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

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Crete Quake

A minor earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale was recorded in the island of Crete at 15:21, on Sunday. The quake was felt in the Herakleio and Rethymno prefectures. The epicenter is located 285km SE of Athens. No damages have been reported so far..

Source: ÁNA-ÌPA News item: 37323

[02] Samaras Launches Strong Criticism

Works of ND party multi-issue conference in Athens concluded at noon, on Sunday with a speech delivered by its leader A. Samaras. He strongly criticized the government and ones who voted in favour of Troika memorandum.He dropped hints against former Prime-minister Kostas Karamanlis speaking of ideological disarmament. The president of the Organizational Committee Dimitris Abramopoulos described the ND party forthcoming congress as landmark for the country's political history, adding "it will be a congress of principles and refoundation of the party to mark the beginning of the new post military coup political period".

Statements

Mr. Samaras wondered what the few parliament representatives who voted in favour of PASOK positions could say now when neither PASOK ministers know the content of the memorandum, underlining that the ND did not vote for PASOK positions that tied the country for 4 years without knowing what it was voting for. He also criticized European partners and mainly the German government saying: "we do not like Greece to be treated as the weak chain of Europe and be offended by ones who built their surpluses from our deficits.

Reactions

In response to the criticism, LAOS president George Karatzaferis said that apparently the ND leader takes his personal practices to judge others referring to the toppling of ND government using capital he has not yet spoke of its source. He also underlined that his party voted in favour of same positions that ND Eurodeputies voted in the European Parliament and positions he himself supported when he went to Brussels to ask Barroso, Olli Rehn and Angela Merkel to assist Greece with the memorandum. Mr. Samaras is apparently afraid, said G. Karatzaferis.

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÍÅÔ

Related News: ND Multi-issue Conference

News item: 37322

[03] EU Denies Pensions Cut to Half

The EU denies having asked the Government to cut pensions to half and attributes rumours to Press misunderstanding. In a letter to newspaper "To Bima", EU Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn spokesman underlines that the percentage of low and middle pension will range from 65%-80%. He also says that the 48% referred represents the average percentage for the calculation of pension sum based on contributions paid to which the basic non contributory pension, to which we have no objections, will be added.

The Employment Ministry, in its statement, underlines that all misunderstandings, created by what Troika representatives had supported, have been clarified.

Misunderstanding

"The memorandum nowhere indicates that pensions will be cut to half" says alternate director of EU Monetary Affairs Commission and Olli Rehn spokesman Servas Derouze in an exclusive statement to paper "Bima tis Kyriakis".

Specifically, Mr. Derouze said: "A replacement rate of 45% to 48% has been reported by part of the Press. It is a misunderstanding. The figure of 48% is the simple calculation of 1.2% (average annual replacement rate) for 40 years (contribution period for full pension) and therefore represents the average replacement rate of the contributory scheme (for one person paying contributions for 40 years). In it he notes the non contributory basic pension is added -to which we have no objections. The basic pension increases replacement rate from 65% to 80 % to all except for high income groups. These replacement rates are in general similar to those in force in most EU member states and well above the minimum levels required by the European and international social insurance institutions.

In response to the above letter , the Employment Ministry issued the following statement:

The statement by Olli Rehn spokesman says that the Memorandum nowhere refers that pensions should be cut down to half. The specific position is correct. The employment and Social Security Ministry firmly supports it from the very first moment. Olli Rehn spokesman position to support that non contributory basic pension will be added to the 48% replacement rate for calculation of the contributory pension is the most positive development. This is the correct and exact interpretation of the Memorandum. Therefore all misunderstanding created by Troika representatives have been clarified.

Source: ÍÅÔ News item: 37314

[04] First Activists Deported

Seven of the 19 activists detained on Saturday after the Israeli forces intercepted and seized control of Irish aid ship "Rachel Corrie". Deportation was delayed because some activists refused to sign a documenting ensuring that they resign from all their rights to refer to Israeli Justice against this measure. A spokesman for the Israeli Immigration service said among those refusing to sign a relevant is Irish national and Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1976, Mairead Maguire.

Israeli forces intercepted and seized control of the Rachel Corrie on Saturday as it tried to reach the Gaza Strip, without use of force like that on Monday when nine people were killed as commandos stormed an aid flotilla. The campaigners and eight crew have signed deportation papers and most will be flown out on Sunday.

The "Rachel Corrie" cargo ship was intercepted and boarded while still in international waters. The ship was carrying hundreds of tones of aid, including wheelchairs, medical supplies and cement.

A group of activists detained for trying to sail an aid ship to Gaza in defiance of Israel's blockade will be deported soon. Israeli officials have said that "12 of the activists and crew member will be flown back to their countries while six Malaysians and one Cuban will cross the Allenby Bridge into Jordan.

Jordanian news agency Petra reconfirmed that an Indonesian member of the Freedom Flotilla attacked last Monday was among the activists deported.

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA, ÍÅÔ, ÅÍÔ 105.8

News item: 37312

[05] Tsohatzopoulos to Face Transparency Committee

Restoration of transparency in public life and clearing of all cases overshadowing the country's political life have emerged as the top issue at present. Within this context an investigation is being carried out on the property assets of former minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos. There is extensive coverage of the relevant case in Sunday's press. On his part, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos- who has been called to appear on Monday before the PASOKTransparency Committee to respond to questions on the purchase of a real estate in the most expensive area in Athens- speaks of mud slinging attack against him.

Specifically, Sunday's Press makes extensive coverage on the former minister's, several of his relatives and close aides property assets as well as on their activities giving many details.

Golden buys through off shore companies says newspaper "Real News" adding that Taxation department officials (SDOE) are looking in depth into the case. A total of 10 million euros is newspaper "Proto Thema" estimate of Akis Tsohatzopoulos property ownership. The former minister speaks of mud slinging attack.

High ranking members of the government maintain the target is transparency for all and everything and attribution of justice without cannibalism.

Source: ÍÅÔ News item: 37309

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article