The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-06-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou's Comments on Siemens Case

26 Ιουν 2008 16:29:0 (Last updated: 26 Ιουν 2008 17:51:4)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA

The Siemens "black coffers" continue triggering turbulence in the Greek political life. The number of those who testified to the Prosecutor has reached 40, while PASOK leader George Papandreou has asked the setting up of inquiry committees that would examine the Siemens case, the Athens Stock Exchange case and other important issues. He argued that some politicians had blemished the political life, accusing the government of being a hostage of strong interests. Furthermore, he demanded elections after the end of inquiries. The government spokesman commented on Mr Papandreous move to give a Press Conference on the "black money" and transparency. At the same time, KKE (Communist Party of Greece) and SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) reiterated their request for the setting up an inquiry committee. Finally, PASOK MP Theodoros Tsoukatos former secretary Ismini Pistoni revealed that Mr Tsoukatos had met with his lawyer Spyros Avgerinos and Ms Dimitra Papachristou at his office on 19 June, that is before summoned by the Prosecutor.

Press Conference on All

At a Press Conference at noon, Mr Papandreou argued that his party reacted immediately on the Siemens case, while the government remained silent.

He spoke of leakages from Justice, which is controlled by the ND law offices.

He proposed political parties to be financed by the stated and only by party members and friends, adding that he would not tolerate intra-party conflict.

He did not question Mr Costas Simitis honesty but avoided stating whether he would be in the PASOK ballot lists in the next elections.

KKE has asked the setting up of an inquiry committee, while Ms Papariga stated that kickbacks would never stop.

KKE described Papandreous measures on transparency general, disoriented and similar to the ND partys measures.

SYRIZA Head Alekos Alavanos also demanded the setting up of an inquiry committee that would investigate all Siemens cases.

In parallel, Transport Minister Costis Hatzidakis stated that Justice should show mercy to nobody, adding that the scandal is not related to the ND party.

Parliament Vice President Giorgos Sourlas told NET 105.8 that the independent authority should carry out checks, adding that if it is proved that there persons who had broken the law they should leave the ND party or then he would have to leave himself.

Number of Involved Rises

Meanwhile, Prosecutor P. Athanasiou has summoned more suspects to testify on the Siemens case.

Mr Nikos Devletoglou one of the suspect stock brokers will testify on Monday, while Giorgos Trepeklis, the representative of the American company Saic, who appears to have received 6.5 million euros from the company for the C4I contract, have been summoned to re-testify.

Two more stock brokers will testify on Monday as large sums of money had been deposited by off-shore companies to their bank accounts. These companies had been trafficking money from the illegal coffers of Siemens.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Nimetz-Bakoyannis Meeting

26 Ιουν 2008 15:08:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ΑNA

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis urged FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) to end its provocations in order to join NATO and the EU. His advice followed a meeting with Bosnia-Herzegovina PM Nicolas Spiric. Mr Karamanlis urged the new government to leave behind its pre-election provocations, so that a joint solution is found, adding that what matters is not when the solution will be found but whether there is political will for that. He also added that the European Commission would join the EU only if a mutually accepted solution with Greece was found, stressing that Greece supports the western Balkans European prospect consistently, provided good neighbourly relations are respected. From his side, Mr Spiric stated he favours a compromising solution on the Skopje issue. At the same time, special UN mediator Matthew Nimetz met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis in Athens and discussed the FYROM name issue. Mr Nimetz is visiting FYROM on Friday. Both stated that they discussed a number of ideas on the FYROM name issue.

M. Nimetz in Athens

Mr Nimetz stated that no timetable had been set on reaching a solution until 9 July, reiterating Greeces will for a mutually accepted solution.

The UN mediator stated that only the name issue was discussed today and not FYROMs national identity. Finally, Ms Bakoyannis pointed out that the final solution should be clear and without retractions. Mr Nimetz is expected to meet with FYROM leadership in Skopje. At 14:00 he will meet with PM Nikola Gruevsky and at 15:30 with President Branko Crvenkovski.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Blood Bath in Mosul

Sources: ANA-MPA

A car bomb near Mosul has killed 18 and wounded 62 on Thursday, said Nineveh province, Duraid Kashmola.

The blast took place after two rockets exploded near Kashmolas office in Mosul, 390 kilometres north of Baghdad, announced the police.

Besides, the police in Baghdad announced that during the suicide attack launched during a meeting among tribes in Garma, 30 kilometres north of Baghdad killed 20 and wounded 12. Three police officers were among the dead. Many of the wounded are in critical condition. The US Forces intend to hand the responsibility for safety of the town to Iraqi Forces on Saturday.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Rectors' Elections in Chania Postponed

Sources: ANA-MPA

Todays elections of the Crete Technical University Rectors were postponed, as students have been staging a sit-in since last night. The students are reacting to the implementation of the new framework-law on Education

The students locked the doors of the Rectors building, as well as those at the Technical School in Akrotiri, where the sit-in was taking place.

Rector Ioakim Grispolakis stated that efforts would be made so that the elections are held on 28 June.

He also stressed that the Rectors term ends on 31 August, adding if no new Rector or deputy Rectors are elected by then, the University will suspend its activities as of 1 September.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Initiatives on Free Spaces

By Nasos Bratsos

The K. Palamas Cultural Centre of Athens University is organizing initiatives that will commence with a Press Conference on the "Signing of Cooperation Memorandum on saving the last Free Spaces in the Attica Basin". The Conference wil commence on 3, July 2008. The Athens-Piraeus Supra-prefecture, GSEE (Confederation of Greek Labour), ADEDY (Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants Trade Unions), the Athens and Piraeus labour centres and Rectors of the Athens University, the Athens Geoponic University, the National Technical University of Athens, TEDKNA (Attica Municipalities and Communities Local Association), TEE (Technological Educational Institutions) etc are supporting the move.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Rapid Developments on Siemens Scandal

26 Ιουν 2008 11:58:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8

PASOKs (Panhellenic Socialist Party) Political Committee is presently holding a meeting, while its leader George Papandreou will give a Press Conference in Zappeion at 13:30. He will present his positions on how the crisis of the political system and the financing of parties should be combated. In parallel, the number of suspects summoned to testify to the Prosecutor has been rising. Mr Theodoros Tsoukatos secretary and a stockbroker will testify today, while as per information, the number of suspects has reached 40.

What PASOK Cadres Have Testified

PASOK MP Evangelos Venizelos statements on the management of the partys finances one day before George Papandreous Press Conference have triggered discomfort within the party, which described his views personal. In parallel, it stressed that only George Papandreou expresses the partys positions.

PASOKs former alternate secretary of PASOKs economic sector Spyros Avgerinos finished his testimony late night yesterday, while the partys cashier had testified earlier on the money that ended in the partys coffers from Siemens. Mr Tsoukatos and Ms D. Papacrhistou had argued that the money from Siemens ended in PASOKs coffers. The former secretary testified that in view of PASOKs meeting that period, she had received more than 200 million drachmas, without however knowing where the money had come from. From his side, Mr Avgerinos reported that the money might have been deposited in the form of partial sums.

Meanwhile, Giorgos Trepeklis, the representative of the American company Saic, who appears to have received 6.5 million euros from the company for the C4I contract, have been summoned to re-testify.

Mr Papandreou is expected to present his positions on how to combat the crisis within the political system, financial and political interests and transparency in public life. He will also refer to the party, Mr Simitis ousting from the Parliamentary Group, Tsoukatos case and those disagreeing with the party.

In an interview with NET 105.8, Transport Minister Kostis Hatzidakis stated that Justice should not show mercy to anybody, adding that that scandal does not concern the ND party.

The Siemens case dominated the debate in Parliament.

Parliament Vice President Giorgos Sourlas told NET 105.8 that the independent authority should carry out checks, adding that if it is proved that if there persons who had broken the law they should leave the ND party or then he would have to leave.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Barrage of Testimonies

[07] Drug Bakery Shut Down

26 Ιουν 2008 11:06:0

By Nasos Bratsos

The owner of a bakery in Kaminia, Athens was quite creative but unlucky as he was arrested and his bakery was shut down because he had adopted unusual techniques of selling and hiding drug substances (heroine). More specifically, he was selling drugs in bags he used for bread. Piraeus prefecture shut down the bakery so as to secure citizens public health and security until justice resolves the case. Eventually, todays International Day against drugs seems that it was not the lucky day of the bakery owner who was arrested for selling not only bread but also drugs.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[08] Bloody Pursuitfor a dog's bath

By Athina Saloustrou

A dogs bath in Pafos Island was the reason two men fought. The first man was killed while the second one was arrested. The dog was also killed. According to witnesses and the police, a 60 years old man got furious when another 50 years old man took his dog for a bath to the beach. Intense verbal fight broke out and then the two men started to hit each other. Then the 60 years old got into his car, chased the owner of the dog and injured him deadly. He also killed the dog. The victim was transferred to hospital where his death was confirmed. Police arrested the killer who said that the victim insulted him and threw him stones.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[09] Woman Kept her Son Locked for 12 Years!

By Athina Saloustrou

A woman in Colombia was keeping her son locked in a room for 12 years because he did not show the appropriate respect as she stated after her arrest yesterday, Wednesday to the other members of the family and was planning to leave the house. According to police, the 50 years old mother is facing charges of internal family violence. Her 28 years old son was found locked in a room without windows and with steely locks which kept him a prisoner. He is said to have been naked and to have been eating food on the floor provided to him in plastic bags. His mother said: "I locked him to protect him so as not to commit sins". She also confessed that she locked the young man when he finished high school. Her son was transferred to a psychiatric clinic.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[10] By Christie's Auction House

26 Ιουν 2008 09:04:0

By Athina Saloustrou

Christies Auction House announced that an unused life belt of Titanic which was sung in April 1921 during its virgin trip was sold in New Yorks auction for $ 68.500. The life belt was found in a good condition by a farmer in Halifax beach. Christies estimated its value to $ 60 to 80 million. Last year another life belt of Titanic was sold for $ 119.000 by Christies House. Specialist in maritime issues Greg Dietrich said that this life belt is one of Titanics six missing life belts.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[11] Baby Found Abandoned

By

A newly born little girl was found abandoned to the entrance of a block of apartments in Zografou, Athens at 10:00 yesterday, Wednesday. According to residents testimonies two women abandoned the baby and then disappeared. The baby was transferred by police to Childrens hospital "Agia Sofia" and is being submitted to medical examination while Security Department is has ordered preliminary investigation.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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