The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Phone-Tapping Case at Maximos Package of Measures

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

As far as the confidentiality of phone conversations is concerned, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is to take a new package of measures to better brace the state. Kostas Karamanlis will chair on Monday morning two separate meetings with Ministers of Justice and Transports on the issue at the Maximos Mansion. At the same time, the probe launched by the judicial authorities and the Authority for the Information and Communication Security and Privacy is running high, while inspections will be carried out in other phone companies. In addition, experts are to team up to decipher the spy software. Top-ranking Vodafone officials, including Vodafone CEO Giorgos Koronias, as well as Greeces EYP intelligence services officials, are expected to testify to the prosecutor in the coming days.

On his part, PASOK parliamentarian Christos Verelis requested the perpetrators be brought to justice. Speaker of Parliament Anna Psarouda Benaki referred to the role of Justice and Parliament, while unveiling the statue of 19th-century Greek prominent politician Harilaos Trikoupis in Mesollongi

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

"Wiretaps are a National Scandal"

[02] British Soldiers Abused Iraqi Civilians Shocking Abuse Video in the UK

By Athina Saloustrou

A commotion has stirred in the United Kingdom by a shocking video showing British soldiers beating Iraqi protestors, while the commentary made by the cameraman caused the greatest enragement. British newspapers, which described the incident as brutal, estimated that if the video is genuine then this is an unprecedented scandal expected to overshadow the tragic images of Iraqi prisoners being tortured. Three unarmed Iraqi civilians are shown in the video begging eight British soldiers for mercy, but with no answer to their pleas. The cameraman is heard calling the Iraqis "naughty little boys," whilst laughing, a more horrendous fact than the screams of the victims who were hit on the face and body. Forty-two blows were counted within a minute, while the video that has surfaced does not include the most inhumane shots.

Scandal is Bigger than Detainees' Abuse

British channel SKY News images are ruthless, while it reported that this is a shocking video from the arrest of Iraqi protestors outside the British military base at southern Iraq in 2004. Tens of protestors were throwing rocks at the British base. The eight British soldiers appearing in the video are the personification of horror as per a British Sunday newspaper. "Even if there are doubts over the genuineness of the video, the sadism of the cameraman is shocking," stated the editor of the News of the World. British analysts stressed that the demand to the Blair Government for the withdrawal of British forces fro Iraq is more imperative than ever.

"The British soldiers responsible for the abuse of Iraqi civilians will be referred to Justice," stated Economy Minister Gordon Brown to BBC. "If the video is genuine it is unacceptable behaviour," said Brown. "The ones responsible will be referred to Justice. We will react and an investigation has to take place," he added, underlining "there are one or two incidents for the 80,000 soldiers in the area." On its part, the British Defence Ministry announced an urgent investigation after the publication of the photographs. "We are aware of the very serious accusations and can now confirm that it is the subject of an urgent investigation by the Royal Military Police," stated the Defence Ministrys announcement.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: MoD to probe Iraq 'abuse' video

SKY NEWS: "Abuse" Video Released

NEWS OF THE WORLD: SHAMED BY 42 BRAINLESS BLOWS

The Guardian: British troops videoed 'beating Iraqis'

The Independent: British soldiers facing new allegations of brutality in Iraq

The Sunday Times: UK troops filmed abusing Iraqis

[03] Driver Arrested

The driver, who had escaped from the Athens General State Hospital yesterday afternoon, was arrested today at 10:30am in Piraeus by Nea Ionia Traffic Police officers. The driver was taken to the hospital for tests after a road accident, during which he had fatally wounded a pedestrian. The man stated that he escaped from the hospital, as he was frightened. He is being held in custody at Nea Ionia Traffic Police Station and will appear at the Prosecutor tomorrow.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[04] Steve Fossett Breaks Non-Stop Flight Record Non-Stop Flight Around the World!

By Athina Saloustrou

Millionaire Steve Fossett broke the words non-stop flight record on Saturday, landing in the United Kingdom after 42,450km of travelling. Following four months fed on milkshakes the 61-year-old American celebrated his record with a bottle of champagne. Fossett landed his specially designed aircraft, Virgin Atlantic/GlobalFlyer with the power of its battery, while during the landing two tires burst. A fault was detected in the generator minutes after breaking the record and when flying on top of Ireland. "We told him he had to land alive," stated billionaire, friend and sponsor of Fossett Richard Branson. "If he did not land alive he would not have broken the record." The aircrafts wingspan has the height of an 11-storey building, while it landed on only 90 litres of fuel out of the 8,100 when it first started its journey. Fossett was immediately transported to another aircraft in a Kent airport, where he was to initially land, meeting the journalists who awaited his return.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

REUTERS: Fossett sets air record despite emergency landing

BBC: Fossett flies to non-stop record

[05] Complaining of Ill Treatment and Proceedings Saddam Starts Hunger Strike

By Athina Saloustrou

Saddam Hussein and seven co-defendants are beginning a hunger strike on Monday when the court will convene anew. Abdul Hussein Al-Obeidi, one of the lawyers of the former Iraqi leader, stated that Saddam and his co-defendants are protesting over the illegal proceedings and ill treatment they face by the court. Saddam and some of his high-ranking officials did not attend the last two convocations of the trial, which begun in October and has been marked by delays, postponements and chaos in the courtroom. During the previous seven days, Saddam is being confined in the courts building.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] PASOK Leader in Brussels

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA

PASOK leader George Papandreou flew to Brussels to participate on Monday in the assembly of the Barrosso Commission on "Europes future." Mr Papandreou has been invited by the President of the European Commission Jos&#233; Manuel Dur&#227;o Barroso. Apart from Mr Barrosso, Commissioners Benita Ferrero, responsible for External Relations & European Neighbourhood Policy, Louis Michel, responsible for Development & Humanitarian Aid, Peter Mandelson, responsible for Trade, Joaquin Almunia, responsible for Economic & Financial Affairs, and Olli Rehn, responsible for Enlargement, will also attend the meeting, which is scheduled to commence at 3pm. Before the meeting, Mr Barrosso will give a lunch in honour of the guest speakers. Shortly after the end of the meeting, the PASOK leader is to hold talks with the President of the European Commission.

[07] Easy Win for Olympiakos

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Olympiakos had a pretty easy afternoon and coasted a 85-63 home win over Apollonas on match day 15 of the Greek A1 basketball championship. So, Jonas Kazlauskas squad maintained their home winning streak and returned to the second place in the rankings. Apollon, on the other hand, suffered their seventh away victory in eight games. The score per period: 24-17, 44-28, 61-53, 85-63.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Great Win for Panathinaikos

By Stathis Petropoulos

Two weeks ago, it was Olympiakos players who managed to overturn Panionios 2-0 lead in Nea Smyrni and score a 3-2 victory, making all Greek fans bow to their magnificence and strength of spirit. On match day 19 of the A1 Division, it was Panathinaikos turn to do the same, yet they were far more stylish! Panionios was enjoying a 2-0 lead up until the 61, but in the remaining time, Panathinaikos players not only managed to claim a victory, but also achieved a 4-2 triumph.

Yellow Cards: Makos, Seric, Haralabidis, Vintra

PANIONIOS: Vaniak, Makos, Spyropoulos, Smiljanic, Exouzidis (56 Maniatis), Giannopoulos, Magdy, Zografakis, Koutsopoulos, Luciano, Krassas (80 Fernantes).

PANATHINAIKOS: Galinovic, Kotsios, Morris, Goumas, Vintra, Tziolis (52 Leontiou), Biscan, Seric (82 Darlas), Haralabidis (59 Mantzios), Papadopoulos, Gekas.

Translated by Areti Christou

[09] AEK Wins Ahead of Derby

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Although things proved pretty hard, AEK finally managed to put the three points in the bag, scoring a 1-0 victory against Larissa on match day 19 of the Greek A1 Division football championship. The winning goal was scored by Kostas Katsouranis in the 13. With todays victory, AEK temporarily gapped the difference from leading Olympiakos to three points and they are facing the imminent away derby against Olympiakos high-spirited.

Referee: Kakos (Corfu) Yellow Cards: Kontis, Galitsios

Lineups: AEK: Sorrentino, Kontis, Cirillo, Alexopoulos, Georgeas, Katsouranis, Chanko, Ivic (67 Kapetanos), Lakis (88 Venglinskyi), Soares (67 Tzortziopoulos), Liberopoulos.

LARISSA: Kotsolis, Galitsios (46 Bachramis), Dabizas (46 Helder), Foerster, Katsiaros (77 Spasic), Vela Junior, Serban, Digozis, Aloneftis, Chloros, Kalantzis.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] Another Away Defeat for PAOK

By Stathis Petropoulos

In a pretty nice encounter, home side Egaleo enforced their pace and managed to score a 1-0 victory against PAOK, which improved in the second half. However, this was not enough for PAOK to earn at least a tie. The home side had a bursting start and lost many chances to open the score. In the 34, Maric forwarded the ball to Nikolopoulos, who scored the sole goal of the encounter with a quite lucky kick. PAOK had a chance to equalise the score in the 37, however, Haralabus missed Gennamos nets.

Upon entering the pitch, Shikabala was a real breather for PAOK, since the team missed two very important chances to score the equalising goal, in the 50 and 52.

Referee: Koukoulakis (Herakelion) Yellow Cards: Nikolopoulos, Psomas, Skopelitis, Maric, Popov, Salpigidis, Maladenis, Mieciel

EGALEO: Gennamo, Jancetic, Psomas, Popov, Zapropoulos, Tsatsos, Manousakis, Maric (65 Stefanidis), Skopelitis, Agritis (30 Cesarec), Nikolopoulos (81 Saganas). PAOK: Fernandez, Karipidis (83 Giasemi), Udeze, Maladenis, Konstantinidis, Egomitis (63 Feutchine), Zagorakis, Haralabus (46 Shikabala), Vangeli, Salpigidis, Mieciel.

Translated by Areti Christou

[11] 6 Fatalities-12 Injured Bloody Clashes in Chechnya

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ANA

Violent clashes have been raging over the last 24 hours in Chechnya resulting in five troops and a police officer being killed and some twelve injured. Military camps across the Caucasian democracy have been attacked. Two troops were killed and further seven were injured. In the village of Simsir, near the borders with Dagestan, an armoured vehicle carrying army personnel ran against a mine killing three soldiers and injuring another three. In the capital city of Grozny, a Chechen police officer was killed during a march. Police officers surrounded the demonstrators and arrested as many as fifty people. In the region of Achkhoy-Martan, a police vehicle was under attack.

[12] Important Point for Kalamaria

By Stathis Petropoulos

Although playing at home, Atromitos failed to take the three points in the bag against Apollon Kalamarias. The home side started off better, applied pressure and it was them who created many chances to open the score, despite the fact that Paraschos had his plans changed as early as in the 9 when he was forced to replace injured Geladaris with Sotirchos. However, the team was not disorganised in the least and in the 11 Djebbour made Kovac perform a great save. A few minutes later, though, Atromitos new transfer opened the score in the 21 with a wonderful kick.

In the second half, it was Kalamarias turn to go offensive and managed to tie the score in the 61. Pappas passed the ball to Mouzaoui, whose kick defeated Mihailidis. In the 84, and in the only chance after the draw, Djebbours excellent kick did not at all upset Kovac

Referee: Kouklakis (Chania)

Yellow Cards: Yellow Cards: Fitanidis, Murawski, Mihailidis, Mouzaoui

ATROMITOS (Giorgos Parashos): Mihailidis, Geladaris (9` Sotirchos), Katemis, Dagas, Georgiou, Korakakis, Dimos, Karadimos (81` Doe), Petkov (70` Mrino), Djebbour, Zaharopoulos.

KALAMARIA (Makis Katsavakis): Kovac, Fitanidis (46 Mouzaoui), Petkakis (74 Samouilidis), Papadopoulos, Karaliopoulos, Amponsah, Parmaxidis, Orfanos (65 Ioannou), Pappas, Galanopoulos, Murawski.

Translated by Areti Christou

[13] Easy Win for Xanthi

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Xanthi scored its first new year victory, since they last won a game on December 5, 2005, against Panionios. This time they achieved a 2-0 away win over Levadiakos on match day 19 for the A Division. Giannis Matzourakis squad started off better and secured the victory as early as from the first half. Paviot gave the lead in the 24 and ten minutes later, in the 34, it was Garpozis who doubled the score for the guest. Both teams finished the game with ten players, since Andralas of Levadiakos and Paviot of Xanthi were shown off in the 35 and 70 respectively.

Referee: Mazarakos Ilias (Arta)

Yellow Cards: Quintana (28`), Labriakos (43`), Barkoglou (47`), Bushi (56`)

Red Cards: Andralas (34`), Paviot (81`)

LEVADIAKOS: Zafiropoulos (6` Karacostas), Kallimanis, Pastos (67` Manikas), Chrysafis, Perrone (44` Rusev), Andralas, Bushi, Theodosiadis, Sisic, Vitali, Dimitropoulos.

XANTHI: Pizanowski, Papadimitriou, Paviot, Torosidis, Zuela, Garpozis, Rica, Barkoglou, Quintana (62` Delgado), Manso (74` Maghradze), Labriakos.

Translated by Areti Christou

[14] Revealed by a British Newspaper Today US Plans of Attack Against Iran

By Athina Saloustrou

The Iranian Foreign Minister ruled out any possibility of the country withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Yesterday, President Ahmadinejad had warned of withdrawal from the treaty, following the example of South Korea. At the same time, British newspaper Sunday Telegraph revealed that US strategy planners are compiling attack plans against Iran, however, "the attack will be an extreme mean in order to prevent the development of nuclear weapons from Tehran." The attack, as per the newspaper, will be made with aircrafts and submarines launching ballistic rockets against nuclear facilities in Iran. A high-ranking Pentagon official stated to the newspaper that this is something more than strategic planning in any event, since the issue is being thoroughly studied. As per sources of the newspaper "the central administration and its planners have identified the targets, have estimated which weaponry systems will be used and are working for the planning of the operations support." The Sunday Telegraph also reported that the US has received objections from the British Government, which disagrees with military action plans against Iran, since it considered that it will trigger another wave of violence in the Middle East, retaliation against Western countries and will not end the Iranian nuclear programme.

New IAEA Team Arrived in Tehran

In the meantime, a new team of the International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEA) inspectors arrived in Tehran on Saturday night, in order to supervise the restart of nuclear research activities, stated a high-ranking Iranian official quoted by Irna news agency. "The inspectors will supervise the restart of the nuclear research activities," stated Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Gholam Haddad Adel. "The restart of the nuclear research, which was previously announced, will take place today or on Monday under the supervision of IAEA inspectors," stated Haddad Adel, who only spoke of nuclear research activities, the restart of which was announced on 10 January, and not of uranium enrichment in an industrial scale, which its imminent restart has also been announced by Iran without giving an exact date.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

Daily Telegraph: US prepares military blitz against Iran's nuclear sites

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