Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-03-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek economy is strong

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Greek economy is strong

He added, however, that what was of importance was the fact that "in Greece, we have rules, and we must apply the rules".

Alogoskoufis was responding to a question on whether there was concern that foreign investors could leave Greece due to the problems created by the walkout at the country's central bank.

Replying to a question on whether the prospect of mobilisation of striking employees of the Bank of Greece (BoG) was being considered, the minister explained that the law stipulates that a minimum staff is on hand (during strikes), and minimal operation (basic services), adding that "if the law is abided by, then ther is no reason for any other extraordinary action".

Asked whether the function of the markets was being restored, Alogoskoufis said that, according to information, a minimum staff was now in place and efforts were being made for operation of the markets and of all the payments systems in the country.

Bank of Greece employees launched a surprise strike on Monday, bringing the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) and Athens Derivatives Exchange (ADEX) to a standstill and rendering inoperative the Greek section of the EU-wide payment platform TARGET (the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross settlement Transfer system), is a cross-border settlement mechanism that automatically processes payments.

Caption:ANA-MPA file photo of Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' intention to remain solid on carrying out planned social security reforms without 'discounts', the wave of strikes over the planned reforms spearheaded by PPC (Public Power Corporation) employees and the staff of the Bank of Greece, the country's central bank, dominated the headlines on Thursday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "The changes in pensions, retirement-age, fees (paid into social security funds) - The social security bill will be tabled on Thursday in parliament".

APOGEVMATINI: "Social security reforms: The Mother of all battles - Karamanlis' statements focus on the necessity of social security reforms for the future working generations".

AVGHI: "Women and youth targeted - Social security: Karamanlis 'sees' privileges and deprives benefits".

AVRIANI: "Black plan for blackout in PPC grid and undermining of bourse and the economy by the labour leaders and the 'privileged' ".

CHORA: "They are undermining the economy while the country faces national problems - Blackout in banks, Athens Stock Exchange".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Protests on Wednesday in Northern Greece over the FYROM name issue".

ELEFTHEROS: "The 'Annan plan' on Cyprus is a 'vampire' - Karamanlis and Christofias shelve it".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "The country lives with the nightmare of a blackout until Wednesday".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "The cutbacks in social security are for our own good - Slap to 1 million workers".

ESTIA: "The consequences of the strikes in the economy are tragic - Government's inertia is unbelievable".

ETHNOS: "Blockage to the plan of reversals - The dismantling of social security is a 'cause of war' ".

KATHIMERINI: "Smooth changes, harsh reactions - Karamanlis against the 'privileged' - Escalation of strikes over social security reforms".

LOGOS: "Karamanlis prefers to be useful (to the country) than 'agreable' (to the public) on the social security issue - Labour unions ready for battle"

NIKI: "Up to 30% reduction in pensions - 'Burning' adjustments contained in the new social security draft law".

TA NEA: "Cutback in pensions arrives three years earlier - Social security reforms even harsher (than anticipated)".

TO VIMA: "Social security reforms paralyse the country".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Immediate mass response to the anti-social insurance attack".

VRADYNI: "Karamanlis determined on social security reforms: "We will move ahead".

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