The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis-Alogoskoufis Meeting Satisfactory Course of Economy

After meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis at Maximos Mansion, Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis voiced his optimism over the developments in the Economy. Alogoskoufis said the execution of the budget is satisfactory for the first semester of 2006, while adding the reduction of deficit is on the right track and the aim is to reduce it below 3% by the end of 2006. He also referred to the positive course of reforms and denationalisations, to the implementation of the law on public-private partnerships and to the talks with DEKO (public enterprises and utilities) employees.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[02] Asked for Its Intervention in the Iranian Issue Rice Calls On Security Council

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

As expected, Irans nuclear programme issue topped the agenda of the informal Foreign Ministers Summit Meeting, in Sofia, Bulgaria. In her speech, US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice called on the UN Security Council to be credible and take up action. Mrs Rice said that it is quite unlikely that Iran will conform to international demands related to its nuclear programme; however, she stated that her country always wishes for a diplomatic solution. On his part, German Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier supported direct talks between the US and Iran. The expansion of the Alliance, the course of in-development military operations and Russia-NATO relations will be at the focus of the Summit Meeting. Moreover, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis will meet with her Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul in the context of the informal meeting.

Regarding the situation in Darfur, Mrs Rice claimed that the peace corps of the African Union (UA) are not "powerful" enough as to face the crisis, adding that NATO is ready to help if it is asked to do so. It is noted that NATO has taken up the air transport of Peace Corps in the region; however, its order ends on 31 May.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

NATO Summit to Touch on Iran Issue

Awaiting Decisions

[03] Energy by Private Suppliers

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ANA

Contracts awarded to private energy output plants are to usher in a new era for Greeces energy sector. The three output plants that will be constructed are to play an instrumental part in settling the issue of energy sufficiency. In his statements, Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas spoke of a major development in Economy, growth and energy, and underlined that regulations and transparency will safeguard large-scale investments, which are predicted to exceed 4 billion euros in the energy sector. The first private power output plant is due to operate in 2009, while two tenders for two more plants are to follow in April, 2007. Besides, Greek Public Power Cooperation (PPC) reminded that the decreased domestic invoice will be in force, as is the case every year, from May 1 to October 31, 2006, from 23.00pm to 7.00am.

Tenders for Three Output Plants

The first tender for awarding private output plants of 900MW is a fact. The tender will be announced by the Hellenic Transmission System Operator SA (DESMIE) based on the law that foresees guarantees to private energy output plants for the specific power.

The construction of three output plants will result in investments of 75,000 euros and a final solution to the energy sufficiency issue in southern regions, mainly in Peloponnisos.

The procedure of submitting bids by interested investors will last six months from the announcement of the tender, while the acceptance of the tender and the construction of the plant will begin in 2007.

There will be three tenders for three natural gas output plants, which will be constructed in southern Greece, while the criteria for accepting the tender will be the lowest guaranteed revenue requested by private companies. The tender foresees the highest and lowest bids starting from 75,000 up to 92,000 euros per megawatt and the guarantee is granted for twelve years.

Deputy Minister of Development Anastasios Neratzis underlined the need to assure transparency in the tender, whilst noting that Greece will have new opportunities.

On his part, General Secretary of Development Nikos Stefanou supported the connection of oil prices to PPC invoices and said: "I consider that oil provisions will not be integrated in the coming months, however I agree with the proposal of the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE) over an increase in PPC invoices by the oil price rise."

Related Links:

Development Ministry

[04] At the Focus of the 13th Conference Regional Growth and Decentralisation

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: NET, ANA

The 13th Conference of Regional General Secretaries begun on Thursday in Giannena and will be concluded on Friday. In a Press conference given by Minister for the Interior Prokopis Pavlopoulos, he stressed that regional growth and decentralisation constitute the main priorities of the countrys course and referred to steps taken for the improvement of financial matters of Local Self Governments. Regarding the 42% electoral result, he said that it is a useful institution, which will emerge strong Local Self Governments, while he referred to the quick pace of financing municipalities, in example the works integrated in the Thiseas Programme and the 4th CSF.

"The Government has been consistent to its sayings on Epirus, a region that the previous governments left undeveloped," noted Mr Pavlopoulos and added that the Governments aim is for many works to be constructed.

On his part, Deputy Minister for the Interior Thanasis Nakos announced the distribution of loans to Greek Romas living in temporary quarters.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] Rainy May Day

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Rainfalls and storms are forecast for the coming days. As for the May Day, meteorologists forecast rainfalls in several areas of Greece. Specifically, the weather is worsening as of Friday and strong storms are expected across the country up until May 1. The return of May Days excursionists, as well as that of the Easter holidaymakers, who extended their vacations, is expected to go unhindered, since the Traffic Police has stepped up all necessary measures. As per figures released by the Traffic Police, only 1/3 of the Easter holidaymakers has returned.

Emergency Measures

The Traffic Police has already stepped up measures that will facilitate the return of May Day excursionists:

an additional lane will be given to travellers heading to Athens from the 54thkm to 46thkm, and trucks will not be allowed to head towards Athens from 3pm to 11pm.

Furthermore, the Traffic Police advised travellers to be particularly cautious while returning to Athens, so that the death toll, which was rather high during this years Easter, does not rise any further.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related Links:

Hellenic National Meteorological Service

[06] Of the Government Programme on Education Strict Implementation

Sources: NET-ANA

Following her meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, Education Minister Marietta Giannakou said the Government programme on Education would be strictly implemented. The Minister stressed progress in not accomplished through clashes, which usually aim at leaving things as they are. "The Government has a programme, which will be implemented to the fullest." Asked whether the Government is discussing professors demands, Mrs Giannakou said the Government is dealing with all demands and noted that many of them have been met in the past two years. She also said that 417 million euros were given in 2004 and 2005 to deal with school housing issues. On that matter specifically, she underlined the difficulty does not arise from the lack of funds but the lack of land.

[07] Shielding against Earthquakes Seismographs across Attica

Sources: ΝΕΤ

The Greek Institute of Geodynamics is to draw up a new seismic recording programme to map the active seismic faults in the wider area of Attica. The new programme provides for the creation of new and state-of-the-art stations. The prompt and valid recording of earthquakes has become an absolute imperative, especially in Attica, given the fact that even a minor tremor can activate a seismic fault. So far, six permanent seismic stations have been operating in Thisio, Penteli, Aigina, Salamis, Parnitha and Kitheronas, but do not cover the wider area of Attica.

The new programme, backed by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology, will consist of local hi-tech seismographic networks, capable of being applied to any area exposed to seismic dangers.

Digital seismographs will be installed to areas up to 150km off Athens historical centre, including central Evia, the southern part of Corinth, Desfina, Pyrgi in the Prefecture of Viotia and Diakofto.

The network will include:

- immovable seismographic stations sending off seismic signals directly to the Institute of Geodynamics,

- movable stations equipped with short-term seismographs, as well as proper equipment connecting them to the Institute of Geodynamics via satellite, and

- a model movable unit covering any area experiencing minor tremors.

The seismic data to be collected by all the stations will be processed daily by a central electronic unit in the Institute of Geodynamics.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] NATO Summit to Touch on Iran Issue

Sources: ΝΕΤ- ΝΕΤ 105.8

The informal NATO Foreign Affairs Summit is due to commence Thursday evening in Sofia, Bulgaria, under tight security. Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis will also attend the Summit. Although the Iran nuclear standoff is not included on the agenda, it is expected to be brought up at the dinner the NATO and EU Foreign Ministers will attend at night. Speaking on NET 105.5 on the Iran issue, Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos argued that the Greek Government firmly believes that all diplomatic means must be exhausted.

The Summit will also draw its attention on NATOs enlargement, the course of its military operations, as well as NATO-Russian relations.

On the sidelines of the Summit, the Greek FM is likely to meet her US counterpart anew.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] Between Kadima and Labour Party Coalition Government in Israel

Sources: Reuters

Israeli acting PM Ehud Olmerts Kadima party and centre-left Labour Party led by Amir Peretz announced Thursday they agreed to form a coalition government. Kadima won the March 28 Israeli general elections, but it needs the support of Labour and several other smaller partied to form a government. "Today at 3:30 p.m. the Kadima and Labour negotiating teams will meet to sign a coalition agreement," a Kadima party spokesman was quoted as saying.

[10] Hans Backe Takes the Reigns

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Hans Backe will be the new coach of Panathinaikos. The 54-year-old Swede coach arrived in Athens and agreed to all with shareholder of Panathinaikos FC Giannis Vardinogiannis for a 1+1-year contract. The two men discussed many issues, among which the coachs close associates, while as it seems former players of Panathinaikos Rene Henriksen and Jan Michaelsen, will not be contacted for the positions. The Swedish coach is expected to remain in Greece for the upcoming three-day weekend, so that he can watch the Championship game between Panathinaikos and Egaleo, in OAKA Stadium, on Sunday.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[11] Greek Cup Final on May 10

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Sources: ANA

The Greek Cup Final between Olympiacos and AEK to take place at the Pangritio Stadium was rescheduled for May 10, instead of May 6, as it had been initially announced. The date changed because the 4th European Social Forum will be staging an open demonstration at the Pedion tou Areos, Athens, on May 6, and the Police will not be able to deploy sufficient units to the Pangritio Stadium, where the final will take place. "The Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) decided the Greek Cup Final between Olympiacos and AEK to be held on May 10 at 18.30pm, because Police could not deploy additional police forces before 9/5," read the HFFs announcement.

Translated by Areti Christou

[12] Energy Sector: Race for Time

Sources: NET, BBC

The effort of international powers to ensure a part of the global production of oil and natural gas, at a period when needs are greatly increased and the abilities of covering them remain limited, due to the international pressure, is turning into a race for time. And while the US are trying to limit Europes dependency from Russia, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Russia to keep its commitments to Europe and remain a trustworthy partner in the energy sector, while accepting the reassurances of the Russian President.

Reassurances by V. Putin

Speaking to Russian and German businessmen in Tomsk, Siberia, she voiced the hope that Russia will remain a trustworthy partner in the energy sector, as it has been for the last 40 years. The German concerns were raised by threats made by Gazprom of turning to markets in North America and Asia, if Europe continues to oppose its expansion plans.

"I can say that we listened to all the questions posed by the German side and it listened to all our concerns," said Putin.

The Russian President stressed that the effort of limiting Russian energy in the European market made Russia seek out new markets for its oil and natural gas.

However, defending his countrys credibility he noted that Russia did not stop keeping its commitments to European countries during the Cold War.

In closing, he noted that Russias plans to do not include cuts in energy distribution to Europe.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

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