Athens News Agency: News in English, 04-03-20

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] New government vows to curb joblessness, boost productivity

[02] Thousands stage peace march to US embassy

[03] Weather Forecast: Warm and sunny on Sunday

[01] New government vows to curb joblessness, boost productivity

The country's new government on Saturday pledged to lower unemployment, boost productivity, overhaul taxation and improve the economy's competitiveness.

Outlining his policy platform for the government's four-year term in office, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis told parliament that joblessness should drop by three percentage points.

The government would try to attain growth topping 5.0 per cent; and, over the next eight years, align wages and pensions to the European Union average, said Karamanlis, whose New Democracy (ND) party won national elections on March 7.

In addition, a priority had been set on improving the quality of life for the public by raising the standard of social services and transportation, aided by new technology.

Drawing applause from ND deputies, the premier repeated his vow to begin a detailed review of state finances in order to identify deviation from budgetary goals and eliminate abuse, including what he called the ''often provocative'' wages of public sector executives.

[02] Thousands stage peace march to US embassy

Thousands of demonstrators staged a peace march to the US embassy in Athens on Saturday in worldwide anti-war protests a year after the US-led bombing of Iraq.

Marchers condemned the continuing presence of troops in Iraq in a day of action arranged by the global and European Social Forum and coordinated by local groups.

Protesters also called for closure of a NATO base in Souda, Crete and asked the government to keep Greek troops on home soil.

Another demand of marchers was to keep NATO out of security arrangements for the Athens 2004 Olympics in August.

Security was tight around the US embassy and on the route of the march from the city centre. No incidents were reported, police said.

Taking part in the march, the youth wing of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology demanded the withdrawal of US and British troops from Iraq.

[03] Weather Forecast: Warm and sunny on Sunday

Mostly sunny weather is forecast in all parts of the country, with scattered cloud in the west and some early morning mist. Temperatures high for the time of year. Winds southwesterly, light to moderate. Temperatures in Athens 10C to 24C and in Thessaloniki from 7C to 23C.

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