The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-05-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] COSCO Confirms China Eyes More Investments in Greece

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COSCO Ceo Wei Jiafu confirmed his company's interest in taking part in the forthcoming tender for the construction of the new transit centre in Thriasio at his meeting with the Greek Transport Minister. The Chinese company also showed its interest in the construction of the airport in Crete. Both the Chinese official and Dimitris Reppas termed the meeting as highly successful.

"The talks held with the COSCO officials were successful. We had the chance to brief them on the programmes run by the Ministry. We highlighted the importance of international cooperation to Greece. The Chinese delegation expressed its interest. We provided them will all the necessary figures. They will assess and study them, as they told us, and appeared willing to undertake investment initiatives in Greece," stressed Reppas after the meeting.

The Greek Ministry said the meeting laid down the foundations for successful understanding and cooperation in matters of mutual interest.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA News item: 36754

[02] Mass Turnout in Greek Nationwide Strike

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Thousands of striking Greeks marched on parliament on Thursday, in a test of the government's resolve to implement tough austerity measures demanded by the EU and IMF to drag Greece out of its debt crisis.

The strike was called by unions representing 2.5 million workers, half the country's workforce, who want the government to withdraw austerity measures agreed with the EU and IMF in return for a 110 billion-euro emergency loan.

Schools and government offices were shut and hospitals were operating on skeleton staff. Tourist sites such as Athens' ancient Acropolis were also closed, ships were kept in port or prevented from docking, and domestic flights were disrupted.

Three cruise ships with more than 7,000 passengers were prevented from docking in Athens because of the strike and left for other destinations, coastguard officials said.

Air traffic controllers said they would not strike on Thursday because they did not want to hurt tourism, but other walkouts affected some domestic flights

Source: Reuters News item: 36753

[03] Cash Registers in Open Markets and Kiosks

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Agricultural product sellers will be obliged to issue retail receipts and maintain accounts as of 1 October 2010, said the Greek Finance Ministry. Kiosk owners, and those who retail newspapers, magazines, fixed and mobile telecommunications cards will have to issue retail receipts and keep accounts as of 1 July 2010.

Source: NET 105.8 News item: 36752

[04] Greek PM Suggests Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation

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Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is attending the Arab Economic Forum taking place in Lebanon. In his address, he touched on the close friendly and historic ties Greece enjoys with the Arab nations, further underlining the nee for an Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. Papandreou met Thursday morning with his Lebanese counterpart Saad Hariri.

Proposal for a Mediterranean Union

Addressing a forum of Arab businessmen in Lebanon, the Greek Prime Minister proposed the creation of the Union for the Mediterranean nations.

"Peace, stability and security can be established in the area, where the Middle East, north Africa and the EU nations can joint forces in key matters pertaining to economy, culture and society," said George Papandreou, noting that a close cooperation between Europe and the Mediterranean nations has always been one of Greece's keynote goals.

Although it is a pretty ambitious idea, added Papandreou, such a cooperation could create a zone of peace, stability and security in the wider area.

"Stability in the area concerns all the involved nations," argued he, explaining that climate change could deteriorate already existing problems that have to do with water and food and could pose new threats to human health, the ecosystem and the nations' economies.

Drawing his attention to the business environment in Greece, he stressed that it is radically changing.

"We are experiencing what should have been done decades ago," argued George Papandreou, adding that his government has committed itself to the above goal.

"We won't be satisfied until the new economy model starts generating tangible results for Greece," argued he.

Source: NET 105.8

News item: 36751

[05] 16 People Perish in Thai Clashes

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At least 16 people were killed and as many as 88 were injured in the violent clashes that broke out Wednesday between anti-government demonstrators and the army. The Thai government extended a curfew in Bangkok for three more nights.

Fires are still smoldering in the Thai capital. The majority of the malls, the businesses and the lenders that were set on fire are associated with the country's bureaucratic regime, political analysts said.

Police and army officers told the Thai Prime Minister that last night's curfew went well, further adding that it would prevent violence.

Call for Peace

The leader of the redshirt protesters called for peace.

Democracy cannot be built upon revenge and anger, said he in his televised address.

Human Rights Watch blamed both the army and the demonstrators for the bloody clashes.

Source: NET 105.8, ANA/MPA News item: 36746

[06] South Korea Accuses North of Torpedoing Warship

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South Korea accused the reclusive North on Thursday of torpedoing one of its warships, heightening tension in the economically powerful region and testing the international position of China, Pyongyang's only major backer.

South Korea said it would take "firm" measures against its impoverished neighbor, which furiously responded that it was ready for war if Seoul or its allies imposed sanctions.

A report by investigators, including experts from the United States, Australia, Britain and Sweden, concluded that a North Korean submarine had fired the torpedo that sank the Cheonan corvette in March, killing 46 sailors.

"There is no other plausible explanation," their report said.

Fear of escalating tension weighed on South Korean financial markets, already worried that investors jumpy about global financial concerns may pull out their money.

"News of North Korea's torpedo isn't new, but growing tension around the case is keeping sentiment weak," said Cho Yong-hyun, an analyst at Hana Daetoo Securities.

The South Korean won suffered its biggest daily fall against the dollar in 10 months. Stocks closed at their lowest in almost three months.

International condemnation was immediate, with the stark exception of China, which analysts say is desperate to avoid any action that might destabilize its reclusive neighbor and lead to a spill-out into in its territory.

Source: Reuters News item: 36744

[07] 24-Hour Nationwide Strike in Greece

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Hospitals are reduced to emergency staff, much of the transport network has been immobilized and ferries are tied up in ports as Greek trade unions stage another 24-hour general strike against austerity measures. Strikers have gathered at the centre of Athens to demonstrate against the government measures, while Communist protesters have occupied the Employment Ministry.

Civil workers, people working in local governments, customs officers, primary and secondary school teachers take part in the strike.

There will be no train services. Flights, on the other hand, will not be disrupted, since air traffic controllers did not join the strike.

The Education Minister urged teachers to act as skeleton staff lest the national level exams should be hampered.

We won't break the strike, said OLME (Federation of Secondary School Teachers).

Journalists have also decided to postpone their industrial action, because one of the most essential components of this rolling campaign is publicity.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA News item: 36743

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