The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-02-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Meetings on Economy-Wrangling over Inquiry Committee

Economy and the latest political developments will run high on the agenda of the talks between the Prime Minister and opposition party leaders Antonis Samaras and Giorgos Karzatzaferis. The meetings are taking place in the aftermath of the ruling party's decision to set up a committee of inquiry. The Prime Minister is to outline his directives on economy later on Wednesday.

The setting up of a committee of inquiry to investigate Greece's financial statistics has strained relations between PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) and ND (New Democracy).

Believing that things should be cleared out, the government has held the Conservatives responsible. The Prime Minister, in his interview with CNN on Monday, blamed the previous government for distorting financial figures, underlining, "We are investigating the case so that those responsible should be punished."

ND, on its part, said yes to a committee of inquiry, however, it requested it probe financial figures starting from 1980. At the same time, it noted that Greece could run risk of being exposed to Brussels.

The issue was also brought up in Parliament, sparking tension.

ND deputy Manolis Kefalogiannis welcomed PASOK's proposal for a committee of inquiry. He added, though, that the government made that proposal now because it is planning to raise the VAT rates, abolish the Easter bonus and cut public sector wages.

The distortion of statistics has dates and signatures that the inquiry committee will prove, answered PASOK cadre Christos Papoutsis.

"ND and PASOK are taking part in a campaign to disorient, while they agree on the anti-labour tsunami of measures," commented KKE (Greek Communist Party) parliamentarian Nikos Karathanasopoulos. Panagiotis Lafazanis of SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) blasted the government for turning the country's political life into a jungle.

Source: NET 105.8, NET, ANA/MPA News item: 33410

[02] European Commission Sends Message to Markets

Just a day after the EcoFin meeting, the European Commission send a crystal clear message to the markets. The spokesman for EU Commissioner for Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn claimed that the European Commission has already drafted an action plan, while there are funds available to support the Greek economy, if a financial aid is needed. In the meantime, the EcoFin gave thumbs up for Greece's stability plan, while experts from the European Central Bank and the European Commission are due in Athens in the coming week to monitor the implementation of the stability plan.

"There Is Plan to Support Greece"

The European Commission has the tools and the mechanism to ensure stability in the eurozone, if needed, said a spokesman for Olli Rehn, also underlining that Greece has not asked for financial aid

The spokesman for EU Commissioner for Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn said the European Commission is ready to offer aid to Greece if needed.

The above decision was made at the European Commission sitting held Wednesday in Brussels. The sitting discussed, among others, Greece's deficit problem.

According to Olli Rehn's representative, the European Commission also decided that the Commission will be closely monitoring the implementation of the measures taken by Greece, measures that aim to bring deficit down by 4% in 2010.

Asked whether the Commission is ready to project the impact of the measures Greece has taken on its fiscal figures, he said that more details on Greece will be ready by 25 February, where the reports on EU economies will come out.

Close Inspections

The EU Finance Ministers okayed Tuesday the stability plan of the Greek economy.

Greece will have to announce - in the report it will present on 16 March - additional measures to ensure that the goals for 2010 can be achieved.

Greece will have to submit yet another report by 15 May including the measures required for the compliance with the resolution of the Council of the EU Finance Ministers.

Greece has to proceed to reforms in the pension system, the health care and the public administration.

News item: 33409

[03] Custom Officials on Strike

The last two days picture of gas stations with long car queues has radically changed as the majority of motorists have already filled up car tanks. Some gas stations ran short of unleaded fuel due to high demand in the last two days. In the meantime custom officials continue mobilizations till Thursday creating problems with customs clearance of thousands of products. Closed are customs services at Evzonoi, Doirani, Nikaia and Kristalopigi in Florina prefecture border crossings and railway border crossing at Eidomenis in Kilkis prefecture. Serres farmers allow vehicles access to Promahonas border station and Kipoi customs station, in Ebros prefecture is operating normally.

Trolley buses are not running from 11:00-16:00 on Thursday while taxi owners are staging a 24 hour strike on Friday.

Source: ÁNA-ÌPA, ÍÅÔ News item: 33391

[04] Papandreou- Samaras Meeting at Maximos Mansion

Talks between Prime-minister G. Papandreou and ND party leader A. Samaras are expected to center on economy and national issues. The meeting is to be held after the main opposition leader request at 17:00, on Wednesday, in Maximos Mansion (government headquarters). PASOK has announced the setting up of Inquiry Committee on economy. Earlier, Mr. Samaras met with GSEE presidium which asked the ND party to back efforts for the support of low income earners. In his statements, GSEE president G. Panagopoulos referred to PASOK proposal for the setting up of Inquiry Committee on Economy.

G. Panagopoulos on Inquiry Committee

"We should not saw the branch we are sitting on and the branch is admission to EU" G. Panagopoulos, GSEE President.

In response to a relevant question, Mr. Panagopoulos stressed "people demands moves showing Justice is observed in the country" while in response to whether some will go to prison he said "sentence to imprisonment for ones who have wasted public money is distribution of justice to the highest extent".

In response to a relevant question, Mr. Panagopoulos stressed "people demands moves showing Justice is observed in the country" while in response to whether some will go to prison he said "sentence to imprisonment for ones who have wasted public money is distribution of justice to the highest extent".

However, in response to ND party proposal to extend investigation from 1980 and so on he said "we should not saw the branch we are sitting on and the branch is admission to EU".

On his part, H. Staikouras, responsible for ND party Economy inspection sector, repeated request for Inquiry Committee to carry out investigation from 1980.

"The government is launching hunt of culprits to cover up its inefficiencies. No objection to the setting up of Inquiry committee provided that it carries out investigation from 1980 and on so we can see how state debt was built up from then to present and we all assume our responsibilities", he characteristically said.

Furthermore, Mr. Broutsis, responsible for ND Labour inspection sector, asked for investigation of all issues to present as the government moves, he blamed for retractions, give rise to several questions.

Inquiry Committee on Economy

Ruling PASOK party parliamentary spokesman, Hristos Papoutsis stressed the need for revelation of ones who sent false data to Brussels and decisions that skyrocketed state deficit.

The ND party agreed with the setting up of Inquiry Committee provided that investigation extended to 1980 so to prove, as underlined, that 92% of state debt was built by PASOK.

The GCP and Synaspismos parties spoke of government diversion while LAOS president G. Karatzaferis asked the relevant file to be handed to the Prosecutor underlining the country could no longer put up with inquiry committees.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8 News item: 33384

[05] Trial on A. Grigoropoulos Murder Resumes

Trial of Alexandros Grigoropoulos murder case has resumed at Amfissa court. Tzina Tsalikian, mother of 15 year old Alexandros, murdered on December, 6, 2008, is to testify again today as the composition of tribunal and jury has changed after suspension of trial on February, 3 due to a serious family problem of Prosecutor in charge of the case.

Defendants in the case are special guard Epaminondas Korkoneas charged with homicide and his colleague Basilis Saraliotis charged as accomplice. There are strict security measures in Amfissa but not to previous time extent.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA - ÌPA

News item: 33379

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