The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-05-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Aiming to Decrease Death-Rate by 25% New Digital Mammograms

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ANA

All state hospitals across Greece will have been equipped with state-of-the-art digital mammograms by 2008, since the conventional mammography screening is only 85% successful, revealed NET television station on Wednesday. Ultrasounds are also necessary for a much more efficient check. Aiming at decreasing breast cancer deaths by 25%, new rules on the operation of private diagnostic centres will be ushered in to upgrade mammography screenings, while a national record of breast cancer sufferers will be drawn up. The first digital mammogram will operate at Agios Savvas Cancer Hospital.

The Greek Health Minister stepped up the new measures, to fall in line with the European Commissions directive calling for the substantial handling of the problem by 2008. Especially, in a drive to increase survival rates for women already suffering with breast cancer or will suffer in the future, the European Commission released a new package of guidelines for quality assurance of breast cancer screening and diagnosis, prompting authorities and doctors to use them as a benchmark for best practice.

As per the European Commissions estimations, some 32,000 European deaths from breast cancer could be prevented annually if best practices for mammography screening were adopted across the EU. It is noted that breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in Europe - responsible for 26.5% of all new cancers and 17.5% of cancer deaths in women. Mammography screening can detect breast cancer 3-4 years before symptoms would be noticed by the woman, dramatically improving the chances of effective treatment.

[02] For and Against the Proposal Responses on President's Election

Sources: NET, NET 105.8, ANA

The proposal by PASOK President Georgos Papandreou on the immediate election of the President of the Republic by the people caused responses. The proposal was dismissed by the Prime Minister during his announcements on the constitutional review, noting that a 30-year experience proved that the existing provisions are beneficial to the political system and the public. ND Honorary President Konstantinos Mitsotakis commented on the proposal, while New Democracy members voiced their opposition.

Mitsotakis Supported Proposal

Konstantinos Mitsotakis referring to the PASOK Presidents proposal, noted that he was been supporting this position for ten years and added "this is the only solution; the correct solution and we finally end up to it. Today, I believe this more than ever."

On a question of whether the above will change the regime, the former PM was replied negatively:

"Certainly not, as it is completely groundless. The President of the Republic can perform his current duties, slightly increased, but they are not related to the election procedure."

However, Government circles held opposing views noting that the immediate election of the President of the Republic by the people will change the regime.

In addition, they attributed the President of PASOK of attempting to stir impressions.

[03] On the Sidelines of Vienna's Summit New Karamanlis-Erdogan Meeting

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Just a week has passed by since they met in Thessaloniki, and the Prime Ministers of Greece and Turkey, Kostas Karamanlis and Recep Erdogan, will be meeting anew Friday morning, on the sidelines of the EU-Latin America Summit hosted in Vienna. As per information, the new meeting has been scheduled upon the Turkish PMs request, while the agenda of their talks has not been made public. Mr Karamanlis will also meet with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, while in the context of his contacts, he will meet with Uruguays President. The Summit Meeting held in Vienna has drawn its attention to issues like democracy, human rights, conservation of the environment and energy. Mr Karamanlis attended late on Thursday a dinner given by the Austrian Chancellor and on Friday he is to coordinate one of the Summits "tables." Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis is also attending the Summit.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

4th EU-Latin America Summit Begins

[04] In a Contract Workers Protest March Small-Scale Incidents

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA, NET

On Thursday noon, small-scale incidents occurred at noon outside of Parliament, when approximately 1,000 contract firemen requesting permanent status, threw oranges and bottles of water at policemen. The policemen used tear gas to disperse the crowds, while one protester was slightly injured on the head and was taken to Parliaments surgery and received first aid. The contract workers gathered outside of the Employment Ministry on Pireos Street and headed towards Parliament. The protest march continued to the Ministry for the Interior and Public Order. The roads in the city centre have been closed due to the protest march.

[05] "Attacks were Inevitable" Report on 7 July London Attacks

Sources: Reuters, BBC

As per a Parliamentary report, a lack of resources prevented British security services intercepting the 7 July in London, whilst noting that two of the suicide bombers were quite likely linked to al Qaeda members. As per the report, two of the bombers were known to the security services, but an in-depth investigation was not conducted, as there were more pressing priorities at the time. "If more resources had been in place sooner the chances of preventing the July attacks could have increased," the report stated. Security services have discounted the theory that a terror mastermind fled Britain shortly before the attacks. The committee noted both Khan and Tanweer had spent time in Pakistan and it was likely they had come into contact with al Qaeda figures. The 7 July attacks in the British transport system committed by four Britons of Pakistani and Jamaican descent cost the lives of 52 persons.

[06] In the Aegean Islands Works Offering Solutions

Sources: NET, ANA

A solution to the energy problem of islands is expected to be given by 21 private works approved by the Ministry of Development. The works total 11.7 million euros, nine of which concern conservation of energy, eight fotovoltaic systems and four water desalination units using Renewable Energy Sources. The main aim is the strengthening of electricity production by renewable sources. Moreover, the Governments of Greece and Egypt are investigating three alternative solutions for the transport of natural gas from Egypt to Greece:

Via the Egypt-Jordan-Syria Turkey pipeline, which is under construction, and its operation is foreseen in 2008 and will be able to transport 10 billion cubic metres a year. The transport of liquefied or condensed natural gas on ships. The construction of an underwater pipeline that will connect Egypt with Crete, a solution which, as Mr Sioufas said, is presenting great technical difficulties, however is a "dream."

Referring to his trip in Egypt and the signing of a cooperation memorandum on natural gas and oil, Deputy Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas stressed that Greeces relations with Russia and Algeria, which are the countrys main energy suppliers, are not affected.

[07] Didier Domi in Olympiacos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Sources: ANA

Didier Domi will wear the "red and white" colours for the next three years. Olympiacos FC announced its agreement with the French defender and is expecting his arrival in Greece for medical exams. Specifically, the FCs announcement reads: "Olympiacos FC is announcing its agreement with French football player Didier Domi for the next three years. Domi will arrive in Greece on 16 May, so that he can undergo the necessary medical examinations."

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] On A Trial Basis on 20 May Molecular Control Centre in Operation

The Molecular Control Blood Transfusion Centre of ACHEPA Hospital, in Thessaloniki, will operate on a trial-basis on 20 May, while two days later it is expected to be inspected by Minister of Health Dimitris Avramopoulos. As per Director of ACHEPA Hospital Dimitris Gakis, the area where the Molecular Control Centre will be hosted was constructed in a record time and will be delivered on Thursday, while the machineries purchased by the Ministry of Health will be delivered and installed two days later. Four ACHEPA employees have been trained in the Athens Molecular Control Centre. Mr Gakis stated that the first samples will be tested as of 1 June, while the Molecular Control Centre will fully operate on 15 July. In its first phase of its operation, that is in its 5-year term, it is estimated that 150,000 blood donators will be tested annually, but the current infrastructure will allow checks up to 250,000 annually. It is reminded that the leadership of the Health Ministry decided on the immediate creation of Molecular Control Centres throughout the country. The decision was taken following the shocking revelation in March that a 17-year-old female and a 76-year-old male received transfusions with AIDS infected blood during the summer of 2006 in Thessaloniki hospitals. Molecular tests of blood minimise the dangers of infected blood being transfused to patients.

[09] In the Far East Exports of Greek Products

Sources: NET

On Thursday, Minister of Rural Development Evangelos Basiakos and Japanese Deputy Minister of Agriculture Issui Miura agreed on the further promotion of Greek products, such as wine and olive oil in Japan. Mr Basiakos noted "the promoting actions are aimed at boosting exports and conquering the Japanese market and are continual. Programmes of promoting agricultural products in Japan are in development and I believe that they will earn a desirable place in the Japanese market." On his part, the Japanese Deputy Minister visited oil-presses and wine factories, voicing his satisfaction on the high quality of Greek products, as well as modern standardisation. Greek products such as canned fruit and vegetables, cotton, virgin olive oil, wine, fresh and frozen fish can be found on the shelves of Japanese super markets. The Japanese give great importance to a healthy lifestyle and nutrition, such as the Mediterranean diet that includes many Greek products.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[10] Gap between Parties Increases

Sources: NET - ANA

New Democracy has increased its lead over PASOK by 3%, as per the latest opinion poll conducted by VPRC, on behalf of TV and radio station SKAI. Kostas Karamanlis is ahead of George Papandreou as more suitable for the position of Prime Minister, with 17%. In addition, those who participated in the poll believe that talks between employees and employers are the best way to resolve the labour issue, while they asked the Government to focus on combating unemployment. The poll was conducted on 4-5 May 2006, on a sample of 946 people.

Focus on Unemployment

ND increased its lead over PASOK by one percentile unit, compared to last month. Furthermore, the governing party is half a percentile unit ahead in voter intention, gathering 42%. On the other hand, PASOK recorded a half-unit drop, gathering 39%. In addition, KKE (Communist Party of Greece) dropped to 8%, SYN (Coalition of the Left) reached 4% and LAOS (Popular Orthodox Party) is steady at 4%.

In the question regarding the more suitable PM, Kostas Karamanlis is ahead with 44%, up by one unit since April. George Papandreou received 27%, while 22% of those asked said that none of them is suitable for the position of PM.

Moreover, 46% of those asked believe that talks between employees and employers are the best way to resolve the labour issue. A further 11% believe in labour union actions, 26% wish for the Governments intervention and 6% are in favour of resorting to justice.

In addition, 55% of the citizens believe that the Government should focus on dealing with unemployment, as opposed to 23% who would prefer focus of price control.

Finally, 45% answered that the Government is making many or some efforts to solve the countrys problems, compared to 52% who said it is making very little or no efforts.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related Links:

VPRC

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