The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Asked by N. Garganas Speeding up Reforms

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

The annual report on Greek Economy, presented Thursday morning by Governor of the Bank of Greece Nikos Garganas, calls for the speeding up of structural reforms, with priority given to the social security issue, and promoting denationalisation. Mr Garganas underlined that early retirements should be curbed, since the pension system is to sustain heavy blows as of 2015. He further proposed moderate pay rises in both the Public and Private Sector, while he heralded a new rise in interest rates, calling on households and enterprises to hold their horses when it comes to their lending needs. He also voiced his concerns over the impact the upward spiralling of the oil prices could have on the inflation, although it has not reached worrying proportions so far. At the same time, he expressed his conviction that this years growth rate will be slightly halted compared to last year and it will steady around 3.5%, while inflation rates will stand at about 3.3%.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] New Drop in the International Markets Oil Prices Cool Off

Sources: ΝΕΤ

Oil prices posted a new drop in the international markets, after the USA decreased its oil reserves by 200,000 barrels, beating analysts expectations who spoke of 100,000 barrels. The price of crude for June delivery in the Asian markets dropped by 20 cents to $71.73 per barrel. In New York, the price of crude steadied Wednesday around $71.93 per barrel, posting a 95 cent fall. Brent, on the other hand, recorded an even bigger fall, with its price sliding to $72.09 per barrel.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Optimism over Oil

[03] Over the Crisis with Iran Awaiting Decisions

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ Radio 105.8-ΑNA-Reuters-BBC

The international community is gravely concerned over the crisis with Iran. On Friday, 28 April, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed El Baradei will submit his report on Tehrans nuclear programme before the permanent members of the UN Security Council. However, any final decisions on the international communitys actions will not be made tomorrow. Such decisions are expected to be made on 2 May during the Paris Summit, when the five permanent members and Germany will meet to determine their stance. Washington will go after a decision under article 7 of the UN Charter, providing for sanctions and military action. However, both Moscow and Beijing oppose such an eventuality, suggesting that a peaceful solution should be worked out through diplomacy. The issue will be discussed during NATOs two-day Summit, starting on Thursday in Sofia.

Letter for Peaceful Solution

Meanwhile, six former Foreign Ministers, Madeline Albright (USA), Joschka Fischer (Germany), Hubert Vedrine (France), Jozias Van Aersten (the Netherlands),Bronislaw Geremek (Poland) and Lydie Polfer (Luxemburg) wrote an open letter, calling US President George Bush to chose a sober way of direct talks with Iran.

In their letter, which is published in the International Herald Tribune, the six former Foreign Ministers voiced their concern over the threatening developments and made a dramatic appeal for a peaceful solution.

However, concerns are raised over today's tip that Iran has ballistic missiles of north-Korean origin, with a range of 2,500 km, capable of suffering a major blow on Europe.

The missiles are called BM-25 and their range is greater than Chahab-3, which Iran possess and could attack Israel.

The new missile, whose head has been improved, is capable of carrying a heavier charge than Chahab-3 and is more accurate.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Related News:

The Crisis is Deepening

[04] Authorities Evacuated the Facilities Alert at Brussels Airport

By Vivian Papastefanou

A terminal station at the Brussels international airport was evacuated on Thursday morning, when a passenger tried to escape a routine check. Airport authorities run a full check throughout the airport facilities, but the passenger is still wanted. Terminal station A, where the incident occurred, serves intra Schengen flights. It is noted that terminal station B operates as normal.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

[05] On TV Show "Alli Opsi" Bakoyannis' Interview with NET

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8

Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis gave a wide-ranging interview to NETs show "Alli Opsi," (From Another Viewpoint). "There is no greater vision than to see Cyprus united and as a forerunner in the sectors of economy, growth and culture," she argued, while referring to the Cyprus issue, and underlined that any solution provided should be very well-thought. She noted, however, that as years pass by new developments break through. Bakoyannis also called on Turkey to live up to its obligations to the EU and make progress on matters, including recognising the universal nature of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Translated by Areti Christou

[06] At Poultry-Breeding Unit Bird Flu Case in Britain

By Dimitris Alexopoulos

Sources: ANA, Reuters

The UK Government announced the bird flu virus has affected a poultry-breeding unit in Dereham, eastern UK. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the first tests performed on dead chickens showed they were most likely infected with H7 and not the H5N1 strain of the virus. However, the final results will be released on Thursday. In 2003 in the Netherlands, the H7N7 strain forced authorities to slaughter 30 million birds, almost one third of the country's overall production, thus costing hundreds of millions of dollars. In fact, a veterinarian working at a poultry-breeding unit in the Netherlands, where the virus was located, had been infected by the disease and later died of pneumonia. British authorities announced all poultry in the unit would be culled.

Translated by Sofia Soulioti

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Chickens test for bird flu strain

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