactions," Said Fini

Speaking at a RAI television talk show, Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini said that the protests sweeping Muslim countries over the cartoons have been deliberately encouraged by Islamist militants. "The reaction in the Islamic world makes one think that all this subversion is being orchestrated," said Fini, as per the Ansa news agency.

"Someone is deliberately fanning the flames," added the Italian Governments second in command. "I refuse to think that in a country like Syria, the assaults on the embassies werent in some way tolerated, or in any case, not blocked in any convincing manner by the authorities," Fini said. Referring to the protests in Iran, he underlined, "you cant think the regime had nothing to do with it." Fini, leader of the conservative National Alliance party, said he was worried over the extent of non-religious tolerance in the Muslim world.

"The difference between the Western world and some countries in the Middle East is that here, there is a freedom of worship, while in many Arab countries there is not this freedom, and whoever is not Muslim is considered an infidel," went on Fini and added the violence which has led to mobs attacking the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Damascus and violent protests elsewhere, was the result of "widespread cultural fanaticism" in the Middle East. "When there are states, I am thinking of Syria and Iran and, heaven forbid, Palestine, led by groups of extremists, these are the consequences," he concluded.

Australian FM Appealed for Calmness

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer addressed an appeal for calmness, condemning the violent protests against publicising Prophet Muhammads drawings. Downer stressed such reactions are improper and advised citizens to denounce them and remain calm. If some feel offended, he went on, they have the right to protest, but not resort to violence.

The Australian Prime Minister underlined the countrys diplomatic offices in Ramallah, West Bank, have been temporarily closed, as they are housed in the same building with the Danish Embassy.

Downer advised Australian citizens to avoid travelling to Iran, Libya, Syria, Israel and the Palestinian territory. Apart from Queenslands Courier Mail , all other Media in Australia avoided reprinting the cartoons in question, which have triggered the rage of the Islamic world.

Read the story on other sources:

CNN: Fresh rioting in cartoon protests

BBC: Tensions rise in Denmark-Iran row

Related News:

Reactions Escalate

[09] He Praised Iran's Referral to the UN British PM Warns Iran

By Vagelis Theodorou

British Prime Minister Tony Blair sounded warnings to Iran regarding its nuclear programme, pointing out that Irans failure to comply with the recommendations of the international community would be a really huge mistake. He also hailed the decision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to refer Iran to the UN Security Council as an "important first step." He then went on to add that talks must be hold so that further course of action is decided and argued, "Answers wont be easy," ruling out, at the same time, stepping up any military actions. As per the British PM, Iran will make a rather serious mistake if it thinks that the international community is willing to allow it have nuclear weapons. Furthermore, he voiced his contentment over Europe and the USAs vigilance on Tehrans initiatives.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Collective Work Contracts at the Focus Alavanos-OTOE Meeting

By Vagelis Theodorou

After meeting with the leadership of OTOE (Hellenic Federation of Bank Employee Unions), SYN President Alekos Alavanos voiced his support for the struggles of the bank employees concerning their collective work contracts. Mr Alavanos said the Government is "either playing possum or secretly supporting the bankers," adding that the decisions of six banks to forge separate contacts with the bank employee unions "ignores and tramples on the Constitution, which provides for collective work contracts." On his part, OTOE President Dimitris Tsoukalas declared that he briefed Mr Alavanos on the matter and appealed to all employees, as well as the people and the parties, "to unite and provide a collective answer to the attacks against the working world, demonstrating that these kinds of plans by bankers and the Government have to stop." As per Mr Tsoukalas, the Federations board, which decided to proceed with a new 24-hour strike on Friday 17 February, will brief the rest of the federations, while it will decide on further actions on Monday, after meeting with the GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour).

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[11] Alogoskoufis-Monks Meeting European and Greek Labour Relations

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: ANA

On Tuesday, Greek Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis met with the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, John Monks. The discussion focused on the recent developments in labour relations in Europe and Greece. The meeting was also attended by representatives from GSEE (Greek General Confederation of Labour) and ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions).

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[12] Goalless Tie in Volos

By Ilias Papaioannou

In a snowy football pitch that made the game resemble a Bundesliga encounter, the match for the preliminary round of the Greek Football Cup, that was cancelled last week due to the adverse weather conditions, Niki Volou and AEK achieved nothing more than a goalless tie. The second match scheduled for February 22 at the OAKA complex is to determine which team will advance to the next round.

Referee: Polatian (Pella) Yellow Cards: Pliatsikas, Moras

NIKI VOLOS: Dinopoulos, Avramidis, Balafas, Roumeliotis, Tzorbatzakis, Markomihalis, Pavlidis, Koutsogiannis, Ziakas (85 Liolidis), Saitiotis, Stefanov (55 Tsangaris) AEK: Hiotis, Moras, Dellas, Pliatsikas (77 Kyriakidis), Georgeas, Chanko (70 Ivic), Emerson, Julio Cezar (42 Soares), Venglinskyi, Kapetanos, Tziortzopoulos

[13] Successive Meetings and Discussions Spanish FM in Athens

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET - ANA

The successive meetings held by Spanish FM Miguel Angel Moratinos in Athens focused on matters of European interest. Mr Moratinos met with the President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias and Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis, while he then held discussions with his Greek counterpart, Petros Molyviatis, and Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis. Messrs Moratinos and Molyviatis pointed out the need to revive the ratification process for the European Constitution, while they discussed matters relating to bilateral relations, the Balkans, Kosovo, and the situation in the Middle East following Hamas victory in the Palestinian elections. The meeting with Giorgos Alogoskoufis focused on investment matters, while Mr Moratinos, who was accompanied by a business delegation, said that 15 Spanish companies presented their problems and difficulties to the Greek Economy Minister. He also noted that the Spanish government proposed to companies to invest in the Greek market, while he voiced the belief that more Greek investments could take place in Spain and more Greek products could be imported.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[14] From 11am to 4pm No Buses in Attica on Wednesday

Buses in Attica will not run from 11am to 4pm on Wednesday. During that time, the employees will participate in their annual general meeting, so all buses will remain in the bus depots.

Related Links:

OASA

[15] As of Wednesday Noon and for Three Days Ano Liossia Refuse Dump Sealed

By Vagelis Theodorou

The Ano Liossia Hygienic Refuse Burial Area will close down for three days as of Wednesday at 12, by decision of the prefectures steering committee, made up of Western Attica Prefect Aristidis Arkoudaris and local mayors. In addition, local officials and residents will stage a protest rally outside the refuse dump on Wednesday at 4pm. In a Press conference given by Ano Liossia Mayor Vangelis Christofilakis (who replaced Mr Papadimas after the latter resigned two months ago for heath reasons), asked for the ruling of the Supreme Administrative Court for 500 tonnes of rubbish to be deposited daily, instead of the 6,000 tonnes deposited currently, to be implemented. At the same time, he noted that the local municipal council, which will hold an emergency meeting today for the matter, decided not to accept any more sewage sludge, or the expansion of the refuse dump and the creation of a temporary one in Fyli, while it asked that the refuse damp be moved from Ano Liossia and the area to be environmentally landscaped.

Ministry's Response

Answering to Mr Christofilakis, the Ministry for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works accused him of telling "brazen and conscious" lies when he said that one of the reasons the refuse dump was closing was so that no more sewage sludge is transferred there.

"The Mayor, as well as everyone else, knows very well that not even a drop of sewage sludge has been transferred to the Ano Liossia Hygienic Refuse Burial Area since September 2005. It stopped being transferred on 1 September 2005 and started being deposited in bulk, while the land application process stopped on 27 September 2005," was mentioned in the Ministrys announcement.

In a recent interview, ESDKNA (Association of Attica Municipal and Local Authorities) President G. Mastorakos and the refuse dump employees union President, G. Chardas, sounded the alarm, pointing out that the Ano Liossia Hygienic Refuse Burial Area does not have more than a months lifespan, due to the great quantity of rubbish dumped there daily.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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