The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Koronias Provides Details New Evidence to Prosecutor

Much interest has arisen for the wiretapping case details being provided at the moment by Vodafone CEO Giorgos Koronias to the Hellenic Authority for Information and Communication Security and Privacy. Furthermore, the testimony of Panagiotis Tsalikidis, the brother of the Vodafone executive that committed suicide, to Prosecutor Ioannis Diotis is considered extremely crucial, as he submitted a notebook-diary written by Kostas Tsalikidis. The diary refers to technical matters, while the phase "Something is wrong", written in English, also appears in it. Panagiotis Tsilikidis found the diary in his brothers house on Saturday, after performing a thorough check. At the same time, the prosecutors are reviewing the last email sent by Kostas Tsalikidis to his colleagues at Vodafone, just hours before his death. In the meantime, weekly newspaper Pontiki printed the content of the report on the wiretapping case, which had been sent by the Vodafone CEO to the head of the First Instance Prosecutions, Dimitris Papangelopoulos, in March 2005.

Koronias' Memo Made Public

According to the report sent to the Prosecutor, Giorgos Koronias was first briefed on a possible problem in the companys network on 4 March. Three days later, Ericsson confirmed the existence of illegal software. Then, Koronias gave an order for the software to be removed and copies to be made, without, however, notifying any judicial or state authorities. On 10 March, Ericsson received a written technical report on the incident. The memo makes no mention of Kostas Tsalikidis suicide.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Koronias' Report

[02] For European Media EU Code of Conduct for Religious Affairs

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters - ÁNA

The European Union will probably proceed with drawing up a code of conduct in an effort to avoid a repeat of the recent uproar similar over the publication of Prophet Mohammads caricatures. Specifically, in an interview to the Daily Telegraph, Franco Frattini, the European Union commissioner for justice, freedom and security, declared that Brussels will compile a code that would encourage the Media to demonstrate "prudence" when reporting religious affairs. "The Press will give the Muslim world the message: We are aware of the consequences of exercising the right of free expression," Frattini told the paper, while he added, "We can and we are ready to self-regulate that right." In the meantime, on Thursday, Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, which was the first to print the 12 controversial cartoons depicting Prophet Mohammad, thus enraging the people of Islam and triggering violent anti-Western demonstrations, apologised to the Muslims.

No Privileged Status

The proposal by Frattini, who has served as Italys Foreign Ministry in the past, would urge the media to respect all religious sensibilities, but would not offer privileged status to any one faith.

He also noted that the code would not have legal status and would be drawn up by the European Commission, the EU executive body and European media outlets.

Apology

In a letter, which appears in Algerian newspaper, the editor-in-chief of Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten stressed that it apologised for the great misunderstanding that arose from the publication of Prophet Mohammads caricatures, which triggered hostile feelings toward Denmark.

Jyllands-Posten editor-in-chief Carsten Juste also wrote that they had not realised the huge sensitivity of the Muslims living in Denmark, as well as the rest of the Muslims around the world, to this problem.

The Danish newspaper had also apologised for the publication of the cartoons in a letter it had sent on 30 January to Jordanian news agency Petra.

Read the story on other sources:

Daily Telegraph: EU commissioner urges European press code on religion

Related News:

Global Plea for Calm

[03] Weather Problems Reinstated

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ANA

The problems created by the recent wave of bad weather in Greece are getting reinstated. In Attica, the central roads leading toward the NE are open, although the frost on some parts makes driving hazardous. The schools in Anoixi, Afidnes, Varnavas, Dionysos, Kapandriti, Polydendri, Kryoneri, Rodopoili and Stamata, as well as the primary schools in the Municipality of Avlonas, will remain closed due to the frost. In addition the private schools Arsakeio and Tositsio in Anoixi will also remain closed. In Thessaloniki, there are no problems with the traffic flow on any of the roads of the Prefecture; however, the Chortiatis-Agios Vasilios intersection is closed because of the frost. In addition, the citys port and Macedonia Airport are open. Furthermore, all roads in the Prefectures of Chalkidiki, Kilkis, Pella, Katerini and Pieria are open. The schools will operate as normal in Kozani, but the primary schools in the Prefectures of Florina and Grevena will remain closed, while the high schools will open an hour late. This is also the case with all the schools in Kastoria. Finally, the power is gradually restored in Varnavas, as well as parts of Lesvos, Samothraki and Evia.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Bad Weather Subsides

[04] Eight Killed Bloody Attack against Worshippers

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters

At least eight people were killed and many were injured in a blast and a subsequent exchange of fire during a Shiite religious ceremony in NW Pakistan on Thursday morning. The explosion occurred in the town of Hangu, during a procession to mark Ashura, the Shiite mourning month of Prophet Mohammads grandson, Imam Hussein, an event that led to the split between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. It should be noted that the Ashura holiday has been a target of attacks against the Shiite minority several times in the past.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Worshippers die in Pakistan blast

CNN: Bomb hits Shiites in Pakistan

[05] Raging Fires in South California

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

The fires in Orange Country, South California, are fanning out of control, while some 1,700 hectares of land have turned to ashes. The firefighters are giving a battle to bring the fire fronts under control, while their task is hindered by the high temperatures and the gusty winds in the area. Fire Department officials declared that the biggest fire front is burning in the Cleveland National Forest, east of Anaheim, where Disneyland is located. They believe that this fire might have been ignited by arsonists and spread quickly with the help of the winds. Some 900 firefighters, with dozens of fire engines, five helicopters and six firefighting planes are trying to put out the fires. However, they managed to control another fire that had broken out in a forested area close to Malibu, the suburb of many celebrities.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

Monsters and critics: Crews battle fires in southern California hills

[06] Immediate Evacuation False Alarm at the Capitol

The evacuation of Washingtons Russell building, which houses senators offices, was due to a false alarm. A suspected nerve agent had set off an alarm earlier. The police intervened immediately and the approximately 200 people who were in the building at the time were transferred to an underground garage, while tents were put up to provide first aid in case of infection. The authorities performed three tests, but only the first one turned up positive. According to information, the security systems in all government buildings after the 9/11 attacks are very sensitive, while it is quite possible that the alarm may have been set off by the chlorine used by the cleaning crews. A police spokesperson declared that no threatening calls had been placed, while the search did not reveal any suspect packages inside the building. Moreover, as per CNN reporters, false alarms are quite frequent in the area, so the incident was handled calmly.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] To House of Representatives Intelligence Committee White House's Details on Eavesdropping

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and deputy US intelligence chief Michael Hayden briefed the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee for the first time on operational details of the National Security Agency programme that has raised an outcry among Democrats and Republicans.

A White House spokeswoman said the same officials would also provide details to the Senate intelligence committee. "We gave committee members some additional information without violating the principle that we had set forth, which is to limit a briefing on the full programme," clarified White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

At the same time, lawmakers said they hoped the three-hour, closed-door House briefing would lead to increased congressional oversight of the NSA programme. "The ice is thawing. The administration sees that its better to work with Congress on this issue," noted Democrat Representative Jane Harman of California.

But in the Senate, Democrats and Republicans continued to question George Bushs legal authority and called for a full inquiry.

On the other hand, the administration claims the programme is authorised by Bushs Constitutional powers as commander-in-chief and by a congressional authorisation for the use of military force passed in the days following the 9/ 11 attacks.

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