The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] By G. Papandreou Against the Government Full Frontal Attack

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

Speaking at the National Council meeting, President of PASOK George Papandreou made a full frontal attack against the Government. On the occasion of the wrangling in Parliament, Mr Papandreou asked for the removal of Minister of Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis, describing his statements as a national mistake, which were that the country entered the European Monetary Union (EMU) by the deception of the Greek people. The President of PASOK challenged the PM to take a stance on this statement, or else request the Ministers resignation. Referring to the recent report by Eurostat over the recording of defence expenditures, he spoke of alchemies by the Government that led the countrys economy to observation, noting that Greece entered the EMU with its worth, as the Minister of Economy was forced to admit. Mr Papandreou also accused the Prime Minister and the Government for small-scale party practices on the economy, which exposed the country in Europe and trivialised the efforts of the Greek people. Former PM Kostas Simitis was also questioned on Mr Alogoskoufis statement and stated "continuous bad faith leads to limitless nonsense."

Criticism on Inventory, Wiretaps and F16

In his speech, Mr G. Papandreou was extremely critical of the Government and referred to the two important points of PASOKs opposition strategy, in particular the fiscal inventory and the wiretaps.

He described the fiscal inventory anew as a great fraud and "the Trojan Horse of right-wing politics of the Karamanlis Government," the results of which, as he said, was the denigration of the country, expensiveness, small rise in wages and the non-distribution of rises in EKAS and OGA."

Referring to the wiretaps case, he accused the Prime Minster of concealment, challenged him to clearly state if he has told the truth, while he described it as the greatest national scandal of the political changeover.

Mr G. Papandreou also targeted KYSEAs decision on the F16s and asked the Government to answer to two serious questions:

With what criteria did KYSEA decided on the purchase of 30 F16 and with what criteria it decided to cancel the extra 10 F16s?

He also queried if the PM received pressure from partners to purchase European aircrafts and secure the Stability Programme, a programme, which, as he said, no one trusts.

He also referred to the Review of the Constitution, criticising the Government and the Prime Minister on their choice, as well as presenting the way by which PASOK will move during the review procedure.

In closing, referring to municipal and prefectural elections, G. Papandreou voiced his respect to every decision taken by procedures adopted by PASOK and demanded the same respect by all members and officials of the movement and noted that there will be zero tolerance in any attempt to fragment the self-administrative powers of the party. The Minister of State and Government spokesperson Mr Theodoros Roussopoulos answering to the President of PASOK made the following statement: "Before the show is over, Mr Papandreou is throwing the credits in the much-advertised production of the new PASOK. The other way he chose was to project a movie, which everyone has seen before, the Greek people have seen it and memorised every chapter and have rejected it."

"The reaction by the President and PASOK officials is the reaction of a guilty party against the revelation of its guiltiness. Mr Papandreou is not entitled to speak in the name of the Greek people, who the PASOK Government deceived. The political fraud with the 1997-2004 deficits is a work stamped and sealed by PASOK and its officials," stated on his part Minister of Economy Giorgos Alogoskoufis.

Political Countdown

Earlier, PASOK Secretary Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou spoke of the countdown of the political climate, as a result to the exercised government policy.

Moreover, she criticised the Governments work, speaking of two "sad years, two years of retrogression, two lost years," while she described the fiscal inventory as a "great fraud" in which "ND invested all its political bitterness" and spoke of "a criminal act which afflicted the countrys economy."

Moreover, Mrs Xenogiannakopoulou criticised the Government of undermining collective work contracts and accused it of turning one accusation after the other against employees. The proceedings of the National Council are in progress and will be concluded tomorrow.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Wrangling in Parliament

Focus on Municipal Elections

[02] Bottomprints!

By Tina Valaoura

The "Disaster Plan" that two underage Austrian high school students concocted to mount against their school proved disastrous for themselves, after all. Two 15-year-old boys broke into the Linz High School, wreaked havoc and some 2,350-euro damage.

Threats against teachers were scrawled across walls, holes drilled in floors (I am still wondering how they managed to do so), ketchup smeared on desks, gym equipment destroyed and windows smashed. Yet, the final touch was the one that made the difference. Prior to their departure from the "crime scene," they stopped by the Xeroxing machine and photocopied some pretty genuine copies of their bums, which they left on display in the staff office.

As a Greek saying has it, daylight mocks the deeds concocted during the night, however, this isnt always true, since the schools headmaster saw red. He called the police officers, who pieced together the evidence form the "crime" scene, including the bum pictures of the young vandals. By enlarging the pictures they could make out the faces of the underage perpetrators. They delivered them to the headmaster, who recognized them. The teenagers are now charged with destruction of property and dangerous behaviour.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] And Then There was a Micromap Nano-Origami

By Tina Valaoura

Molecular works of art that can direct nanotechnology to new application fields were presented by an American scientist in Pasadena, in the US. Applying the techniques of origami, a traditional form of Japanese art creating complex models by paper, he managed to make two-dimension shapes. The only difference is that instead of paper he used DNA samples. He began by making a triangle, a five-point star, a smiley face and a map of the US.

The main characteristic of the constructions is their size, which does not exceed that of a bacterium, some tens of nanometres. Using a scale of 1:200.000.000.000.000, it is calculated that some 50 billion maps can fit into a water droplet. However, this is the most complicated nano-object ever made in a laboratory.

The story was published by Nature magazine, revealing the artists identity. He is Paul Rothemund from the Technology Institute in California, who stated that he is not satisfied by his work, as due to lack of time he cannot make a world map and noting that the method developed could solve problems on the creation and study of complex nano-machinery.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Nature

[04] SE Europe Cooperation Conference

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET, ANA

The situation in Kosovo dominated discussions between Parliament Speakers in the Senate of Parliament, during the 5th SE European Conference on Cooperation, the presidency of which is taken up by Greece until May. The joint aim of the conference is the good neighborly relations and regional cooperation of countries, as stated by Speaker of Parliament Anna Benaki-Psarouda. The Parliamentary representatives play an important role in the area, noted Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis. She also stated that we can effectively assist to the resolution of the Kosovo conflict, estimating that prospects in the area have never been better. Following, the President of the Republic welcomed the Speakers of Parliament from Turkey, Albania, FYROM, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, Croatia, Serbia-Montenegro and Moldova.

Building of Peace in the Area

Mrs Benaki-Psarouda noted that Greece steadily supports the European prospect of SE European countries, stating the serious role of Parliaments "as authentic expressers of popular will" in the implementation of policies for resolving problems and building peace and prosperity in the area.

"I consider the creation of a Balkan neighborhood, supported by its countries powers, which will decide on the present and future based on the principles of Regional Ownership and Regional Cooperation, as our common vision," noted the Speaker of Parliament, adding that violence or the threat of it does not have a place in the vision.

Moreover, she hailed the decisions of the United Nations for starting negotiations over the future regime of Kosovo and stated her solidarity in every resolution, which will foresee the creation of a democratic and multicultural society in Kosovo.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] In a Guarded Crossing in Skydra Vehicle Train Collision

By Vagelis Theodorou

The attempt of three passengers, onboard a private vehicle, to pass the guarded crossing at Skydra, Edessa, shortly before 5pm on Friday, was fatal. Regardless of the bars being down and the sound/visual and light signs operating, the car attempted to pass the crossing, which resulted in the collision with passenger train 750 en route from Edessa to Thessaloniki. The passengers of the vehicle were trapped in the debris and were recovered dead by the firemen, while the 35 persons onboard the train were unharmed. As per initial information, the dead are youngsters of Albanian descent. The collision was so severe that the train dragged the vehicle along for approximately one kilometre. The passengers of the train were transported to their destinations with the Hellenic Railway Association (OSE) buses.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Shows Start on Monday 20, March Premiere for Prisma+

By Tina Valaoura

The transmission of ERTs first digital channel PRISMA+ starts on Monday 20 March. It will be a television programme for all, airing programmes for 7-hours daily, accessible to the disabled via sign language and subtitles.

The programme begins at 17:00 with a 5-minute news bulletin. Then a childrens programme follows until 18:00. Documentaries are aired from 18:00 to 19:00 and an informative show, "Invitation to All" from 19:00 to 20:00. This is a programme of diverse content and useful information for all, presented by Nikos Lepeniotis and Tenia Papageorgiou. At 20:00 a Greek show is broadcast, while an impressive innovation follows at 21:00. NETs central news bulletin is broadcast by Prisma+ with sign language. Immediately after the news, a film is broadcast for the friends of Prisma+. The weekends programme includes a documentary entitled "Forms and Colours."

Except for the news bulletins, the programme is repeated until the next day at 17:00. During the programme, cards and trailers with information on the next phases of the pilot digital programme, decoders, selecting programmes and every useful information concerning the viewers of Prisma+ are projected.

The programme is broadcast in Attica by UHF Channel 48 from the transmitter on Mt Imittos and from the beginning of April from Parnitha and Aegina. In Thessaloniki, it is transmitted by UHF Channel 48 from the transmitter on Mt Hortiati. Its being transmitted toThessaly from UHF Channel 53 on Mt Pilio is expected as of the end of the coming week. The onset of ERTs second digital programme, Cine+, has been scheduled for April, while Sport+ for May.

Viewers can contact prisma@ert.gr.

Translated by Areti Christou

[07] By his Supporters and Critics Farewell to Milosevic

By Athina Saloustrou

Slobodan Milosevics body is on public display in Belgrade, while his burial will take place on Saturday, however, his family will not attend it. As per top-ranking official of the Socialist Party Milorad Vucelic, it was the controversial statements by the Serbian authorities and especially the threats against Milosevics widow Mirjana Markovic that prompted Milosevics family to decide so. On Friday, hundreds of his supporters paid tribute to their former leader in the Revolution Museum. In the meantime, the interim results of toxicology exams indicated no sign of poisoning stated president of the tribunal Fausto Pocar. "So far no indications of poisoning have been found," stated Judge Fausto Pocar in a Press conference. "I would like to stress that these are provisional results," he added. Moreover Mr Pocar said that no sign of rifampicin was found, which is a strong antibiotic whose use is not advised in combination with heart medicine.

The burial of the former leader will take place in the courtyard of the Milosevic home at Pozarevac, 70km SE of Belgrade. An invitation for a demonstration in the centre of Belgrade, at the spot were the biggest protests were staged against Milosevics regime in the end of the 90s, and at the time of Milosevics burial is circulating in an SMS. "Spring is coming three days early," it reads. "Come to join us to wish all together that Milosevic never happens again. How to recognise us: Balloon. Pass this on." It is thought that the ones behind this initiative are members of student movement Otpor who fought against the Milosevic regime and stepped up his fall in 2000.

In the meantime, a different obituary, lost among the ones composed in the honour of Slobodan Milosevic, was published in Serbias oldest newspaper Politika and reads, "condemn the crimes of the former President and the lives destroyed by his authoritarian regime."

The obituary mentions the Balkan Wars, the massacre of 8,000 Muslims in Srebenica, the tanks in the streets of Belgrade, the Kosovo War. It is published in newspaper Politika accompanied by the picture, which was used for all honorary obituaries.

"We thank you for the lies and thefts, every drop of blood spilled because of you. For the fear and doubt, for the lost generations. For the dreams never fulfilled, for the horror of the wars waged in our names without even asking our opinion. And for all the tribulations you brought to us."

"We will remember the tanks in the streets of Belgrade. The blood on the pavement. We will remember Vukovar. We will remember Knin, Krajina, Serajevo, Srebenica. We will remember Kosovo. We will have even more memories and many lost dreams."

"We remember the killed, the wounded, those who were born to suffer, the refugees. We remember our destroyed lives," read the obituary that was singed by "the citizens of Serbia who will remember."

Local newspaper Dnevnik of Novi Sad published the obituary signed by 20 citizens. "Let those who suffered by the policy implemented by Serbia from 1987 to 2000 rest in peace."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] After the March 28 Knesset Elections Sharon in a Tel Aviv Hospital

By Vivian Papastefanou

Channel 10 of Israel reported that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is likely to be moved to a Tel Aviv hospital. Ariel Sharon has been hospitalised to the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, after suffering a severe stroke. His being moved to the Sheba Medical Centre in Tel Aviv is due after the March 28 Knesset elections, reported Channel 10. Hadassah spokesman Ron Krumer told the AFP that no such decision has been made yet.

It is reminded that the physicians looking after 78-year-old Sharon after his being admitted to Hadassah on January 4 consulted on March 2 their colleagues at the Sheba Medical Centre in Tel Aviv and decided to keep him in Jerusalem.

On March 6, Hadassah Hospital Director Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef said that they consulted several Israeli and foreign experts and no one said that Sharon stands minimal chances to survive, the Hadassah director was quoted as saying, and added that the condition he will be when he comes around is the only issue.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] "Green Light" by the European Parliament Europe Invests in Health

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA

The European Parliament Plenary Session adopted Vice-President of the European Parliament professor Antonis Trakatellis proposal allocating 1.5 billion euros to the EU action plan on health for 2007-2013. During a Press Conference, Mr Trakatellis noted that the investment is huge, yet the real annual cost to burden the European citizens is pretty small, adding that healthcare services cost and their lack means lack of prosperity among the EU Member States. He also claimed that an action plan to fight a possible avian flu pandemic has been compiled. Mr Trakatellis said that Greece is included among the group of EU states that rank above the average when it comes to plans aiming to deal with a pandemic. Mr Trakatellis further underlined that the avian flu problem gives the EU and the Member States the opportunity to act in coordination, boosting the feelings of trust and security among the citizens.

The Plan's Key Objectives

- Protection of citizens from all sources posing a threat to health.

- Underlying health factors, including healthy eating habits, no smoking, and stress-free socio-economic conditions.

- Reduction in morbidity and mortality occurrences in cases of major diseases and injuries.

- Improvement of health care services.

- Exchanges of information on the services and treatments available.

Furthermore, the action plan is placing emphasis on specific courses of action, including the collection of data on the resistance to antibiotics and the plague of hospital infections.

Mr Trakatellis also stressed that the cooperation of the European Commission with both the Member States and international health bodies, including the World Health Organisation, and specialized health centres, like the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, is an imperative so that an exchange of views and health action plans is promoted.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] "Green Light" by the European Parliament Europe Invests in Health

By Despina Hristopoulou

Sources: ANA

The European Parliament Plenary Session adopted Vice-President of the European Parliament professor Antonis Trakatellis proposal allocating 1.5 billion euros to the EU action plan on health for 2007-2013. During a Press Conference, Mr Trakatellis noted that the investment is huge, yet the real annual cost to burden the European citizens is pretty small, adding that healthcare services cost and their lack means lack of prosperity among the EU Member States. He also claimed that an action plan to fight a possible avian flu pandemic has been compiled. Mr Trakatellis said that Greece is included among the group of EU states that rank above the average when it comes to plans aiming to deal with a pandemic. Mr Trakatellis further underlined that the avian flu problem gives the EU and the Member States the opportunity to act in coordination, boosting the feelings of trust and security among the citizens.

The Plan's Key Objectives

- Protection of citizens from all sources posing a threat to health.

- Underlying health factors, including healthy eating habits, no smoking, and stress-free socio-economic conditions.

- Reduction in morbidity and mortality occurrences in cases of major diseases and injuries.

- Improvement of health care services.

- Exchanges of information on the services and treatments available.

Furthermore, the action plan is placing emphasis on specific courses of action, including the collection of data on the resistance to antibiotics and the plague of hospital infections.

Mr Trakatellis also stressed that the cooperation of the European Commission with both the Member States and international health bodies, including the World Health Organisation, and specialized health centres, like the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, is an imperative so that an exchange of views and health action plans is promoted

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] Meeting Between Karamanlis Zagoritis Programme of Actions

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

The programmed actions of New Democracy, in view of conference on Local Self Government, which will take place on 7 April, were discussed by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and ND Central Committee Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis. The conference will designate the political framework, upon which ND will move for the October elections, while, as per sources, the first candidates for municipalities and prefectures capitals will be announced by Easter. As per the above sources, the Prime Ministers tour was also discussed, while Lefteris Zagoritis will start his first tour after his election, from Giannena on 22 March. Mr Zagoritis, upon exiting Maximos Mansion, and following a relevant question over a dissatisfaction in party organisations, stated that the messages that Rigillis Street receives from regional areas are positive, a fact which he has concluded in his contacts with regional organisations, the youth and unionists, as he said.

Upward Course for Agricultural Bank

Earlier, a meeting took place between the Prime Minister and Governor of the Agricultural Bank Dimitris Miliakos, at Maximos Mansion.

"The bank is on an upward course," stated Mr Miliakos, noting "after a successful implementation of the compounded interest law, it is now in the service of citizens, as it maintains the interest rates of grants to farmers at very low levels, and moreover gives high interest rates to deposits."

In closing he stated that the Agricultural Bank contributes with transparency to growth throughout Greece.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Defence Minister Introduced New Chiefs Armed Forces Leadership at Presidential Mansion

Today, Defence Minister Vangelis Meimarakis introduced the new leadership of the Armed Forces, following the decisions of officials, to President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias. Mr Papoulias, whilst giving advices to the new leadership of the Armed Forces, said, "you have to face easy and difficult situations, as we are dealing with a very wayward neighbour." Moreover, he repeated the faith of the State and the Greek people to the Armed Forces. Mr Papoulias asked to be briefed by the Commander of the 4th Army Regiment Lieutenant-General Petros Tsalikidis on the situation in Evros.

The Commander of the 4th Army Regiment stated that the situation is under control, however, describing the damage as the greatest since 1963.

The Minister of Defence repeated that the decisions of the officials were made with criteria of meritocracy and the selection was difficult, as it had to be made within worthy and merited officials.

Moreover, he briefed the President of the Republic that all is set for his flight on a fighter aircraft, just as he requested and officially invited him to visit the Ministry of National Defence and be briefed on the range of the Armed Forces activities.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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