The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] By the Cabinet Civil Servant Code Approved

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

The new Civil Servant Code, which was approved by the Cabinet and will be immediately implemented, will bring important changes to Public Administration. "It is a product of cooperation and agreement with the Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions (ADEDY) and other relevant bodies," stated Minister for the Interior Prokopis Pavlopoulos following the meeting. The changes concern the new system of evaluating civil servants based on objective and measurable criteria, the freeing of transfers after a demand by employees and favourable regulations for civil servants with family duties.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

New Public Sector Code

[02] Finalised in a Pavlopoulos-ADEDY Meeting New Public Sector Code

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

On Thursday, the new Civil Servant Code was finalised during a meeting between Minister for the Interior Prokopis Pavlopoulos and the Presidencyof the Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions (ADEDY) and is expected to be submitted to Parliament by the end of March. The new Code foresees increased objective criteria for the further promotion of Public Administration members, while as Minister for the Interior stated, the criteria of the verbal interview will only be enforced for selecting members of Director or General Directors positions. ADEDY voiced its disagreement over the composition of administrative advisers (it requested 7-members and not 5-members for a larger representation of unionists), while is also requested the immediate implementation of the Code and the re-evaluation of all members, which were not accepted by the Minister for reasons based on the speedier and better operation of administration as he explained.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] In a GPO Opinion Poll One Unit Lead for ND

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

An opinion poll by GPO presented by television channel MEGA, gave New Democracy and Kostas Karamanlis a lead, as opposed to PASOK and George Papandreou. On voter intention the governing party is on the lead by 1% receiving 35%, PASOK 34%, LAOS 5.2% and Synaspismos 3.2%. Two percent of the persons questioned stated that they would vote for another party, 3.7% blank or invalid and 10.5% did not answer. Mr Karamanlis is considered more suitable as Prime Minister by 47.8%, as opposed to Mr Papandreou by 35.7%. Fifty-five percent of the Greek people voiced a positive opinion on Mr Karamanlis, while on Mr Papandreou the negative opinions are 52.8% and positive 46%.

On the question of what they would vote if there were elections, ND is on the lead by 35% and followed by PASOK 34%, KKE 6.5%, Synaspismos 3.2% and LAOS 5.2%

42.5% positively or quite positively judged the total of the Governments work, while 35.3% the Main Oppositions.

45.3% estimated that the fiscal inventory harmed or quite possibly harmed Greece, however, on the question of which is the Governments most positive work, the inventory and the reformation of the Economy topped answers.

The most negative performance of the Government is reported in the combat of expensiveness, as 24.1% of the citizens believed that the problem has not been solved.

Commenting on the results of the opinion poll on NET 105.8, ND Central Committee Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis noted that the people are voicing their dissatisfaction as they are waiting to see solutions to the problems and accused PASOK of leaving behind a record of public debt, unemployment and expensiveness.

Opinion Poll by NET

An MRB opinion poll was presented in NETs show Proskinio hosted by Giannis Politis. On the question of which is a more suitable government, 39.3% answered surely a ND Government with Kostas Karamanlis as PM, 33.9% surely a PASOK Government with George Papandreou as PM and 24.8% neither.

On the question of whether they will vote for the same party as in 2004, 52.4% answered probably the same and 44.5% probably not.

In relation to the degree of trust to the Prime Minister figure and the leader of the Main Opposition Party for combating economic, foreign and social polity issues, the majority answered that they trust Kostas Karamanlis on economy and George Papandreou on foreign and social policy issues.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Four Dead and 53 Wounded Strong Earthquake in Algeria

By Anna Kourti

Sources: BBC, Reuters, ANA

Four persons were killed and 53 wounded by an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale that shook the eastern province of Bejaia, in the east of Algiers. The previous toll spoke of four dead and 36 injured. The Director of Bejaias Health Service stated that the wounded are not in critical condition. As the radio broadcast approximately thirty houses collapsed. The Authorities sent forces of the Civil Protection and Army to the area. The earthquake was felt throughout the eastern region of the Bejaia, in a radius of 100km, causing panic to the residents.

As per the radio, the earthquake was felt in Kherrata, northeast of Algiers, in Bejaia, while it also struck the areas of Jijel, 360km east of Algiers, and Setif, 300km east of the capital, however, there were no victims.

As per the Algerian Astronomy, Astrophysics and Geophysics Research Centre (CRAAG) the earthquake occurred at 20:44 local time (21:44 Greek time). Its epicentre was located northeast of Kherrata, between Bejaia and Setif. On its part, the US Geological Survey in Denver, Colorado, estimated that the size of the earthquake was 5 on the Richter scale.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] PASOK Steerers Meeting

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET, ANA

The situation in the Mass Media and the relevant draft bill by the Ministry of Transport and Communications are at the focus of the Steering Body of PASOKs Central Committee presided by George Papandreou. The President of PASOK referred to the insecurity of citizens and emphasised the rise in crime. Moreover, Mr Papandreou said that the Government says other things and does others, has no plan and vision while he described the fiscal inventory, banks and the Federation of Greek Industries (FGI) as the "pitfall" of the Governments policy. "Instead of giving solutions, the Prime Minister is hiding in Maximos Mansion, exercising opposition to the opposition, as if he has not assumed power for the previous two years. I called him to exit Maximos Mansion and to look the Greek people straight in the eyes," he concluded.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] On the Tsunami and Muhammad Cartoons Resignation Amid Criticism

Sources: ANA, Reuters

Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds resigned on Tuesday, following the fierce criticism of the previous months over the handlings in the tsunami in Asia and Prophet Muhammad cartoons. The reasons were that the Swedish Authorities did not offer medical aid, repatriation or any other form of assistance to the Swedish citizens stranded in the lands hit by the destruction of the tsunami. Yesterday, Freivalds was targeted once again due to the pressure she exercised to a small party of Swedens far right-wing, the Democrats of Sweden, in order to stop a contest with Muhammad cartoons on their website. "I am saddened by her resignation. She was a capable and active Foreign Minister," stated Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson, whilst announcing that she will be temporarily replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Bo Ringholm. Laila Freivalds was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2003 following the murder of her predecessor Anna Lindt.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Against the Electoral Result Protests in Belarus

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA, Reuters

Alexander Lukashenkos re-election to the Presidency of Belarus triggered fierce reactions. Washington does not accept the results of the Presidential elections in Belarus and spoke of violence and rigging, while threatening Minsk with penalties. The event of imposing a travel ban on Belarusian officials is also examined by the European Union, while on its part Moscow described the elections as legitimate. At night, thousands of supporters of opposition leader Alexander Milinkevich gathered at October Square protesting over the electoral result and demanding that elections be repeated. Milinkevichs supporters camped at the square equipped with food, drinks and blankets, actions reminiscent of the organised "Orange Revolution" in the Ukraine. The opposition demands for an election to take place in July, while its supporters are organising a new all-night protest in the centre of Minsk on Tuesday night. The Belarusian police arrested 20 protesters, as the police described the camping of opposition supporters in October Square after midnight as "a violation of public order."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

ÂÂC: Protesters continue Belarus rally

Related News:

Lukashenko President of Belarus

[08] In Malaysia-Pakistan New H5N1 Cases

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters, ANA

Two new bird flu cases were detected in chickens in the central province of Perak, Malaysia. The virus was detected in live poultry, which had been taken to areas where former cases had been reported, broadcasted the Bernama state news agency. The Agriculture Ministry of Pakistan announced that lab tests showed the existence of the deadly strain for the first time. As per private channel Geo News, the virus was detected in samples taken from poultry at the province of Northwestern Borders at the end of last month. The samples were sent to London, where it was ascertained the poultry were infected with the virus. In western India, four quarantined Indians tested negative to the virus, after developing bird flu-like symptoms. All four of them, including one doctor and a five-year-old girl, live in Zalgaon, Maharashtra. Authorities in Zalgaon proceeded with culling 90,000 poultry in four villages, while houses and yards were disinfected.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] With Messrs Karamanlis, Ries and Christofias Dora Bakoyannis' Contacts

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis met with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis on Tuesday morning. The Ministers trip to the US, as well as the EU Summit Meeting on Thursday and Friday, 23 and 24 March, in Brussels, was at the focus of the meeting. Shortly after, at 14:00, Mrs Bakoyannis will meet with US Ambassador to Greece Mr Charles Ries over the preparation of her trip to the US and her meeting with her US counterpart Condoleeza Rice. At 19:00, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will meet with Speaker of Cypriot Parliament and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Cyprus (AKEL) Dimitris Christofias, who is in Athens, in order for her briefing on the latest developments in the Cypriot conflict.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Energy Issues will be Discussed Russian President in China

By Anna Kourti

Sources: BBC, Reuters, ANA

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit in China with the subject of discussions on commerce issues, particularly the energy policy. Accompanied by a delegation of businessmen and Government officials, Putin is expected to meet President Hu Jintao. Following the end of the meeting, a series of commerce deals will be signed. For Beijing, Putins visit is another opportunity to unfold energy diplomacy and boost the design of a pipeline for oil transport from Siberia. Russian company Gazprom, which holds one-third of natural gas globally, is expected to sign a deal with the main Chinese oil and gas production and distribution company, China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC). Fifteen deals are to be signed in total.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Putin visits China to boost ties

Reuters: Putin brings energy chiefs to China talks

[11] Over the Iranian Nuclear Programme No Agreement Reached

By Anna Kourti

Sources: AFP, ANA

The meeting of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany on Irans nuclear programme ended, at dawn, without reaching an agreement. "There was a lot of common ground between us," stated political Director of the British Foregin Ministry John Sawers. The US, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom and Germany agreed to stop Iran from becoming a military nuclear power. On the other hand, US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns said that more meetings are necessary.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Tested with Success Cruise Missile Launch

By Anna Kourti

Sources: BBC, AFP, ANA

The second test launch of a cruise missile, capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads, was successfully fired in Pakistan on Tuesday. As per a source of the AFP, the mechanism can hit targets in a range of 500 kilometres. President Pervez Musharraf watched the test launch and congratulated the scientific team. Pakistan had fired its first test launch of a Hatf VII Babur missile in August 2005. India and Pakistan proceeded with nuclear missile test launches in 1998 and are frequently testing missiles with nuclear capabilities. Last year they started a normalisation procedure, as they had reached the verge of war in 2002.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Pakistan launches cruise missile

[13] Eighteen Persons Dead Insurgent Attack in Iraq

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters, ANA

Insurgents attacked the headquarters of the police in the Iraqi town of Miqdadiya, north of Baghdad, resulting in 18 persons to lose their lives. As per the police, the insurgents released detainees. The perpetrators, armed with rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and AK-47 assault rifles set fire to the building and attacked the towns courthouse.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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