The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-08-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] ND Walked out of PIC on Batopedi

On Tuesday, ND party walked out of parliament Inquiry Committee looking into Vatopedi scandal. ND deputy Nikolaos Dendias said further presence of the main opposition party in the committee would only serve PASOK plans which is not to seek the truth but to refer to justice without evidence political figures in the former government.

Mr. Dendias said: "PASOK in its petty political effort to maintain a scandal-parody without slightest evidence of political money, went on to set up a committee solely aimed to refer to justice ministers in the ND ruling without any proof of damage to the state".

Commenting, PASOK deputy Tilemahos Xitiris said: "ND keeps repeating its actions. After walking out from Parliament discussions on scandals of the former period, today withdraws from the Parliament inquiry Committee, disregarding institutions, transparency and common sense".

Source: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA News item: 40184

[02] G. Alogoskoufis Face PIC Looking into Siemens Case

"I have no involvement in the Siemens case", said former Finance Minister G. Alogoskoufis while giving his statement to the Parliament Inquiry Committee on Tuesday. Former minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos is to give his statement on Wednesday and businessman Sokratis Kokkalis on Thursday. In the meantime, Tasos Mantelis was temporarily released.

"Denied Involvement"

Mr. Alogoskoufis denied any involvement in the Siemens case and underlined that he had never competence on Siemens supplies to the Telecommunication (OTE) and Railway (OSE) companies. Furthermore, he only reconfirmed two of the 35 meetings with Hristoforakos in his agenda. The two meetings took place at the Ministry and regarded briefing on some projects.

Finally he refused that P. Bourloumis was his personal selection for the post of OTE chief executive. He said it was a collective decision.

T. Mantelis Temporarily Free

In the meantime, Tasos Mantelis was temporarily released after his marathon statement due to an argument between the judge and the prosecutor with the first asking for conditional terms and the second his detention.

Former Minister Tasos Mantelis faces money laundering charges regarding 450.000 marcs deposited by Siemens in a bank account in Switzerland. The Appeals Council will decide whether or not he will remain free.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÍÅÔ - ÁNA -ÌPA

News item: 40152

[03] Greeks Stub out their Cigarettes

The Anti-smoking Committee as well as Health and Social Solidarity Minister and undersecretary, Mariliza Xenoyiannakopoulou and Fofi Gennimata respectively visited Prime-minister George Papandreou on Tuesday in view of smoking ban in all public spaces as of September, 1. Mr. Papandreou congratulated the Anti-smoking Committee for its excellent job.

"Your effort is particularly significant and contributes to our work to change attitudes, prototypes and behaviors in order to improve quality of life and make our country viable not only financially but also in daily life", said the prime-minister assessing that smoking ban in all public places would have a positive impact both in our behavior and protection of passive smokers health.

Furthermore, Health Minister M. Xenoyiannakopoulou handed the folder with the relevant ministerial decision and framework of inspections and citizens' briefing campaign.

Smoking ban in all public places will be in force on 1/9 and there is no loophole to the regulation. Fines for smokers range from â¬50 to â¬500 and â¬500 to â¬10.000 for shop owners.

For information regarding implementation of law and denouncements dial 1142.

Smoking areas in all work sites are abolished.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÁNA-ÌPA

Related News: Full Smoking Ban from 1/9

News item: 40177

[04] Extrajudicial Settlement of Debts from 1/9

Extrajudicial settlement of debts ,for people unable to meet obligations to banks, takes effect on September, 1, 2010. Borrowers with sufficient evidence of their inability to pay their debts can submit an application requesting extrajudicial proceedings with their creditors for the settlement of debts.

Cases Referred to One-Member Courts from 2011

Ones interested can refer to the Consumer Ombudsman, Committee of Friendly Settlement, Consumer Unions, Bank Investment Services Mediator, Lawyer or any other public or private non-profit sector .

In the event a compromise settlement is not reached, the case would be referred to one of the 80 one member courts to be in operation at the beginning of 2011.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8

News item: 39931

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