The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-06-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] In Papandreou's Reply Letter

12 Ιουν 2008 15:11:0 (Last updated: 12 Ιουν 2008 16:32:1)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA

In his reply letter, PASOK President George Papandreou ousts former PM from the party's parliamentary group. Mr Simitis' letter that disagrees with Mr Papandreou's decision to support a referendum on the ratification of the New EU Treaty has sparked intense reactions. In his letter, Mr Simitis speaks of deviations on Andreas Papandreous policy and on his policies during his premiership. The PASOK headquarters described Mr Simitis disagreement incomprehensible, stressing that it is disorientating.

Reactions

PASOK spokesman George Papakonstantinou described Mr Simitis letter incomprehensible, as he had agreed with the declaration of a referendum in 2005.

Messrs Christos Papoutsis and Michalis Chrysohoidis agreed that PASOK does not benefit from the letter, while Mr Telemachos Chytiris stated that it had caused confusion, discomfort and disorientation in the party.

Commenting on Mr Simitis and Papandreous confrontation, government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros stated that it is evident that PASOK has two different policies as usual.

From his side, SUN Parliamentary leader Alekos Alavanos refused to comment on Mr Simitis letter, adding that he does not interfere with other parties policies.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] 48-Hour Workweek not to Be Abolished

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

In an interview with NET 105.8, the Employment minister assured that the 48-hour workweek would not be abolished, stressing that there is a directive as of 2003 that allows employers and employees to agree on the number of working hours. She also added that EU countries are not obliged to incorporate the directive in their Law even the decision is ratified. Ms Petralia met with SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) Trade Union representatives and SYN (Coalition of the Left) political committee member Dimitris Stratoulis in the morning. The delegation asked from the Employment minister to help so that the EU Employment ministers proposal to extend the workweek to 65 hours. From her side, Ms Petralia committed herself to SYRIZA repesentatives not to extend the 48-hour workweek.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Alogoskoufis-Fasoulas Meeting

By Anna Kourti

Following an agreement reached between Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis and Piraeus Mayor Panagiotis Fasoulas on the municipalitys finances, the mobilizations in the Piraeus municipality scheduled for Friday have been suspended. The municipalitys debts to the Fund & Loan will be suspended for 12 months. In parallel, it was decided that a legal settlement would be promoted in July, solving the problem of over-debted municipalities.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] New Contacts on FYROM Name Issue

UN mediator Matthew Nimetz is to meet with Greek and FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) negotiators in New York in the afternoon. As per information, Mr Nimetz, who will boost the negotiations on the FYROM name issue, is to visit Athens and Skopje in the beginning of June. Meanwhile, the first Greek phalanx to replace KFOR personnel in Kosovo crossed the Greek-FYROM border this morning. A problem arose 20 days ago when the Greek phalanx was asked to present its passports. As a result the Greek phalanx returned back to its base.

Meanwhile, in his letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Democrat Senator Robert Menendez requests Ms Rices influence so that a mutually accepted solution is reached the soonest possible.

Mr Menendez points out that the ongoing crisis between the two countries may result to problems on the ratification of bilateral and multilateral agreements and treaties.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] On Suspension for Classified Documents

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters, ANA-MPA

The Cabinet Office has suspended a top official at the centre of an inquiry into the loss of top-secret documents on al-Qaeda and Iraq. The top official forgot the documents in a commuter train. The unnamed Cabinet Office employee was questioned in an internal inquiry after the sensitive papers were left on the seat of a commuter train. In parallel, British MPs have asked a probe on the issue. Although government sources implied that the leakage will bring the government into a difficult position, they believe that it is not affecting the countrys security. Of course it affects the prime minister since the lost CDs included personal data of 25 million civilians last year. Last January, the Ministry of Defence reported that it had lost a computer that included personal data of 600,000 people.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Terror files official suspended

[06] Train Derails in Russian Far East

Sources: REUTERS

Sixty people were injured when a train derailed near Russias border with China on Thursday, Russian media reported. "According to our latest figures, 60 people have been injured in the accident, six of them critically," RIA news agency quoted an Emergencies Ministry spokesman as saying. Russian state television showed piles of debris at the scene of the derailment in the Amur region and ambulances heading to the site. The cause of the derailment was unknown, officials said. Russian news agencies reported that Vladimir Yakunin, head of state-owned Russian Railways, was flying to the scene to oversee the clean-up operation.

[07] On a Three-Day Visit

12 Ιουν 2008 11:23:0

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8-ΝΕΤ

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis embarked Thursday on a three-day visit to Cyprus. Bakoyannis is holding talks with her Cypriot counterpart Markos Kyprianou. She will then meet with President of the Cypriot Republic Demetris Christofias. Upon her arrival at the Larnaca airport, Bakoyannis said that this period is rather crucial for the Cyprus issue, stressing that a new bold drive has commenced. Greece, added she, will contribute as much as possible to a better-prepared effort to have the Cyprus row resolved and Europes remaining wall brought down.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Bloody Robbery in Votanikos

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA

An armed robbery took place in Votanikos at 09:00. The culprits stormed into a forwarder company on 162, Orfeos Street and removed an unspecified amount of money. When leaving they shot an employee, who was slightly injured. The employee was hospitalized.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[09] Major Food Shortage

12 Ιουν 2008 09:31:0

Poverty and food shortage have killed at least 21 children in the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara, while at least 100 are being hospitalised, read Thursday The Jakarta Post. Authorities fear the malnutrition victims could rise in the coming months due to the insufficient harvests and the limited funds earmarked for the province. "Poverty is the main cause of malnutrition," Taopan, head of food affairs at the provincial health office was quoted as saying, "A lack of staple foods forces parents to feed their children food with no nutritional value. Because of the poor diet, children are susceptible to complications from various diseases." The number of malnutrition cases rose to 512,400 in the first six months, Taopan told The Jakarta Post. The extensive floods and landslides between September 2007 and February 2008 destroyed crops, triggering a food crisis in the said province.

Translated by Areti Christou

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