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Thursday, 21 November 2024 | ||
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 12-02-06Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PASOK spokesman: The danger is realAMNA-- "PASOK's principle is that nothing will be agreed (with the troika) if everything is not agreed on by the three leaders (of the parties supporting prime minister Lucas Papademos' interim government)," PASOK spokesman Panos Beglitis said in the early hours of Monday, following a party Political Council emergency meeting that began late Sunday night -- after a meeting between Papademos and the three leaders -- to discuss the proposals of the EU-IMF troika concerning a new economic programme, which Greece's creditors consider a prerequisite for further bailout loans.Beglitis said that PASOK will continue with the same sentiment of national responsibility that it had during its two years in government, and with avoiding the country's bankruptcy as the national goal.amna He said the danger is real, adding that Papademos has instructed the finance ministry and the State General Accounts Office to draft a note by Monday on the consequences for Greece if its European partners activate the so-called "Plan B", which means Greece's default, adding that beyond the petty political expediencies or easy criticism, chiefly by the parties of the traditional Left, the Greek people should know what the consequences would be of a default by the country and its possible ensuing exit from the eurozone and the euro. [02] LAOS: In the middle of a big battleAMNA--We are in the middle of a big battle and, at this time, things are developing satisfactorily, Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) leader George Karatzaferis said in the early hours of Monday following a meeting with his party officials participating in prime minister Lucas Papademos' interim government and close associates, which was called immediately after Papademos concluded talks with the leaders of the three political parties backing his government."A tough battle was waged by the government, with the backing of the party leaders. Mr Samaras (New Democracy leader Antonis) and (I) persisted on some aspects. The policy of equal-effectiveness measures that we proposed seems to be receiving a positive response," Karatzaferis said. He added that "it is a long night and the government is discussing with the troika, while we are discussing with the contacts we have in Brussels, Berlin and other European cities".amna Karatzaferis further said that the new loan agreement "cannot be carried out by those who failed the first time around", referring to the preceding PASOK government, and said that the ministers-MPs (from PASOK participating in the interim government) should be replaced by technocrats, stressing that LAOS "cannot agree to any processing of any programme if the PASOK ministers do not leave first".amna "The current (interim) government, which in its majority is comprised of PASOK ministers, cannot manage the (new EU-IMF bailout loan) agreement," he added. [03] Athens Newspaper HeadlinesThe Monday edition of Athens' dailies at a glancePrime Minister Lucas Papademos' meeting with the political leaders (PASOK, New Democracy, LAOS) supporting his interim government and the tough negotiations with the troika (European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund) dominated the headlines on Monday in Athens' newspapers. ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "They impose poverty in Greece". AVRIANI: "Antonis (Samaras, ND leader) hold on, do not surrender to the blackmail". DIMOKRATIA: "Endless night". ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "The 13th and 14th salaries (holiday and vacation bonuses in private sector) saved, battle for the auxiliary pensions". ESTIA: "No to everything without proposals". ETHNOS: "Pre-agreement with the leaders' seal". IMERISSIA: "Agreement with pain - All to be judged on Monday at a new meeting". NAFTEMPORIKI: "Threats and ultimatum without final agreement". TA NEA: "Close to agreement - What we sacrifice, what we save". VRADYNI: "They cut salaries and auxiliary pensions, main pensions to follow". Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |