Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 13-09-16

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Additional help without new terms, if we meet targets, PM says

[02] SYRIZA leader says Samaras government will fall soon

[03] Tsipras meets Thessaloniki mayor, visits TIF

[04] Government spokesman replies to SYRIZA leader's Thessaloniki press conference

[05] Government spokesman replies to SYRIZA leader's production agency address

[06] Russia's Federation Council Chairwoman due in Athens on Sunday

[07] PM Samaras to hold meeting with Valentina Matviyenko, Fisheries Commissioner Damanaki on Monday

[08] Slew of meeting ahead of troika arrival

[09] U.S.-Russia agreement on Syria 'very positive', Greek foreign minister says

[10] Government spokesman condemns attack on KKE party members by far-rightwingers

[11] SYRIZA slams New Democracy response to neo-Nazi attack in Perama

[12] KKE leader meets school keepers camped outside Thessaloniki town hall

[13] ND party leading SYRIZA by 0.8 pct, poll shows

[14] Crackdown on uninsured 'black' labour from Sunday

[15] Journalists' pension fund EDOEAP mulling drastic pension cuts

[16] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

[17] Actress and author Kitty Arseni passes away

[18] Painter-engraver Giorgos Varlamos passes away

[19] Inmate killed, 12 injured during prison riots in Domokos, Korydallos

[20] Attica police uncover high-end forgery outfit based in Tirana

[21] Bather killed by speedboat in Vouliagmeni

[22] Landslide at Megalopolis PPC mine, no casualties

[23] Tribute to Maria Callas with 'promenade concert' in Athens neighbourhoods

[24] Memorial events on Asia Minor disaster anniversary

[25] Super League results

[26] Slovenia beats Greece 73-65 in EuroBasket 2013 game

[27] Rainy on Monday

[28] The Sunday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] Additional help without new terms, if we meet targets, PM says

Samaras underlined that the 'fiscal gap' - which he placed at around 2.5 billion euro - will not be covered by new cutbacks to wages and pensions, nor by imposing more taxes. The government's aim, according to the premier, is to cover the gap through structural measures - such as tackling tax evasion and tariff evasion.

The prime minister made it clear that no new measures will be taken if the country meets its targets and repeated that 70 percent of any surplus will be returned to society. "Our lenders have already agreed with us that 70 percent will be spend to relieve the injustices that were imposed, to boost the economy's social cohesion," he stressed.

He repeated that the first to benefit will be those on low pensions and those in uniform, which he described as "particularly let down".

Referring to the discussion underway on the possibility of a third aid package to cover funding 'gaps', he stressed that this was nothing new:

"The things you hear, that Greece might need additional financing, is something that had already been foreseen since last year; it is for relatively small amounts and they have promised to cover us without new terms and without a new agreement, provided we meet our targets," he repeated.

The prime minister spoke of a need for smaller taxation rates, combined with stricter inspections, in order to generate more revenues for the state.

"Already, we have the first signs showing that this wager can be won. If we do win it, we can go further," he said, noting that the faster all sides complied with their obligations, the quicker the taxation burden will be lifted.

He vehemently opposed all thought of early elections, launching a stern attack on main opposition SYRIZA president Alexist Tsipras and said he was "anxious because he sees our policy is starting to pay off."

"Elections will be held when the Constitution says so, not when Mr. Tsipras wants them," he added, accusing the main opposition leader of "waging his last-ditch battle to cancel the country's stabilisation and fiscal reform".

Samaras underlined that elections at the present time would mean more instability, more uncertainty and lead to the sacrifices made by the Greek people going to waste. He ruled out the prospect of a "triple" election in May, to coincide with European and local elections, saying the government will run to the end of its four-year term when the results of the policies followed are apparent and the country has exited from the memorandums and the crisis.

[02] SYRIZA leader says Samaras government will fall soon

Commenting on the statement by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras that he will exhaust his four-year tenure in office, Tsipras said Samaras must not forget that he became prime minister from elections held before the end of the four-year tenure.

"We are not in a hurry to come to power," he said and stressed that elections and the change in government are a condition for the survival of the low income classes and the country's sovereignty, while adding that if elections were held now SYRIZA would get an "absolute majority" in Parliament.

Tsipras further said that "we agree with Mr. Samaras, we shall leave the memorandum, but Mr. Samaras will leave the government together with the memorandum". Also referring to the prime minister, he said that he has already signed the taking of new measures.

Asked when he believes Parliamentary elections will be taking place, Tsipras said "I do not have oracular abilities, but the government's political time has been exhausted and we are in extra time".

Replying to another question on whether money exists for all that SYRIZA is saying can be done, the SYRIZA leader said "we are not pretending not to see. No easy nor painless solutions exist, but it is a crime to be continuing the mistake. New loaning is no solutution and we shall not consent. We have a programme for the country's productive reconstruction and the handling of the humanitarian crisis."

Tsipras also reacted to the accusation that SYRIZA and the teachers are closing schools, saying that "the troika is closing the schools" and proposed the creation of a Factfinding Committee in the new Parliament on how the country was led to the memorandum.

Lastly, Tsipras said "we shall put right injustices in the public sector and all who were laid off unconstitutionally and illegally will be reinstated".

[03] Tsipras meets Thessaloniki mayor, visits TIF

Tsipras stressed that the institution could hardly merited the name "local government" any more, since all the decisions were taken by others and mayors were simply asked to implement plans that were tightly constricting in view of the heightened needs of their citizens.

Among the issues discussed during the meeting was the planned privatisation of the city's water company EYATh, with SYRIZA's leader stressing that water was a common good that had to remain under public control and urging a strong front in the city against its privatisation.

Boutaris, on his part, noted that mayors had been stripped of all powers to serve the purpose for which they had been elected, with tight control over all their decisions - not just in terms of their legality but also in terms of their purpose.

Immediately after his meeting with Boutaris, Tsipras also met with laid-off school keepers camped outside the town hall, who asked him to support their struggle.

Earlier, SYRIZA's leader had toured the stands at the 78th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), where he had the opportunity to meet with Paralympic athletes and speak with representatives of people with special needs, accompanied by members of the party.

In statements during the visit, he stressed that TIF could make Thessaloniki and cultural and trade hub, becoming more international and providing opportunities to promote new businesses and products, such as agricultural products.

He met with the management of HELEXPO-TIF, who told him that visits to the exhibition were expected to double in 2013 and possibly generate a marginal profit.

After the meeting with Thessaloniki's mayor, Tsipras went on to visit Central Macedonia Region authority chief Apostolos Tzitzikostas to discuss issues affecting the region, including transportation for school children and the privatisation of EYATh. Afterward, he again stressed the difficult task faced by cash-strapped local government in meeting their citizens' demands and the challeges imposed by the recession, austerity and social disruption.

He asked the regional authority to intervene for a solution to the problems faced by students needing transportation to attend school, extracting a promise for immediate action.

Tzitzikostas also briefed SYRIZA's leader on the regional authority's work, especially in terms of using National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) funds from the EU, and the archaeological digs in Amphipolis hampered by lack of funding.

[04] Government spokesman replies to SYRIZA leader's Thessaloniki press conference

The spokesman said that SYRIZA's head resorted to a great deal of inaccuracies and concluded with the argument that we imitate Bolivia.

"Fortunately, Greece is staying in Europe despite Mr. Tsipras's effort for the contrary," Kedikoglou said and also stressed that Tsipras cannot understand what the opinion polls say, for himself and his party in particular.

"How can he understand what data say about the Greek economy? He confuses the financial vacuum with the fiscal vacuum and invokes assessments against Greece that are coming from leftist candidates in Germany. Unfortunately for Mr. Tsipras nobody adopts these positions," Kedikoglou concluded.

[05] Government spokesman replies to SYRIZA leader's production agency address

The spokesman said that Tsipras declared that he accepts the government's targets (primary stage surplus, recapitalisation of the banking system, liquidity in the market) "that he undermines and disputes".

He reminded in parallel that Tsipras had done the same in the past when, as he said, he declared that he accepted Europe, while he was calling for us to to clash with our partners and exit from the euro.

"Confusion without precedent and indescribable delirium. What point is there in one wondering how we will become unstuck from the memorandum era if we do not stand on our feet with a primary stage surplus?", the government spokesman added.

[06] Russia's Federation Council Chairwoman due in Athens on Sunday

In statements ahead of her three-day visit to Greece starting on Sunday, Russian Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matviyenko said that she intends her talks in Athens to cover a broad range of topics on the agenda in bilateral relations between Greece and Russia.

"They will include the prospects of activating inter-Parliamentary contacts, exploring and legal support of the legal-contractual basis of our bilateral relations. We also want to examine the possibility of developing inter-regional cooperation," she said prior to her departure.

A former Russian ambassador in Greece and governor of St. Petersburg - and currently occupying the third-highest office in Russia - Matviyenko said her talks in Athens will also touch on bilateral trade and ensuring the flow of investments from Russian firms, several of which have shown interest in collaborating with Greece in the energy and transport sectors.

The talks are also expected to touch on international affairs, namely Syria and the situation in the Middle East, where Matviyenko noted that Greece and Russia often have very similar positions on fundamental issues on the international agenda. She referred to Greece's upcoming EU presidency in the first half of 2014, which she said would allow discussion on issues concerning relations between Russia and the EU, such as the abolition of the visas for short visits on either side.

Matviyenko will be arriving in Athens at the head of a sizeable delegation from the Russian upper Parliament or Federation Council and will have meetings with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, Greek Parliament President Evangelos Meimarakis, main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) leader Alexis Tsipras, government Vice-President and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, as well as Greek government officials and business people.

During the visit she will address the 3rd Greek-Russian Forum marking the 185th anniversary since the establishment of Greek-Russian diplomatic ties and meet the head of the Greek representation at the Council of European Parliamentary Assembly Dora Bakoyannis.

[07] PM Samaras to hold meeting with Valentina Matviyenko, Fisheries Commissioner Damanaki on Monday

At 13:00 he will be meeting Marine Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki.

At 17:15 the prime minister will be receiving former French president Valerie Giscard d'Estaing.

At 17:45 the prime minister will address the conference being held by the "International Herald Tribune" in cooperation with "Kathimerini" at the Attalos Arcade in the Ancient Market and at 21:00 he will attend the ceremony for the "IFG 2013" awards of the International Foundation for Greece at the Acropolis Museum.

[08] Slew of meeting ahead of troika arrival

The key issues under discussion, which will go into a document that will form the basis of the ministry's negotiations with the troika chiefs, including the execution of the budget, the size of the Greek economy's recession, progress in implementing prior actions needed for the disbursement of the October tranche of bailout loans (1.0 billion euros) and preparations for the prior actions of the next two years, as well as the final plan for a Single Property Tax that will go into effect from 2014.

This tax will be on all property owned by tax payers, including residences, land within and outside the limits of the town plan, agricultural land etc.

The ministry's main aim is to convince the troika that the new tax, averaging about 10 euros per 1,000 square metres from which it hopes to collect 945 million euros, can be collected by tax offices. The final plan has yet to be approved by the ministry leadership and must also be presented to PASOK for final observations before it is formally unveiled and tabled in Parliament.

[09] U.S.-Russia agreement on Syria 'very positive', Greek foreign minister says

"The agreement framework achieved in Geneva for the chemical weapons in Syria is a very positive development, which can contribute to efforts to achieve a comprehensive political solution in Syria and, generally, allow the UN Security Council to play the role outlined in its charter, with the goal of achieving peace in all regions of the world," Venizelos said.

[10] Government spokesman condemns attack on KKE party members by far-rightwingers

Government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou, in a statement to the electronic edition of the German magazine "Der Spiegel", condemned the recent attack against members of the Greek Communist Party (KKE) in the town of Perama by far-rightwingers.

"It is self-evident that we condemn it," Kedikoglou said and rejected guesswork of a possible rapprochement between the New Demoracy party and the Golden Dawn party.

"There is no such thing. (The allegations) are coming from our opponents," the spokesman added.

[11] SYRIZA slams New Democracy response to neo-Nazi attack in Perama

"Yesterday's murderous attack by members of Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) on members of KKE is yet another example of the uncontrolled action of this Nazi gang, whose primary targets are democracy and rights," a SYRIZA announcement said.

The party also noted that the "otherwise garrulous ND and equally garrulous government spokesman, who like to deliver lessons against violence, have not yet found the time to condemn the attack. It would seem that ND and the government spokesman do not condemn violence 'from any quarter'."

[12] KKE leader meets school keepers camped outside Thessaloniki town hall

The meeting took place as main opposition Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) leader Alexis Tsipras was inside the buiding talking to Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris, with Koutsoumbas departing before Tsipras emerged. Pointing to the KKE members camping with the school keepers in solidarity, he urged them to consider whether representatives of any other party, including SYRIZA with its larger Parliamentary strength, had joined them.

Earlier on, Koutsoumbas visited the facilities of the former state television channel ET3 and met with workers who are continuing to broadcast a news programme via the Internet. He told them they had the active support of the KKE and asked them not to be "duped by the suitors of power".

KKE's leader next visited a fruit sorting plant at Krya Vrysi in Pella and is due to address the KKE youth group festival 'KNE-Odigitis' AT 9:30 p.m. in Stavroupolis.

[13] ND party leading SYRIZA by 0.8 pct, poll shows

According to the poll, ND received 24.6 percent of respondents' preferences, SYRIZA 23.8, Golden Dawn 8.3, Independent Greeks 4.8, PASOK 4.7 and the Democratic Left 2.4.

On the question of which party is expected to win the next elections, ND is leading by 15.4 percent, while as to who is most suitable to be prime minister, ND leader and Prime Minister Antonis Samaras garners 47.2 percent of preferences compared to 30.7 for SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras.

Lastly, 48.5 percent support the government and 61.2 want it to exhaust its four-year tenure in office.

Financial News

[14] Crackdown on uninsured 'black' labour from Sunday

In an exclusive statement to the ANA-MPA, Labour Minister Yiannis Vroutsis reported that the results of the 'Ergani' system showing the flow of hiring and firing in real time had started to yield the first results, showing a tendency for employers to comply with the law rather than risk the hefty fines.

"According to the figures from Ergani, which is like a cardiogram of the labour market, there was a jump in labour hiring on Friday that reached 9,486, the highest number of hirings in the month of September on record," the labour minister said.

He interpreted this as "signalling the rapid compliance of employers" and said that the "countdown has begun since we are one day before the start of sweeping inspections to locate uninsured workers."

Vroutsis also issued a "final warning" to employers, saying that mixed teams of labour ministry inspectors, IKA inspectors and financial police will take to the streets on Sunday throughout the country and impose a fine of 10,550 euros for each uninsured employee that they find.

"This is the highest fine ever imposed by a labour minister," he added.

[15] Journalists' pension fund EDOEAP mulling drastic pension cuts

It will lead to reductions of about 50 percent for the 180 or so of EDOEAP's 2,300 pensioners that draw pensions between 900 and 1,300 euros a month. For the majority that receive supplementary pensions of about 500 euros, the reductions will range between 5-7 pct.

The fund's management hopes that this will save between 6.0-8.0 million euros a year, which is roughly the amount of the EDOEAP's annual deficit. A further one million will be saved by cutting staff salaries by up to 50 pct for those earning more than 4,500 a month, while those earning up to 1,500 will not be affected.

EDOEAP also hopes to generate further savings of up to 3.0 million euros a year by renegotiating contracts with private healthcare providers. Its total deficit has accummulated to 23 million euros, for 19,000 members directly and indirectly insured. The proposed measures will be discussed at the next EDOEAP general meeting on September 26.

[16] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

U.S. dollar 1.349

Pound sterling 0.852

Danish kroner 7.569

Swedish kroner 8.835

Japanese yen 134.42

Swiss franc 1.256

Norwegian kroner 7.987

Canadian dollar 1.394

Australian dollar 1.459

General News

[17] Actress and author Kitty Arseni passes away

An actress from the Karolos Koun drama school, Arseni was arrested by the junta in 1967, tortured and sentenced to a lengthy prison term as a member of the Patriotic Front before her release a year later after a general amnesty. She left the country and testified as a witness to the Council of Europe, returning to Greece after the fall of the dictatorship to resume her career as an actress and director. She has also published several books, including an autobiographical account of her experiences at the hands of the junta.

Her funeral will be held next Tuesday, at the Maroussi cemetery at 5:30 p.m.

[18] Painter-engraver Giorgos Varlamos passes away

Born on the island of Paros in 1922, Varlamos was a student of the Greek painters Argyros and Parthenis at the Athens School of Fine Arts and also studied the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, returning to Athens in 1953 for a long and illustrious career.

In an announcement, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) noted that his death left a gap in the plastic arts that would be hard to fill and that he had devoted his life and art to the "struggle to make a better world".

[19] Inmate killed, 12 injured during prison riots in Domokos, Korydallos

One man was killed and another injured in Domokos, while 11 inmates were injured in fighting that broke out on Sunday between Albanian and Kurd gangs in the fourth wing of Korydallos prison in Athens.

One person was hurt during incidents that flared up in Korydallos during the morning, which soon broken up by prison guards, but the violence resumed in the afternoon and led to another 10 injuries. According sources, the inmates attacked each other with makeshift weapons and seven have been taken to the prison hospital, while three will be transferred to hospitals in Attica. The cause of the incidents is unknown.

Late in the afternoon, tension also spread to the second wing of the prison but violence was avoided through the prompt intervention of prison guards.

Meanwhile, an entire arsenal of makeshift knives, blades, ropes and other potentially lethal weapons were discovered hidden in cells of Domokos prison, during a search conducted on Sunday after the death of a 33-year-old inmate on Saturday morning. A second man, aged 30, was injured in the same incident.

According to an investigation, another six Albanian inmates between the ages of 27 to 35 years old were also involved in the violence in Domokos. Following the search, criminal charges of murder and causing grievous bodily harm will be pressed against the six inmates, as well as for violations of legislation on the use of weapons.

The makeshift weaponry found in the prison have been sent to a forensics laboratory to identify the weapon responsible for the 33-year-old's death.

[20] Attica police uncover high-end forgery outfit based in Tirana

Greek police said that, based on their investigation so far, the proceeds of the criminal organisation probably exceeded 10 million euros just for the evidence found and confiscated in Athens. This was collected in a raid on two apartments in the Athens district of Patissia, where a thousands of fake visas and other documents were found.

Three Albanian nationals were arrested as suspected members of the organisation, including a man believed to be the leader, and 26,500 euros were confiscated. Other evidence found on the scene included a diary listing orders and payments, from which police estimated the gang's potential proceeds, a computer and scanner/printer, a usb flash drive, six credit cards, a private car and seven mobile phones.

Police believe the organisation is based in Tirana, where it runs a fully equipped workshop using the latest technology and has the ability to produce high-quality forgeries, including of passports, visas, residence permits, driving licences, ID cards, residence cards and credit cards.

The three suspects were led before an Athens public prosecutor and the Greek Police have lodged a request for international police cooperation with prosecuting authorities in Tirana, in order to follow-up the investigation and inspect the premises run by the gang in Albania.

[21] Bather killed by speedboat in Vouliagmeni

[22] Landslide at Megalopolis PPC mine, no casualties

PPC plants at Megalopolis are not facing any problems at present, since there is an adequate supply of coal in storage.

[23] Tribute to Maria Callas with 'promenade concert' in Athens neighbourhoods

Between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. the streets where Callas grew up will resound with the famous arias that singled her out as one of the greatest singers of her time, performed by members of the National Opera and supported by the National Opera orchestra, conducted by Artistic Director Myronas Michailidis.

The 'five-stage musical promenade' has been designed in such a way that the audience will be able to watch all five concerts, moving from one location to the next on foot.

[24] Memorial events on Asia Minor disaster anniversary

The religious service held at the Saint Sophia Church was officiated by Thessaloniki Metropolitan Anthimos.

The memorial events were attended by Alternate Environment Minister Stavros Kalafatis, who represented the government, local officials, representatives of all parties represented in Parliament, refugee organisations and city agencies.

Sports

[25] Super League results

Panetolikos-Ergotelis Crete 0-0

Veria-PAOK Thessaloniki 1-2

Aris Thessaloniki-Levadiakos 1-1

Apollon Smyrnis (Athens)-Kalloni Mytilini 1-3

OFI Crete-Asteras Tripoli 1-1

Panionios Athens-Panthrakikos Xanthi 1-1

Platanias Crete-Panathinaikos 1-1

PAS Yiannena-Atromitos (playing Sept. 16)

Olympiakos 12

PAOK 9

Kalloni 9

Ergotelis 6

Asteras Tripolis 6

Veria 5

Panthrakikos 5

Panionios Athens 5

Panathinaikos 5

PAS Yiannena 4 (3 matches played)

Atromitos Athens 4 (3 matches played)

Xanthi 4

Panetolikos 4

Platanias Crete 4

Apollon Smyrnis (Athens) 3

OFI Crete 3

Levadiakos 2

Aris Thessaloniki 1

[26] Slovenia beats Greece 73-65 in EuroBasket 2013 game

Slovenia beat Greece 73-65 in a Group F EuroBasket 2013 game played on Saturday evening. The 10-minute intervals had the following results: 13-26, 27-43, 46-62 and 65-73.

Greece's next game is against Croatia on Monday September 16.

Weather Forecast

[27] Rainy on Monday

[28] The Sunday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

AVGHI: "The wave is swelling"

VRADYNI: "The secret Samaras-Merkel agreement"

KATHIMERINI: "The plan on taxes for real estate"

RIZOSPASTIS: "All in the strike tomorrow against the antieducational policy"

PROTO THEMA: "The piranhas of confiscations"

TO ARTHRO: "Rectors of the drachma"

VIMA TIS KYRIAKIS: "We cannot stand more pressure"

TO PARON: "New 2.3 billion taxes for real estate"

TYPOS TIS KYRIAKIS: "A. Samaras interview: We can get rid of the memorandum"

REAL NEWS: "Criminal organisation with high connections".

36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: ANTONIS SKYLLAKOS

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article