The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-05-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] To Arrestees in Saturday's Incidents Serious Accusations

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

On Sunday, Prosecutor Ioannis Diotis brought criminal proceedings against 17 persons, charged with four felonies and six misdemeanours, who were arrested in Saturdays incidents during the massive anti-war march of the 4th European Social Forum, in Athens. The charges concern criminal explosives, arson and robbery, resisting authority, vandalism, grievous bodily harm, and illegal weapons use. Among the persons are a minor and a Ukrainian. The arrestees were taken to a Regular Examiner and testified. More arrests are expected after an examination of visual material recorded by the police helicopter and the CCTV circuits. Ten stores were damaged on Ermou Street, two banks on Alexandras Avenue while a police car was totally destroyed. Moreover, five policemen and five civilians were wounded. The Greek Social Forum issued a harsh announcement over the incidents.

Forum Proceedings Concluded

At the same time, the organisers of the 4th European Social Forum renewed their date to a year and a half from now, whilst concluding proceedings at the former Elliniko Airport at noon.

They all voiced their satisfaction for the massive, as they described it, participation in the proceedings and Saturdays anti-war march.

The crowds sent out a message of reconciliation, peace, cooperation, protection of human rights and resolution of the Iranian crises through diplomacy.

Moreover, the declaration of the participants in the 4th European Social Forum opposes every effort of bringing back the rejected Constitutional Treaty for Europe.

"We are fighting for a different Europe; more feminist, ecological. An open Europe of peace, social justice, viable growth, sufficiency in provisions, solidarity, with respect to the rights of minorities and the self-determination of the people," read the declaration.

Related News:

Forum's Proceedings to End

Anti-War Message

[02] Forum's Proceedings to End

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

The meeting of the several peace and environmental groups that assembled in Athens on the occasion of the 4th European Social Forum will conclude Sunday the Forums proceedings. The meeting will be held at the venue of the former Athens airport. In the meantime, the 17 rioters, who got arrested during the clashes that marred Saturdays anti-war march, were taken to a prosecutor. During the incidents sparked off by groups of hooded youths, five police officers and five civilians were injured, a police car was torched and several shops and banks were damaged.

Related News:

Anti-War Message

[03] For Unemployed Over 50 Years of Age Solidarity Benefit

Sources: NET, NET 105.8

The Government is investigating protective measures for the unemployed coming from regions affected by deindustrialisation and diminishing sectors. The Ministries of Economy and Employment are investigating the distribution of a solidarity benefit to persons who have been dismissed and over 50 years of age, until they find a job or retire. The sum is calculated to reach the levels of pensions. The final proposals are expected to be taken following the dialogue with social bodies and parties. The amendment for the unemployed from Naoussa will be discussed on Tuesday, at Parliament. PASOK will submit its own amendment for the reinforcement of regions affected by unemployment.

Social Security Dialogue Starts

In the meantime, on Wednesday, Parliaments Economic and Social Committee will officially start the discussion on the social security issue, so that the problem of social insurance is examined and for parties and social bodies to position themselves.

In an interview to Sundays edition of Vradini, the Minister of Economy said that no one has the right to refuse his participation, stating that everyone should voice their views based on real facts.

[04] Vlassis Maras Earned Gold

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Sources: ANA

Following an exceptional performance, Vlassis Maras earned the gold medal at the horizontal bar in the final of the individual artistic at the 27th Seniors/Juniors European Gymnastics Championships, which concluded in Volos, Greece. Maras win equalised an old record held by West-German Eberhard Geinger, who had earned the title on the horizontal bar three times (Grenoble 1973, Vern 1975, Rome 1981). Similarly, Maras earned first place in Patras 2002, Ljubljana 2004 and Volos 2006. It is worth noting that all the athletes, who ranked from 4th place and below, fell. Russian Khorokhordin earned second place and Swiss Schaerer third.

[05] Over Iran's Nuclear Programme Diplomatic Marathon

Sources: NET, ANA, Reuters

Diplomatic proceedings on Irans nuclear programme are entering the most crucial phase. The US are hoping that common ground will be found with China and Russia in the meeting of the five permanent members of the Security Council on Monday, so that an unanimous condemning ruling be made on the Plenary Session meeting on Tuesday. Tehran is not backing down and announcing that it will not suspend its nuclear programme, while threatening of withdrawing from the Non-Proliferation Treaty. At the same time, George W. Bush called on the international community to take the Iranian Presidents threats against Israel seriously.

[06] "Electoral Procedures a Celebration of Democracy" Preliminary Elections

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA

In Megara, George Papandreou described the procedure of preliminary elections, taking place in 17 Greek municipalities, as a celebration of democracy and democratic institutions. Mr Papandreou said that the procedure gives power to local communities and added that PASOK sends the message of implementing reforms needed by the country. Mr Papandreou called on the members and friends of PASOK united to proceed to the electoral battle of Local Self Government, while stating that PASOK is fulfilling its promises for an open and Democratic Party, as opposed to ND which says one thing and does another. As the same time, the political debates over the PASOK candidacy of Muslim G&#252;lbeyaz Karahasan in Xanthi-Kavala-Komotini Prefectures continue.

Debates over Karahasan

Answering to the President of PASOKs criticism of Minister of Macedonia-Thrace over segregations and keeping files, Mr Kalantzis noted:

"The issue is over as Mr Papandreou has made his choice. The final judge will be the people of Drama, Kavala and Xanthi. The result will judge the ones who took positions. We are waiting for the result, as it will be overwhelmingly against the ballot designated by Mr Papandreou, and then the time will come for him to give explanations on his choice."

In his Sunday sermon, Thessaloniki Metropolitan Bishop Mr Anthimos commented on PASOKs support to Mrs Karahasan.

"I do not want to take a position on this issue. I cannot tolerate it, but as it is a political issue I will say only this: its correctness as an action will be proven by the electoral body of the region."

In Thessaloniki, LAOS President Giorgos Karatzaferis commented on the Karahasan candidacy, noting that sooner or later George Papandreou will recognise his mistake.

High-ranking PASOK officials defended the candidacy of the Muslim lawyer.

"All Greek women and Greek men, regardless of their religion, have equal rights and have to actively and equally contribute to the political life of the country. I wonder why some persons are creating an issue, especially without knowing the regions facts," said PASOK MP Evangelos Venizelos, while referring to the response by Thessaloniki Metropolitan Bishop said that the Church should be involved in its own matters, which are very important.

Akis Tsochatzopoulos statements were along the same lines, stating that regardless of the sensitivities and reactions, the right of a political party to make choices should be accepted, which actively establish its values and principles.

Member of PASOKs Political Council Thanasis Tsouras described the reactions as shameful, adding "the right-wing has once again remembered its old self of categorising Greeks."

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

G. Papandreou Answered Back

[07] Regional Growth and Training

Sources: ΝΕΤ

While inaugurating the Regional Training Institute of Civil Workers in the Ionian Islands housed on Corfu, Greek Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos reiterated the Governments decision to favour decentralisation and training programmes for civil workers. Mr Pavlopoulos referred to the Ministrys general planning with regard to regional growth.

[08] For the Celebrations of the End of WWII Karolos Papoulias in Ioaninna

Sources: ANA

On 9 May, President of the Greek Republic Karolos Papoulias will attend celebrations organised by Ioanninas Local Self Government for the end of WWII at Chani, Delvinaki. The war memorial is dedicated to the fallen soldiers of WWII in the Italian invasion, the German occupation and the National Resistance. The Municipality of Delvinaki is aiming to create a museum of exhibits from the specific historic period, while it also intends to establish Delvinaki as a nationwide celebration region on 9 May. Following the celebration, Mr Papoulias will visit Delvinaki Town Hall and will be honoured by the Local Authority for his contribution to the National Resistance, while he will receive the freedom of the town.

[09] Search for Greek Shipwreck Halted

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA, ΝΕΤ

The search to locate the 26 missing sailors of the Greek-owned merchant ship Alexandros T, which sank late on Wednesday off the coast of South Africa, was halted. The ships captain and the 25 crewmembers are feared to have fallen into the sea off Port Elizabeth. Rescue teams found several empty lifeboats. Seven of the 33 crewmembers were recovered alive. The last sailor to be rescued was located Thursday on a lifeboat. As per Sapa news agency, officials stated that the search was halted on Saturday and that only if new information on survivors of lifeboats emerge will it resume.

Translated by Areti Christou

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Greek Shipwreck

[10] In the Region of Valjevo Operation for Mladic's Arrest

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: NET, ANA, Reuters

As of Sunday noon, an operation by the Serbian Army and police is underway in the region of Valjevo, southeast of Belgrade, for locating and arresting Serb-Bosnian General Ratko Mladic. The police operation is taking place in both regional areas and the town and joined by police helicopters. It is reminded that accession discussions for Serbia in the European Union were suspended, due to the fact that Belgrade did not proceed with investigations for the arrest and surrender of Mladic to The Hague Tribunal. The event had caused a political crisis in Serbia, as Vice President of the Serbian Government Miroljub Labus, leader of the second biggest party in the coalition, resigned and accused the Kostunica government of "betrayal of the Serbian people."

Earlier on Sunday, President of Serbia and leader of opposition Democratic Party Boris Tadic voiced the expectation that the Serbian Government will fulfill its last commitment to The Hagues International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and deliver Ratko Mladic by 10 May.

Moreover, he accused the Kostunica Government of being responsible for the failure of fulfilling its commitment to international justice, adding that this event threatens the future of the countrys citizens.

[11] Signed Between Greece and Egypt Cooperation Memorandum

Sources: NET, ANA

During Mr Sioufas official visit to Egypt, a memorandum of cooperation in the sectors of energy, natural gas and oil was signed by the Greek Minister of Development and his Egyptian counterpart. Mr Sioufas stressed that the two countries are expecting a lot from this cooperation and that Greece is turning into a natural gas channel, of other production countries of the wider region, towards big European consumption centres.

Moreover, Mr Sioufas stated that following the visit of the Greek President of the Republic, Karolos Papoulias, and Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis in Egypt, the signing of the memorandum confirms the will of the two countries to strengthen the existing excellent traditional relations.

In closing, he congratulated the Egyptian Government for the construction and operation of Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Related News:

Greek Development Minister in Egypt

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