Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 12-05-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tsipras rules out participation in pro-bailout government

[02] PM meets President for briefing on 'urgent' issues

[03] Venizelos returns mandate

[04] Greek president to meet with political leaders on Sun.

[05] Suicides up 22 pct in 2009-2011

[06] Athens newspaper Headlines

[07] State Budget deficit down in Q1

[01] Tsipras rules out participation in pro-bailout government

"We will not participate in a government for implementing the memorandum," Tsipras said, referring to the terms of the bailout agreements, stressing that the Greek people had already rejected such a government with their vote.amna

He also rejected proposals for broader, 'all-party' coalition and criticised New Democracy (ND) and PASOK parties.

Tsipras expressed the hope that Democratic Left leader Fotis Kouvelis wil remain firm on his position to the end, that he will not support a government with the participation of PASOK and New Democracy.amna

Tsipras added that in essence such a government will implement the memorandum's programme and pointed out that the refusal for the participation in this government is not being given by SYRIZA, the people themselves have given it. Both Venizelos and New Democracy party leader Antonis Samaras, Tsipras further said, "are absolutely consistent with their signature on the implementation of the memorandum."

[02] PM meets President for briefing on 'urgent' issues

"I have come to brief you on developments in the economy, the financial system and international markets, as well as issues of economic and foreign policy that require immediate attention," Papademos said as he arrived at the presidential mansion and was met by the president.amna

The meeting ended about an hour and 15 meetings later, with no statements from either side.amna

According to sources at the prime minister's office, the meeting was arranged to discuss all major issues that have arisen in the process of talks for forming a coalition government, as well as the increasingly likely prospect of a meeting between the president and all the political party leaders if PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos also fails to cobble together a coalition with PASOK and eventually, another round of general elections.

[03] Venizelos returns mandate

Papoulias reminded of Ecofin and the Eurogroup meetings this week, as well as upcoming NATO and EU Summits." amna

On his part, Venizelos told Papoulias that "New Democracy (ND), PASOK and the Democratic Left agree on the formation of a coalition government with a two-year mandate, and with the aim of keeping Greece in eurozone, but with drastic changes in the Memorandum ... However, the prerequisite is that SYRIZA participate in this government". amna

Venizelos added that he set these issues out during a meeting with SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras, who did not provide an answer.

[04] Greek president to meet with political leaders on Sun.

Later on Sunday, Papoulias will meet in private with the rest of the party leaders elected to Parliament in last Sunday's general election, namely, Independent Greeks party leader Panos Kammenos, Communist Party GS Aleka Papariga, Chryssi Avghi leader Nikos Mihaloliakos and the leader of the Democratic Left, Fotis Kouvelis.

[05] Suicides up 22 pct in 2009-2011

Suicides climbed by 22 percent in the two-year period 2009-2011, while the number of people seeking help in support services have jumped by 20-30 percent.amna

According to Professor Eleftherios Lykouras, director of the Psychiatric Clinic of Attikon Hospital, children, even pre-schoolers, have been affected by the heavy climate, with the number of children requiring psychiatric care increasing by 10-15 percent in the two-year period. He said that most of the children are taken to hospital pediatric departments with intense headaches and stomach pains and pains in their extremities, with the diagnosis resulting from test results indicating a psychological, stress-related factor.amna

He said the reduction in incomes, unemployment and financial difficulties are risk factors for the occurrence of depression symptoms, while the debt is proving to be a critical factor in the link between financial difficulty and depression.amna

Further, fear, insecurity and uncertainty for the future are psychological effects connected with the economic parameters and can also lead to depression.

[06] Athens newspaper Headlines

The impasse in deliberations on the formation of a government via dominated the headlines on Saturday in Athens' headlines.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Everything points to new elections...!"

AVGHI: "They're swearing-in Memorandum".

AVRIANI: "SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras' patriotic stance might save Greece from Memorandum".

DIMOKRATIA: "At Tsipras' mercy".

ESTIA: "We're being led out of eurozone".

ETHNOS: "Impasse and ballots on June 17 - Last chance for coalition government at the political leaders' meeting".

IMERISSIA: "The nightmare of the drachma - Dangerous games with new elections".

KATHIMERINI: "Ballots come closer - Political leaders' meeting last chance to form government".

LOGOS: "Meeting at Presidential Mansion".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Course in deeper recession foreseen for 2012"

NIKI: "They are showing us the exit from the euro".

RIZOSPASTIS: "KKE's rally on Monday in Athens ".

TA NEA: "Elections (again) - Tsipras didn't want, Kouvelis didn't dare, Venizelos couldn't".

VRADYNI: "Fourth Reich - Austerity failed".

[07] State Budget deficit down in Q1

In a statement, the ministry said that the state budget recorded a primary shortfall of 1.679 billion euros, also significantly lower from a budget target of 3.262 billion.amna

Net budget revenue totaled 16.193 billion euros in the January-April period, down from a budget target of 16.641 billion euros, while regular budget revenues totaled 14.654 billion euros in the four-month period, down from budget target of 14.989 billion. The ministry attributed this negative development to lower VAT receipts. The Public Investments Programme's revenues totaled 1.539 billion euros, down from a budget target of 1.652 billion.

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