The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-06-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Oil Fresh Record High

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÁNA

Oil price hit another record high in international markets today due to rises in merchandise and fall of the dollar against the euro reaching 1.57. Both American crude and Brent hit $142 per barrel, recording an increase of (!!!) 50% since the beginning of the year. The spike in oil prices comes after the president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said Thursday that he expected crude prices to go as high as $170 a barrel in the next few months. Some economists say higher oil prices make it harder for companies to make a profit, prompting investors to move their money out of stocks to other investments, driving down share prices.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] FinMinistry Mass Transfers

Sources: ÍÅÔ-ÁNA

Within its efforts to combat corruption phenomena, the Finance Ministrys Council after a proposal by Finance undersecretary, Antonis Bezas decided a general restructure of the Special Tax Inspections Department. Towards this aim 1/3 or 250 of the employees serving in this department are being repositioned in the Finance Ministry either due to non-satisfactory performance or long-stay in the same post. The vacancies will be covered by those who passed in 2003 recruiting exams and are presently serving in other posts in the Finance Ministry. According to Finance Ministry statement there was an employee serving for 16 years in the Inspection Department assigned on night clubs. This decision is in the same line with a recent decision regarding transfer of employees from regional and intraregional inspection centers to Revenue Offices

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Due to Bad Weather

27 Éïõí 2008 22:10:0

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ÁNA

A cargo plane crashed mid-flight in Sudan on Friday, killing seven crew members, among them four Ukrainians and one Armenian due to bad weather, said Sudan Civil Aviation Authority spokesman, Abdel Hafiz. "One person survived out of eight (crew members). His name is Mohamed Hamza, a Sudanese. Two Sudanese were among the dead along with four from Ukraine and one from Armenia," Hafiz told the French News Agency. According to the same source the aircraft which belonged to Juba Cargo company crashed an hour and 10 minutes after take off from Khartoum, bound for the southern Sudanese capital Juba, apparently owing to bad weather.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Nimitz Contacts in Skopje

By Alexandros Moz

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA

UN General Secretary special envoy, Mathew Nimitz had separate meetings in Skopje today with FYROM Prime-minister and President, Nikola Gruevski and Branko Crvenkovski respectively. After the meetings Mr. Nimitz said that he presented some ideas to the countrys leadership which could lead to a solution to the pending name issue. He also announced the continuation of negotiations saying: "I hope we will work hard on the pending name issue this summer and we will see whether there is progress in a few weeks".

He also expressed satisfaction that both interested sides approach negotiations with particular seriousness. "I can not tell that the gap is closing in, but there is a common belief that it is high time to see what we can do. I believe that there is willingness to reach a solution and overcome existing differences", UN special envoy added. Mr. Nimitz appeared to keep distances regarding possibility for the holding of referendum in FYROM regarding whatever possible agreement. "Referendum involves complex procedures. I have a view regarding what is useful or not within this framework, however, any country has the right to handle such issues as it considers appropriate. What matters is to achieve an agreement first", said Mr. Nimitz.

US Deputy State Undersecretary in FYROM

US deputy State undersecretary, Rosmari Di Carlo, who is on a visit to Skopje, had contacts with the countrys leadership and opposition party leaders. In her statements after the meetings, Di Carlo said that top priority issues for the country are: the formation of anew government in order to proceed to reforms necessary towards its Euro-Atlantic course and implementation of Ohrid Agreement as well as the "resolution" of the pending name issue to make feasible its admission to NATO the sooner possible. "It is apparent that there is consent in Macedonia for its admission to NATO, and we will continue supporting the country towards this direction", added Di Carlo, who refused to make any comments on "timetables" for the resolution of the name issue.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] ÅÅÔÔ Fines Telecommunication Companies

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA

National Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT) within the framework of its regulatory role or following consumers complaints has carried out auditions in telecommunications companies regarding violation of legislation linked with consumer protection during the period 1/11/2007 -1/3/2008.

Following auditions EETT Plenum has decided to impose fines to Teledome, Tellas and Vivodi mounting to a total sum of 500.000 euros for cases of arbitrary activation of pre-selected service and arbitrary cancellation of applications for pre-selective service. The EETT Plenum authorized the Commissions president to send the relevant decisions to the Public Prosecutor. For refusal or late release data referring consumers complaints EETT has imposed fines to the following companies:

- ÏÔÅ Á.Å 180.000 euros - Vodafone, 160.000 euros - On Telecoms 150.000 euros - Vivodi 200.000 euros - Teledome 230.000 euros - Forthnet 290.000 euros - Hellas on Line 150.000 euros - Ôellas 190.000 euros

Commenting on the above decisions, EETT president, professor Nikitas Alexandridis said: EETT will continue combating illicit practices afflicting consumers in order to ensure quality telecommunications services. EETT will intensify market inspection through auditions and imposition of fines to provide good services to consumers and erase the feeling of being deceived.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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