The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-09-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Loberdos Meets Heads of State Hospitals

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Health Minister A. Loverdos had a meeting with the heads of Athens and Piraeus state hospitals, on Wednesday, at the Health Ministry. Mr Loverdos requested sharp drop in hospital expenses including cuts on drugs, supplies, nourishment and cleaning. Also asked 3-month suspension from surgeries of surgeons suspected of accepting bribes and the same penalty for doctors about whom are indications of over prescription of drugs and provocative demand of supplies.

Health Minister A. Loberdos asked for 10% drop in operational expenses and 20% drop in prescription of drugs.

He also said monitoring is to focus on Health Ministry from October and called all hospital chiefs to have submitted 2011 budget till Friday and pay suppliers for 2005-2006 debts.

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8 News item: 41152

[02] LAOS Requests K. Simitis Summoning over Siemens

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Former prime-minister Kostas Karamanlis summoning over the Batopedi transfer of land case investigated by a Parliament Inquiry Committee may open the road for a similar move regarding former prime-minister Kostas Simitis over the Siemens black money case. LAOS political party and specifically its deputy Kostas Aivaliotis have made both requests. He justifies Kostas Simitis summoning on the grounds that his aides on behalf of the party received money from the company's executives.

After Mr. Karamanlis summoning over the Batopedi case, a question was raised on Mr. Simitis summoning over the Siemens case.

In a letter to the president of the Parliament Inquiry Committee on Siemens case, LAOS deputy Kostas Aivaliotis requests summoning of Kostas Simitis over the issue of PASOK senior members having received money from Siemens on behalf of the party.

The relevant letter sent to Mr. Karamanlis briefs him that the Parliament Committee has unanimously agreed that his testimony would highly contribute to the investigation of the case. Now focus has been placed on Mr. Karamanlis reaction.

LAOS party president defended the request underlining that the former prime-minister was in the center of events and he should not receive a special treatment above the law.He should face the committee as a witness.

ND party deputies criticized the decision while Aris Spiliotopoulos described it as insulting, letting be understood that it was an act of revansism on the part of the ruling party.

In the meantime, the Democratic Renewal party describes Mr. Karamanlis summoning as a bipartisan game with apparent targets for both ND and PASOK parties.

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΑNA/ΜPA

News item: 41148

[03] Biden Praised G. Papandreou for his Incredible Work

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Prime Minister George Papandreou met with US Vice President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday. "I praise the Prime-minister for the incredible work he is doing in the handling of the economic crisis and, God willing, he will put his country on the right path again", said Biden to be interrupted by G. Papandreou who cited: "we already are in the right path". US Vice president agreed with Greece's Prime-minister adding: "we are impressed by the hard work you are doing".

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Focus on Greek - Turkish Relations, Skopje, Middle East

The US Vice President expressed strong support for Greece's economic and political reforms and applauded the Prime Minister's bold leadership

The two leaders discussed the international economic situation as well as issues of Greek and international interest.

On the Skopje issue, the Prime- minister underlined Greece's political volition to reach a solution while Joe Biden emphasized the need for leaders in Athens and Skopje to quickly agree upon a mutually acceptable solution to resolve their differences over the name issue.

On the Cyprus issue, Mr. Papandreou expounded difficulties created by the Turkish and Turkish-Cypriots stance during talks and reiterated his support to Dimitris Hristofias.

Referring to the Middle East issue, the Greek Prime-minister emphasized the Greek government's determination to constructively contribute to a viable solution and continue the process until they reach an agreement on two states that will coexist peacefully next to a secure Israeli state.

With regards Iran Joe Biden reiterated the need for Iran to comply fully and unconditionally with UN Security Council resolutions related to its nuclear program and to engage constructively in discussions with the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany.

Positive Impact

The Greek Prime-minister's statements had a positive impact on economic circles in NY.

Specifically, television network Bloomberg made positive comments on reforms carried out in Greece and repeated the Prime-minister's specific reference.

"We are not going to default." We did what we should have done, not only we in Greece but also the European Union and the IMF that gave us a vote of confidence" said the Prime-minister adding: "we continue adhering to our targets to be in the position to meet our obligations".

Today's Agenda

The Greek Prime-minister will attend luncheon with Greek-American businessmen at the NY Economic Club.

In the morning he will meet with King of Jordan Abdullah II, in the afternoon with Cyprus President D. Hristofias and the presidents of Turkey and Albania Abdullah Giul and Sali Berisha respectively.

In the evening Mr. Papandreou will attend a reception in his honour hosted by the Greek General Consulate while later he will attend reception at the Modern Art Museum at the invitation of "Clinton World Initiative".

Source: ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΑNA - ΜPA

Related News: Greek Prime-minister's Contacts in Washington

News item: 41126

[04] D/B on Road Transport Passed

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On Wednesday, the Parliament passed draft-bill providing for opening of road cargo transport. Truck and tanker truck owners, who remain outside the Parliament Building, speak of escalation of mobilizations. Traffic has been restored near Syntagma Sq , however, traffic problems remain in other parts of Attica with tens of trucks parked at national roads' exits.

Roll Call Voting

In roll call voting, requested by LAOS, the draft-bill was passed with 83 "yes" and 16 "No".

Article #14 providing for 3-year transitional period received 53 "yes" and 46 "no" in roll call voting requested by ND party.

In the first voting, GCP, LAOS and SYRIZA deputies as well as ND deputy Panos Kammenos voted against the draft-bill. Mr. Kammenos asked at least determination of the nationality of companies to be set up.

Independent deputies Dora Bakoyiannis, Sofia Sakorafa and Fotis Kouvelis voted in favour of draft-bill.

From Syntagma Sq., the president of Truckers Federation, George Tzortzatos announced escalation of mobilizations. Truck owners intend to continue mobilizations with road blockades nationwide.

Traffic chaos prevailed in the city center till noon as all roads to Syntagma were closed.

A minor incident occurred at 13:30 when police used tear gas to disperse a group of truckers from the demonstration outside the Parliament trying to storm into the Parliament yard.

Truckers state determined to close national roads at Haidari and Metamorphosi where their trucks are parked.

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA News item: 41157

[05] Measures to Boost Liquidity and Demand

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Development Minister Mihalis Hrisohoidis, in a joint interview with the National Confederation of Hellenic Commerce to mark the Hellenic Commerce day, announced a growth pact with the trade and business world and a liquidity pact with banks to facilitate businesses access to financing. In his meeting with the Confederation's board, Mr. Hrisohoidis said that draft-bills providing for protection of healthy competition and the consumer will be soon tabled to the Parliament. On their part, businessmen promised to retain prices at current level and reduce prices.

Mr. Hrisohoidis also stressed for many years management of resources has lead to low quality investments while he notified that the new developmental bill would include incentives for middle sized businesses.

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA, ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8 News item: 41151

[06] FinMin Ruled out Transfer of Food & Utility Bills to High Sales tax

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Finance Minister George Papakonstantinou ruled out transfer of food products and utility bills to high VAT scale. Briefing the Parliament Economics Committee, Mr. Papakonstantinou also announced the submission of draft-bill providing for reform of tax collection system.

Contacts-Meetings in Germany

Finance Minister G. Papakonstantinou leaves for Germany on Wednesday for talks with his German counterpart Wolfgang SchΓ€uble while he will also deliver a speech at a conference. Next he will fly to Frankfurt to meet with European Central Bank chief Zean Claude Trichet.

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8- ΑNA - ΜPA News item: 41137

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