The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-10-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Hungarian Plane Forced Down

Sources: NET, ANA-MPA

The plane that was forced to land by Iranian fighter jets on 30 September because it violated the Iranian airspace was Hungarian. Earlier reports had said that top-ranking US official were on board the plane.

Iranian television Alalam reiterated Tuesday former information, reporting that the plane forced to land in Iran was Hungarian used to carry humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, while there were only Hungarian citizens aboard.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] Portugal Recognizes Kosovo's Independence

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA, AFP

Portugal officially recognized Tuesday Kosovos independence. Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado said the decision to recognize was in the best interest of the nation, underlining that Portugal was the 22nd EU member state that recognized Kosovo as an independent state. Only five EU nations, including Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Romania and Slovakia, still oppose Kosovos unilateral declaration of independence.

Translated by Areti Christou

[03] Expelled Conservative MP Allowed In

Sources: NET 105.8

With a letter to the House Speaker, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis announced that expelled Conservative MP Stavros Dailakis was allowed back in the ruling partys parliamentary group.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

St. Dailakis Written off from ND

[04] Asteroid Named after Greek Astronomer

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA

The International Astronomical Unions committee that names asteroids honoured astronomer Kleomenis Tsiganis of the Thessaloniki Aristotle University, by naming asteroid formerly known as 1999 RC221 after him. From now on, the asteroid in question will be named 21775 Tsiganis, with the number indicating the asteroids place on the list of those whose orbit has been precisely calculated. Asteroid 1999 RC221 was first discovered on 5 September 1999. Although Kleomenis Tsiganis research has been focused on the asteroids chaotic motion, there is no indication of chaos in the orbit of 217754 Tsiganis.

Translated by Areti Christou

[05] Tough Year for Tourism Ahead

Sources: NET, ANA-MPA

Addressing the 7th conference of the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises, Tourism Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos underlined the need to free tourism from political expediencies. Spiliotopoulos predicted that 2009 would prove tough for the tourism industry, therefore a realistic planning is a prerequisite.

"Tourism is the nations future," argued the Tourism Minister, while he termed the return to quality as the only way. "Tourism is a living economic sector that generates income," stressed Spiliotopoulos.

As for 2009, the Tourism Ministry will shift its attention to new markets, including Russia, Romania, Bulgaria and China, while a separate marketing campaign addressing the markets of the USA, the Great Britain and Germany.

The Minister is bent on putting an end to the anarchy prevailing in the market, underlined he, also arguing that draft-bill providing for a qualitative upgrading has already been completed.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] Petralia: Government Guarantees Pensions-Provisions

Sources: NET, ANA-MPA

On the occasion of report predicting cuts in pensions and provisions, Employment Minister Fani Palli-Petralia rest everybody assure that the Government would guarantee pensions and provisions of the unified funds

Petralia heralded hikes in OGA pensions and EKAS, further noting that the funds the new state budget provides for have been raised by 11 percent compared to last year. The unifications of funds have nothing to do with the risks unionists claim they entail.

Translated by Areti Christou

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