The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-09-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] New US Ambassador Presents his Credentials to President of Hellenic Republic

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New US ambassador to Greece Daniel Bennet Smith, who presented his credentials to the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papulias, officially assumed his duties on Tuesday. A career diplomat, who had served as minister's advisor, was recently executive secretary at the State Department. Earlier, Germany, Ireland, Moldova and Israel ambassadors had presented their credentials to the President of the Hellenic Republic.

US Ambassador Presented his Credential to K. Papulias

The new ambassadors of Germany, Ireland, Moldova, Israel and the US have successfully presented their credentials to the President of the Hellenic Republic today.

Addressing the new US ambassador, Mr. Papoulias welcomed him: "as representative of a friend country with close ties with Greece".

"I particularly refer to the large Greek-American community that has played a significant role in the US and wish them good luck in November elections", added Mr. Papoulias.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÁNA-ÌPA News item: 41364

[02] Truckers Reach Final Decisions Today

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On Tuesday afternoon, truck and tanker truck owners are expected to reach final decisions on the future of their mobilizations. The final decision will be taken through a secret ballot during a meeting to be attended by representatives of truck drivers from all parts of Greece. In the meantime, market sectors have repeatedly appealed for suspension of truckers' mobilizations. Traders' representatives have stated determined to file law suits if mobilization is not suspended.

Incidents Last Night

Several incidents were recorded in the Piraeus port last night. Striking truck drivers, who tried to prevent trucks from embarking on ships, clashed with security forces.

On Patra -Korinthos 99km truck owners blocked the road to stop 6 trucks en route to Athens. Two of the strikers opened the door of a truck and slightly injured its driver, who was taken to hospital.

Close to Fthiotida prefecture, at 21:00 last night, an unknown person threw a stone breaking the front window of a truck carrying dairy products to Athens. Stones were also thrown at 9 lorries, accompanied by police patrol, en route to Thessaloniki. Another incident in Kavala, where unknown people got off two private cars, stopped a truck, beat its driver and caused damage to the truck.

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA/ÌPA

News item: 41347

[03] Work Stoppage :Train-Suburban Train Today-All Means of Transport Tomorrow

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Hellenic Railway (OSE) employees are staging three repeated work stoppages from 06:00- 09:00, 14:00- 17:00, 21:00- 24:00 on Tuesday. Metro services from Doukissis Plakentias-Airport services are running according to regular timetable today. In the meantime, employees in all means of transport have announced work stoppages on Wednesday creating problems for commuters. Specifically, blue buses and trolley buses will not run from 11:00- 16:00, electric train, Metro and tram from 12:00-16:00, train and suburban train from 12:00- 17:00.

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA/ÌPA

News item: 41344

[04] Europe Protesting against Austerity Measures

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All European trade unions are trying to mobilize Europe against austerity measures, organizing European action day on Wednesday, in Brussels. Their aim is to attract 100.000 demonstrators from 30 European countries. It is the most significant demonstration of the kind since December 2001, when the European Unions Confederation achieved to mobilize 80.000 people to demonstrate in Brussels demanding "more social Europe". Unions hope to send a message to the European Committee, which is presenting its plans for the imposition of penalties to euro region countries that are not rapidly reducing state debts or have excessive expenditures. They also want to send a message to EU Finance Ministers. A nationwide strike is staged in Spain and mobilizations in may EU member states.

Source: ÁNA-ÌPA News item: 41360

[05] State-Banks Agreement to Boost Liquidity

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Finance and Development Ministers, G. Papakonstantinou and Mihalis Hrisohoidis respectively met on Tuesday with the board of Hellenic Bank Association. Both sides agreed on the creation of a liquidity pact between the state and the banking sector. The two ministers called bankers to use the new package of state guarantees, mounting to 25 billion euros, to finance basic sectors of the economy.

In his statements, Mr. Papakonstantinou underlined that a frame agreement was reached with each bank separately, "to ensure that these funds are indeed channeled into Greek economy".

The Bankers' Union assured the ministers that the 25 billion euros support package to banks will be channeled into the market. News item: 41353

[06] Improvements to D/B on Closure of Tax Cases

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Draft-bill on closure of tax cases is to be tabled as urgent to the Parliament on Tuesday and will be passed on Thursday. The economic staff made favourable changes in the initial plan, which is 20% reduction in advance payment and increased installments to 24 from 12. "We change an unbearable heritage of a sinful past", said the Prime-minister, adding that the most effective tax collection mechanism would be unable to clear 2.5 million uninspected taxation cases. "Closure of taxation cases was the only means to collect millions of euros that belong to Greek people", said government spokesman, George Petalotis in an interview with state radio NET 105.8.

G. Petalotis Told ÍÅÔ 105.8: End to Immunity

There will not be immunity to tax defaulters from now on and honest tax payers will feel justified said G. Petalotis.

In response to PASOK deputies reactions, the government spokesman said they are autonomous and their reaction is not condemnable since they express the view and concerns of Greek people. He also added that the government was open to further improvements till the time of the draft- bill's voting.

Improvements

The economic staff decided some improvements to the initial plan on closure of taxation cases.

Advance payment is 20% of total sum, installments increase to 24 while ones who closed their account books till 2007 are exempted from the present provision.

Individual closures for 2008 and 2009 will have to pay 50% of the least sum. The regulation is addressed to businesses whose annual turn out is up to 20 million euros.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA - ÌPA

News item: 41345

[07] Meeting on 2011 State-Budget

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On Tuesday, Prime-minister, G. Papandreou will chair a broad meeting centered on 2011 state budget plan. Mr. Papandreou is expected to underline the high importance of the state budget for the country's turn to the international money markets. Prior to the conference , the Prime-minister will have a cooperation meeting with Finance Minister G. Papakonstantinou. In the meantime, Loukas Papadimos, former vice-president of the Central European Bank, appeared optimistic on the course of Greece's economy: "Greece's economy will return to growth within 2011" he said and ruled out debt restructure.

Growth within 2011

In an interview in Brussels, Loukas Papadimos forecast gradual return to positive growth territory within 2011.

He also clarified that "restructure of Greece's debt was not examined as option", citing that this was not an option for any state in the euro region.

Furthermore, he assessed that Greece would turn to the markets when time was appropriate, underlining that "2011 is a year I would expect significant improvement in circumstances and high possibility for return to markets" .

Hellenic Bank Association

Earlier, Finance and Development Ministers, George Papakonstantinou and Mihalis Hrisohoidis met with the board of Hellenic Bank Association. Talks centered on the need to boost market liquidity through the rise in banks financing.

Mr. Papakonstantinou said the creation of State- Banks Liquidity Pact was agreed.

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105.8

News item: 41339

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