Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-12-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Strike a 'great success', unionists say

[02] Gov't denies abduction claims of 7 Pakistanis

[03] Alternate Culture Minister wraps up China visit

[04] President receives Jerusalem Patriarch

[01] Strike a 'great success', unionists say

GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos said in his address that the participation of working people in the strike and the rally "is already shaking government policy and shouting 'enough is enough' with neo-liberal policies".

Referring to the law on public utilities (DEKO), due to be ratified in Parliament on Thursday, the GSEE president said "it is the most unacceptable for working people to be enacted during the post-junta period, since it is attempting to abolish all agreements, not only in the wider public sector but in the private sector as well."

Polyzogopoulos said the laws on eight-hour work, working hours for shops and the social insurance issue regarding bank employees were class-related and unfair.

Speaking on incomes policy and the state budget, he said that working people were "voting against" this policy with their participation on Wednesday.

ADEDY President Spyros Papaspyros, criticising the budget, said that conditions of a "social winter" are being shaped. He also attacked "neo-liberal policies" and called for the resignation of Bank of Greece Governor Nikos Garganas who, as he said, is operating as an advocate of anti-labour policy.

[02] Gov't denies abduction claims of 7 Pakistanis

Several Athens dailies over the summer initially published allegations by the seven Pakistanis, who said they were arrested in a central Athens residence, handcuffed, hooded and interrogated by English-speaking agents for some 48 hours outside of Athens regarding their connections with Britain and London. The alleged incident took place shortly after the suicide bombings in London.

The issue again resurfaced following a BBC report that cited the fact that Greek police will begin an investigation of the allegations following repeated urgings by an attorney representing the seven and repeated inquiries by opposition political parties.

Greek Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis pointed to the fact that the BBC report did not add any new information to the case, whereas he noted that neither the Pakistani embassy in Athens nor Pakistani authorities have been informed of such an incident.

"No such incident existed or exists for Greek authorities," Voulgarakis said.

His statements come ahead of a Thursday conference with Turkish and Pakistani officials over security issues and efforts to combat illegal immigration and organised crime.

On his part, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw earlier in the week called the allegations "complete nonsense".

[03] Alternate Culture Minister wraps up China visit

"The Chinese government awaits the visit of the Greek Prime Minister [Costas Karamanlis] next month, which will make ties between the two peoples, who share common historical roots, closer," Zhili told Petralia.

It is within this framework that a relevant memorandum will be signed which will designate the period from September 2007 through the end of the Beijing Games in 2008 as "China's Year of Greece."

"During the time that Greece will be the honoured country, we want to highlight many common elements shared by the two peoples," Petralia said.

Zhili expressed her satisfaction with the results of the first meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee for the Olympic Games, adding that the Chinese government appreciates Greece's contribution in helping China prepare for the 2008 Games.

[04] President receives Jerusalem Patriarch

Papoulias stressed in his talks that Greece was determined to help the Jerusalem Patriarchate overcome any difficulties and underlined the importance of the Patriarchate to Greece. Restoring calm and emotional balance in the Jerusalem Patriarchate after the recent upheavals that led to the dethronement of Irineos was the first priority, he added.

"In such times we extend a hand to all, overcome any grumbling and, many times, criticism that is groundless," he said.

The president also reiterated Greece's great interest in a smooth course for the Jerusalem Patriarchate, describing it as a "Patriarchate of great national importance".

Theophilos said he was moved by the reception he had received and expressed thanks for the "active support and interest shown by the Greek State" and the president personally, noting that Papoulias had signalled the importance of the new election and the restoration of calm at the Jerusalem Patriarchate through his presence and in his capacity as president.

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