The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-10-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] ND Tough Response to K.Mitsotakis

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ND party honorary president, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, in an interview with private television channel MEGA, described Antonis Samaras, who maintains that state deficit could be zeroed in 2011, as populist and indirectly assessed that he would never become Prime-minister if he continues in this logic. The ND party issued tough response to the bombs dropped by K. Mitsotakis.

ND: "Good Night Mr. Mitsotakis..."

"If G. Papandreou was right when maintaining during pre-election campaign that there was money then Antonis Samaras is also right when maintaining that state deficit could be zeroed in 2011.There is no doubt that Mr. Samaras is a populist" , he said and blamed both major political parties for the present situation.

The ND party issued a tough response describing its honorary president as G. Papandreou rescuer and blaming him for malice aforethought aimed to harm the party.

"Four weeks before elections Mr. Mitsotakis, acting as G. Papandreou rescuer, launched attack against the ND party, which is the party that advanced him to the country's top office", says the announcement also adding "People have memory, knowledge and judgment" and concludes "good night Mr. Mitsotakis" .

Kyriakos Mitsotakis Statements

Kyriakos Mitsotakis told Skai radio "I do not fully agree with my father", rejecting description of A. Samaras as populist.

"We can not agree on all subjects, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, Dora Bakoyianni and Kyriakos Mitsotakis are three different persons with different views. In response to a relevant question he made clear that he will remain in the ND party and will not join Dora Bakoyianni's party.

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΑNA - ΜPA News item: 41882

[02] Collision of Greek Tanker with Cypriot Cargo Ship

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Greek tanker "Mindoro" carrying aircraft fuel collided on Tuesday morning with Cypriot cargo ship 20 miles west of Amsterdam ( 30km off Scheveningen coast), in Northern Sea . Mindoro tanker , registered in Piraeus, had a 5-6 meter wide hole in its first compartment close to the waterline and a small amount of fuel leaked. Greek tanker Mindoro has a 24-member crew ( seven Greeks, 16 Filipinos and one Romanian). The Mindoro had set sail from England and was heading to the Netherlands. The Cypriot cargo ship has a crew of 12 and has asked permission to sail for Rotterdam.

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Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA

Related news: BBC: Tanker and container ship collide off Dutch coast

News item: 41886

[03] French Take to the Streets against Pension Reforms

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New wave of open-ended mobilizations in opposition to the government's pension reforms start in France today. French unions are already organizing the fifth wave of mobilizations.Tuesday's strike is expected to disrupt means of mass transport, ports and airports while rolling strikes have been announced with the aim to recall many articles of the reform bill.

Problems in Mass Transport

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Turn out is high in recent demonstrations but the government believes that demonstrations will fade away. On their part trade unions hope to attract more than 3 million demonstrators -who they maintain- had taken to the streets at the beginning of this month.

About 50% of all flights to and from Paris Orly airport, and 30% at Charles de Gaulle have been cancelled for Tuesday.

Just one in three TGV high-speed trains are expected to run. Eurostar's Paris to London route should operate normally. Commuter trains in Paris were badly hit but the metro is less affected and buses should run as usual. Long power cuts are also expected in public buildings.

The French upper house, the Senate, is currently voting on the pension reform plans, article by article. The most contentious parts - raising the standard minimum retirement age from 60 to 62, and the age for a full state pension to 67 from 65 - have already been approved.

France's two legislative bodies will pass the full bill at the end of October and next the bill will be referred to the State Council for final ratification.

SOURCES: Reuters, ΑNA-ΜPA

Related News: BBC: France hit by third national strike in a month

News item: 41867

[04] Talks on Extension of Loan Repayment Time

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Finance Minister, George Papakonstantinou, in an interview with Skai on Monday evening, reconfirmed talks on extension of time to repay β¬110 billion loan, from the joint aid package of the European Union, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The ND party considers it a positive development. On its part, the European Commission- after clarifying that Greece has not officially requested extension of time for repayment of its loans- left open possibility for such a development and assessed that the country would be in a position to fully cover its financial needs through the markets. Germany maintains its negative stance.

Reconfirmed Talks but Dismissed Scenarios about Decisions

Finance Minister George Papakonstantinou stressed that no official decision has been reached yet, he, however, added:

"Should such decision be taken officially someday, it should come as a reward for the work executed and not because we did not meet our targets since this would send a wrong message to the markets", Mr. Papakonstantinou characteristically said.

Government spokesman George Petalotis said Greece has not requested holding of public or theoretical talk for extension of repayment time for the rescue package but it comes "as reward for the work, consistency and determination of Greek people and government". Furthermore, he clarified that there is no question about extension of memorandum, new measures and debt restructuring.

ND party sees extension of time for repayment of loan as a positive development provided that it does not hide terms for new austerity measures.

Germany does not support the idea of giving Greece more time to repay its loans, underlining that the program to bring its high state deficit down is being carried out successfully.

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8 - ΑNA/ΜPA News item: 42037

[05] Greece Raises β¬1.17bl - Interest Rate Drops

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Greek state raised β¬1.17 billion from 6-month state bonds' auction, which proved a positive test for the state's borrowing cost in markets. Finance Ministry announcement said state bonds traded at t 4.54% interest rate set compared against 4.82% in September, 12 auction. The government expressed satisfaction.

New Auction at Lower Interest Rate

Greek state raised 1.17 billion euros at lower interest rate 4,54% compared to 4.82% in previous state bonds auction on September, 14.

Total amount of subscriptions mounted to 3.95 billion euros covering 4.22 times the sum requested, which is interpreted as indication of confidence to Greek economy.

"Today's successful sale of 6-month state bonds indicates the change in the international community's attitude towards Greece and the market's recognition of the government's efforts", said government spokesman George Petalotis.

National bank recapitalization was completed today. The requested amount was over-covered 1.83 times, specifically it drew 3.315.704.345 euros while the requested sum was 1.815.054.306.

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA News item: 42012

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