The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-07-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Intensive Investigations

Ten suspects facing serious charges will be interrogated on Wednesday and Thursday. The defendants' lawyers speak of make up charges on them and that telephone tapping on their clients phones have not produced any serious evidence.

Important clues to trace the members of the gang include a failed bomb attack and murder, the contribution of two women who gave important information to security authorities as well as the distinctive accent of the kidnappers negotiator.

The police released the names of the 16 people involved not only in Periklis Panagopoulos kidnap but in other serious crimes. The following 5 are in prison:

Panagiotis Blastos, Yiannis Skaftouros, Basilis Stefanakos, Konstantinos Andreou and Serbian Deyian Ivanof.

Manolis Skarlatos, Aristomenis Kleftoyiannis, Apostolos Petrakis, George Katsayanis, George Troumboukis, Yiannis Theodorakis, Haralambos Moustakas, Yiannis Thodis, Ioanna Hira and Politimi Georgas asked for postponement till Wednesday and Thursday to face prosecutor.

Police search continues to locate Panagiotis Soidelis or Soiledis.

All 16 suspects are facing serious crime charges.

News item: 24445

[02] Submission of Applications for Rent Subsidy Program

Applications are accepted only if accompanied by the necessary documents referred in the briefing leaflet. For information one can dial 1500 and 210 521 0000 or look up in OEK webpage www.oek.gr. Applications can also be filled online at KEP centers.

The program regards low-income workers who do not own a house. The amount of rent subsidy ranges from â¬115 for a couple without children, 215 euros for a couple with three children and an additional 25 euros for any other child. Yearly income must be under 12.000 euros for married couples, increased by 2.000 euros for each child.

News item: 24443

[03] Bulgaria Parliamentary Elections

Bulgarians voted on Sunday in the first parliamentary election, after the country's admission to the EU, they hope will restart reforms to combat endemic corruption and heal an economy severely damaged by the global crisis. Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov said he voted for a firm government that would deal with the impacts of the global financial crisis.

Although several politicians shared Parvanov's view, political analysts appeared reserved on whether a government could be formed and predicted new elections in autumn.

Voting started at 6 a.m. local time and ends at 7 p.m. and turnout is expected at just over 50 %, similar to four years ago. At least 6.8 million voters will be choosing between some 4,500 candidates from 14 political parties and four coalitions for parliament's 240 seats.

No significant violations have been referred but Bulgarian police arrested at least five people on Saturday on suspicion of vote buying and Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev urged Bulgarians not to jeopardize their future in Sunday's parliamentary election. The vote has been marred by widespread allegations of vote buying by virtually all political parties.

Political parties have been accusing each other of offering money, food and other basic commodities to mainly poor communities and minorities.

The first exit polls are due shortly after close while traditional interviews of the winners and the defeated are expected after 10:00 local time.

News item: 24441

[04] Honduras: Tension Escalating

Tension in Honduras reaching boiling point after the country's suspension from the Organization of American States (OAS) and the statement of ousted Honduran President that he would return on Sunday. Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, who was toppled by a military coup a week ago, said during OAS congress that his country is living âunder rule of terrorâ since the day he was ousted and repeated his intention to return on Sunday.

In an interview with Venezuela television channel teleSUR, Mr. Zelaya said that his return was scheduled for Sunday noon and called his supporters to gather at the airport to demonstrate peacefully without weapons.

It seems difficult, however, to avoid unrest as Roberto Mitseletti former president of the Congress and leader of the facto government, which took over power after the coup, has said that Zelaya would be arrested as soon as he arrives in the country. On the other hand, Zelaya's supporters are taking to the airport shouting slogans such as âMel people are with youâ, âout Pinochettiâ, âMitsletti is a traitorâ.

Thousands of Mr Zelaya's supporters say they will be at the airport to witness whatever transpires. His detractors, who accuse him of manipulating this country's poorest people in pursuit of power, say they look forward to justice being served.

Honduras suspension from OAS would complicate access to credits from international and regional lenders. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez decided to suspend oil supply to Honduras, a move expected to lead to sharp rise in fuel prices.

The interim government remained defiant, announcing it would renounce the OAS charter, and has rallied supporters on the streets of the capital and other cities in a show of support. Intervening in development, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Honduras has urged Mr Zelaya to stay out of the country in order to avoid - in his words - a bloodbath.

Some of Zelaya's left-wing allies, Presidents of Equador, Paraguay and Argentina Rafael Corea, Fernando Lugo and Kristina Krisner have said they would travel with the exiled leader to Honduras on Sunday.

News item: 24440

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