The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-06-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Examining Economic Evidence

24 Ιουν 2008 09:41:0 (Last updated: 24 Ιουν 2008 13:16:1)

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8

The Prosecutor is examining witnesses to discover the truth behind Siemens black money. Th. Tsoukatos has been summoned to testify today. Mr Tsoukatos was granted a 48-hour extension of his deadline upon his request in order to testify on the one million euros that had ended into PASOKs coffers. Seven account co-holders are expected to testify before the Prosecutor on Monday. Among them will be two athletes. The Prosecutor is also examining the 6.5-million euro kickback on the Olympic Games C4I Security System.

Yesterday, the former representative of US Saic Company testified to the Prosecutor. It appears that his kickback on his services was iniquitous. In parallel, suspect and former Siemens executive testified on a 49-year-old tax employees order to deposit 200,000 Deutsch marks to a Bank to a person under the name "Rokos." She argued that Siemens had order the sum to be deposited, adding that she had not known who was behind the above pseudonym.

Black Money Routes

Exiting the Prosecutor's office, Mr Tsoukatos' lawyer stated that his client had never managed commissions or public sector projects. Thus, his client had no transactions with Siemens. Nobody knew that Siemens had illegal coffers.

In reply to a journalist's question as to whether there is proof that the money had been deposited into PASOK's coffers, Mr Grouskos replied "the proof is the courage and honesty of the involved people. No written proof exists."

Mr Tsoukatos asked from the Prosecutor to testify after his colleague, who was an account co-holder with seven more persons. He also appeared determined to ask from the Prosecutor to cross-examine the persons involved in the one-million-marks case.

Mr Athanasiou has summoned the co-holder of seven accounts to testify on Friday morning.

Former Minister Tassos Mantelis' advisor testified yesterday on the 10-million-Deuche marks account. He denied that he had written the note that had involved the former minister in the case.

However, the route of the money Siemens channeled to Greek hands has been described mazy. As per judicial investigation, dozens of off-shore companies, persons beyond suspicion and out of use accounts were used in channeling the money.

Besides, the revelations and ongoing rumors have triggered turbulence in the Greek political scene. The government from its side has not ruled out the setting up of an inquiry committee.

On a relative development, in his article with the newspaper Ta Nea, PASOK cadre Kostas Laliotis asks for the setting up of an inquiry committee, demanding transparency and checking institutions to be set up within parties.

Meanwhile, in an interview with NET 105.8 former Parliament President Apostolos Karlamamis stated that the investigation is being conducted, adding that no party can be held guilty because one of its cadres is being accused. Mr George Floridis stated that the names of those who have been involved in the scandal should be revealed.

At the same time, ND Eurodeputy Yiannis Varvitsiotis told NET 105.8 that no ND party cadre involved in the case should remain in the party, adding that he is not interested in marginal majority. "If marginal majority is lost, then let elections take place," he added.

Commenting from Korea on PASOK MPs' question on NIS's (National Intelligence Service) bid, Mercantile Marine Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis stressed that the prosecuted cannot become critics, adding that the Siemens bid was rejected as the most costly 20 days after it had been submitted.

As per an MRB poll commissioned by Alpha, 71.5% believe that the big parties are responsible for the Siemens case, while 17.1% hold PASOK responsible and 6% the ND party. 83.9% believe that financing to parties is not transparent, 55.9% demand that an inquiry committee is set up and 39.7% state that only Justice should deal with the case.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Investigation at Crucial Point

[02] Policeman Battling for his Life

24 Ιουν 2008 11:31:0

By Athina Saloustrou

Doctors at Heraklion University Hospital are giving a battle to keep alive Thodoros Genitsaridis, the policeman shot in the head by an unidentified hash-grower on Sunday. The health state of the other two policemen, shot in the ambush, George Poulinakis and Yiannis Tsiminakis is serious but stable. They all remain hospitalized while a medical council has been scheduled to be held today. In parallel, Police continue investigations with interrogations of people and inspections of houses in the area, however, without any results so far while another two hash plantations were discovered in the area of Malades near the one found on Sunday.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] End to Suspense

By Athina Saloustrou

The lists with National Exams grades for admission to tertiary education institutions are being gradually put up at Lyceums nationwide since 11:00 this morning. Education Ministry general secretary, Dimitris Platis, in an interview early today, described as excellent the organization of this years exams, adding that the questions were clear and not particularly difficult. According to statistics there was noted an increase in grades from 15 to 17.9 in 7 of the total 22 subjects evaluated, in 13 of the 22 there was increase of written exams evaluated as excellent while in 10 of the 22 subjects there was increase of written exams evaluated with grades under the pass ceiling. Mr. Platis also said that the assignment of smaller number of exams to each evaluator resulted in less re- valuations of written exams this year as there were not significant deviations of grades. Candidates will have to submit their applications with the schools of their preference till July, 15 while the tertiary education school they have been admitted will be announced in the last week of August.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Relief to Borrowers

Sources: ΝΕτ 105.8-ΑNA/ΜPA

Following a decision of Development Minister, Hristos Folias 15 terms in bank-consumer transactions described as abusive according to unrecalled judicial rulings- have been abolished. Among others, banks are forbidden to impose a fine for the advanced pay off of mortgage loans, to ask for the whole sum of the loan plus interest in the event of delay in the payment of an installment or part of the sum of the installment and to charge commission when consumers use credit card to draw money.

Mr. Folias said that all rulings issued after 1998 take effect with this decision. In other words banks must consider these decisions in their transactions with all consumers without the ned for the consumer to refer to justice to achieve abolition of term which has already been ruled as abusive. He added that fines will be imposed if banks do not comply with the rules. Mr. Folias called banks to re-define their policies on credit cards interest rates, which as he said are higher compared to interest rates in the other EU member states.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Modernization of National Blood Donor Center-NDA

24 Ιουν 2008 14:31:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΑNA-ΜPA

Health Ministry draft-bill forbidding sale of tobacco products to under 18 year-old youth was approved by the Inner Cabinet chaired by the Prime-minister. The Cabinet convened on Tuesday to examine health related issues. In parallel, smoking in indoor public places will be forbidden as of 2010 in Greece. The Inner Cabinet also approved the creation of the first international transplant center in Greece and the modernization of the National Blood Donor Center and the National Drug Administration.

National Transplant Center

Health Minister, Dimitris Abramopoulos stressed that debate on draft-bill providing for ban of sale of tobacco products and alcohol to under 18 year-old as well as prohibition of smoking in all public places as of the beginning of 2010 will begin in the Parliament in a few days. High fines will be imposed to both shop-owners and smokers if they do not obey to rules. Mr. Abramopoulos added that the foundation of an international transplant center was also discussed during the Cabinet meeting. Initiatives regarding modernization of the National Drug Administration and the National Blood Donor Center were also examined. The Health Minister stressed that procedures for molecular blood test concluded and the tender is at the final stage for approval by the Inspection Council. He also underlined that blood tests will be carried out under the new system nationwide ensuring safer blood supply. Concluding he said that the government is rapidly proceeding to materialization of its policy program.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] Allowance to Disabled

Sources: ΑNA/ΜPA-ΝΕΤ 105.8

Following a joint decision by Economics and Health-Social Solidarity Ministers, George Alogoskoufis and Dimitris Abramopoulos respectively, a state transport allowance of 165 euros will be granted to people with leg or hand disability rated 80%. This allowance is tax free and it is granted to those eligible to cover increased transportation cost regardless if they own or use a private car. Competent departments of prefecture or social solidarity authorities will pay the allowance, starting from the day the person eligible submit his application and the necessary documents.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Open-heart Surgery to 4-YO Boy

Sources: ΝΕΤ

A 4-year old boy underwent open- heart surgery at the "Onasio Cardiac Hospital", which gave him hope to live a normal life. The boy suffered from a rare cardiopathy. Onassio heart surgeons performed for the first time a complex surgery maintaining though the anatomy of the boys heart. The surgery was free of charge in cooperation with the Child Center "Mitera" where the boy lives as he is deprived of a normal family environment. The boy will live a normal life as all other healthy children and will only need a small correctional surgery at the age of 15.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] China: Quake Death Toll to Hit 80.000

By Athina Saloustrou

The toll of dead in May, 12 destructive quake in Sichuan province may jump to over 80.000 reported New China News Agency. The most recent record of dead released on Monday spoke of 69.181 confirmed dead and 18.498 missing while the number of injured are over 374.000. American Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice will visit the quake stricken regions on Sunday. Over 12.600 aftershocks have been recorded since May,12 with at least 25 of them of magnitude 5 on the Richter scale and over. Five post-quakes measured between 6 to 6.9 according to the China National Seismology Agency. A quake centered in north-east Beijing had killed some 240.000 people in July, 1976.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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