The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-03-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Long Weekend to be Spend

07 Mar 2008 19:03:00

By Anthi Ntaousani

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA

It is most likely that there will be more frequent and longer power cuts nationwide during the Clean Monday long weekend. DEH administration has called on GENOP to provide the necessary skeleton staff for the operation of the power plants and consumers to reduce consumption of energy. DEH employees have decided to continue mobilizations till Wednesday while the companys administration maintains that power production has dropped by 40%, forcing rotating power cuts. Problems from power cuts have infuriated industrial and household consumers while the government has called on strikers to respect the people. Opposition parties have strongly reacted to handlings by DEH administration. In the meantime, debate on social security system reforms opens in the Parliament on Tuesday in the mid of industrial mobilizations. One after the other, trade unions are announcing mobilizations, culminating with GSEE 24-hour strike on Wednesday, March, 19. Furthermore, local administration employees strike is expected to create big problems with the collection of garbage.

Problems Continue

DEH administration recalled lawsuit- to be tried today- rendering the strike illegal and abusive. GENOP suspended the 24-hour strike announced for today, however, 23 trade unions nationwide said that they will continue mobilizations till Werdnesday. GENOP-DEH presidium blamed the companys administration board for misleading public opinion with unjustifiably long duration power cuts. Its president, Nikos Fotopoulos said that there is no such issue as inefficiency of power. However, according to DEH new announcement many regions will face 2 hour power cuts on Friday evening

Reactions

Regarding to DEH mobilizations and fear for black out, government spokesman, Thodoros Roussopoulos said "there is right of strike but there are also obligations to society and nobody has the right to use a social product to achieve what one considers right".

In response to DEH issue, environment Minister, George Souflias stressed that extreme situations should be avoided while described social security reforms smooth and necessary. He called on the countrys political and unionist leaderships to indicate prudence and responsibility.

In its announcement, PASOK blames the government for the social and economic impact of DEH mobilizations and calls for immediate solution. GCP general secretary, Aleka Papariga expressed support to DEH strikers but criticized GENOP stand and slogans against IKA fund.

SYRIZA president, Alexis Tsipras spoke of offensive policy aimed to turn some social groups against other social groups. LAOS party called on DEH administration and employees to find the means for a solution which will meet the claims of employees and not create problems to consumers.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] In International Markets -NY

07 Mar 2008 23:00:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ÁNA

Oil price hit a new record high in international markets in NY today when buying by speculators hedging against the weaker dollar and inflation sent prices above $106 per barrel. American light crude hit an all-time high of $106.49 per barrel at 18:45 Greek local time in NY while it slightly dropped to $106.26 later. Also London Brent crude for March delivery contracts was $1.20 up selling at $103.81 per barrel. Earlier in the afternoon, oil price had a sharp drop of over $1 after announcement for reduction by 63.000 job posts in the US, in February, giving rise to fears for possible recession of the American economy. Many analysts maintain that weak dollar, speculators as well as geopolitical tensions in many parts of the world linked to production of oil push oil prices up.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Working Visit on 7, 8 March

07 Mar 2008 17:40:00

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8 -ÁNA-ÌPA

Greek Foreign Minister, Dora Bakoyianni, who is paying a two day working visit to Turkey will have the opportunity to expound Greeces positions on Skopje name issue during meetings with her Turkish counterpart, Ali Babacan and Turkeys prime-minister, Tayip Erdogan. Mrs. Bakoyianni will also be received by the President of the Republic, Abdullah Gul while she will attend the 4th International Conference for Women in Local Administration. Developments indicate that pressure on Skopje to abandon its intransigent stand is intensifying. US State undersecretary is expected to visit Skopje tonight while the Skopje issue and Greeces veto in NATO were the focus of talks during Defense Minister, Baggelis Meimarakis successive meetings with Italian and American ambassadors, Gianpaolo Scarante and Daniel Speckhard respectively after their requests Cooperation in the defense sector and prospects for its further strengthening was the subject of talks during Mr. Meimarakis meeting with the Italian ambassador. In response to a relevant reporters question, the Italian ambassador supported a thorough solution on the name issue as soon as possible, underlining that Italys position is close to Greeces stance. Talks between the Greek Defense Minister and the US ambassador to Athens focused on preparations for the Summit Meeting of NATO member states, to be held in Bucharest, on 2-4 April, and developments in the Balkans and Afghanistan. In his statements after the meeting, Mr. Speckhard underlined Greeces stability role in the region and its contribution to the NATO Alliance. In response to Greeces veto due to Skopjes intransigence, he said respects Greeces position but supported a commonly acceptable solution on the name issue, which will satisfy the Greek side.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[04] ETA Killed Former Councillor

07 Mar 2008 20:37:00

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÁNA

Spains main political parties cancelled campaign rallies today, two days before parliamentary election, after a former councillor from the ruling Socialist Party was shot dead in front of his wife and young daughter outside his house in the town of Mondragon, in the Basque country. Isaias Carrasco was shot several times outside his house. The government blamed ETA separatists for the killing of Isaias Carrasco. Many political analysts believe that Carrascos murder would have an effect on the outcome of Sundays election, reminding that in 2004, the Socialist Party won a surprise election victory three days after Al Qaeda terrorist attack which killed 191 people by bombing Madrid trains. "Spanish democracy will not accept challenges from people opposed to its basic principles," Zapatero told a news conference. "The people who have taken part in this murder will be arrested and tried," said the prime minister who expects to win another term in office in Sundays elections. According to latest polls, the Socialist party is 4 percentage points ahead of the Popular party, but it is difficult to gather a high percentage to secure a majority government. Until now, the issue of Basque separatism had played a relatively minor part in the elections, which have been dominated by debate over the slowing economy and immigration. Nobody knows how voters will react after Carrasco killing as the Popular Party has accused Zapatero of being soft on the Basque separatists in the past.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[05] Mouldy Beans from China

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA

A few days prior to Clean Monday, Piraeus Prefecture food inspectors crew confiscated 44 tones of mouldy beans imported from China. Food inspectors noted that the beans had gone mouldy from humidity conditions in the two containers, where they were stored. It is the third confiscation of beans imported from China in 2008, one was in January and the other 66 tones import in February. Piraeus Prefect, Yiannis Mihas said that efforts to protect public health continue, underlining that results indicate the need for intensive inspection of foods. He called the government to provide prefectures with the necessary personnel and inspection means in order to carry out their task more effectively.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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