The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-09-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tension Running High

02 Σεπ 2008 15:03:00 (Last updated: 02 Σεπ 2008 15:48:44)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

PASOKs (Socialists) accusations on rigging during the vote on the Constitutional Reform in Parliament have sparked intense wrangling between the government and the opposition. Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos described Papandreous alleged disclosure a political fluf. He described PASOKs attack unethical, adding that no rigging could have taken place as there was a safety net. At the same time no MP had questioned the procedure. At the same time, PASOK insists on its accusations, adding the video in Parliament speaks for itself. The rest of the parties demand an investigation.

Wrangling

The government described the main oppositions attempt to blemish a transparent parliamentary procedure bleak.

As PASOK has made public the controversial video, it should document its allegations.

Mr Roussopoulos spoke of fanciful scenarios, adding that no MP had questioned the procedure, while Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas ruled out any ballot rigging.

Ms Patrianakos, one of the accused, told NET 105.8 that she saw attempt of ballot rigging on the video, adding that as all ballots had not been filled in the correct way "we were looking for the MPs in order to fill them correctly."

Former President of the Parliament Anna Psarouda Benaki ruled out the possibility of ballot rigging, adding that there would have been MP reactions.

PASOK spokesman George Papakonstantinou told NET 105.8 that nobody can foretell how and MP will operate, while KKE (Communist Party of Greece) spoke of ND rigging against its MPs.

SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) Evangelia Amanatidou told NET 105.8 that the Standing Committee should look into the matter, while LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) MP Thanasis Plevris added that all parties should carry out checks.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

PASOK Accuses - ND Belies

[02] Submitted to the Competent Parliamentary Committee

02 Σεπ 2008 16:49:00

Sources: ΑNA-ΜNA, ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

Discussion on tax draft bill started today in the competent committee of Parliament. Parliament plenum will vote on the bill next week. According to ministry of finance, the new measures will contribute to the fight against tax evasion and introduces measures for the reinforcement of transparency in the finance of hospitals, Organizations, local administrations and social security funds.

PASOK expressed its opposition to the governmental suggestions to the draft bill. PASOK political representative on financial issues, Loukas Katseli said that the new measures target at collecting money, they are socially unfair, do not contribute to the development of the country and are of doubtful constitutional legitimacy.

Among other things the opposition party suggested:

-A cohesive and progressive taxation scale for all natural people -Reintroduction of non-taxable limit to professionals and income earners -Introduction of affective controls to transactions in Greece and abroad -Assessment and appointment of auditors according to a system of collection of points. -Taxation of incomes coming from dividend of natural people and taxation of undistributed low index profits -Taxation of the increase in value in stock exchanges

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Political Party Leaders at T.I.T.F.

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis will deliver a speech on Saturday at the inauguration ceremony of the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair. Meanwhile, political party leaders will commence arriving in Thessaloniki to attend the inauguration ceremony which will take place at 09:30. After the inauguration ceremony, the PM will tour the various stalls and at 20:00 he will present the axes of the governments economic policy in a speech delivered at the I. Vellidis conference centre.

At 12:00, Sunday, Mr Karamanlis will give a Press Conference at the same conference centre. PASOK (Socialists) President George Papandreou will pay a four-day visit to Thessaloniki, commencing as of 11 September. At 20:00, Saturday, 13 September, he will present PASOKs position at the I. Vellidis conference centre and at 12:00 Sunday, 14 September he will give a Press Conference at the same spot.

KKE (Communist Party of Greece) Secretary General Aleka Papariga will visit the Fair on Tuesday, 9 September.

SYN (Coalition of the Left) President Alexis Tsipras will give a Press Conference on Wednesday, 10 September and on Thursday he will visit the Fair.

LAOS (Orthodox Popular Rally) President Giorgos Karatzaferis will visit the Fair on Wednesday, 10 September.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] In Thessaloniki

02 Σεπ 2008 16:51:00

Sources: ΑNA-ΝΕΤ

Minister of environment Mr. Giorgos Souflias said that the construction of one of the metro lines in Thessaloniki has started. Mr. Souflias stated that the new metro will serve 250.000 transports per day it will be 9.600 meters long and will stop in 13 stations. The project is expected to be completed in 2012. In parallel, the ministry is looking into its expansion to Kalamaria and Stavroupoli.

Mr. Giorgos Souflias Interview

Minister of environment Mr. Giorgos Souflias stressed that Northern Greece and Thessaloniki in particular is in the governments priorities regarding public works New Democracy materializes around the country until 2013, 40% of which will take place in Northern Greece.

He added that ministry of environment is planning the next generation of public works that will be financed with billion.

As per Egnatia highway, the minister repeated that the central axon will be completed until 2008. However, he made clear that the part in Archthos River will delay due to financial problems that Construction Company that has taken over the work, is facing. But he stressed that these problems are over now.

On reference to Thessaloniki Metro Line, Mr. Souflias underlined that it will be ready as scheduled. "Some extensions of time have been given due to archaeological findings, transfer of common wealth networks, but these delays will not affect the final timetable the project will be completed.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Infidelity Gene?

Sources: ANA-MPA, Press Trust of India

Thanks to science, unfaithful men now have a new excuse -- their infidelity might be down to their genes. A study has revealed that men who inherit a genetic variant which affects an important attachment hormone are more likely to have weaker relationships and marital problems, and less likely to be married.

Moreover, their wives or girlfriends are also more likely to be less satisfied with them as partners, the study has found.

According to researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, the "flaw" gene is linked to the bonding chemical vasopressin which plays an important role in social behaviour, pair-bonding and sexual attachment.

"This (gene) may tentatively reflect a lower degree of commitment. (However), this gene is only a small part of the process -- there are many different ingredients to a happy marriage," lead researcher Hasse Walum said.

In fact, they came to the conclusion after carefully investigating three genetic variations in vasopressin receptor and testing a database of 2,186 twins and their partners to determine which types they inherited, 'The Times' reported. PTI

[06] Bomb Attacks in Baghdad-Mosul

Sources: ANA-MPA

At least eight people were killed, among whom one policeman, and 21 injured Tuesday morning in three attacks aimed at the Iraqi security forces in Baghdad and Mosul, reported the Iraqi security sources

As per a police source, four people were killed and four injured by a car bomb in Mosul this morning.

Meawhile, more than four people have lost their life and 17 injured in two road bombs aimed against the Iraqi police in central and western Baghdad, reported the security sources.

At the same time, the US command in Baghdad has announced that an American soldier died in Baghad, adding that he had not been killed in combat.

After the US invasion to Iraq on in March 2003, the number of US soldiers killed in Iraq numbers 4,151.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[07] Fatal Attack in Baghdad

Four people have been killed and 17 injured in two attacks against the Iraqi police in Baghdad Tuesday.

An Iraqi policemand and a passer-by were killed in an explosion of a self-made bomb that aimed a police patrol in the centre of Bagdad reported the same source. Nine people, among whom two women and two children, were injured in this attack. At the same time, two people were killed and eight injured, among whom two women, when a self-improvised bomb mechanism went off in western Baghdad. Finally, the authorities released data Monday as per which the number of loses among civilians and Iraqi forces in violent incicents in August has dropped. Specifically, the dead numbered 431, 383 of which were civilians, 18 were soldiers and 30 policemen.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[08] Hurricane Gustav Weakens

Gustav, which brought torrential rain, has now weakened to a tropical storm and is expected to weaken even further during the day. The levees in New Orleans appeared to be holding surging floodwaters, although officials urged caution. Gustav is now quickly losing strength and has been downgraded to a tropical storm with winds of 95km/h, the Florida-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said at 06:00 Greek time. Although the hurricane left no casualities in New Orleans, it has killed at least 77 and injured 36, causing extensive damage in Haiti. Moreover, eight people are reported missing. As per latest estimates, over 3,000 houses have been destroyed and 11,458 damaged, while the hurricane-hit families number 15,000. The UN has already begun distributing aid to the hurricane-hit people.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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