The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Off-the-Agenda Debate

10 Apr 2008 11:44:00 (Last updated: 10 Apr 2008 17:48:11)

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105,8

An off-the-agenda discussion on the FYROM name issue of party leaders was held in Parliament today at the initiative of Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) leader George Karatzaferis. "There is not a secret agenda for the Skopje issue. We use the same language in both the internal of the country and abroad. We do not crow over, we have an important road to cross over for the finding of a definite solution in FYROM name issue", the Prime Minister said. Mr. Karamanlis branded the veto necessary because of the negative stance the neighboring country had adopted. Mr. Karamanlis also referred on the unanimity before NATO Summit in Bucharest, and stressed that this stance must be adopted in all issues. He also underlined the Greece had send a fresh invitation to Skopje for a new round of discussions for a mutually accepted solution included in a compound name.

Mild Criticism

LAOS president Mr. Giorgos Karatzaferis said "discussion is not held for the name issue but for the history. The issue is the 3 letters, also contained in the word "OXI (NO) for the name Macedonia.

PASOK president Giorgos Papandreou addressed the Prime Minister and accused him of not following the testimony of former PASOK founder and Prime Ministers Mr. Papandreou and Kostantinos Karamanlis. From his side Mr. Papandreou supported the view that PASOK contributed to the negotiation force of the country and provided the government with the solid ground so as not to give in to pressures.

SYRIZA(Coalition of the Radical Left) Parliamentary spokesman Alekos Alavanos stated that his party would celebrate when a solution is found on the name issue.

KKE (Greek Communist Party) Secretary General Aleka Papariga reported that her party would stand by the government's side, adding that the Bucharest Summit Meeting should have also focused on othe Balkan issues except for the FYROM name issue.

"Clear Political Stance"

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis referred to the political concession at the Bucharest Summit Meeting, adding that the government had enjoyed the support of almost all political parties.

Ms Bakoyannis rejected criticism on the governments "bilingualism" and inactivity, adding that if that was true, then the results at the Summit Meeting would have been different.

The prime minister from his side reiterated the governments crystal clear stance and determination.

Referring to FYROM Mr Karamanlis advised it to abandon the past to win the future, adding that a lot remains to be done for the final objective to be met.

Finally, UN mediator Matthew Nimetz is expected to extend a fresh invitation to both sides in the coming days.

[02] Federation Delivers Illation

By Ampelakis Spyros

Sources: NET - NET 105.8

EOF (National Organisation of Medicines) and the Police have discovered useful evidence on Panagiotis Katselos transactions with the Chinese company after examining his computers in his gym, as well as his fathers computers in his shop.

Meanwhile, Panagiotis Katselos will probably testify to the police in Larissa, after the Prosecutor had ordered two preliminary examinations.

At the same time, SEGAS (Union of Greek Gymnastic and Athletics Clubs) President Vassilis Sevastis argued that all are responsible for the doping case.

On a relative development, in 780 checks carried out since 1 January 2008 by ESKAN (The National Council on Combating Doping) an additional 11 doping cases have been discovered.

Among the substances located in seven doping cases are cannabis, cocaine, testosterone and finasteride.

Finally, EOF issued an announcement stating that after confiscating 870 capsules in a pharmacy, it began testing the confiscated products as of yesterday. At the same time, distribution checks are continuing in cooperation with other competent authorities.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Investigations Continue

Iakovou Testified

Iakovou: "I Told the Truth"

[03] Expected by Matthew Nimetz

10 Apr 2008 12:43:00 (Last updated: 10 Apr 2008 18:50:52)

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

Developments are expected within the following weeks on Skopje issue as UN special mediator Matthew Nimetz will send fresh invitations to both countries for a new round of talks. FYROM is in pre electoral orbit while Skopje Parliament is convening today. Victoria Nuland, United States Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has asked the FYROM issue to remain on the negotiating table so as a solution is found.

Bakoyannis Contacts

Developments on the name issue were at the focus of discussions held by the Greek FM Dora Bakoyiannis with the Russian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Vladimir Titov. "Russia is ready to accept a mutually accepted solution agreed by Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", the Russian official said. Greek FM Dora Bakoyiannis will meet later today with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew J. Bryza.

The Bakoyannis-Titov agenda also included the Cyprus issue, Kosovo, bilateral relations with emphasis on energy policy and of course the preparation of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis visit to Moscow perhaps at the end of April.

Ms Bakoyannis met later with Matthew J. Bryza, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.

Mr Bryza stated that if both sides commence negotiating then there is a chance for a solution to be found.

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos described the Bakoyannis-Bryza meeting very good, adding that they focused on the FYROM name issue and the results of the NATO Summit Meeting.

Earlier, addressing the Economist, Mr Bryza referred to Greeces leading role in the region, adding that Washington understands Greeces sensitiveness on the issue.

[04] They Hid the Olympic Flame in a Warehouse

10 Apr 2008 09:21:00

By

Sources: Reuters

Confusion prevailed in San Francisco for the route the Olympic torch as the organizers changed the routes original plans at the last moment to avoid angering anti-China protesters and disappointing supporters. Thousands of people converged along the scenic Embarcadero waterfront route in the city. But after the opening ceremony, the first runner, flanked by blue-clad Chinese security officials, carried the torch into a warehouse. The torch eventually turned up miles away from the original planned route. The torch was a magnet last week for chaotic demonstrations in London and Paris over Chinas human rights record and a recent government crackdown on monk-led protests in Tibet. Groups unhappy about Chinas human rights record and its policies on Sudans Darfur region have sought to pressure Beijing as it prepares to host the Olympics in August. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom told Reuters that the route had to be radically changed at the last minute or the event cancelled to ensure public safety. "We assessed the situation and felt that we could not secure the torch and protect the protesters and supporters to the degree that we wished," Newsom said.

A planned closing ceremony on the waterfront was scrapped and the torch brought to San Francisco International Airport. The flames next stop is on Friday in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires.

"Its cowardly. If they cant run the torch through the city, it means that no one is supporting the Games," Matt Helmenstine, 30, a California schoolteacher carrying a Tibetan flag, said.

"I think we were being fooled because the route of the torch is taking place so as to show to the world that our country hosts the Olympic Games", another resident of San Francisco, having Chinese origins said.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] "The Objective is a Competitive Economy"

Sources: NET 105.8, ΑNA

Addressing the Economist Thursday, Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis reported that with the governments reform programme, Greece is developing to an economic centre in south-eastern Europe today.

Mr Alogoskoufis stressed that the government aims at reducing the poverty percentage from 21% to 15% in the next five years, adding that for that for that reason the government has founded that Poverty Fund with an estimated annual budget of two billion euros.

Furthermore, he reported that the governments objective is for the Greek economy to converge with the average of the 15 earliest EU member-states by 2020. This means that the Gross National Product per capita in Greece should reach 32,300 euros from todays 20,900.

In parallel, he pointed out that the reforms and budgetary consolidation should continue, so that the economy becomes competitive and the society just.

Additionally, he reported that the deficit should zero in the coming years, adding that the Greek economy should have substantial surplus and a debt below 60% of the GNP, so that the pressures resulting from the aging of the population are tackled.

Regarding privatisations, he stated that the government is very close to striking a deal with Deutsche Telekom on OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications), reiterating its plans to privatise ports and airports.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Russian Prostitution Ring Kills 14 Women

By

Sources: ANA

The head of a Russian prostitution ring was jailed for life today for killing 14 young women and burying them in a mass grave reported Interfax news agency. Eduard Chudinovs gang was accused of luring young girls to an apartment in the Urals region of eastern Russia between 2002 and 2005 where they were raped and told they would work as prostitutes. If they refused, they were killed, the reports said. The gang was arrested when bodies of girls between 13 and 25 years old were discovered in a shallow grave in a forest outside the town of Levikha in February 2007, NTV television channel reported. Seven other members of the gang, four of whom were relatives, were also found guilty and given terms of between 10 and 22 years, Interfax said.

[07] Uprising in Corfu Ends

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

The uprising of 80 prisoners, who demanded better living condition in Corfu prisons, ended peacefully Thursday noon. They had remained on the roof of the prison, protesting to the conditions under which they are held.

The authorities accepted the prisoners request for fewer detainees in the prison. As a result, 50 prisoners will be forwarded to other Corfu prisons and disciplinary institutions.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Rebellion in Corfu Prison Continues

[08] Armed Robbery in a Bank

An armed robbery took place at a Piraeus Bank branch in Chania at about 14:00 on Thursday. An armed robber wearing a helmet stormed into the bank and removed an unspecified amount of money, while his accomplice, who was also wearing a helmet and carrying a gun, was waiting for him on a motorcycle outside his bank.

The robbers hit with their gunstock a man and a woman and then rode away on their motorcycle towards Peridou Street, where they would use a more powerful motorcycle.

A Bank employee, who followed the robbers, was shot in the leg, and when followed by a police car they shot 12 times against it.

The employee has been hospitalized, while the police launched a manhunt to arrest the culprits.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[09] Karpathos: 36 Years Old under Temporary Detention

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

The 36 years old who was arrested last Friday by the Department of Electronic Crime for the organization of trips for sexual orgies of paedophiles with children, is temporarily detained. The 36 years old in his testimony denied the charges of childrens seduction and distribution of pornographic material. One of his lawyer Giannis Charitos speaking in ERA radio station said that the indictment against him can not be formed, supporting the view that it consists of elements of panic and hypocrisy.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[10] Thailand: 56 Emigrants Die of Suffocation

Fifty four illegal Burma immigrants died of suffocation while being smuggled into Thailand in a refrigerated container near the Thai-Burma border, a police officer said on Thursday. Another 67 Burma citizens in the same vehicle were rescued from the 20-ft container truck, with over 20 being treated in hospital, the police officer in the western coastal Thai province of Ranong told Reuters. They were kept inside the sealed truck for hours without air because the air-conditioning system failed. Many of them pounded the sides of the truck for help," the officer said. According to Thailand authorities 123 illegal emigrants were packed in the 6 meters container which was originally used to transport fish, the official said.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[11] Rebellion in Corfu Prison Continues

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

80 prisoners remain at the flat floor of Corfu prison and deny returning to their cells ask for better living conditions. A special suppression group has arrived at the island and is ready to intervene if necessary. Planned prisoners transportations took place today normally.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[12] DAP First in Students' Elections

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΝΕΤ

According to the results of students polls yesterday around the country DAP (student union organization related to the party in government) came first, PASP (the opposition party affiliated party) followed while "Leftish Unity" affiliated to SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) rose. The counting of votes is expected to be completed tomorrow, Thursday.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[13] On Doping Case

10 Apr 2008 12:22:00

By

Sources: ΝΕΤ -ΝΕΤ 105,8

Sports and legal authorities are trying to trace the route the illegal substances took in order to reach their destination that is the Greek weightlifting Greek athletes. Newspaper "Beijing News" confirms in todays articles the reply e-mail sent to the Greek importer. According to Chinese newspapers a Chinese company blamed for providing tainted dietary supplements that led to positive dope tests for 11 members of the Greek national weightlifting team has admitted to sending an apology letter to team officials. Another employee had a telephone contact with Reuters and stated that investigation is held in the company. Drug and Food Company in China announced that it is investigating the case but before the report is released it preserve reservations. Meantime, prosecutor Panayiotis Poulios asked from the Department of Electronic Crime to look into the authenticity of the e-mail while it speaks for other substances too sent by the same company. Yesterday, Culture Minister Mr. Michalis Liapis pronounced a legal adjustment which is going to be submitted soon in Parliament for the armour of athletics against doping. It will provide for the re examination of motives of athletes with high performances and for the boost of the National Committee for the Fight of Doping.

The coach of the national weightlifting team Mr. Christos Iacovou submitted in the competent committee of the Federation of Weightlifting a commentator yesterday denying the accusation that he provided the athletes with illegal substances, supporting the view that the Federation was briefed about all his actions and stated that he is willing to testify in Court. Meanwhile, Asterios Deliyiannis, vice president of the Greek anti-doping organization (ESKAN), tendered his resignation yesterday at the request of Culture Minister Michalis Liapis. Deliyiannis had suggested this week that a number of other athletes had failed drugs tests and that their names would be revealed at a press conference.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

Related News:

Iakovou: "I Told the Truth"

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