The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Vgenopoulos-Vourloumis Briefing

27 May 2008 17:02:00

By Tina Valaoura

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications) President Panagiotis Vourloumis and MIG Vice President Andreas Vgenopoulos are briefing the members of the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs on developments in OTE. Mr Vgenopoulos argued that he had never wanted to increase his companys percentage over 20% and assert its management. In parallel, he accused the Ministers of Economy and Communications that they had treated his firm unjustly. Mr Vgenopoulos appeared determined to sue Messrs Papandreou and Tsipras, saying that the political speech has limits, concluding that as he serves MIGs shareholders MPs serve the Greek people.

Opposition Attacks

PASOK has tabled a request for the government to stop the selling of OTE even at the last moment. It accused the government of not having tabled the complete text 12 days after the agreement had been signed and announced. Its spokeman also implied that when the government announced the announcement with Deutsche Telekom it knew about the tapping case in Germany. Mr Papakonstantinou stated that two questions arise: First whether Deutsche Telekom had briefed Mr Alogoskoufis on the issue or it had concealed it. He then argued that if the second had happened, then the companys credibility and transparency in its transactions are being questioned. These in turn constitute the criteria on the basis of which the Privatisation Committee takes its decisions. From his side, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos reiterated that the agreement has nothing to hide.

Meanwhile, in its announcement the KKE (Greek Communist Party) reports that the Deutsche Telekom scandal on tapping proves the company cannot secure the protection of telephone conversations in OTE. In parallel, it rejects PASOK and SYNs positions as per which credible checks for the protection of the peoples rights in privatized OTE are possible.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

DT Involved in Spying Scandal

[02] In Stores and Packaging Companies

27 May 2008 11:31:00

By Athina Saloustrou

The campaign to locate and seize all quantities of the sunflower oil imported in Greece is being intensified. The Piraeus Prefecture crews seized 80 tonnes of adulterated sunflower oil in an olive oil producer company in Renti district, while another 1,500 tonnes of imported sunflower oil have been seized in the Piraeus port for precautionary reasons. In the meantime, inspections in companies packaging olive oil continue in a drive to avert mixing it with sunflower oil. Furthermore, the deadline given by EFET, Greeces food safety authority, to companies to state which products contain sunflower oil expires today. About 80% of the companies have already sent their answers. However, there is still no sufficient evidence on the 11,000 of a total of 18,000 tonnes of sunflower imported in Greece. In the meantime, the General Inspector of Public Administration ordered an investigation into the implicating food agencies response to the sunflower oil case.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Checks till December

[03] In S. Africa

27 May 2008 18:23:00

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

According to police, 28 people at least died and about 20 were seriously injured when a bus crashed into river. This incident was reported in a mountainous region in South Africa on Tuesday.

"We have 28 deaths as two injured people died in hospital", a police representative said in French News Agency correcting a previous statement which spoke of 26 dead people and 21 injured. Among the victims were 4 children.

The driver lost the control of the bus due to a damage in the vehicles brakes. The bus plummeted nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters) off a cliff and crashed into the river.

The exact number of passengers in not known yet. There are fears that death toll may rise as the rescue crews have not completed their work yet.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

[04] Olympic Airlines Fares Go Up

By Tina Valaoura

Due to the increase of fuel prices, Olympic Airlines will increase its fares as of 2 June. Specifically a two-euro rise will be introduced per domestic flight and a five-euro rise for flights abroad. Fares for transatlantic flights will rise by 25 euros per flight.

A relevant announcement reports that the fuel increases are necessary as jet fuel has risen by 58.8% since the beginning of the year that is a bigger rise in prices of crude oil. If the price of petrol remains in the present level, then the cost of fuel for the company will rise in 2008 by 64% in relation to 2007.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Aid to the Fire-Stricken People

By Anna Kourti

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

Citizens have donated over 200 million for the restoration of areas that had been struck by last years fires in Ilia. The total planning for the development of the prefecture in terms of projects and infrastructure will reach 800 million. 400 million have been spent on the fire-stricken people, while farmers will receive an additional 200 million until the end of the year. The fires have destroyed 1,300 homes, while 580 house owners have applied for free financing. 185 of the applications have already been approved. The fire-stricken people receive 10,000 for the first phase of restructuring. The above numbers were released at a Press Conference by President of the Special Fund for Emergencies Petros Molyviatis, who awarded the architects responsible for the 15 types of homes that would cover the needs of the fire-stricken people.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[06] Woman's Body Found in Seih Su

Sources: ÁNA, ÍÅÔ 105.8

The body of an identified woman was found buried at Seih Su forest in Thessaloniki. As per the police, the woman had lost her life a year ago. The police believe that it is possible that her body had been transferred and buried in the forest. The police and the coroner are examining the case.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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