The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-05-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] India: Maoist Rebels Deny Involvement in Train Crash

At least 71 people were killed and another 149 were injured when a high-speed train derailed and smashed into the path of a goods train in India. Rescue crews are still searching for survivors as tens of passengers remain trapped. Authorities in India have put the blame on Maoist rebels, who are particularly active in central and eastern India.

The train was en route for Calcutta. The probe proved that a portion of the railway track had been removed causing the train to derail.

Maoists Deny Involvement

A spokesman for the Maoist insurgents of India denied the group's involvement in the train crash.

The crash occurred in an area known to be a stronghold of the rebels.

Having made their debut in 1967, the Maoist rebels claim they are fighting for the poor and mean to have the government toppled by 2050.

Source: NET, ANA/MPA

BBC: 'Maoist sabotage' kills 71 on train in eastern India

News item: 37061

[02] Debate on "Kallikratis" Plan Wraps Up

The parliamentary debate on the government's plan to redraw local government boundaries, better known as "Kallikratis," is to wrap up Friday evening. A vote will follow on the bill's each and every article. The bill was voted in principle on Thursday. Of the 268 deputies present in the House, 160 cast a positive ballot to the bill.

Source: NET 105.8 News item: 37055

[03] Tensions Run High between Samaras & Roussopoulos

Main opposition New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras lashed out at party officials who had high-profile posts within the party before taking the reign of ND. "If it has escaped your notice, I was mandated to build a new ND," stressed Samaras. Former minister and deputy Theodoros Roussopoulos accused Antonis Samaras of disrespecting the procedures that are currently underway.

A.Samaras: "Those Who Hurt the Party Will Leave"

Entering the party's headquarters at Rigillis St, Antonis Samaras told reporters: "I won't apologise for behaviours of the likes of Pavlides or Voulgarakis or Roussopoulos. Let me make one thing clear, those who have hurt the party won't be with us and I am not going to let anyone be targeted unfairly. Nothing else."

Th. Roussopoulos: "Justice will Judge Me"

Commenting on Samaras' statements, former deputy Theodoros Roussopoulos said: "It is pretty obvious that he does not respect the procedures which are underway both in Parliament and Justice, and he has already made his decisions. Never have I asked anyone, not even Mr Samaras, to apologise for me.

"I am waiting to be judged by justice and not by party mechanisms and their expediencies. This is what I will be after and I will be fully vindicated. Not all of us are the same, Mr Samaras, and you know this."

ND, by Samaras' decision, is to set up an assessment committee to constantly assess and review the ND officials, with a view to building a political party of values and principles.

The committee will consist of the secretary of the Central Committee, the secretary of the Parliamentary Group and the director of the Institute for Democracy Constantinos Karamanlis.

Source: NET 105.8, ANA

News item: 37044

[04] ESC Final Countdown!

Greece's entry is contesting in 55th ESC final. "OPA" performed by George Alkaios & Friends secured the ticket for the big final on Saturday at the ESC first semi-final, held on Tuesday. Cyprus is also in the big final. Jon Lilygreen & Islanders, will sing "Life Looks Better In Spring". The ESC final will be broadcast live at 22:00 Greek local time by eurovision.ert.gr, state television channel NET and state radio ERA Second Program 103. 7.

Read more

News item: 37042

[05] Confiscated 45kg of Heroin

Egoumenitsa Port Authorities confiscated 45kg of heroin on Thursday. A British national was trying to smuggle into the country the large quantity of heroin hidden in special crypts. This is the largest quantity of heroin ever confiscated in Epirus and adds to the long list of successes in the combat against drug smuggling in Thesprotia.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8 News item: 37031

[06] HSAP Omonoia -Ano Patisia Stations Closed

Electric train (HSAP) suspends Omonoia -Ano Patisia services at week end May, 29, 30 due to renovation works of tracks. Passengers will be served by metro line 2 and bus line X8 for the part from Attiki-Ano Patisia stations. Train services en route to Kifissia will not stop at N. Ionia station but the platform towards Piraeus has opened.

Source: ÁNA-ÌPA News item: 37030

[07] Fresh Immigrant Clashes in Athens Center

A fresh incident involving immigrants occurred in streets close to Omonoia Sq. on Thursday night. After clashes on Wednesday, some 100 Afghan and Pakistani immigrants were involved in a new incident, using stones bats and other objects turning the area into a battlefield. Security forces arrested 10 people and are conducting interrogation to find the real cause of the clashes.

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA News item: 37029

[08] G. Papakonstantinou Rules out Additional Measures

"There will not be need for additional measures" said Finance Minister George Papakonstantinou, in his speech at the OECD (Organization for Cooperation and Development) meting in Paris and ruled out restructuring of Greece's state debt. Mr. Papakonstantinou specifically referred to the government's initiatives aimed to purge Greece'sa economy.

Mr. Papakonstantinou briefed his counterparts on the changes promoted by the government such as drawing up of state budget, taxation legislation and reforms in the social security system.

He said reforms in combination with significant reduction in state deficit at the first quarter of 2010 improve Greece's economy prospects and enables it to produce and export at lower and better level.

He also referred to the signing of two significant agreements that will enforce combat of tax evasion.

The first concerns OECD agreement with the Council of Europe on cooperation in taxation issues, which Greece will ratify, and the second concerns a package of bilateral and multilateral agreements on exchange of information related to tax evasion.

Regarding the imminent so called Troika inspection, Mr. Papakonstantinou said that EU and IMF experts will on one hand assess materialization of 2010 state budget and on the other hand implementation of Greece's commitments within the framework of the memorandum signed with the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Source: ÍÅÔ- ÌPA News item: 37015

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