The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Detained for Perama Tragedy

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

The two contractors in charge of carrying out repairs on the liquid gas carrier "Friendshipgas" at the Perama shipyard repair zone last week were taken to prison. The Sourlis brothers told the magistrate that, while they had taken on the contract, they had then passed this on to sub-contractor and shipyard plater H. Konstantaras, after which they were no longer responsible for safety conditions in the storage tanks of the Maltese-flagged vessel. Meanwhile, Merchant Marine and Island Policy Minister George Voulgarakis on Tuesday announced that jobs in the coast guard or at the ministry would be offered to one member of each of the victims families, based on their qualifications, not ruling out financial assistance to cover their immediate needs.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Tony Vavatsikos Passes Away

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Singer Toni Vavatsikos passed away in an ambulance that was transferring him from Agios Ioannis, Pilio to Volos Hospital on Monday. The singer, who was spending his vacations in Pilio, became famous with his song "Pios na Xeri sto Vlemma tou ti Krivi o Theos gia Mas", which won the first prize at the Thessaloniki Song Festival in 1974. His wife holds responsible for his death the Zagora Health Centre and the Volos Hospital ambulance. A sworn-in investigation has been ordered by the Volos Hospital administration.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[03] Changes in Tourist and Industrial Installations

Sources: NET-ANA

The inner cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Tuesday focused on spatial planning issues. Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister George Souflias stated that the National Spatial Plan has been approved in parliament, pointing out that Greece had lacked a basic tool that promotes rational development and environmental protection. He stressed that spatial planning will soon be completed with the enactment of specific spatial framework for renewable energy sources, tourism, industry, the mainland and coastal regions and the revision of regional programmes. The special spatial framework for renewable sources and industry will be enacted following a joint ministerial decision during the month of September, the minister announced.

A national consultation on tourism has already been made and the enactment of a spatial framework will be preceded by a discussion in the special council, Souflias stated, adding that the spatial framework for the mainland and coastal regions will be given to publicity for consultation by mid September.

Souflias stated that this is the most important reform promoted in the last decades aimed at Greeces comprehensive spatial development and sustainable organization while providing security for investments by setting specific rules.

[04] Floods in Romania Kill Five

Sources: ANA

Five people have lost their life from floods that hit Romania, while 15,183 abandoned their houses in 146 areas stated the General Secretary of the Interior Ministry. The official said that six Romanian provinces and 146 cities and villages had been hit, adding that 148 houses were completely destroyed, while 122 are about to collapse. As per the Interior Ministry, 7.2 kilometres of the national road network and 1,100 kilomentres of country road networks have been destroyed. The authorities have distributed 34.5 tons of tinned food, 20,400 litres of oil, 24 tons of bread, 44.5 tons of flour and 27,000 litres of mineral water to the flood-hit. The EU has advised Romania to proceed to the assessment of damages within ten days so that the EU provides Romania with aid.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Greek Examiner May Examine Schikatschek

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA

Examiner Nikos Zagorianos may visit Germany to examine the former Siemens executive Reinhart Schikatschek, as well as other people involved in the Siemens secret coffers. Mr Schikatschek received a two-year prison sentence with suspension and a 108,000-euro fine on Monday by a court in Munich. Meanwhile, Prosecutor Panagiotis Poulios has ordered a preliminary examination on Siemens contracts with OSE, Patriot missiles, Ermis missile systems and two Armenian companies.

PASOK: "Situation should be Straightened out"

Siemens employees presented to PASOK Secretary Giannis Ragousis their problems and concerns over possible sackings and the closing of Siemens factories.

PASOK said that it will stand by them, while the party spokesman Giorgos Papakonstantinou stressed that it is to the benefit of Siemens employees for the situation to be straightened out. He also proposed all contracts to be re-examined so that the secret money issue is clarified.

He also said that the government does not the issue to be straightened out.

Compensations from 11 Executives

Meanwhile, Siemens, which is in a swirl of a big corruption scandal, has announced officially that it will demand compensations from 11 former Managerial Executives, an unprecedented development for Germany.

The 11 executives are held responsible for omissions in the sectors of management and supervision from 2003-2006 that let to the companys losses.

As per international Media, Siemens derived about 1.3 billion euros from its secret coffers to secure that its entrepreneurial proposals abroad are "preferred" from those of its competitors.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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