Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 14-10-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece doesn't need a new bailout, the gov't can negotiate the end of austerity programmes, says PM Samaras

[02] Greece's exit from the memorandum dominated the meeting between FinMin and IMF chief

[03] Greece did much better than expected, central banker Stournaras says

[04] Final budget draft may include more tax cuts, Alternate Finance Minister Staikouras says

[05] The government will live up to the trust it received from Parliament, says PM Samaras

[06] The government failed to broaden its majority, says SYRIZA leader Tsipras

[07] SYRIZA feels the need to apologize for its defeat, Gov't spokeswoman says

[08] Greek austerity programmes have failed, says SYRIZA lawmaker

[09] SYRIZA will not recognise agreements it has not approved

[10] FM Venizelos: Greece is supporting the reconstruction efforts in Gaza

[11] 'Greece is on the right path,' former Deutsche Bank CEO Josef Ackermann says

[12] Greek Regions Union should support citizens, Attica region governor Dourou says

[13] Greece secured 37.6 billion euros in investments in the past two years-study

[14] Stunning mosaic revealed in Amphipolis tomb

[15] Greece may have to go to court to get the Parthenon Marbles, says head of Reunification Committee

[16] Police arrests man for trasporting 16 undocumented migrants in northen Greece

[17] Fair on Monday

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

[01] Greece doesn't need a new bailout, the gov't can negotiate the end of austerity programmes, says PM Samaras

"It was proven that the country doesn't need a new forced loan. And that it can manage without the rest of the money which it was supposed to receive from the current memorandum," Samaras was quoted as saying in an interview with Parapolitika newspaper right after the crucial vote of confidence in Parliament that ended in the early morning hours of Saturday.

Samaras' coalition government won a vote of confidence following three days of debate. A total of 288 deputies voted, 155 yes, 131 no, and "present" 2.

"We are keeping the country stable at the end of a long journey. Greece is turning a page and the government remains strong enough to negotiate the end of the memorandum era," he added.

The premier also said the country is at a crossroads: One road leads to an exit from the economic crisis and the other to an abrupt return to the crisis, one that will be much worse than the one we experienced.

"People have suffered and are suffering, people have often been enraged, but they want stability, normality and prospects. They know we were at the bottom and are now getting out," Samaras said.

The prime minister also accused the main opposition Radical Left Coalition SYRIZA of proposing a "wedding list" instead of a real economic programme.

"Their programme was dismissed by their own lawmakers before we even commented on it. They proved it's not a programme. It's a 'wedding list': What do you want us to buy you? Their own people proved the expenses they calculated will be much higher than what they report, while the revenues remain 'wishful thinking'. Who will loan them money? Under what conditions?" Samaras said.

He said everyone knows the opposition doesn't have a programme, it doesn't propose anything and promises for "benefits" are fake and dangerous.

Samaras pointed out that if the country continues on its current path of reforms and fiscal consolidation then growth and employment will soon follow, while he reiterated the government's intention to gradually cut taxes, depending on the state of the economy.

"To do well from now on, to avoid a new crisis, we have to finish with what got us into this crisis. If we return to deficits, we're doomed!"

"Populism has done immense damage to the country. If we let it do more harm, now that we're half way out of the crisis, we'll sink even deeper than before," he concluded.

[02] Greece's exit from the memorandum dominated the meeting between FinMin and IMF chief

Greece's exit from the memorandum dominated the meeting between Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis and International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde on Sunday at the Fund's headquarters in Washington.

According to a senior government source, "discussions have started" and the "IMF is positive because it has contributed to this effort."

As it was pointed out, "there are many factors and players in this negotiation." The same source said that everyone would be happy in the end, emphasizing that "we want the markets to get a positive message. It is a difficult venture."

Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras, advisor to the Prime Minister Stavros Papastavros, Finance ministry secretary general Tassos Anastasatos and Greece's IMF representative Thanos Katsampas participated in the meeting as well as the head of the IMF's European department Poul Thomsen and Jerry Rice, Director of the Communication Department.

Hardouvelis and his colleagues on Sunday night will travel from Washington to Luxembourg for a Eurogroup meeting.

[03] Greece did much better than expected, central banker Stournaras says

Stournaras is attending the annual conference of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in the US capital. On the sidelines of these conferences, he met with the head of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, and other bankers from private financial institutions and investment funds.

"Everyone now believes Greece did better than expected, as it was mentioned during IMF meetings. And this is important and everyone wants this progress to continue," Stournaras said.

The central banker said he is scheduled to meet IMF's Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Sunday and several US government officials in the next few days.

Asked whether the country is moving on to the next phase, Stournaras said: "This is exactly what we want. To move on to a new relationship."

[04] Final budget draft may include more tax cuts, Alternate Finance Minister Staikouras says

"Making as many tax cuts as possible is one of our main goals...By December we will have a clearer picture of this years' budget execution," Staikouras was quoted as saying in an interview with Real News.

The minister also said uniformed staff will receive a payment of arrears in 36 equal, monthly installments, adding the same will happen to judicial officers.

Staikouras said the government is not discussing easing fiscal targets with troika officials, but "as long as we're achieving our fiscal targets, it's more likely we will be able to lessen the tax burden on households and businesses."

[05] The government will live up to the trust it received from Parliament, says PM Samaras

"The mandate and trust the government received from Parliament will not be betrayed. The hopes of the Greek people will be fully vindicated," Samaras said outside the Parliament.

The premier also said "elections will be held in 2016."

[06] The government failed to broaden its majority, says SYRIZA leader Tsipras

Tsipras also said the government "will not avoid what's coming", adding he disapproved the level of conversation chosen by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras during the three-day debate.

[07] SYRIZA feels the need to apologize for its defeat, Gov't spokeswoman says

"Not only did not Mr Tsipras convince anyone for his 'programme' ... but made citizens worry about his true intentions," Voultepsi underlined.

"And since the best defense is attack, SYRIZA continues its undermining policy," the government spokesman noted.

[08] Greek austerity programmes have failed, says SYRIZA lawmaker

Giorgos Stathakis, who is also SYRIZA's shadow economy minister, also said Greece and Europe now need to find a new way forward.

The lawmaker was speaking at a conference organized by Bank of America and Merrill Lynch to coincide with the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Stathakis also said here need to be a "mixture of changes" in European policy which will include "monetary easing, a revision of the fiscal framework and a new agenda for growth in order for the economy to exit from the crisis."

He also mentioned different sectors of the economy, emphasizing the need for growth.

[09] SYRIZA will not recognise agreements it has not approved

SYRIZA underlined that the vote of confidence debate concluded with the government not having the confidence of the Greek people, while being politically isolated and weak. The party also noted there were some "voices of doubt" referring to the proposal of a special purpose government, adding that if there is something worth mentioning, apart from the usual and divisive statements against SYRIZA, it is the clear indication of (Prime Minister Antonis) Samaras regarding the end of the negotiation, as he understands it. "What else can the statement the 'Greek debt is sustainable' mean?"

"Really, what will Mr Samaras negotiate when he considers that all goes well and the Greek debt is sustainable, as it is?" the party wondered in its statement.

[10] FM Venizelos: Greece is supporting the reconstruction efforts in Gaza

"Greece, despite the economic crisis, has offered more than 26 million euros in the last five years for the Palestinian people," Venizelos said, adding "we donated 500,000 euros right after the truce to restore water supply and send food supplies and today we offer another one million euros."

Venizelos admitted the offer is symbolic considering the region's huge needs.

Apart from economic aid, Greece is supporting Gaza's reconstruction efforts in other ways as well, the minister said, adding Palestine and Israel need to restart peace negotiations.

Venizelos also stressed the need for "not just a viable cease fire, but for a resumption of the negotiating process, with the help of the American and the Egyptian foreign ministers, as only a politically viable two-state solution, living side by side in security can help the region and the world in such troubled times."

The conference was organised by Egypt and Norway.

[11] 'Greece is on the right path,' former Deutsche Bank CEO Josef Ackermann says

Ackermann, who is visiting Samothrace, noted, however, that much has been done to improve the economic climate, but not enough to bring even greater development momentum.

He also stressed the need to encourage Greece's "bright minds", which are abroad, to return to the country and reiterated that the operation of private universities may help.

As for the financing of investment programmes by the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), he expressed his reservations. Recognizing the difficult economic situation and high unemployment in European countries, he said there is certainly a desire to change this immediately, but expressed his objections to the opening of the ESM for large investments without targeting.

"Personally, I do not believe that large investment programmes without a clear plan on where to invest is the right recipe," Ackermann noted.

[12] Greek Regions Union should support citizens, Attica region governor Dourou says

The Greek Regions Union, Dourou noted, needs to "play an active role in the struggle for social and economic reconstruction of the country."

The Attica region governor also said that the difficult situation of the country can be a challenge for local administration so that regions can play a new role for the protection of welfare state, public property and the environment while focusing on growth through social justice, employment and solidarity.

Financial News

[13] Greece secured 37.6 billion euros in investments in the past two years-study

The study, which is still ongoing, was discussed by the body's President, Nikolaos Filippas, in an interview with Greek daily Eleftheros Typos.

"However we have many examples, like those of (former) Hellenikon (airport) and Oxia (island) properties, which have been postponed due to court proceedings," Filippas noted.

"On privatizations, there were definitely significant delays while the interest was limited, mainly because of the increased risk and low credit rating of the country," he said.

Regarding the growth rate of the economy, Filippas says that KEPE's estimates are similar to those presented in the government's draft budget for 2015 (according to the draft, the economy is forecast to grow 2.9 percent).

Specifically for the first two quarters of 2015, growth rates of 1.85 percent and 2.07 percent respectively are expected.

The GDP growth rate will have substantial and psychological effects on the markets and also on society, as people will feel their sacrifices were not in vain, says the president of KEPE.

Filippas also noted that Greece successfully returned to the international markets in 2014 and presented "twin" surpluses for the first time since 1948.

General News

[14] Stunning mosaic revealed in Amphipolis tomb

The beautiful mosaic was discovered in the second chamber of the tomb - the one featuring the Caryatids.

According to the ministry, the colourful mosaic is created from small white, black, grey, blue, red and yellow pebbles and shows a chariot in motion.

"The central theme is a chariot in motion, pulled by two white horses and driven by a bearded man, crowned with a laurel wreath," the ministry said in a statement.

Hermes, the messenger of the Gods, is pictured in front of the chariot.

The mosaic reveals the exquisite skill in portraying details of the figures, the horses and the colours.

The central theme is surrounded by a decorative frame, 0,60m wide, which features a double meander, squares and a spiral shape.

The archaeologists in charge of the excavations said that they have not yet fully revealed the amazing mosaic, which covers the whole floor of the second chamber - a 4.5m width by 3m length area.

They also said that the middle of the mosaic has been destroyed but they have found parts of it in dirt they sifted through and will try to piece it back together.

[15] Greece may have to go to court to get the Parthenon Marbles, says head of Reunification Committee

Speaking to Neos Kosmos newspaper, Hill expressed the view that Greece "may not have a choice."

He said he mediated to send three experienced lawyers to Greece with one specific mission: to advise and inform the Greek side on their legal options available on the issue of the Marbles.

The name that has been mostly talked about is Amal Alamuddin Clooney, wife of actor George Clooney, but with her arrive two eminent lawyers who have been involved in the past with the Parthenon Marbles.

The first is Geoffrey Robertson QC, Alamuddin's boss in Doughty Street Chambers in London, and Norman Palmer QC, both experts in issues of International Law and cultural heritage-ownership.

David Hill was a classmate of Robertson. He was born on England but brought up in Australia.

[16] Police arrests man for trasporting 16 undocumented migrants in northen Greece

The 27-year-old man, suspected of being a member of a migrant trafficking ring, was driving a lorry in which police found 16 undocumented migrants.

According to the investigation, the lorry belongs to a Bulgarian national and the migrants boarded it in Evros, a region bordering Turkey and Bulgaria.

Each migrant appears to have paid 2,500 euros for the transport and the aim was to travel through Greece and into other European countries.

The man will appear before the prosecutor and authorities are expected to start deportation procedures for the migrants.

Weather forecast

[17] Fair on Monday

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

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS TIS KYRIAKIS: What will people save from tax breaks, debt arrangement

ELEFTHERI ORA TIS KYRIAKIS: Top secret file "Alexander the Great"

AVGHI: 180 (VOTES) - 155 = elections

VRATHINI: Who must retire before 2015

EPOHI: The bailout delirium of Samaras

H KATHIMERINI: An effort to regroup in an adverse environment

KYRIAKATIKI DIMOKRATIA: Cunning plan (on paper)-Dark background to avoid elections

KYRIAKATIKI ELEFTHEROTYPIA : Samaras ask Berlin for a stay of execution

KYRIAKATIKOS RIZOSPASTIS: Neither submission, nor illusions - On the road with a strong Communist Party

O LOGOS: Games with IMF

PROTO THEMA: They place a troika on Hardouvelis

TO ARTHRO: Exit from the bailouts brings double supervision

TO VIMA TIS KYRIAKIS: Playing with fire on debt and President (of the Republic)

TO PARON: Upsets for 180 and not elections!

REAL NEWS: The agreement for ending IMF supervision is a done deal

FREE SUNDAY: Beyond realism-Talk of elections and instability despite the vote of confidence

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