The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-10-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] The Governments' Key Goals

06 Οκτ 2008 11:26:00 (Last updated: 06 Οκτ 2008 13:47:52)

Boosting the low-income earners, assessing everyday problems and advancing reforms are the Governments keynote priorities, stressed Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis while addressing the ruling partys parliamentary group. Karamanlis asked for team spirit, intensification of work and completion of the governments reforms. "This policy will earn us a third election win," argued the Prime Minister. He also reassured that the Greek citizens bank accounts are absolutely guaranteed and that the Greek banking system is safe. He then blasted the main opposition party for irresponsibility and nihilism.

Karamanlis named economy and reforms his main goals. He dismissed the global financial environment as shaky, further reassuring that the Greek banking system is absolutely safe and reliable. "We have to push for the reforms, since they are they way for a solid social state, despite the populists and the groups that react to them," said he. Admitting that team spirit and cooperation between the Government and the parliament had dwindled, Karamanlis heralded regular sittings and called on his lawmakers to record the citizens problems and suggest solutions.

Karamanlis attacked the opposition parties of irresponsibility and unreliability. While touching on the financial crisis, he blasted them for failing to see the main problems. "There is only one path, one goal for us: the public interest," concluded Karamanlis, assuring there would be zero tolerance to any interests that undermine the nations future.

Reactions by Opposition

"The Prime Minister reminds me of Abbot Efraim and every Efraim that loot the Greek property, giving a small part to the poor," commented Aleka Papariga, secretary general of the Greek Communist Party.

"We witnessed this morning a press-like record of reality by the Prime Minister. What was confirmed once again is the absence of a political answer to the crisis. Mr Karamanlis, unable to break loose from his neo-liberal obsession, is falling apart along with his policy," read an announcement issued by SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left).

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Flurry of Political Activity

[02] PASOK: Proposal of Legislation on Economy

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105,8-ΑNA/ΜNA

PASOK will submit today in Parliament a proposal per the tackle of Greek citizens problems. This proposal includes provision of heat and social solidarity allowances and return of VAT to farmers. Mr. Papandreou stated that PASOK takes action for what it says. Today, he stressed, we are here to prove for once again the consistency of our commitments to the Greek people, supporting family incomes especially of low and middle class incomes.

Broad Meeting

Earlier today PASOK parliamentary members had a meeting under the presidency of Giorgos Papandreou discussing the parliamentary agenda to be adopted by the opposition party.

Mr. Papandreou congratulated the new parliamentary members that worked for the formation of the proposal of legislation and announced new legislative initiatives in the future.

General secretary of the National Council Giannis Ragousis, Evangelos Venizelos, Christos Papoutsis, Apostolos Kaklamanis, Phillipos Petsalnikos, Dimitris Repas, Louka Katseli, Michalis Chrisochoidis, Vasilis Exarchos, Giorgos Papakostantinou and Nikos athansakis participated in the meeting.

E. Venizelos on the Financial Measures and Co Operations

Evangelos Venizelos in his interview in "Ta Nea" newspaper suggests measures for low and middle incomes as well as for businesses in order to insure a sense of security in the Greek market and finance.

One of the proposals submitted by PASOK is related to first residence building loans. The size of the house will depend on the number of children of low and middle income families. In his interview he stresses that despite the period of weakness the Prime Minister is going through "we must not disregard or underestimate him," he noted.

On reference to possible political co operations Mr. Venizelos said that PASOK must target at achieving majority of seats in Parliament in order to be parliamentary autonomous and at securing co operations and consent mostly with Synaspismos without accepting "deviations or pressures."

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[03] Opening Day Marked with Absences

A customary religious ceremony marked the opening of the Parliaments Plenum before Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, and the PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) and LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) leaders. Protesting against the Vatopedi property scandal, the SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) deputies also abstained from the opening day. Aleka Papariga, KKE (Greek Communist Party) did not attend the ceremony, either, as she was addressing the Olympic Airlines employees in Hellinikon. The first sitting has been scheduled for Wednesday.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Hungary: Dead and Injured in Train Collision

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

A local passenger train ran into the back of an long-distance train Monday near Budapest, killing four people and injuring 26. The accident happened around 10:20 a.m. (0820 GMT) near the train station in the town of Monorierdo, when a local passenger train ran into the back of a long-distance train coming from the eastern city of Nyiregyhaza, Hungarian State Railways, or MAV, said in a statement. Both trains were heading toward Budapest, Hungarys capital, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Monorierdo.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[05] German and 2 French Win Nobel for Medicine

Sources: REUTERS

One German and two French scientists won the 2008 Nobel prize for medicine or physiology for their discoveries of two viruses that cause severe human diseases, the prize awarding institute said on Monday.

The prize of 10 million Swedish crowns ($1.4 million) recognized Harald zur Hausen of Germany for his work into the cause of cervical cancer and Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier of France for their discovery of the virus that causes AIDS, Swedens Karolinska Institute said.

[06] Turkey: PKK Bases Raided

Retaliating for the PKK-mounted attack on a military outpost, where 15 Turkish soldiers were killed, Turkey air raided Kurds bases in northern Iraq. At least 23 members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) were also killed during the Saturday clashes. After the attack, the Turkish army is to shut down five outposts in the border with Iraq, officials in Ankara said. An army officer blasted the government of the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq for failing to contribute to the fight against PKK, despite Iraqi President Jalal Talabanis pledge. Talabani called Turkish President Abdullah Gul and suggested talks between the two sides, also expressing Iraqs willingness to help Turkey defuse the crisis.

Translated by Areti Christou

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