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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 12-03-27Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] ND decides against campaign officesAMNA-- Main opposition New Democracy on Monday announced that the party will not open any campaign offices in any Greek city during the upcoming electoral race, in line with the "current climate"."The economic crisis the country is undergoing and the difficulties faced by the citizens impose an equivalent adaptation in the pre-election activities of the parties," ND said, adding that the existing offices of the party can serve pre-election needs.amna ND urged its candidates for Parliament to restrict their spending on campaign material to the bare minimum. [02] PM receives LAOS leaderAMNA--In statements after a meeting with Prime Minister Lucas Papademos on Monday, Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) leader George Karatzaferis claimed that the prime minister and the heads of the two main parties - New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras and PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos - had "fallen for the bluff" of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and bowed to her pressure when they unconditionally signed the second Memorandum.He also warned that "entirely repulsive measures" that would destroy social cohesion were likely to be imposed in June. amna The meeting lasted roughly an hour and focused on current political developments. [03] Venizelos urges party's ministers not to 'relax'AMNA--PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos on Monday chaired a meeting with members of the party in the government at PASOK's headquarters on Ippokratous Street, during which he stressed that there must not be any relaxation in the running of the state between now and the upcoming elections.According to a briefing held by PASOK party spokeswoman Fofi Gennimata, Venizelos particularly emphasised the need to maintain revenue collection and to coordinate last-minute essential legislation such as the deregulation of the taxi sector or measures for illegally building use conversions.amna He also asked the party's ministers for proposals that might be included in the party's policy platform, placing finance ministry general secretary Ilias Plaskovitis and culture ministry general secretary Lina Mendoni in charge of coordinating this effort. [04] 30 reception centres for illegal migrantsAMNA--The government on Monday announced the creation of 30 guarded reception centres for illegal migrants in 10 of the country's 13 administrative regions, with the exception of the regions of the Aegean and Ionian islands and the large island of Crete.The announcement came after Citizen Protection Minister Mihalis Chryssohoidis met with the regional governors, seeking a solution to the pressing and explosive illegal migration problem in the country. Each of the reception centres will have a capacity of 1,000 individuals, while a total of 250 million euro in EU funds will be used for this purpose by 2013. Chryssohoidis informed the regional governors that within the next 15 days they should suggest the appropriate spaces that could be used as reception centres for illegal migrants. The minister stated that if the regional governors have no suggestions a decision will be made through a legislative act to be presented to the cabinet in cooperation with the ministry of defence. [05] Archaeological finds on ThassosAMNA--Important finds belonging to a flourishing Bronze Age settlement were brought to light during excavations in 2009-2010 at the Aghios Antonios hill in Potos on the island of Thassos. amnaThe structural remains investigated comprise a complex of nine structures with stone foundations. Population of the area is mainly attributed to its closeness to the sea and the ability to conduct maritime trade. [06] Olympic Torch Relay funded by private sponsorsAMNA--Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) President Spyros Capralos on Monday stated that Greece has found enough sponsors to fund the Olympic Torch Relay scheduled to arrive at Athens' Panathenian Stadium on May 17. amnaIn a press conference at the HOC offices, media representatives were presented with detailed information concerning the torch relay and parallel events.amna The Olympic Torch Relay will begin from Ancient Olympia on May 10 after the Flame Lighting ceremony and the Olympic Flame will conclude its 3,000-kilometers-long journey across Greece passing through more than 43 cities and carried by 500 torchbearers before being flown to the UK for the London Olympic Games to be launched on July 27. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |