The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-10-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cabinet Meeting

02 Οκτ 2008 14:40:00 (Last updated: 02 Οκτ 2008 15:40:43)

Sources: ΝΕΤ-ΝΕΤ 105.8-ΑNA/ΜPA

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis has sent a clear message to his ministers at a Cabinet meeting today to accelerate the governments work, demanding a clear timetable from each ministry for its objectives. He asked to be continually briefed, adding that the government is ready to implement its programme to the relief of low brackets. He was referring to the heating oil allowance and the safeguarding of loanees. In parallel, he sent a message to all directions as per which he is determined to continue with the governments reforms, adding that the government had been elected to change thing and this is what it is doing.

Support of Low Brackets

Todays Cabinet meeting focused on the international monetary crisis and the measures to be taken by the government in the immediate future.

The prime minister gave special emphasis to the international economic crisis, requesting from the President of the Parliament to hold a debate on the world monetary crisis and the governments policy.

However, he reiterated that the Greek economy holds up, stressing that the Greek Banking system is safe and positive for the economy and mainly for citizens and enterprises.

Furthermore, he stated that the global economic crisis demands acceleration of the governments pace, alertness and calm, so that the repercussions on the national economy are contained.

For that reason he called on his ministers to promote soon legislative initiatives that would improve the citizens everyday life and solve their problems. He also stressed that the government focuses its interest in the creation of a stronger social protection index.

In parallel, he announced that bills for the protection and armouring of loanees and for the Social Cohesion Fund would be tabled within the next days, while the poor would receive the heating oil allowance.

Reactions

PASOK (Socialists) spokesman Giorgos Papakonstantinou described the government and PMs announcements general, describing the course of the Greek economy poor.

He did not rule out early elections after the the PMs talk today, attributing the crisis, which Greeks are experiencing to the ND economic policy and not to the international economic crisis.

KKE (Communist Party of Greece) announced that the Greek people should not be concerned with the date of early elections but with the way they will get rid off the governments anti-popular policy.

SYN (Coalition of the Left) President Alexis Tsipras stated that the government is about to collapse, describing its policy busted.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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"Help to Civilians"

Cabinet Meets

PASOK Discusses Economy

[02] Draft-bill on Loanees

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA

Finance Minister, George Alogoskoufis submitted to the Parliament on Thursday a new draft-bill for the protection of loanees. The new bill increases amount of debt to 20.000 (from present 10.000) to allow the only house of overdebtor to be put up for auction while start auction price can not be under the propertys objective value regardless of the property being within the city plan or not.

Also auctions will be exclusively carried out by courts in written and sealed bids to safeguard impartiality of relevant procedures.

In response to rumours and uncertainty regarding developments in the banking system, Mr. Alogoskoufis reassured that citizens savings deposited in banks operating in Greece are fully guaranteed. The Finance Minister repeated that the Greek bank system is safe and trustworthy.

The Finance Minister underlined that the government adhering to its commitment is forwarding any feasible measures to support citizens particularly under the negative circumstances of the global financial crisis of an unpredictable length and inflation flare up due to rises in prices of fuel, food and raw material. He added that the specific measures aim to protect loannes as rises in interest rates apparently pass economic cost on borrowers.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Employees Before the Parliament

02 Οκτ 2008 09:42:00 (Last updated: 02 Οκτ 2008 17:36:13)

Sources: NET, ANA

The amendment on Olympic Airlines privatization is being debated today amid controversy. The opposition is reacting strongly to the bill describing its anti-constitutoional. In the morning, O.A employees staged a protest rally before the Parliament, in reaction to the governments plans to privatize the national air-carrier.The vote will be followed by a legislative amendment on the employees future. Trade Unions have decided to reject the Transport ministers invitation for dialogue and instead hold rallies under GSEEs (Greek General Confederation of Labour) cover. GSEE and public utilities employees are also participating in todays rally. Furthermore, GSEE has announced that it will stage a 24-hour strike in public utilities on 8 October in reaction to the privatization of public enterprises and the sacking of personnel without any compensation. On the contrary, pilots have decided to meet with the Transport minister and then decide whether they will participate in the dialogue over O.A.s privatization. Meanwhile, the bidding tenders for prospect investors have been published in three newspapers. The investors will have to declare their interest by 31 October.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

OA Unions Hold Meeting

[04] PASOK Discusses Economy

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA

George Papandreou hailed PASOKs plan on the exodus from the crisis at the partys headquarters on Wednesday. He meeting was attended by several party cadres.

Mr Papandreou presented his proposals and criticized the government over its economic policy. Specifically, he proposed a rise in salaries, the boosting of the social state, development and a new relationship between citizens and the state.

PASOKs first objective is to consolidate confidence and safety among citizens and adopt measures for the protection of loanees. It also proposed a solidarity allowance to the poor and a heating allowance to low brackets. Farmers should have their VAT returned, while public utility rates should drop and a more just taxation system should be introduced.

PASOK also proposed the armouring of the Greek economy and the protection of depositors, with the improvement of the monitoring process of the monetary system.

In parallel, Mr Papandreou stated that he would take initiatives to promote development and create more working positions, securing thus social cohesion.

Moreover, he criticized the governments policy that undermines the social state, annulling Greeces developmental prospects. He also accused the government of using the international monetary crisis as an excuse to overcome its problems.

Finally, he stressed that initiatives for the protection of the income and the protection of loanees and depositors should be taken immediately.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[05] Alogoskoufis-Alabanos Meeting

The meeting between Finance Minister, George Alogoskoufis and the president of SYRIZA party Parliamentary group, Alekos Alavanos centered on world financial crisis and its impact on Europe and Greece. Mr. Alogoskoufis briefed Mr. Alavanos on the initiatives the government intends to take for the shielding of the Greek economy and the support of the low-income classes.

On his part, Mr. Alavanos stressed that it is mandatory to take measures in an era when basic economic principals and views are changing. In parallel, he called the government to guarantee the social security funds reserves and replace structured bonds with state bonds while he asked for a correction sum in salaries to support citizens to deal with consequences of inflation flare up. Finally, he called on the government to put a halt to privatizations, particularly in the financial sector such as the PostBank, Attiki Bank and the National Insurance Company.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[06] K. Papoulias: "Redistribution of Wealth at Global Level"

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΑNA-ΜPA

In his speech at the ceremony of his declaration as honorary professor at Thrace Democritios University in Komotini, President of the Republic, Karolos Papoulias said: "In the era of globalization, there is a need for redetermination of citizens and states terms for participation in the world market. We should make a further step and seek for mechanisms for redistribution of wealth at international level not only to restrict consequences of unfavourable treatment some peoples have suffered but also to strengthen world stability. In parallel, in a friendship gesture to the neigbouring countries, Mr. Papoulias called on the peoples to "overcome the past" as he characteristically said.

"Global Cooperation Mandatory"

The President of the Republic placed special emphasis on the world credit crisis, describing it as among the worst in world economic history, which although started outside Europe in the US "as all credit crisis do not limit in one state". "For this reason both its birth and treatment concerns all of us". Mr. Papoulias also underlined that the credit crisis emerged the big weakness of the world financial system when dangers are underestimated and greediness prevails in the chase of higher profits, when legislation allows dissociation of responsibility from profits without terms and limits, when liquidity in world economy is considered a shield for the protection from exaggerations."

Mr. Papoulias expressed conviction that the world credit crisis will lead to formulation of a new generation of economic thought which will impose rules of responsibility and transparency in the operation of the financial system.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[07] Cabinet Meeting

02 Οκτ 2008 13:32:00 (Last updated: 02 Οκτ 2008 15:24:16)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis decided at the Cabinet meeting to introduce a number of measures in support of citizens. The meeting focused on the international monetary crisis and the armouring of the economy, so that it is protected from the repercussions of the economic crisis. The prime minister announced that setting up of government committee on social policy with the participation of the Ministers of Economy, Interior, Employment and Health, asking them to set a clear timetable for the resolution of small and big problems citizens are encountering. Furthermore, he reported that he will begin visiting ministries to be briefed and promote objectives. He also called on his ministers to continue tackling problems, adding that the doors of ministries are open to all party MPs. He who will not cooperate will be replaced. Referring to the coordination of competent ministries and cooperation with MPs he said that personal strategies would not be tolerated, adding that more work is demanded and no mistakes allowed.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Cabinet Meets

[08] Selling Church "Property"

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8

A 49-year-old man from Thessaloniki has been arrested as he presented himself as a Church representative selling property that allegedly belongs to it. He argued that he had been selling at bargain prices.

His last victim was a civil engineer from Athens from whom he managed to get 150,000.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[09] No Passport Required for Entry to FYROM

Sources: ANA-MPA

The FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) Interior Ministry has announced that the citizens of EU member-states and countries that had signed the Schengen Treaty would not longer need their passports to enter FYROM but only the identity card. The measure came into effect Wednesday. In parallel, a change in legislation yesterday allows foreigners of countries in the EU "white list" to travel to FYROM without having their visa stamped. The Interior Ministry reported that the measure aims at boosting economic cooperation with powerful foreign countries and attracting foreign investors in the country. Moreover, the above measures will help in boosting political dialogue between FYROM and EU member-states.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[10] Double Suicide Bomb Attacks in Baghdad

Two suicide bomb attacks on Thursday killed 16 Shiite worshippers and wounded 33 others outside two Shiite mosques in southeastern Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source said. The first suicide attack occurred when a suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest blew up himself outside al-Rasoul Shiite mosque in Baghdads al-Jadida district, or New Baghdad, killing 12 worshippers, and injuring 25 others. In a separate incident, another suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into a crowd of Shiite worshippers while leaving another Shiite mosque in the al-Zaafaraniyah neighborhood, leaving two of them as well as two Iraqi soldiers killed and eight worshippers injured, the source said. Iraqi security forces immediately cordoned off the two infested areas to secure the scenes, while ambulances rushed to transport the victims to nearby hospitals, he added. The attacks came as the Shiite worshippers were marking the end of the Ramadan fasting. The number of victims from violent acts in September has risen to 510.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[11] Cabinet Meets

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA

The Cabinet is presently meeting under the prime ministers chairmanship to discuss the international economic developments. After the government committee meeting, Mr Karamanlis stressed hat the government, in cooperation with the Bank of Greece guarantees and safeguards the stability of the Greek Banking system and protects the Greek citizens interests. He also reported that the government sees with determination that the crisis in the global Banking system is dealt with the least possible repercussions on the Greek economy. Finally, he assured all that the Greek Banking system is healthy, safe and resistant to vibrations. Todays meeting will also assess the political situation after ND MP Stavros Dailakis had been written off from the party and decide on the governments future moves. As per information, the PM is expected to ask from the cabinet members to continue materializing their work with cohesion and stop wasting their time by discussing about a government reshuffle or elections.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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