The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-03-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] With 1,250,000-Euro in Loot Ambush Against Money Transport Van

An adventurous and well-planned armed robbery with some 1,250,000 euros in loot occurred on Friday noon at an Agricultural Bank money transport van in Rethymno.

As per the depositions of the two guards working for "Control" money transport company, a Fiat blocked the road in front of the armored van, while traveling on the Heraklion-Chania road, and the co-driver tried to smash the windshield with a sledgehammer, while the other perpetrators opened fire in the air.

The two guards tried to escape, but the robber jumped in the van, forced them to stay with him and led them to an unknown direction. After driving for some 10km, he tossed the guards off the van, while it was moving, and one of them was injured on the leg as a result. The perpetrators disappeared in the armored van.

The Police have launched a manhunt throughout Crete to locate and arrest them.

[02] AGB at Focus

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

Alternate Government spokesperson Evangelos Antonaros referred to the criminal proceedings the First Instance Prosecutor brought against the AGB for falsely measuring TV ratings. After stressing the case is under investigation, Mr Antonaros underlined that the Governments aim is to establish a non-profit company that will check the accuracy of TV ratings. A relevant proposal has been submitted to all interest parties participating in the dialogue for licensing and concentrating the Media. Mr Antonaros also added, "This proposal aims at solving a problem that remained unsolved for many years."

PASOK requested an in-depth investigation, while SYN President Alekos Alavanos also took a stand on the matter, asking for the company to close down on the grounds of fraud. Furthermore he asked for the exception of the public television from TV ratings so that it can operate as a pilot for quality for all Greeces television channels.

AGB Nielsen Makes Intervention

Nielsen made an intervention in the case voicing its "surprise" and expressing "its confidence in the Greek judiciary system and is certain that the evidence presented will vindicate the claims against the local management team.

"Furthermore given that Greece utilises our standardised proprietary system, we are confident of the transparency and quality of the whole data production system. AGB Nielsen Media Research is a leading global TAM provider and currently operates in more than 28 countries, read the statement.

On its part, the Greek Market and Opinion Research Companies (SEDEA) in an announcement stated that it is watching the latest developments, concerning the criminal proceedings against the company, with great concern. It also noted that TV ratings are a standardised procedure that is conducted in an identical way in all countries, while voicing its support to AGB and its faith to justice. The services of SEDEA (international experience, experts etc) are ready to serve justice so that scientific knowledge on the evaluation of findings is utilised.

[03] Tension in Parliament by a PASOK Question Debate over Wiretaps

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, NET, NET 105.8

Fridays discussion on the occasion of the question posed by five PASOK MPs on the wiretaps case, as per which the Greek National Intelligence Service (NIS) is conducting them with ultra-modern machinery, raised voices in Parliament. Minister of Public Order Byron Polidoras attributed accusations to the Main Opposition, saying that the abilities of NIS are restricted, as its tapping machinery is antiquated. Citing relevant conversations with NIS Director Giannis Korantis, Mr Polidoras said that NIS has an old system of tapping, which cannot record conversations, either by mobile phones or by digital connection landlines.

The Minister of Public Order announced that a law is being prepared over the parliamentary supervision of NISs activities by a bi-party committee of Parliament aimed at modernising and democratically upgrading it.

In an intervention, PASOK Parliamentary spokesperson Miltiadis Papaioannou attributed to Mr Polidoras that "Greece is undefenced" and observed, "during PASOKs rule there were no wiretaps or legal interceptions." He repeated PASOKs criticism over the investigation of the wiretaps case, making insinuations against Prosecutor Mr Dimitris Papagelopoulos for delay in the case "7-8 interrogations of persons within 4 months" and the Government of not consulting the Hellenic Authority for the Information and Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE).

"ADAE had stated that it operated unprepared at the time," answered Mr Polidoras. The President of ADAE said that the Authority convened in its office. The verdicts, if only they were initial, were unfortunately the answers received by the two companies, the police and NIS," he said. "Dont make groundless accusations. The handlings were responsible," said Mr Polidoras.

Actually, ND Parliamentary spokesperson Vasilis Maginas commented on the issue and said, "Maybe things could have been done sooner than those 11 months" and called on PASOK MPs "to keep the conveniences etc of Mr Papagelopoulos to themselves."

Moreover, during the discussion, Mr Polidoras announced that a regulation for recognising an active 5-year service in the Security Bodies was signed and sent to the Ministry of Economy so that it can be integrated in the forthcoming bill on social security issues.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Papariga Criticised ND-PASOK

By Vivian Papastefanou

Speaking on Friday before the employees of the Ethniki Bank Informatics Department, KKE Secretary Aleka Papariga criticised both the Government and PASOK. Mrs Papariga stressed, "ND, PASOK and the EU have long revealed their intentions and despite any excuses, no employee is allowed to have illusions on their politics, the measures they have already taken and the ones they are to take on social security, labour issues, income, everything." The KKE Secretary asked the labour movement to "show its teeth. It takes political and trade unionist awareness," concluded Mrs Papariga.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] 13yo Crushed by Handball Goalpost Fatal Game for Student

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ANA, NET

Playing during lunch break held a tragic end to a 13yo boy in the 12th Gymnasium in Larissa. The boy is Efthimios Baltagiannis, who went into the schools gym and tried to use the handball goalpost as a horizontal bar. The goalpost was not fixed firmly to the floor, but equipped with wheels, resulting in it to turnover by the boys weight and crushing him on the chest. The unfortunate student was immediately taken to hospital where the doctors tried to save him, but he succumbed to his fatal wounding an hour later.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Device Placed in Garbage Can Explosion in Istanbul

By Vicky Keleri

An explosion occurred near a bus stop, in the centre of Istanbul, resulting in one person to lose his life and eleven to be injured. As per initial information, the explosive device was placed in a garbage can, while the organisation Kurdistan Freedom Hawks claimed responsibility. In its announcement the organisation threatened to turn Turkey into hell, if it does not stop the violent clashes between Kurd protesters and the Turkish police, in the southeast of the country.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] "Condoleeza Rice Go Home" Rice Welcomed with Disapproval

By Vicky Keleri

Residents of Blackburn, UK, birthplace and constituency of British Foreign Minister Jack Straw welcomed the US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice with disapproving comments. Among others, the 200 protesters who had gathered at a school, which was visited by the head of US diplomacy, shouted "Shame on you," "Condoleeza Rice go home" and "Enough with the lies." "She destroyed the lives of people in Iraq," stated a female Muslim protestor who wore a traditional headdress. The police developed forces and warned that "any uncalled for action will not be tolerated." On her part, Condoleeza Rice, in joint statements with Straw, stated "Oh, its OK, people have a right to protest and a right to make their views known." "Each individual all over the world has the God-given right to express themselves," she added.

Admitted Tactical Errors

In the meantime, in her statements the US Secretary of State admitted that the US committed "thousands of tactical errors in Iraq."

"I know weve made tactical errors thousands of them, Im sure," stated Rice in her speech in Blackburn, in northeastern Britain, the birthplace and constituency of Jack Straw.

However, she noted that the invasion in Iraq by US and British troops on March 2003 should be judged by its strategic aim, which was the overthrow of Saddam Husseins regime, an aim which was finally achieved.

"But when you look back in history, what will be judged is did you make the right strategic decisions," she said.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Tasty Snack Made of Amyntaio Potatoes

Sources: NET, ANA

The Amyntaio Agricultural Co-operation and Tasty Foods signed a contract for the production and absorption of Amyntaio potatoes. By 2008, local potato producers will have to deliver over 20,000 tonnes of potatoes at a fixed price without worrying if their product will remain unsold. Meanwhile, the company undertook the obligation to provide producers with farming supplies (fertilisers, potato seeds) at low prices. The deal was achieved at the initiative of the Deputy Rural Development and Food Minister, Alexandros Kontos.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[09] For the Children of Kivotos "A Home to Call their Own"

By Vivian Papastefanou

The bases for building a house for the 200 children of Kivotos were laid on Thursday, with the compassion and sensitivity of ERTs viewers and audience, in the telethon organised by the Public Radio and Television. Up to now, 841,895 euros have been collected, while donations are continuing. The final amount will be announced on Monday. ERT, in an announcement, underlined that "it will continue supporting the effort of non-governmental organisation Kivotos until the final materialisation of the project, when altogether we will celebrate the inauguration of the home."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] By Students and Teachers Demonstration Rally over Education

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

Students are decided to continue their collective actions if Article 16 of the Constitution is made an amendment, which allows the operation of private universities. The students staged a demonstration at the gates of the University of Athens and a march towards the Ministry of Education. The Greek Primary Teachers Federation (DOE) also joined in the demonstration and announced a two-hour work stoppage in the last two hours of the morning shift and the first two of the evening. A group of student representatives submitted a petition to the Ministry of Education. At some point, a stir was caused when protesters threw eggs at the police, but with the intervention of other students the spirits calmed down.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

Education Rallies in Greece

[11] To the Criminal Prosecutor Depositions on Blood Transfusion

Sources: NET, ANA

The 38-year-old male blood donor and HIV carrier is expected to give a deposition to Criminal Prosecutor Vasilis Floridis within the day. It is reminded that the mans blood infected a 17-year-old female suffering from thalassemia and a 76-year-old male suffering from a heart condition. On Thursday, Director of the Blood Donation Centre of Hippokration Hospital Leonidas Papagiannis, referring to the incident focused on the lack of molecular examination in the hospital. Furthermore, he stated that given the means of the Blood Donation Centre the best possible was made on the part of examinations. At the same time, the investigation of the Health Inspectors Body is continuing, while the Professor of Haematology Ioannis Klonizakis, who was appointed the preliminary investigation in Hippokration Hospital, resigned.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[12] Police Arrested 25yo Drugs Through the Internet

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: NET, ANA

The Electronic Crimes Task Force of the Attica Security Division announced the arrest of a 25-year-old, son of an advertising company owner, who was selling drugs on the Internet. The police was led to his tracks after locating a direct contact program, through which the arrestee was trafficking narcotic substances mostly to minors.

After extended investigation and a long list of exchanged emails, a police officer managed to meet with the arrestee to allegedly buy 25gr of cocaine.

In the meeting that followed, the young man was arrested while selling 10gr of cocaine for 975 euros.

Police officers, who performed a search at his house, confiscated 34gr of unprocessed cannabis, a PC with six hard drives, a bank deposit book, a credit card and more.

The 25-year-old man has been brought before the Public Prosecutor.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

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