The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-09-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Debate on Taxation D/B Continues

03 Σεπ 2008 15:44:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA

Finance Minister, George Alogoskoufis announced changes to taxation draft-bill, maintaining tax exemption of up to10.500 euros for three children families and the group of self-employed, who get the above amount from a single employer. Mr. Alogoskoufis made further clarifications for the maintenance of tax free income and announced that a new system for the payment of road tax will be soon introduced. The government is positively considering ND deputy, Yiannis Manolis proposal to use bank accounts dormant for the 10 least years in favour of the Fund against Poverty. Opposition parties said that they will vote down the draft-bill while PASOK in its counter proposal called for reintroduction of tax-free allowance for free-lance professionals. Commenting on taxation draft-bill, the SYN party said that exemption of some groups from taxation measures does not provide the golden pill. The competent Parliament Committee continues debate on taxation draft-bill today in the presence of trade union representatives except for GSEE and SEB.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] Cyprus: Negotiations Started

Negotiations between president of Cyprus Christofias and Turkish leader Mehmet Ali Talat started today at 10:00. The discussions target at reaching a mutual agreement on the Cypriot issue. Referendums will take place in both the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities. During the starting of the meeting, the consultant of the General Secretary of UN Alexander Downer stressed that the UN will support with every possible way the procedure of immediate negotiations. He also expressed the estimation that the meetings between Christofias-Talat created a climate of trust between the two communities.

In his opening statement, President Christofias confirmed that the Greek-Cypriot side will show good will and political accord for the finding of a solution "by Cypriots for the Cypriots". Mr. Christofias underlined that the solution must be applied in both zones, to both inter community federations with political equality as it is defined by the resolutions of the UN Security Council. Mutual dominance must prevail with international character and one mutual nationality. Talat said that a new period has started after 4 years of inactivity in the Cypriot issue and supported that the solution in must offer "internal and external balance".

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] FinMin Announced

03 Σεπ 2008 16:56:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Finance Minister, George Alogoskoufis announced the introduction of a new road tax system, taking into consideration gas emissions and incentives for the withdrawal within a 5-year period of old technology cars, estimated to be 30% of cars still running on the roads of the capital city. The environment road tax, which will replace the existing road taxes, aim to reduce the number of old technology cars blamed for high emissions. Cars with high gas emissions will end up paying triple road taxes compared to "clean cars".

"Green ring", allowing high gas emission cars to circulate only at weekends in the city center and new technology hybrid cars every day, is expected to be effected in 2009.

Discount on special and environment road taxes and abolition of classification tax are being considered among incentives for withdrawal of old technology cars. Commercial value of 15- years old cars is not over 1.000 euros while gains are expected to be significantly higher.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] Cabinet's Committee on Education

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105,8

The cabinet committee is convening today at 11 on issues of education. 95% of books are ready to be distributed to schools while the majority of primary and secondary teachers will be in their posts, minister of education Mr. Evripidis Stylianidis said in NET 105,9 radio station. He underlined that the ministry hired more teachers this year and contradicted the articles speaking of deficiencies that reach 6.000 vacant teaching positions. Mr. Stylianidis pronounced that the history book for the sixth grade of Elementary school will be ready next September while as far as kindergartens are concerned, 833 new buildings will be constructed around the country, he concluded.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] Trade Unions React

03 Σεπ 2008 13:51:00

Employment minister Mrs. Fani Petralia is submitting now the report on the competent committee on the changes in the list of heavy and unhealthy professions. According to the list 61 professions will be omitted and new ones will enter this special category. Based on estimations by trade union, about 250.000 employees are expected to be excluded that is 1/3 of current employees. GSEE (General Confederation of Greek Workers) sent a letters to Employment and Social Protection Minister Fani Palli-Petralia and stressed its disagreement on the new list stressing that GSEE employees are determined to stage protestations and claim their rights. In the letter GSEE stresses that in every privileged state, health and security for all employees are the states fundamental obligations of welfare institution. These obligations have been cancelled by the non existence of political prevention and by the lack of severe measures and rules for the protection of employees, especially when their social security and pension rights of employees especially those that go through major health distress are being invalidated by non scientific and anti working criteria.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[06] On Energy Issues

03 Σεπ 2008 13:28:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105,8, ΑΠΕ

Vice President Dick Cheney will use his trip to the Caucasus this week to try to loosen Russias grip on Caspian and Central Asian oil and gas exports. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin also agreed to pay European, market-based prices for Uzbek gas, a move that could lock in supplies that might have fed alternative European pipelines. In Azerbaijan, Mr. Cheney will seek to secure Azeri natural gas for two high-profile, Western-backed pipelines that, once completed, will flow to the heart of Europe -- one called Nabucco, named for a Verdi opera, and a smaller project, Turkey-Greece-Italy. Cheney will also visit Ukraine and Georgia and will then go to Italy. His visit in Georgia is considered crucial in the framework of Washingtons support to former Soviet Union that targets at entering NATO.

Cheney is expected to announce aid that will reach 1 billion for the construction of infrastructure in the country that were destroyed during the fights. In addition, in Georgia the American vice president will express his support to president Shakashvili who is being disputed and is being accused of starting armed fights by Russian president Medvedev. What must be stressed is that Russia closed its embassy earlier in Tbilisi answering that way to Gerogias interruption of diplomatic relations. In parallel, NATO delegacy will visit Tbilisi in September.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[07] Coordinated Operation in 75 Countries

03 Σεπ 2008 12:57:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105,8

Hellenic police proceeded to the arrest of 15 people for participation in a network of child pornography in the framework of the investigation conducted by Interpol in 75 countries with the code name carousel. It must be noted that an arrest warrant has been issued for a 43 years old police officer from Thessaloniki. Another 37 years old suspect from Thermi and a 30 years old man from Sykies have been arrested and will testify in front of the prosecutor tomorrow. The arrestees possessed hard visual material with infants and an under 5 years old child from Brazil.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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