The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-07-10

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Households' Overborrowing

10 Ιουλ 2008 18:05:0

By Athina Saloustrou

The Parliament A Summer Session voted down PASOK party draft-bill proposal regarding alleviation and protection of households and consumers from overborrowing. LAOS voted in favour of proposal but the ND, GCP and SYRIZA parties voted against. However, Development Minister, Hristos Folias assured that the proposal will be considered in an impending legislative initiative. The proposal included: rise of debt limit providing for right to annul bank confiscation procedures for "house of residence" instead of the "only house" as it stands today- to 20.000 euros, ensuring that start auction price of property is not lower to its objective value, and owner receives at least the sum after the debt is taken out from the objective value of the property. It also proposed the introduction of "consumer bankruptcy", right of consumer to recall consumer loan contracts within 14 days if there is no mortgage, ensuring transparency in floating interest rates, abolition of compound interest on credit cards, consumer and mortgage loans and determination of double sum of initial capital borrowed as the highest bank debt. The leader of the main opposition, George Papandreou linked the proposal with a possibility for a new developmental model based on the restoration of purchasing power of workers and pensioners underlining: these radical changes can avert economic crisis to pass into society, give prospect to citizens and open a new feasible road for our economy. LAOS President, George Karatzaferis said that his party will break tradition to vote down draft-bill proposals submitted by the opposition as he sees the PASOK proposal on the right direction.

On the part of the government, Development Minister, Hristos Folias committed himself to consider the proposal as the government is working to formulate a framework to protect borrowers from abusive practices. Commenting, Development undersecretary, George Blahos said that first reading indicates that the measures support consumers but in some cases they can create more problems to those they seem to deal with. ND Parliamentary spokesman, Panos Panagiotopoulos said that the proposal is within the right framework and a bright break in nihilist opposition procedures. The GCP said that salary earners, the unemployed, pensioners and small farmers should not be deceived and forgive political forces, who either as government or as opposition agreed on a European option of globalization. SYRIZA maintained that PASOK draft-bill proposal is disproportionate to the needs of consumers for a framework law which will determine what bank competition means and how it is materialized.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[02] "Tension" Pagalos-Milososki

10 Ιουλ 2008 16:45:0

In his statements in Skopje, FYROM Foreign Minister, Antonio Milososki spoke of minorities in Greece and this in the presence of PASOK deputy, Thodoros Pangalos , who was visiting the neigbouring country along with other representatives of Western-European Union Parliamentary Assembly. Mr. Pangalos strongly reacted to the fresh Skopje provocation characteristically saying: "we will have a generalized crisis with unpredictable results if Mr. Milososki remains in his post". In his provocative counter-response on Thursday Mr. Milososki says: "Neither were the problems created by "Macedonia" nor by this government. They have begun since the moment Greece dared to refuse our national right to use our constitutional name and share the same rights as all developed countries in the EU", adding that 120 countries so far have recognized his country under its constitutional name. Commenting on the fact that FYROM was not invited to join NATO he said: "Greece has abused its capacity as member of the organization resulting in bilateral disputes such as the one imposed by Greece- to be placed over NATO strategic interests. However, we believe that veto policy can not be stronger to incorporation, stressing that it is a matter of time when "Macedonia" takes the position it deserves (within NATO framework).

"Specific Framework"

A few hours prior to the opening of new round of negotiations under Mathew Nimitz, the Greek government stresses that negotiations at the UN are held within a specific framework which does not change. "The framework of negotiations is predetermined and regards one issue only, that is the finding of a mutually acceptable solution", said alternate government spokesman, Evangelos Antonaros.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

[03] Tbilisi, Georgia

10 Ιουλ 2008 20:30:0

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΑNA-ΜPA-ΝΕΤ-REUTERS

Georgia has recalled its ambassador from Russia. The move came shortly after Russia admitted it had sent aircraft to monitor the situation in South Ossetia earlier this week due to fears of a Georgian invasion of the de facto independent republic."We are very much indignant at Russias aggressive policy. We will take some forceful diplomatic steps in order to respond adequately to Russias actions. From today, we are recalling our ambassador in Russia for consultations," Yekaterina Tkeshelashvili said.

Translated by Chrisanthi Sarantis

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