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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-04-25

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

  • [01] PASOK PG Meets on Tuesday
  • [02] A. Samaras Portrays G. Papandreou "Neoliberal Socialist"
  • [03] Interviews in Sunday's Press
  • [04] Papakonstantinou-Straus Khan Fresh Meeting

  • [01] PASOK PG Meets on Tuesday

    Sunday, 25 April 2010 16:59

    Prime-minister, G. Papandreou called a meting of PASOK Parliamentary Group on Tuesday in order to brief them on the request for activation of EU rescue mechanism and listen to their views. In his speech in Rhodes on Saturday, the Prime-minister assured that he would do whatever necessary to prevent ones not responsible from paying in this difficult course. "We have not referred to the IMF but requested activation of EU rescue mechanism", the government spokesman, G. Petalotis said in response to rumours about IMF measures.

    "Serving Public Interest"

    "This government always acts to serve public interest. Ones who have not realized their responsibilities yet and spread rumours that only harm themselves, bear the responsibility of their actions", government spokesman G. Petalotis.

    "We have proved that this government makes deep reforms, has even proceeded to painful measures that hit our compatriots who bear no responsibility for the present crisis", said G. Petalotis.

    He added: "This is the reason why there is no need for additional measures in 2010, but readjustment of the Growth and Stability Plan for the next 2-year period would enable borrowing at better terms".

    Furthermore, the government spokesman blamed the ND party ruling for the lost of the country's credibility that left it in the lap of markets and speculators.

    "Germany agreed on March, 25 to set up a European rescue mechanism. The countries participating in this agreement have done their duty. From now on it is up to us to materialize the Stability Plan and all political forces and people should honour the historical responsibility for our country, concluded Mr. Petalotis.

    Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

    News item: 35850

    [02] A. Samaras Portrays G. Papandreou "Neoliberal Socialist"

    Sunday, 25 April 2010 12:43

    ND party leader A. Samaras strongly criticized the Prime-minister for referring to the EU-IMF rescue mechanism. In his speech at a party conference in Kalamata, Mr. Samaras portrayed G. Papandreou as a neoliberal socialist whose government called on IMF intervention. "We handed a deficit crisis to PASOK and PASOK today hands Greece to IMF in a loan crisis. This is PASOK of neoliberal socialist G. Papandreou", he characteristically said.

    "PASOK Selected IMF"

    Antonis Samaras blamed the Prime-minister for bringing new forces to the European Union.

    "PASOK lies when it maintains that it was imperative to call on IMF assistance. He was not obliged, he selected this option as inevitable and has full responsibility for what happened and what will happen from now on", he underlined.

    Self-criticism

    ND leader A. Samaras admitted that many mistakes were made during the conservative party's ruling.

    As he characteristically said the ND party did not fight against statism, did not reform the state, did not inspect state debt and succumbed to the logic of political cost.

    "For all above we have to apologize to our supporters and Greek people", adding though that ND would not apologize to ones projecting exceedingly unhesitating populism objected to any ND initiative to tidy state finances.

    Measures to Exit Country from the Crisis

    ND president stressed the need for regulations to boost economy and competitiveness and asked for measures to utilize state assets in order to relieve the country from over debt and IMF surveillance.

    Source: ÍÅÔ - ÁNA - ÌPA

    News item: 35845

    [03] Interviews in Sunday's Press

    Sunday, 25 April 2010 12:03

    Interviews with personalities in the political stage on call for IMF assistance dominates in Sunday press. Former prime-minister Kostas Simitis in an interview with newspaper "Bima tis Kyriakis" describes as wrong IMF participation in EU rescue mechanism . He, however, did not doubt its usefulness after decision for its participation was reached and a credible mechanism was formed.

    K. Simitis: It will take 5y to Restore Growth Pace

    "Developed countries will recover from financial crisis within two to three years while it will take even more than 5 years for countries in South Europe", said Kostas Simitis.

    The former prime-minister said that call for IMF assistance was the inevitable result of 5-year policies through the practice of a so called inventory, international slandering due to the inventory and the slide that followed.

    D. Abramopoulos: "6-month Delay Led to IMF"

    "The government's omissions and self-planning led to IMF" said former Health Minister D. Abramopoulos in an interview with paper "Typos tis Kyriakis", adding that the debt crisis demands understanding and not partisanship, while he also spoke of mistakes in the operation of Karamanlis government.

    "Call for activation of rescue mechanism brings rise in retirement age, drastic reductions in pensions and lay offs" said general secretary of GCP Aleka Papariga in an interview with "Typos tis Kyriakis" and calls on people to counter-react.

    In an interview with "Real News", former Foreign Minister D. Bakoyiannis blames the government for delays and defamation of the country while she speaks of 30-year of mistaken political selections, also citing that Karamanlis government failed to meet its targets.

    "The social security system is the first victim of the government's agreement with IMF officials who are already in place at the Employment Ministry dictating articles and regulations of the new draft-bill" says SYN president Alexis Tsipras in an interview with "Ethnos tis Kyriakis".

    Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA - ÌPA

    News item: 35844

    [04] Papakonstantinou-Straus Khan Fresh Meeting

    Sunday, 25 April 2010 11:25

    Finance Minister, G. Papakonstantinou will have a fresh meeting with IMF managing director Dominique Straus Khan on Sunday to finalize the terms and time for the activation of the rescue package. NET state television reports say that talks will focus on the progress of the Growth and Stability Plan, implementation of measures already discussed with the international organization officials as well as the amount of the financial aid: "Greek citizens shouldn't fear the IMF. We are there to try to help them" said Dominique Straus Khan. EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner,Olli Rehn said that work on the rescue package would have been completed by early May. US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner encouraged EU, IMF and Greek authorities to move quickly to put in place a quick response to the crisis while his British counterpart Alistair Darling underlined t that it was absolutely imperative that the euro zone countries fulfilled the obligations they've already agreed to in relation to making funds available to Greece.

    Dominique Straus Khan: "Should not Fear IMF"

    British Finance Minister Alistair Darling, asked by reporters if Germany was holding up a speedy resolution of the Greek crisis, said "No one's criticizing anyone".

    In a press interview earlier, IMF managing director called on Greeks not to demonize the IMF.

    "Greek citizens shouldn't fear the IMF. We are there to try to help them," said Dominique Straus Khan, adding that the international organization's role is to help and offer technical assistance on behalf of the international community.

    Greek citizens are not the only ones to fear IMF but he underlined:

    "Greek citizens as well as all others should see the IMF as it is nowadays. It is a cooperation organization where all countries in the globe work together to assist countries facing problems".

    "Greek citizens as well as all others should see the IMF as it is nowadays. It is a cooperation organization where all countries in the globe work together to assist countries facing problems".

    Martin Schultz Interview with "Ethnos tis Kyriakis".

    Highly interesting is statement by the president of the European Parliament Socialist Group, Martin Schultz in an interview with newspaper "Ethnos tis Kyriakis". "Whoever does not help Greek government today is like givin incentives for uncontrollable speculation that threatens the euro currency and other EU members", he said characteristically. However, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has invited parliamentary leaders for talks in Berlin on Monday to try to speed up the process for Greece.

    Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA - ÌPA

    News item: 35843


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