The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-03-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Rapid Developments in the Patriarchate Eirinaios in Dire Straits

By Athina Saloustrou

Today, the verdict of the Foreign Ministry specialists is expected to be published, concerning the management of Jerusalem Patriarchate real estate, and will conclude if sales occurred. According to sources, the difficulty of recording data and the attempted obstruction by the accused parties, involved in accusations of the transfer of Patriarchate real estate to Israeli companies is stated in the verdict. The specialists consider that the issue needs further investigation, while responsibility for the leadership of the Jerusalem Patriarchate is not ruled out. In the meantime, in Jerusalem the Holy Synod will convene in an especially critical meeting, since around 10 hierarchs ask for Eirinaios resignation, while the Palestinian Authority has planned demonstrations.

"Negative Surprise"

Head Secretary of Holy Synod of the Jerusalem Patriarchate, Archbishop Konstantinis Aristarchos is expected to arrive in Amman today, in order to brief the Jordanian Interior Minister over recent articles in the Press.

Tomorrow, the Jordanian government ultimatum ends, which calls on Patriarch Eirinaios to give written explanations if sale or long-term rentals and changes in the Patriarchates real estate have taken place.

Minister of State, Thodoris Rousopoulos spoke of a negative surprise, while making clear that the Patriarchates Hellenism is ought to be protected. From her side, Minister of Education, Marietta Giannakou stated that the Greek state has supported and will support the Patriarchate as an institution.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

"Resign"

[02] Informative Tour of the Euroconstitution "Eurobus" Starts its Journey

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8

On Wednesday morning, in a special ceremony in Zappeion Mansion, Minister of Transport Michalis Liapis and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giannis Valinakis presented "Eurobus," which will begin an informative tour about the Euroconstitution in the countrys prefectures. As Mr Liapis stated, the completion of the EU is a national strategy and any circumstantial or certain problems that arise from the Union should not undermine its aim. The Minister noted that Greece wins by participating in the Union, and serves national and economic interests. From his side, Mr Valinakis stated that the European Constitutional Treaty is a historic point in the course of Europe and is especially important for the daily life of citizens.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[03] Culprits Found

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8

The Athens Police Headquarters have found the culprits of the murder of 18-year-old Vasilis Mamopoulos, outside his residence, on 5 Aristotelous Street, in Elliniko, on Monday. They are a 17-year-old Greek, a 17-year-old foreigner and a 20-year-old Greek-Egyptian. The Police has arrested two Greeks while the foreigner is still missing. They will be taken today to the Prosecutor, while investigations are underway for the location and arrest of the third culprit.

"He Owed Money"

As the arrested confessed, Mamopoulos had borrowed 5,000 euros from the 17-year-old Greek, which he did not return, regardless of the fact that he constantly asked for the sum.

Thus, the underage culprit organized the murder with the other two and ambushed Mamopoulos.

The 20-year-old remained in the car, and the two 17-year-olds attacked the victim while the foreigner held him, the Greek shot him twice in the head.

Following, as they stated, they escaped with the car and threw the gun in the sea in Varkiza.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] AEI-TEI Evaluation University Professors Strike

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET RADIO 105.8- "Ta Nea" Newspaper

The National Education Council (ESYP) will convene today and discuss the issue of universities evaluation. The main characteristic of the AEI and TEI evaluation will be the publication of its results, which will be divided into internal and external, from an evaluation committee, which will be participated by foreign professors. University professors are on strike today, while students who are protesting over the bill of inter-institutional organization of Academics and Information titles recognition, will hold a march from Propylaia to the Ministry of Education.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related Links:

Ministry of Education

[05] "Are Not Enemy Combatants" Thirty-Eight Guantanamo Detainees Freed

By Anna Kourti

Thirty-eight detainees in the prison camp at Guantanamo Bay will be released. As the Navy Secretary, Gordon England stated, " the Pentagon had completed a review of the cases of all the detainees, who were classified as enemy combatants rather than given the status of prisoners of war. Special three-member military panels found that 520 Guantanamo prisoners were properly classified, but determined that another 38 or 7 percent of the prisoners at Guantanamo were not enemy combatants despite their earlier designation and will be freed."

"Legal Black Hole"

Mr England did not make the nationality of the 38 detainees known, while they will be released due insufficient evidence.

Human Rights Organizations condemn the Bush government of creating a "legal black hole" in Guantanamo.

U.S. Federal Judge, Henry Kennedy prohibited the Bush government to transfer 13 Yemeni detainees from Guantanamo to another country, where there was fear of torture tactics. A similar court decision was taken on March 12.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] Five Afghani Policemen Killed Bloody Attack in Afghanistan

By Anna Kourti

Sources: Reuters- ANA

Five Afghani policemen lost their lives in a Taliban militant attack in the western province of Farah, in Afghanistan. The Head of the Security Services, Muhammad Rasoul stated that the militants attacked a security guardhouse and killed five policemen who were on duty. "The security forces reacted immediately and began a manhunt, arresting five Taliban fighters, among them their military leader, Muhammad Hussein," stated Rasoul. Earlier, an Afghani was killed from a blast of a car packed with explosives outside government buildings in Jalalabad, in eastern Afghanistan. In the meantime, the First Lady of the U.S., Laura Bush arrived in Kabul on Wednesday morning, in order to investigate the issue of womens education in Afghanistan.

Laura Bush in Afghanistan

On Wednesday morning she arrived in the air force base of Bagram, north of Kabul and following she will meet with a group of women and President, Hamid Karzai.

During her stay in Kabul, Laura Bush is expected to announce aid of 17.7 million dollars in the American University of the Afghan capital and 3.5 million dollars for the international elementary school in Afghanistan.

Following, Mrs Bush will have dinner with American soldiers and will depart to Washington.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[07] Sentenced to Five Years Israel: Former Minister Found Guilty

By Anna Kourti

The former Israeli Minister of Energy, Gonen Segev was sentenced to five years in prison for drug trafficking. He was also found guilty of forgery since he attempted to use an invalid diplomatic passport in order to smuggle 32,000 ecstasy pills in Israel.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[08] Special Clause in Stock Market Bill "Yes" to Lift of Bank Confidential

By Vicky Keleri

The government is planning to implement a clause for the protection of the Stock Market for a lift of bank confidential, so the Stock Market committee can perform investigations to counter embezzlement. The Deputy Minister of Economy, Petros Doukas made the announcement in view of the discussion of the relative bill, in the Economics Committee in Parliament. As far as the bill is concerned, ND rapperteur, Mr Agorastos noted that the aim is "to boost the shaken trust of the investors, especially minor ones, in the Stock Market." The opposition evaluated that the bill is in the right direction. Synaspismos and KKE expressed their objection.

Various Reactions

PASOK MP, Nikos Christodoulakis proposed of a formation of a special justice body, so the penal process in the case of unwanted practices to be speedier. Mr Makripidis stated the need for an Internal Audit Administration in the Stock Market Committee, for the "investigation of the investigators" and the identification of criteria, such as the amount of exchange, the frequency, the duration of the companys moves, for the specification of penalties.

From her side, KKE MP, Elpida Pantelaki observed that the bill is "trying to solve regulation issues, leaving the heart of the Stock Market oligarchy, which are the banks, exposed while creating illusions, that the people can get fast cash."

"This is a phenomenon where the banks have great power but no competition, thus people instead of going to banks for loans go to the Stock Market," stated SYN rappeurter, Giannis Dragasakis.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Related News:

New Capital Market Bill to Parliament

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