The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] On "Germanos - Cosmote" Case

17 Ιουλ 2008 15:09:0

Sources: NET, ANA

Tense confrontation on "Germanos-Cosmote" case and inspection of their finances continues among opposition political parties. The PASOK party has strongly reacted to GCP general secretary, Aleca Papariga reference to LAOS playing games in favour of PASOK during an interview with NET. At the same time, within the government campus there are different reactions regarding OTE president, Panagi Bourloumi. Finance Minister, George Alogoskoufis describes him as "capable and honest man who purged the organization". PASOK National Council secretary, Yiannis Ragousis spoke of provocation aimed against PASOK while from Halkididki the partys leader, George Papandreou said:"Since the GCP has selected to operate within the system, it must observe the rules of the system. There is no question if it comes out of the system". The GCP statement in response to PASOK leader says: What does Mr. Papandreou ask from the GCP? A loyalism statement? He seems to have forgotten that the GCP has not signed a loyalism statement for 90 years and does not intend to sign one." "The end of bipartisanism is near" said SYN president, Alexis Tsipras during his speech in Kalamata on Wednesday. In its announcement LAOS among others says: Was or wasnt P. Germanos member of the GCP Exarhia County after 1992? Were or werent Party Businesses and Germanos developed particularly after the period of the fall of "Communism" in Eastern Europe when the new state authorities in those countries were trying to investigate outflow of capital to political parties of other countries, asking for judicial cooperation as in the case of Moscow Prosecutor"? The announcement continues: "LAOS has not particular intention of confrontation with the GCP, which we coincided with in the past on social and national issues. Hereupon the GCP is not imperium in imperio. It can not act and function without inspection with a mere reference to its chart."

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] Two Men Suspects on For Oropos Fire

17 Ιουλ 2008 08:13:0

By Athina Saloustrou

The fire that broke out yesterday afternoon in Tembi toll was put out. Strong winds blowing in the area spread the fire very quickly. Fire brigade forces arrived immediately and battled with flames. Strong forces remain in the area in order to extinguish any possible small fire fronts still burning in the area. Fires in Markopoulo, Andros Corfu and Kefalonia Islands are abating while the fire front that broke out in Akoumia of Rethymno, Crete is under partial control. In Markopoulo, residential areas were threatened while police is looking for two people driving a motorcycle as suspects for attempt of arson. Meantime, the latest fire triggered wrangling in the political scenery. PASOK president Mr. Giorgos Papandreou accused the government of abandoning forests stressing that wild fires that ravaged Greece last year were caused by arsons. SYN president Alexis Tsipras noted that a year after the fire in Ancient Olympia nothing has been done in the area. The government on its side stated: "We are putting in effect a programme of rebirth and relief of the fire hit areas with unprecedented paces". 3 fire fighting vehicles remain in Thessaloniki, in order to tackle possible rekindles. Fire brigade is also in alert in Sokolo of Pella in order to prevent the fire from spreading. The fire that broke out in a mountainous are in Pella is also under control.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Meeting on Heavy and Unhealthy Professions

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

Employment minister is holding now a meeting on heavy and unhealthy professions. According to information, the report is expected to be completed soon, while there is the possibility the minister not to adopt the demand for categorization of professions. The issue was discussed yesterday during the meeting held between the Prime Minister and employment minister. Talking to NET 105,8 Fani Palli-Petralia stressed that the report of the competent committee will be completed within summer. As she underlined some professions will be added in the list while other will be omitted. As per the unification of social funds Mrs. Petralia noted that procedures will be completed in October 1st. On reference to the rumors spread that these unifications will burden civilians, the minister branded them unfounded because as she explained the whole system suffers from serious pathogenesis.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Meeting at Maximos Mansion

17 Ιουλ 2008 13:33:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

Prime Minister Mr. Mostas Karamanlis, Finance Minister Mr. Giorgos Alogoskoufis as well as Tourism Minister Mr. Aris Apyliotopoulos had a meeting today on measures for further development of tourism. When the meeting was completed, Mr. Spyliotopoulos said that 2008 is a good years despite of the financial crisis in Eurozone. On reference to Julys evidence he stated that a 3% rise in bookings was reported while profits also rose up to 3, 5%. Tourism minister also made clear that measures must be taken regarding German and Englands traditional buyings. Finally when asked about working hours in archaeological sites he answered that ministries of culture and civilization are co operating in order to copy with the problem of lack of employees. Finance minister Mr. Alogoskoufis on his side stressed the importance of tourism for our country. As per inflation, he said that according to existing evidence, all European countries face this problem; a fact that can not be used as an excuse, he underlined and promised that the government will do whatever possible to tackle it.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Meeting of the Political Council at Noon

17 Ιουλ 2008 09:39:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105,8

PASOK president Mr. Papandreou delivering a speech in Halkidiki, in his meeting with journalists regarding development in the latest issues, expressed the estimation that the government is driving the country deeper in corruption. Mr. Papandreou appeared determined to shed light to the scandals in the political scenery while he stressed that he was the one who revealed Koskotas scandal in the opposition party when he was member of the government then. H also underlined that he is not going to step back now. Meantime, PASOK Political Council is holding a meeting at 2:30 in the afternoon, while the day after tomorrow the National Council of the party is meeting in Thessaloniki. PASOK unity must be political, PASOK president stressed yesterday during the working lunch of parliamentary members of the party in prefectures of central Macedonia, underlying that the unity of the party can not be based on fragile balances between political people.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] For the Present

17 Ιουλ 2008 16:48:0

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA

"For the present" the rubbish crisis ended. We managed to remove 35.000 tones of rubbish said Silvio Berlusconi referring to the "emergency situation" created by the piling up of garbage in Naples. The Italian Prime-minister is to give a press interview in Naples on Friday with the slogan "we have won the bet". A number of pictures will show Naples central roads before and after the cleaning operation. He wants this way to prove that tens of tones of garbage have been removed from the streets and house and shop entrances. Within a few days Silvio Berlusconi is holding a second extraordinary Cabinet meeting on Friday in Campania capital to stress his interest and the governments effort.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Oil Prices Drop

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters, ΑNA-ΜPA

In international markets, oil prices continue dropping for a third consecutive day with the price of light crude below $134, $14 down per barrel compared to historical record high $147.27 last week. Indication for drop in oil demand in the US, the largest oil consumer in the world as well as Washingtons new diplomatic initiative regarding Iran have had an effect on the fall of oil prices. American light crude oil for August delivery contracts dropped $1.06 at noon today compared against yesterdays closing $133.54. Earlier it sold at $135.11 and $133.40. Brent oil for September delivery was at $134.70 at noon while earlier between $136.55 and $134.64 that is $1.11 lower compared to yesterdays closing.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[08] Fines in Telephone Companies

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

Ministry of employment imposed fines of 1.350.000 euros in Greek telephone companies FORTHNET (280 thousand euros), HOL (160 thousand euros), ON (270 thousand euros), TELEDOME (200 thousand euros), TELAS (130 thousand euros) and VIVODI (310 thousand euros) for violation of the law per consumers protection. Controls conducted after consumers complaints involved delays in activation connections, misleading information regarding the companies services, activation of connection without the consumers approval and non provision of copy of the contract signed between the company and consumers.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[09] Weaponry Found in House, Thessaloniki

A 55years old from Sykia of Tessaloniki, was arrested and was driven to the prosecutor as he was hiding a small weaponry in his farm store

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8-ΑNA/ΜNA

A 55years old from Sykia of Tessaloniki, was arrested and was driven to the prosecutor as he was hiding a small weaponry in his farm store. More specifically, more than 60 k of dynamite was traced in his farm house while police Department of Halkidiki announced that another 1, 5 k of dynamite, 3 hunting guns, 5 knives, bullets and 122 meters of detonating fuse was found in his house. The 55 old years old man does not reveal where he found the weapons and the explosive devices while police also looks into the possibility of his involvement in criminal actions.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[10] Providing Illegal Extra Carriages

17 Ιουλ 2008 10:52:0

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

The administration of the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) is conducting investigation on a suspect network which seems to supplement illegal extra carriages. According to information, these recent evidences were brought to light after Bralos accident where 14 out of 27 train carriages were found illegal. Transport minister Mr. Kostis Hatzigakis stated yesterday that except of the series of human mistakes that caused the accident, issues of OSE financing and transparency are also involved in the case.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[11] After the Recession Recorded Yesterday

17 Ιουλ 2008 10:30:0

Sources: Reuters

Oil prices fell around a dollar on Thursday. U.S. crude futures were $1.04 a barrel lower at $133.56 a barrel at 1104 GMT, after sliding $4.14 on Wednesday. Prices have dropped by more than $13 from last Fridays all-time peak of $147.27. London Brent crude for September also shed $1.04 to $134.77 a barrel. Crude oil reserves in US rose to 3 million barrels last week while analysts expected for a rreduction of 2 million barrels.

[12] Attack in Perama Police Department

By Athina Saloustrou

10 unidentified people attacked today at 5:30 the police department of Perama, throwing Molotoce bombs while driving a motorcycle, causing damages to 5 police cars and 6 motorcycles. Police is looking for the suspects, conducting investigations.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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