The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-04-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Intensive Checks

24 Apr 2008 09:05:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8-ÁNA/ÌPA

The market has begun picking up in the view of Easter, while checks to tackle profiteering at the expense of consumers have been stepped up. Although there is sufficiency of goods in the market, the prices of garden produce and fruit are high. Meanwhile, the price of local lamb and kid meat ranges from 9.5-10 euros, with the respective foreign meat being sold at six euros. At the same time, butcher shops are selling at a higher price and supermarkets from 6-6.5 euros lamb meat per kilo and kid meat from 7-7.5 euros.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Traffic Police on Alert

24 Apr 2008 11:43:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

Hundreds of city dwellers have begun leaving urban centres to spend Easter in the province. Ports, airports and bus terminals have burdened with traffic all morning, while both national roads were busy. The Traffic Police has taken extra measures to secure a safe exodus. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos has appealed to drivers to follow the traffic rules. In parallel, he stressed that passengers of KTEL (Public Regular Bus Service) busses will be personally responsible for their safety if they do not fasten their safety belts. This years exodus will be marked by rain and low temperatures, as the temperature will commence falling in northern Greece as of today. Local rain and occasional storms are expected in Macedonia and Thrace.

Variable Weather

On Maundy Friday it will be cloudy with rain and storms in Macedonia and Thessaly, gradually extending to Ionio and the mainland. The temperature will be 22 Celsius, with 7 Beaufort winds blowing in the Aegean.

In western Greece it will be cloudy turning fast to local rain and storms mainly in the mainland. Some snow is expected in Epirus and western mainland, as well as on the highlands of Thessaly.

The temperature is expected to drop on Holy Saturday and the weather will improve in central and southern Greece.

Occasional rain is expected in Attica in the morning hours, while storms are expected in Thessaloniki mainly in the afternoon with the temperature reaching 17 Celsius.

On Holy Saturday, it will be mainly cloudy, while occasional rain and storms are expected originally in western and central Macedonia, extending to the rest of the country in the afternoon.

At Easter it will be cloudy and rainy with local storms in the east and south. It will be cloudy in the rest of the country will local rain expected mainly at noon an in the afternoon.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Instructions for Easter Shopping

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

EFET (Central Food Control Agency) has issued a special leaflet with instructions for consumers on the purchase of Easter goods. The instructions have been also posted on the organisations site www.efet.gr. Consumers are urged to shop from parts of the market that have undergone checks and buy meat kept in refrigerators and not from open air markets. Moreover, the meat they purchase should carry the required stamps, which prove that they have undergone the proper veterinary checks.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Tibet: Call for Dialogue

By Nasos Bratsos

Sources: ÁNA, AFP

In an attempt to deescalate the crisis between China and Tibet, European Commissioner responsible for foreign policy Benita Fererro-Waldner urged the Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama to hold a dialogue on the Tibet issue. "Of course we understand that it considers its sovereignty a sensitive issue; however, I believe that it is equally logical for the Tibetans' culture and traditions to be respected. We hope that the issue is settled peacefully by the two sides." The commissioner also adds that the Tibet issue will be discussed between China and European officials, urging China in parallel to commit itself to a constructive dialogue that will settle the issue. State Department official John Negroponte made similar statements, encouraging a dialogue with "Dalai Lama, the man of peace."

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Karamanlis in Moscow Tuesday

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8-ÁNA/ÌPA

In an interview with ITAR-TASS, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis describes Mr Putin Greeces friend. Mr Karamanlis is paying an official visit to Russia Tuesday. He will have talks with the Russian President in Moscow and meet with President Dmitri Medvedev in the Kremlin. In his interview, Mr Karamanlis stresses that both countries are promoting peace and stability in the Balkans and the wider south-eastern Mediterranean region with their policy. Moreover, he stresses that their interests development and prosperity are common, while their views on international issues are similar. Finally, he reports that he at his meeting with Mr Medvedev, he expects that bilateral relations and friendship will be boosted.

In reply to a question on Greek-Russian cooperation in the energy sector, he said that Greece will be consuming seven billion cubic metres of natural gas by the end of 2015, 80% of which will come from Russia.

He stressed that "European energy security is an issue that gains more importance in the wider European geopolitical framework," adding that the need for different kinds of energy is a priority for Europe, as big quantities of petrol and natural gas will flow into the European market from the Caspian region in the near future.

As for the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline, he said that the project is moving ahead as per schedule.

In his interview, published today, the prime minister appears satisfied over Greek-Russian cooperation in the last four years on issues of mutual interest. Moreover, he expects the Greek and Russian people will benefit from the imminent meeting, adding that he is looking forward to his meeting with Mr Medvedev, as there still more opportunities for both countries to further tighten their relations and friendship on all sectors.

As Mr Medvedev will be resuming his post as President officially on 7 May, Mr Putins meeting with Mr Karamanlis will be one of his last as president.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Wrangling on "Yellow Card"

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÍÅÔ 105.8-ÁNA/ÌPA

The UN decision to exclude Greece from the Kyoto Protocol has sparked wrangling between the Environment Ministry and European Commissioner on Environment Stavros Dimas. Greece is in fact in a temporal state of non-compliance, which practically will not have any repercussions on it reported the Ministry of Environment, adding that the Commissioner is trying to give a dramatic tone to the issue. At the same time, PASOK (Socialists) and SYN (Coalition of the Left) speak of serious problem to Greeces image worldwide.

Announcements from Both Sides

The Environment Ministry reported that Mr Dimas should wait for the UN specialists visit and their final decision instead of threatening to send a warning letter on the issue. Furthermore, it added that it is ready to prove the efficiency of the new report system in the EU.

From his side, Mr Dimas explained that the European Commission should launch the same procedure on violations launched by the UN as Greece had violated the Kyoto Protocol and therefore the EU legislation.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Papoulias-Karamanlis in Ioannina

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

The President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias and PM Kostas Karamanlis will celebrate Easter at the prefecture of Ioannina this year as well. Mr Papoulias has been on the island of Ioannina since Sunday and will visit Metsovo today to attend the Mass at Agia Paraskevi church. On Holy Friday, he will attend the epitaph at the Ioannina Cathedral. He will also visit Epolohohagos Triantis Thomas camp and wish the soldiers all the best. Mr Karamanlis will arrive at the prefecture today and will stay there until Sunday. He will attend the Epitaph at Pogoniani church and on Sunday he will visit the remote sentry post of Drimades.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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