The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Two Years in Power for ND Cabinet Account

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA

During the Cabinet meeting at 12am, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is expected to give an account of the Governments achievements on the occasion of the two-year anniversary since ND was elected to power. Mr Karamanlis will put emphasis on the reform strategy, while he will ask his minister to precipitate the Governments ventures. He will also reiterate that the Government has surfaced all the problems puzzling the Economy and the society and that it is promoting the necessary policies to combat those problems. He will further set the Governments targets and priorities, pointing out that the necessary reforms for the State and the Economy will continue, and NDs pre-election pledges will be met before the end of the partys term in office. The Prime Minister met with Greek Speaker Anna Psarouda-Benaki on Tuesday morning. On the other hand, PASOK will harshly criticise the last two years of NDs governance. In a Press conference, the partys National Council secretary, Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou, and the secretary of the partys parliamentary team, Dimitris Reppas, will present the "bible of unreliability", containing all the things that the Government has not done in the last 24 months.

Tomorrows ceremony to take place in Parliament to mark the 50-year anniversary since women in Greece were granted the right to vote topped the meeting held between the Prime Minister and the Speaker. Anna Psarouda-Benaki and Mr Karamanlis also discussed the Governments achievements.

On the occasion of the two years in power, Mrs Psarouda-Benaki stated, "In the last two years, the Government launched and proceeded with the reforms at a steady pace," while she added, "It is quite reasonable for the Government to meet hardships and come in for criticism in the middle of its term." She also voiced her optimism that the Government will meet its pre-election pledges.

1.1% Lead for ND

In the meantime, a poll released on Tuesday by Eleftheros Typos daily shows that the ruling party is ahead of PASOK with 1.1%. In particular, the Government gathers 36% as opposed to PASOK with 34.9%. As for the rest of the parties, KKE receives 7.2%, LAOS 4.8%, SYN 3.3%, while the undecided amount to 2.6% of those who participated in the poll.

As per the poll, 58.7% of those asked believe that ND will win the next elections, as opposed to 34.1% who believe that PASOK will emerge victorious.

In the question "Who do you consider more suitable for Prime Minister", Kostas Karamanlis retains his lead over George Papandreou. Mr Karamanlis is ahead by 48.6%, as opposed to 34% for the President of PASOK.

Furthermore, 42.4% of the participants view the Governments work positively or somewhat positively and 56.6% negatively.

In addition, 53.1% of those questioned think that the ND government will fell short of its pre-election pledges, as opposed to 44.8% who think otherwise.

Finally, 40.1% believe that ND can handle Greeces problems more efficiently, compared to 39.1% who favour PASOK.

Commenting on the MRB poll, Mrs Benaki argued that the polls are useful tools, which portray an image at a particular period of time. "Wed better study them [] yet, they are doing their job and we ours," she added.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Athens Heist

By Athina Saloustrou

A Wucknhut van carrying money was attacked on Tuesday morning on 5 Koubari St, in the heart of Athens. An unknown male had laid an ambush outside a bank, waiting for the van carrying money. When the van arrived, one person went off to deliver sacks filled with money to the bank. Upon his coming out, the robber forced him to enter the van. He then drove the van to Zappeion, where his accomplice had been waiting, tied the guards and made away with the sacks of money.

[03] Bad Weather Sets in Weather Turns Nasty

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

The weather is to take a turn for the worse as of today, since a new worsening has been forecast for the following two days. Rainfalls, strong northerly winds and sharp temperature fall are expected as of Wednesday. Snow has been falling in the city of Florina, as well as on several other mountainous regions of central Macedonia, while adverse weather conditions, accompanied with rainfalls and temperature fall have started hindering northern Greece. Overcast and sporadic drizzling make the weather in Thessaloniki, while the temperature plunged to 5 degrees Celsius. Rainfalls and strong northerly winds are also affecting the mountainous regions of central Macedonia. The gusty winds kept ships for the islands of Samos, Chios and Mytilene docked at the port of Pireaus. The rest of the routes from Piraeus, as well as all routes from the port of Rafina, run smoothly.

In the meantime, flights go undisrupted, with only minor delays reported, as the airport security personnel called off the 24-hour strike they had scheduled for Tuesday, because it was rulled illegal. They are due to determine the course of their collective actions within the day.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] From Dora Bakoyannis Message to Ankara

Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis sent a clear message to Ankara, in an interview to Austrian newspaper Die Presse. Ms Bakoyannis described the threat of war, or casus belli, contained in Turkeys military dogma as not a friendly stance compatible with neighbours, adding that such a rationale has no place in a common Europe and Turkey will come to realise that, if it wants to become part of it. At the same time, the FM repeated that Greece supports the neighbouring countrys European course, noting that Turkey has to meet certain conditions, which it has accepted, before accession, such as the Ankara protocol.

In the same interview, Ms Bakoyannis appeared in favour of the European prospects of the western Balkans and the modernisation of the EU. Finally, referring to the issue with Cyprus, she stressed it was important to prepare well for the next effort, while the new plan should be based on UN resolutions and the reality in Europe.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

Die Presse: "Kein Platz fur derlei Logik in EU"

[05] 55 Molotov Cocktails Found in N. Philadelphia

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: NET, NET Radio 105.8

After being notified by a civilian, the Police found fifty-five Molotov cocktails and two smoke bombs at the Nea Philadelhia Park on Monday afternoon. They were dumped in a rubbish bin at the intersection of Ikarias and Miliori streets. Police officers believe the Molotov cocktails were abandoned by young men, who participated in the incidents outside the Olympic Stadium before the Panathinaikos-AEK match. Meanwhile, the Northeast Attica Police Department is looking over the tapes, which TV cameras filmed during the incidents. Many perpetrators are clearly depicted in them and Authorities believe there would be more arrests, apart from the two youth taken before the Public Prosecutor on Monday. At the same time, the Police implied the incidents were premeditated.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[06] They Are Considering Withdrawing their Troops British Pullout from Iraq by 2008

By Athina Saloustrou

Britain is seriously considering withdrawing nearly all its troops from Iraq by mid-2008, based upon a plan scheduled to come into force in the coming months, read Daily Telegraph newspaper, citing a British general. Lieutenant General Nick Houghton, Britains most senior officer in Iraq, argued that Britain has decided the pullout, because it is of the opinion that the British troops can be replaced by some 225,000 Iraqi troopers and police officers who were recently trained to meet this goal. As per the British general, the Washington also views this decision positively, yet it will not meet the same timeline. The first stage of the pullout will be performed in the coming months, as soon as the Iraqi security forces take control of the provinces of Maisan and Mutana. This plan, which enjoys the US armys approval, is still reversible. Nick Houghton added that there may be a need to go back in somewhere and voiced his hope that they will not have to do so.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] Senior Iraqi General Killed

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA, Reuters

A sniper opened fire against Major General Mubdar Hatim Hazya Al-Duleimi, one of the top-ranking officials of the new Iraqi forces, said a US military source. As per police, the commander of the Iraqi force in Bahgdad was shot dead while crossing a quarter of western Baghdad. A US commander in Iraq stated that this fact will not halt the 6th Iraqi Division, which was ran by Al-Duleimi, from carrying out its mission, namely Baghdads security, nor will prevent Iraq from forming a government.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] By "Grey Wolves" in Turkish-Occupied Side Assault against MEPs

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA

Grey Wolves sparked off serious incidents on Monday against MEPs visiting the Turkish-occupied territories of Cyprus. The extremists, led by Serdar Denktas, protested against the meetings between the MEPs and the officials of the puppet state. The rightwing members smashed the windows of the bus carrying the MEPs, while they threw eggs at the so-called Presidential Mansion, where the Speaker was holding a meeting with the members of the European Parliament. The Speaker condemned the incidents and attributed them to isolated individuals. The Premier of the Turkish-occupied side, Ferdi Soyer, who also met with the MEPs, described the incidents as a sad occurrence mounted, as he said, by nationalists who are vying to cause troubles. Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party and Foreign Affairs Minister of the puppet state, abstained from the meetings, because the initial plans that spoke of directs negotiations with the Turkish-Cypriots were altered, he argued.

T. Papadopoulos in Athens

The MEPs were also met with Cypriot Speaker Dimitris Christofia, who explained that it is the continuous military occupation of northern Cyprus by the Turks that has resulted in the so-called isolation of the Turkish-Cyprus community.

In the meantime, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, is due to arrive in Athens on Tuesday afternoon, to hold meetings with the Greek state and political leadership regarding the latest developments on the issue of Cyprus, as they emerged following Mr Papadopoulos talks with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Bank of Greece Staff on Strike

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The Bank of Greece personnel is staging on Tuesday a 24-hour strike, enjoying the support of the Hellenic Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE). The banks employees have gathered outside the banks main branch at Omirou St, in the heart of Athens, protesting over the governing boards decision to unfavourably transfer two of their colleagues.

Translated by Areti Christou

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