Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-11-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't spokesman: Talks underway over new unity gov't, PM

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[03] Ministry: Eurogroup decision over 6th tranche final

[01] Gov't spokesman: Talks underway over new unity gov't, PM

Spokesman Ilias Mossialos underlined that negotiations are underway, clarifying that the name of the new premier must be announced by tomorrow. However, he cautioned that current Prime Minister George Papandreou would resign only when the two issues are finalised.

Moreover, (AMNA) he said a council of political party leaders would be convened in the wake of such an agreement, adding that all procedures would be finalised in the coming week in order for a vote of confidence to be taken in Parliament.

In response to raging domestic and international media attention, Mossialos said it was "necessary" for both major parties (ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy) to participate in such a government, without however, the presence of lesser Parliament-represented parties ruled out.

Queried over details, the spokesman also said that such a government would be short-lived, and could accommodate both politicians and technocrats. AMNA

In light of the whirlwind political developments in Greece - and unprecedented international media scrutiny - a Cabinet meeting chaired by Papandreou will convene at 4 p.m. (14.00 GMT) instead of 6 p.m., although government and PASOK party meetings often begin with delay. Officially, a briefing on the Oct. 26 Eurozone decisions, i.e. the Greek debt 'haircut' and an accompanying new lending agreement, along with the still delayed 6th tranche of the first bailout package, will be discussed.

ND

On the other side of the "political fence", main opposition New Democracy party cadres have been quoted as saying the party will agree to such a prospect as long as a transitional government lasts no longer than six weeks, time enough to ratify and implement a series of landmark recent agreements Athens has signed with its creditors.

Former minister and top cadre Andreas Lykourentzos, amongst others, said the President of the Republic, whom ND leader Antonis Samaras will meet on Sunday, has the responsibility for determining the tenure of such a government. AMNA

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The most serious political crisis in the country after the restoration of democracy in 1974 dominated the headlines in the Sunday papers, with reports and forecasts over what PM George Papandreou, main opposition New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras and other leaders will decide and announce.

AVGHI: "Backroom dealing to save Memorandum".

AVRIANI: "Stand fast, Antonis (Samaras, the main opposition leader)".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "High-stakes poker with coalition government".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "A return to chaos - Widespread mistrust only hours after confidence vote".

EPOCHI (weekly): “Salvation government to … save Memorandum”.

ETHNOS: "Political deliberations amid parties for unity government".

Free Sunday: “George leaving, Antonis arriving”.

KATHIMERINI: "Political bargaining on deck of Titanic (Greece)".

PROTO THEMA (weekly): "Consensus government between … Papandreou, Venizelos".

REALNEWS (weekly): "Venizelos the new likely PM, especially if ND stands by its refusal".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Alignment with communist KKE the only solution for popular classes".

TO PARON (weekly): "He’s (Papandreou) grappling his chair (premiership) - Papandreou fooled them all, and he’s fool (FinMin and Deputy PM Evangelos) Venizelos".

VIMA: "Political power games between euro and drachma - Mr. Papandreou declares he’s ready to resign… but he is not believed".

VRADYNI: "Yes to euro, no to (ruling) PASOK".

[03] Ministry: Eurogroup decision over 6th tranche final

While a new decision was not formally necessary, however, in practical terms the disbursement of the next tranche will depend on the existence of a clearcut and stable political situation in Greece, the ministry added.

The ministry issued the announcement in response to press reports on this matter, while noting that the International Monetary Fund's decision was also required and that this was scheduled to be taken after Greece had completed 'advance actions' scheduled to be carried out by December 15.

According to the ministry, the Eurogroup meeting was likely to discuss the overall framework for the country. AMNA

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