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Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-05-30Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM determined to end corruptionPrime minister George Papandreou on Friday stressed his government's determination to put an end to corruption "wherever it may be", during a visit to Komotini."The government had to change in order for the truth to shine. This government will not suffice with just the appearances. The citizens realise this even if some have doubts," he added. Addressing the party's Economic and Social Committee of Rhodopi, Papandreou also announced that the state will guarantee a 61 billion euros syndicated loan, by five banks, to the "United Textiles Industries" so that the industry may go ahead with productive activities through its new business plan. Papandreou further noted the importance placed on making use of the human potential, warning that "if we don't invest in that, in a few years' time they will come again and tell us to reduce salaries in order to be more competitive". Earlier, Papandreou visited the Center for Orientation and Social Support of Persons with a Disability. [02] Naked bike ride on June 4The northern Greek city of Thessaloniki is to hold its 3rd World Naked Bike Ride (WBNR) on Friday, June 4 as a demonstration against "the exposure of people and the planet to cars and the pollution that they generate"."We are promoting the bicycle as a means of transport that contributes to lessening dependence on oil while at the same time supporting the elimination of guilt about the naked body," said the chief organiser of the event Constantinos Terzopoulos. Nakedness is optional but not mandatory, with riders encouraged to go "as bare as you dare". About 500 people are expected to participate in the bike ride this year, some naked and others wearing body paint or enlisting art to decorate themselves and their bikes in what organisers describe as the "most extreme peaceful action that one can carry out". "Painted and decorated bodies and bicycles, natural decoration, accessories, colours and music will be our weapons in striving for cities that are ever more friendly to people and bicycles," organisers said. The World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) is a global movement that began in 2004 and has now spread to more than 70 cities throughout the world, each of which organise an annual WNBR to promote the use of bicycles and celebrate the human body. The first ride in Greece was organised in the city of Thessaloniki on June 27, 2008 and the following year on June 4, 2009. [03] 31st Marathon Peace MarchThe 31st Marathon Peace March dedicated to slain left-wing politician and pacifist Grigoris Lambrakis was held in Attica on Sunday, starting off at the Tomb of Marathon and ending in Syntagma Square in the afternoon.The march was organised by the Greek Committee for the International Recession and Peace and went through Nea Makri, Rafina, Pikermi and Agia Paraskevi. At the finishing line in Syntagma, organisers arranged a rally with World Peace Council General Secretary and KKE MP Thanassis Pafilis as the main speaker, followed by a musical event. The central message of this year's peace march was to demand the immediate return of all Greek troops stationed abroad in "imperialist operations", to not concede sovereign rights in the Aegean and "disengage the country from all imperalist mechanisms". "We do not accept that the Greek people by decision of the government should finance the aggressive plans of imperalism," Pafilis stressed during his speech. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |