Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-04-28

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM: 'We will lead the way out of the crisis'

[02] Commemorative event at Ukrainian embassy on Chernobyl catastrophe

[03] Parliament considers potential preliminary probe com't on submarine affair 

[01] PM: 'We will lead the way out of the crisis'

Referring to the road map that he presented before Easter, he stressed that this had outlined the framework for putting the economy in order and that the plan that the government would unveil in a few days would help bring the country out of the crisis.

The prime minister strongly criticised those recycling speculation that Greece will restructure its debt and pointed out that similar scenarios centring on a Greek default had been circulating a year earlier, before Greece signed the agreements for the 110-billion-euro loans from the IMF and European Union.

He stressed that the rampant speculation and fear-mongering should not be allowed to dominate politics and the media, nor to affect the government's responsible attitude toward tackling the crisis.

Papandreou was also scathing in his criticism of media pundits and political parties, saying the majority preferred to prophesy doom and, at times inadvertently, linked themselves with specific interests.

The prime minister pointed out that much had been done in the year since Greece had signed the Memorandum for the EU-IMF loans, most of which would not have been predicted by even the most optimistic.

He emphasised that the government should focus on doing its job and also commented on rumours of early elections or a reshuffle, saying these were issues that were minor compared with the major and significant problems facing the country. The government did not have the luxury to waste time on such issues, he added.

"We have an obligation to use all our strength to achieve the fiscal targets that are a condition for our country's success and to carry out the major changes that are our goal," Papandreou emphasised.

More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form



[02] Commemorative event at Ukrainian embassy on Chernobyl catastrophe

April 26, 2011 marked the 25th anniversary of the nuclear power plant catastrophe, which produced disastrous consequences on the environment, human health and a deterioration of the social, economic and quality-of-life conditions in the surrounding region.

During the event on Friday, a documentary film entitled "Chornobyl - The Chronicle of Hard Weeks" will be shown, while a photographic exhibition focusing on the devastating industrial accident -- with materials provided by the Ukrainian National News Agency Ukrinform -- will be inaugurated.

More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form



[03] Parliament considers potential preliminary probe com't on submarine affair

According to the proposal under discussion, a Parliamentary preliminary examination committee should be set up to investigate whether the former defence minister and long-time PASOK cadre received kickbacks before the high-profile "Archimedes" contract for three submarines was signed with the Skaramangas Shipyards.

Rapporteurs of opposition parties maintain that an examination committee should not be limited to only an investigation into Tsohatzopoulos' role, but should proceed with an investigation into possible liability of other individuals as well.

More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form

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