The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-05-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] She Referred to all Current Affairs Bakoyannis' Interview with NET

Sources: ΝΕτ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis gave a full-scale interview with NETs show "Proti Grammi" (Front Line). Bakoyannis referred to Irans standoff, Turkeys European prospects, PASOKs pick for the Drama-Xanthi-Kavala Prefecture, the social security issue, as well as matters relating to transparency and management of public revenues.

As for Irans standoff, the Greek foreign policys objective is the shaping of a joint stance across Europe, Dora Bakoyannis told NET, clarifying that Greece champions a diplomatic solution and not military actions.

When questioned on the Greek-Turkish relations, she reiterated Greeces long-established stance, which champions Turkeys European prospects, clarifying that such a prospect is to the benefit of Greece. With regard to the Ecumenical Patriarchate crisis, she noted that it does not only concern Greece, but also the millions of Orthodox Christians around the world.

On Karahasans nomination for the Drama-Xanthi-Kavala Prefecture, she termed it as a positive symbolic move that will be politically judged at the local elections. "The Greek Muslims are a distinguished part of our society. Religious beliefs should never be a reason for political differentiation," she added. Commenting on the criticism the issue has brought up, she made it clear that Greek PMs have their own stances and opinions and dismissed political misery.

With regard to transparency and management of public revenues, Ms Bakoyannis underlined that the Government is in the middle of a huge drive, which may not have yielded the desirable results.

Concerning the social security, she argued that any changes mounted will not affect those who have earned their pension rights, but the new ones who will be entering the workforce in the years to come.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] "Judgment Day" at Pangritio

By Ilias Papaioannou

Sources: ANA

With the trophy of the Greek Football Cup at the backdrop, Olympiacos and AEK are battling for this years Cup at the Pangritio Stadium, Herakleion. Compared to the numerous encounters between the two teams, Wednesdays final, which starts at 18:30pm and will be broadcast live by NET television station, is to have its own colour, since there are always surprises. Olympiacos, who will be playing without Rivaldo in their roster, are aiming to score yet another double. AEK, on the other hand, see this title as a present to their Portuguese coach, as well as the best way to finish off this years season. The history of the encounters between the two teams in the Greek Football Cup is coloured in yellow and black (AEKs colours), as in a total of four Cup finals between the two, AEK counts three victories, as opposed to one for Olympiacos. It is noted that it has been 53 years since the last time Olympiacos won AEK in a Cup final.

[03] By Iran and the UN Diplomatic Moves over Iran

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ANA-Reuters-BBC

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has applied himself to a diplomatic rally in a drive to earn supporters among the international community to stand by Tehrans effort to develop its nuke programme. On Wednesday, he visited Indonesia, a fellow Muslim country, and met Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Indonesia and Iran enjoy friendly ties, said the Yudhoyono and went on to offer to help mediate so that a peaceful solution to the diplomatic crisis is found. He also voiced his conviction that Irans nuclear programme serves peaceful purposes. Ahmadinejad, in turn, called the Western countries concerns over Tehrans nuke programme a lie, for they keep expanding their own nuclear activities day after day. In the meantime, the UN Big 5 has been working on a package of carrots and sticks to entice Iran to change its programme.

"Incorrect Decisions"

"The Iranian people are sufficiently capable to defend their own rights," he added and spoke of "incorrect decisions" taken by the international community, insulting Iranian people.

"The resistance of the Iranian people does not only aim to defend the rights of the Islamic world, but also the rights of all the people of the world," he argued.

Referring to the letter he sent to US President George W. Bush, a letter Washington shrugged off, Ahmadinejad said it was a correct decision and declined to comment on the US response.

"It is up to them," he said.

Package of Measures

In the meantime, the UN Big 5 has been working on a package of carrots and sticks to entice Iran to change its programme.

The five permanent members of the Security Council agreed to call on Iran to take its pick between privileges, which will come after it suspends its nuke programme, and sanctions. This move is to delay the tabling of a resolution.

Senior diplomats of France, Germany and Britain are working on a package of privileges and sanctions to be presented to the FMs on the sidelines of a meeting scheduled for Monday in Brussels. Should it be adopted, it will be submitted to the Iranian Government. Diplomatic sources cited that the privileges are most likely to include issues relating to energy safety and nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Diplomats also underlined that Russia and China wish to be sure that Iran will be fully aware of the benefits a wise decision may entail.

Related News:

Favouring Diplomacy

Feverish Discussions

[04] Karamanlis-Papaligouras Meeting In Favour of an Appellate Examiner

By Anna Kourti

After meeting with the Prime Minister, Justice Minister Anastasis Papaligouras said he is in favour of appointing an appellate examiner to handle the wiretapping case. Papaligouras refuted rumours according to which Linos had pressured the Justice Ministry to assign the case to Papangelopoulos and not to an Appellate Examiner and repeated the Government honours Mr Linos and respects independent justice. During the meeting, Papaligouras briefed Karamanlis on a series of Bills drawn up by the Justice Ministry referring to domestic violence, administrative justice and inspection of judges.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] Scientists Appeared Reassuring Weak Quake near Thessaloniki

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ANA

A weak tremor measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale was reported some 40km southeast of Thessaloniki, alarming the wider areas residents. The Department of Geophysics of the Aristotle University announced that the quakes epicentre was between Zagliveri in Thessaloniki and Poligiros. Scientists appeared reassuring, arguing that they are closely monitoring the phenomenon and advised the areas residents to stay calm.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Weak Reactions by Palestinians Quartet Agrees to Get Aid to PA

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA-Reuters

The quartet of Middle East peace brokers agreed on a "temporary international mechanism" to channel the aid towards the Palestinians. Following marathon talks, the quarter members, namely Russian, the EU and the USA, conceded to a three-month aid, in an effort to lift the impasse the new Palestinian Authority has been into, since Hamas won the elections. Palestinian PM Ismail Haniyeh, in turn, argued that the Hamas-led Government would not agreed on terms regarding the aid and that it keeps opposing the Western countries calls to recognize the state of Israel and renounce violence.

Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, argued the plan is not bold enough.

In his letter to the Quartet, Abbas had called on the West to pay the salaries of about 165,000 civil servants.

A Palestinian Authority spokesman said that later on Wednesday, the PA will issue its forma response to the Quartets proposal.

[07] Amendment Favouring the Unemployed

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

Financial boost instead of early retirement is the goal of the amendment the Economy Ministry has pushed forth for the unemployed. The amendment on Naoussas case is to expand to all areas of Greece, where unemployment rates exceed 20%. It is a small part of a great intervention, aiming to give a boost to the people in the Prefecture of Imathia, for, as Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis marked, they are in a serious financial predicament. Mr Alogoskoufis made it clear that the aid will be suspended in case the unemployed gets a job and that the unemployed to be included in the special financial-aid regime will have to pay their contributions to the funds.

Infighting in PASOK

The Economy Ministers new statements stirred up reactions on the part of the Main Opposition, which blasted the Government for improvisation.

PASOK is against the early retirement planning, favouring the implementation of growth projects in areas suffering with high unemployment rates, argued George Papandreou.

Earlier, during the meeting of the parties section heads, the proposal calling on PASOK to vote for the Government amendment prompted a verbal spat between Messr Venizelos and Floridis, with the first being a champion of the proposal and the latter asking the Main Opposition to provide a complete growth proposal.

Lesser Opposition parties, KKE and SYN, will take a stance on the issue on Wednesday.

Translated by Areti Christou

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