The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Difficult Period for M.Yiannakou

By Athina Saloustrou

It is a very difficult period in the life of former Education Minister, Marietta Yianakou, who had the low part of her right leg amputated to control infection caused by a past fracture. She is in the intensive care unit of Errikos Dynan Hospital, where doctors made all efforts to save her leg but finally decided to have it amputated to prevent possibility of general infection. According to the latest medical bulletin she is smoothly recovering from surgery. A fracture she had on December, 19 in combination with the diabetes she was suffering from prevented healing of the trauma which caused the local infection which could spread to the extent of septicemia to put her life at risk. Mrs. Yiannakou was admitted to hospital on January, 15 suffering from pain in the leg she had been operated.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] President to be Elected on Sunday

07 Feb 2008 19:57:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8, ΑNA

The SYN party 5th Congress, held at Tae Kwon Do stadium, in Faliro, opened today with a speech delivered by the Central Political Committee secretary, Nikos Hountis. He stressed the high significance of the congress for the party itself as well as for its positive contribution to the broader political system and democracy. He referred to the decisions taken and the targets set in the last congress which as he stressed were accomplished by the partys leadership, he described as able and successful. He also referred to current political developments and particularly to government plans for reforms in the social security system stressing that the partys youth had a massive presence in mobilizations to avert government plans, with top mobilization on December, 12 and the new mobilization announced for February, 13, 2008 as the struggle continues. In setting our new political targets, Mr. Hountis stressed "we need to be clear and comprehensive in the alternative road we propose to change policies as we promised in our pre-election campaign through the cooperation of left forces with SYRIZA. We are scanning the Left of the 21st century, we do not support unsuccessful recipes of the past century but we keep alive the vision and the political plan for Socialism with democracy and freedom.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Ryanair to Pay

07 Feb 2008 19:25:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA-REUTERS

French judge yesterday upheld the right of the French president Nicolas Sarkozy and his new bride, Carla Bruni, to control the use of their image and ordered Ryanair to pay a symbolic 1 in damages to Mr Sarkozy and 60,000 to Ms Bruni. The couple filed a lawsuit against Ryanair on January 28th, the day Le Parisien newspaper published their photograph with a cartoon bubble coming out of Ms Brunis mouth saying, "With Ryanair, my whole family can come to my wedding". Ryanair said it accepted the decision and offered to pay a further 60,000 to a French charity chosen by Mr Sarkozy.They filed separate lawsuits. Ms Bruni asked for 500,000 in damages; Mr Sarkozy for 1, a common practice when the plaintiff wants to make a moral point. Mr. Sarkozy and Ms Bruni married on February, 2, in a close at Elysee Mansion.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Two-day Meeting of NATO Ministers

07 Feb 2008 18:29:00

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ΑNA

Defense Minister, Evangelos Meimarakis represented Greece in the two-day unofficial NATO meeting held in Bilious, Lithuania. Talks on the first day focused on security in Afghanistan, NATO operation in Kosovo, and NATO-Ukraine relations. Mr. Meimarakis supported NATO cooperation with the Ukraine through a broad concession of Ukraine political parties and its people. Commenting on developments in Afghanistan and particularly on the strategic political-military plan proposed by the International Staff, the Greek Defense Minister said "it should be within the concept of the ISAF operational plan in effect and we hope it will substantially contribute to the improvement of the situation". In reference to Kosovo, Mr. Meimarakis stressed that good neighbourly relations, honest bilateral and regional cooperation as well as peaceful resolution of all pending issues and differences are the necessary elements for the achievement of permanent stability and development in the Balkans which will lead to prosperity in a broad environment of security. Greece will maintain its military and police forces in the region he said.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Mass Transport: New Prices

07 Feb 2008 18:03:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ΑNA

New mass transport prices decided by the Inter-ministerial Committee DEKO reflects the governments firm policy to give incentives for use of means of mass transport in its efforts to decongest roads and reduce pollution levels. To materialize this target, the Committee decided to reward commuters by reducing cost of travel cards as well as introducing new ones. Specifically, as of May, 1, 2008 the monthly bus card will drop to 15 euros from present 17.5 euros, the monthly card for all means of transport will go down to 35 from 38 euros, the annual bus card to 150 from 175 euros and the annual card for all means of transport down to 350 euros from 380. In parallel, 4 new travel cards are being introduced, they are: monthly and annual HSAP cards costing 25 and 250 euros respectively and monthly and annual Metro cards costing 30 and 300 euros respectively. Prices of cards will remain unchanged during 2009. Εξάλλου καταργούνται όλα τα μεμονωμένα εισιτήρια μίας χρήσης και καθιερώνεται ενιαίο εισιτήριο κόστους 0,80 για όλα τα ΜΜΜ, με δυνατότητα πολλαπλής χρήσης του σε όλα τα ΜΜΜ για μιάμιση ώρα. Από τον Ιανουάριο του 2009 η τιμή του ενιαίου εισιτηρίου θα γίνει 1. In the meantime, fairs for only one means of transport are being abolished and instead a single 0.80 pence fair for all means of transport for one hour and a half after being validated will be introduced.the price of the single fair will go up to 1 euro in January, 2009. All other fairs remain unchanged. A pilot program for 2 hour extension of Metro and electric train operation on Fridays and Saturdays nights begins on Friday, February, 8.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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