The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-02-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Ships Set Sail From Piraeus PNO Insists on Strike

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8

Calmness has prevailed in the port of Piraeus, after last nights incidents between police forces and maritime employees, when the latter tried to break the police cordon and access a ship that had just docked. Embarkation of dozens of trucks has already been running smoothly from the Xaveriou pier. In particular, car-passenger ferries Festos Pallas, Preveli and Lissos set sail yesterday night, while Expres Santorini, Mytilene, Blue Star I and Crete I sailed in the morning. On their part, the Panhellenic Seamens Federation insists on its decision to go on with the strike until Friday morning. However, routes from and to the port of Herakleion run smoothly, while Corfus maritime employees broke the strike in the morning. The PNO boarding council is to convene to decide whether to prolong or not the strike after 6am on Friday. "It is the unionists intransigence that forced the Government to step up political recruitment," argued yesterday Mercantile Marine Minister Manolis Kefalogiannis, noting that the Government intends to launch a constant dialogue. He also added that the State would safeguard the smooth transfer of products from mainland Greece to the port of Piraeus, as well as the rest of the countrys ports. The measure of political recruitment triggered off strong reactions on the part of the Opposition parties. Many federations and union trades have voiced their support to the maritime employees, by staging collective actions, as well.

The Ministry of Mercantile Marine announced that some 479 passengers, 586 trucks, 99 cars and 25 bikes, have departed from the port of Piraeus since yesterday, while 1,902 passengers, 707 trucks, 329 cars and 41 bikes, have arrived in Piraeus.

Opposition Lashes Out

The measure of political recruitment has triggered off strong reactions on the part of the Opposition parties.

PASOK spoke of mockery and accused the government of trying to divide the citizens.

KKE dismissed the governments decision as a "barbaric measure."

SYN President Alekos Alavanos compared the measure of political recruitment to practices employed by dictatorships.

In answering, Mercantile Marine Minister Michael Liapis argued that Mr Alalvanos made a personal slip-up.

Furthermore, the Opposition parties requested the relevant Parliament committee be called.

By the Maritime Employees' Side

Union trades and federations, which have voiced their support to the maritime employees, have announced collective actions.

The Piraeus Labour Centre has announced a four-hour work stoppage from 12 to 4pm.

Similarly, the Athens Labour Centre has scheduled a four-hour work stoppage from 8 to 12pm.

The Construction Workers Federation has announced a 24-hour strike The Greek Federation of State School Teachers of Secondary Education (OLME) has announced a work stoppage from 11am to end of the morning shift in the prefectures of Attica and Achaia.

Seamen of the Piraeus Port Authority, as well as the employees at Skaramagas dockyards, have announced a work stoppage from 9 to 13pm.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Tension at Greek Ports

[02] Dozens of Casualties-Three Journalists Killed Tension Runs High in Iraq

By Athina Saloustrou

Yesterdays blast against a Shia holy mausoleum in Samarra and the retaliation attacks targeting Sunnis across Iraq triggered off a fierce violence outbreak between Shia and Sunni Muslims. At least 47 people were killed overnight. "Some 80 bodies have been transferred to the morgue," said a hospital source. Some 27 attacks against Sunni mosques were mounted in retaliation of the blast in Samarra and six Sunnis were killed, including three imams and three civilians, announced police. In the meantime, armed gang members kidnapped and killed one journalist for Al Arabiya television and two crewmembers. "The television crew was attacked by armed gang members and only one of the four managed to escape," said an Al Arabiya television source. Police found their bodies, which were transferred to a hospital in Samarra, the same source said. It has not yet been made clear if their murder is linked to yesterdays blast at a Shia mausoleum in Samarra, which has triggered off a violence outbreak and retaliation attacks against Sunni Muslims and Sunni mosques.

In the meantime, armed gang members kidnapped and killed three journalists for Al Arabiya television. "The television crew was attacked by armed gang members and only one of the four managed to escape," said an Al Arabiya television source. Police found their bodies, which were transferred to a hospital in Samarra, the same source said. It has not yet been made clear if their murder is linked to yesterdays blast at a Shia mausoleum in Samarra, which has triggered off a violence outbreak and retaliation attacks against Sunni Muslims and Sunni mosques.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Iraq fury sparks wave of killings

CNN: Deadly reprisals follow bombing of Shiite mosque

[03] Launched by British Police Manhunt for 70 Million Euros

By Athina Saloustrou

The British Police has launched a manhunt to locate and arrest armed gang members, who, posing as police officers, managed to make away with 40 million pounds (about 70 million euros), in Britains biggest robbery ever. The perpetrators took the manager of a security depot, his wife and son, hostages and threatened to harm them unless he helped them enter the building located in Tonbridge, 40km southeast of London. The Bank of England confirmed that some 25 million pounds was stolen. However, media sources claimed that as much as 40 million has been stolen. It this proved true, then it is going to be the biggest robbery ever occurred in Britain. In 2004, the amount of 26.5 millions pounds was stolen from the Northern Banks Belfast headquarters. The robbery was the first story in todays news bulletins and papers.

Translated by Areti Christou

[04] Cyprus Protested to the EU New Turkish Provocation

By Athina Saloustrou

The Greek Cypriot Government protested to the European Union over a new Turkish provocation to not allow the anchoring and servicing of a Cypriot-flagged ship in the port of Mersin. The Greek Cypriot Government spoke of a serious violation of the Customs Union Treaty, while Recep Tayyip Erdogan explained that he will not recognise the Cypriot Republic and accept threats from anyone. As Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Giorgos Iakovou stated, protests were made to the EUs Austrian Presidency and he will hold a telephone conversation with his Austrian counterpart within the day. The chief of the Cypriot diplomacy stated that the Greek Government is aware of the issue, while, as he said, he held a telephone conversation with FM Dora Bakoyannis, during which they exchanged views on further handlings. Mr Iakovou estimated that, with this action, Turkey is attempting to avoid fulfilling its pledges. The reaction of the Greek Government was intense. Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Giorgos Koumoutsakos this morning stated that Turkey ought to observe its pledges to the European Union and its Member-States.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[05] At 1pm Election of Interim Athens Mayor

By Anna Kourti

Sources: NET

The 25 communal councilors of "Athens Tomorrow" will elect an interim Mayor of Athens at 1pm, after the withdrawal of Dora Bakoyannis, due to her Ministerial appointment. The candidates are Thodoros Bechrakis, Aggelos Moschonas and Ira Valsamaki. During the first and second voting session a 50%+1 total is needed by the communal councilors, while the relevant vote is sufficient for the third session.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

[06] At Ericsson's Offices Wiretapping Reenactment

Sources: NET - NET 105.8

Members of the Hellenic Authority for the information and Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE) visited Ericssons Greek headquarters in Peania to witness the reenactment of the wiretaps. Ericsson and Vodafone technicians reinstalled the illegal software, while the reenactment lasted for six hours and was carried out in an effort to gather evidence and provide answers regarding how and where the illegal software was placed. After the end of the process, the members of ADAE did not make long statements, stressing only that the investigation is continuing. In the meantime, in an announcement, the ADEA refuted recent articles whereby certain members told the Parliaments Special Standing Committee on Institutions and Transparency that Vodafone was aware of problems with the software since 25 January.

Sofos Asks to Meet with Lambrinopoulos

The ADAE also received Vodafones memo, whereby the company explains why it had not informed the Authority of the existence of the illegal software.

"We abided by the law. We proceeded step-by-step, obeying to the recommendations of the judicial authorities," stressed the company executives, describing as a coincidence the fact that the centres where the software was not upgraded included the ones where the wiretaps were taking place.

However, the lawyer of Kostas Tsalikidis family, Themistoklis Sofos, will ask to meet with ADAE President Andreas Lambrinopoulos to discuss the articles in question. As per Mr Sofos, this clue is linked to the messages being received by Tsalikidis from company executives around the same time.

In the meantime, he submitted new evidence to Prosecutor Diotis, including Tsalikidis memory stick and photos from his mobile, while he will soon submit the technical assessment on the stick and notebooks.

Political Wrangling

Government spokesperson Thodoros Roussopoulos also referred to the issue, stressing, "The Government will be the first to rejoice when the whole truth is made public, since it was also a victim of wiretapping."

"The Government and ND have a duty until then; not to obstruct the task of the Parliaments Special Standing Committee on Institutions and Transparency," noted PASOK spokesperson Nikos Athanasakis.

In addition, referring to everything that was said on Tuesday at the Parliaments Committee, he pointed out that many new and interesting facts emerged from the hearing, as, for example, Vodafone CEO Giorgos Koronias statement that he had been ordered not to contact the ADAE.

Upon concluding Mr Athanasakis stressed that the CEO would have to explain who gave the order and when.

Related News:

Wiretaps in Parliament

[07] Tragedy in Moscow

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: AFP

On Thursday, at dawn, 30 persons lost their lives and 24 were injured by the collapse of a markets roof, which was covered by snow, in Moscow, while ten persons remain trapped in the rubble. The market had not opened for customers and the victims were stall owners and employees. As per a Moscow radio station, the architect who had constructed the market is Nodar Kancheli, who had also designed the Transvaal Aquarium in the Russian capital, which had collapsed two years ago, resulting in 28 persons to lose their lives. The architect was indicted on charges of intentional manslaughter.

Translated by Eirene Nisiriou

Read the story on other sources:

CNN: Moscow roof collapse 'kills 12'

BBC: Roof collapse in Moscow kills 12

[08] Tremor Shakes Mozambique

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: ANA

A really strong earthquake rocked Mozambique on Wednesday night, announced the US Geological Survey (USGS). The epicentre of the 7.5-magnitude tremor was located 530km north of Maputo, near the border with Zimbabwe, and occurred at 00:19 (Greek local time). So far, two casualties and 13 injuries have been reported in central Mozambique. As per the USGS, the tremor was one of the strongest ever rocked the area. Given the magnitude and the geographic coordinates, the tremor is likely to have caused damages. The US tsunami-warning centre ruled out the likelihood of a tsumani in the Indian Ocean.

Translated by Areti Christou

Read the story on other sources:

ABC News: Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake Hits Mozambique

[09] At the Summit of the EU Economy Ministers The European Prospects of SE Europe

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ΝΕΤ

The European prospects of SE Europe will top the agenda of the Summit participated in by the Economy Ministers of countries of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP). During his opening address, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis underlined, "Greece favours the European prospects of the SE European countries. The reforms are the only responsible choice for the areas growth and our country [Greece] can serve as an entry point." Economy Ministers from ten SE countries, as well as representatives of the Austrian EU Presidency, are also attending the meeting. The countries that will be represented, apart from Greece, are: Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, FYROM, Serbia-Montenegro, Croatia and Moldova. At the end of the Summit, Greek Economy Minister Georgios Alogoskoufis is to give a Press conference to present the results of the Summit. Greece is serving as chairman of the SEECP for this current period.

Translated by Areti Christou

[10] AEK Qualifies Easily

AEK left its worries behind following the loss to Olympiacos for the Greek championship and defeated Niki Volos, thus qualifying for the Greek Football Cups semis, where it will play against Agrotikos Asteras. The rematch, following the nil-all result in Volos, was relatively easy for AEK, which proved its superiority right from the start. In the 26, Lymberopoulos managed to score the first goal, after a cross by Lakis. In the 68, Lakis was knocked over by Roumeliotis inside the box and the referee awarded AEK a penalty, which was kicked successfully by Katsouranis.

Referee: Terovitsas (Etoloakarnania) Yellow Cards: Balafas (17), Katsouranis (31), Koutsogiannis (62), Ivic (66), Roumeliotis (67)

AEK (Fernando Santos): Chiotis, Georgeas, Malbassa, Moras, Dellas, Emerson, Ivic (83 Kyriakidis), Katsouranis, Lymberopoulos, Lakis (87 Kone), Soares (76 Cezar)

NIKI VOLOS (Nikos Kourbanas): Dinopoulos, Balafas, Roumeliotis, Koutsogiannis, Tzortzabakis, Pavlidis (79 Ziakas), Avramidis, Stefanov (52 Britto), Markomichalis, Tsaggaris (46 Lalik), Saitiotis.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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