The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-02-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather Deterioration

A weather bulletin issued on Sunday morning for the next 18 hours forecast deterioration of weather with heavy rain and storms in the islands of northern and east Aegean, Dodecanese islands, Thrace and possibly Crete and Cyclades. It also forecast snowfall, locally on high ground in central and north parts of the country, and high ground above 300m in Macedonia and Thrace. Snow chains are required in provincial roads in the prefectures of Rodopi, Xanthi, Drama, Pella, Hemathia, Kilkis, Halkidiki, Florina, Kastoria, Ioannina and Evritania as well as on Kavala-Thessaloniki old national road.

Problems in Sea Transport

Weather is expected to improve on Monday but a new weather deterioration is forecast from Wednesday. There is a ban on some sea services, mainly to ships bound to east Aegean islands due to gale force winds. Passengers travelling by ship are advised to contact port authorities.

Source: ÍÅÔ - ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA -ÌPA News item: 33007

[02] People Back the Government's Economic Policy

Two surveys conducted by pollsters Kappa Research and Alco for newspapers "To Bima" and "Proto Thema" respectively indicate that the majority of respondents back the government's economic policy. Specifically, Kappa Research survey shows that 64.1% of participants agree how the government tackles economic issues and almost the same percentage 64.3% believe that the measures are essential. In Alco survey, 60.6% of respondents believe that the government should have taken measures earlier, 71.4% object to increase in retirement age while 60.6% believe that economic situation in 2010 would be worse compared against 2009.

Kappa Research Survey

The majority of participants in nationwide survey conducted by Kappa Research for newspaper "To Bima" consider essential the measures announced by Prime-minister, George Papandreou.

Specifically, 64.1% of respondents say that the government's handling of economic issues is in the right direction and only 35% insist that there is still room for less tough measures. Among participants, 93.2% agree with increases in offshore companies taxation, 85.5% with increases in businesses' profits and 83.2% with increases in dividends shares while smaller percentage of participants agree with wage freeze and cuts in wages and recruitment in the public sector. The same survey indicates that 50.4% of participants object to increase in retirement age and 60.5% to increase in fuel duty.

But 50.2% said the steps were not enough to help curb the borrowing costs and avert a further rating downgrade of the country while 66.3% do not believe that the country is at the brink of bankruptcy despite the bad situation of the economy. In response to opt between rise in unemployment and state debt, 39.6% prefers rise in state debt, 30.3% rise in unemployment while 30.1% can not choose.

Condemn Reactions by Some Trade Unions

The same survey also shows that the majority of people approve all efforts for reduction of number of civil servants with 71.1% stating that the number of civil servants can go further down and condemn trade unionists who are planning mobilizations to protect their privileges.

Of respondents 55.6% object to I. Panagopoulos, president of General Confederation of Greek Labour, decision to withdraw from dialogue on social security reforms, 72.3% see negatively some trade unions ( customs and tax officers), reactions to wage freeze and wage cuts. Overwhelming majority of respondents are against farmers' roadblocks although 45.7% agree with their demands.

Consent and National Unity

According to the survey, people demand consent and national unity from political leaders and political parties, with 84.9% of respondents seeing positively ND leader A. Samaras decision to support under terms the government's steps to tackle the economic problems. Also a high percentage (87.7%) of ND party supporters see positively Mr. Samaras stance.

Finally, 32.6% of participants appear willing to allow a year's time for G. Papandreou government economic measures to bear fruit, 25.3% give two year's period while 27.4% give all the 4-year term.

The survey was conducted by Kappa Research on behalf of "To Bima" newspaper in a sample of 2.999 participants nationwide with a proportional distribution in the country's 13 districts from February 3-4. Answers were collected in telephone interviews on the grounds of electronic questionnaire.

Source: ÁNA - ÌPA Related Articles: Concern over Economy Confidence in Government News item: 33006

[03] Small quake in Evoia

A small quake of 4.3 magnitude on the Richter scale was recorded on Sunday, at 12:00. The quake's epicenter was in Xahna in Evoia and was felt in Evoia and Attica. Seismologists considered it an isolated incident. The region certainly was hit by several quakes in the past.

Source: ÍÅÔ News item: 33005

[04] Optimism at Greece's Plan on Economy

European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet, at the G7 summit meeting in Canada, appeared optimistic Greece would meet tough new targets to rein in its budget gap. "We expect and we are confident that the Greek government will take all the decisions that will permit it to reach that goal," Trichet said. In the same line was France Finance Minister Christine Lagarde statement who said euro zone countries would make sure the Greek plan was implemented.

Jean-Claude Juncker: " Greece would need money from IMF"

On his part, Jean-Claude Juncker, chairman of the group of euro zone Finance ministers, dismissed the idea Greece would need money from the International Monetary Fund, as Dominique Strauss-Kahn, head of IMF proposed last week.

Greece would not need money from the IMF underlining:

"We, eurozone representatives, made clear that the situation in Greece is serious but the problem would be resolved".

Responding to journalist questions on G7 plan regarding Greece, Spain and Portugal debt addressed to 3 eurozone Finance Ministers - German Wolfgang Schaeuble, France Christine Lagarde and Italy Julio Tremondi- Canada Finance Minister made clear: "Debts of Eurozone member states is a problem concerning the European Union and not the G7." The G7 decided to "forgive" Haiti's debt to multilateral institutions after the destructive quake.

Sources: ÁNA - ÌPA Related Articles: EU Summit to Center on Speculators Attack News item: 33002

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