The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-07-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Frictions within ND Party

Batopedi transfer of land case has sprked frictions within the ND party while voices asking for former Prime-minister K. Karamanlis intervention increase. Questions were raised by ND deputy E. Stylianidis response to G. Boulgarakis proposal for the summoning the Parliament Inquiry Committee of the present and former Culture Ministers including the ND leader A. Samaras, who served as Culture Minister. Mr. Stylianidis described his proposal as "drolleries". In the meantime, Kostas Karamanlis close aides said that the former Prime-minister would speak when he considers it is the right time. Furthermore, Yiannis Aggelou lawyers have filed an appeal to judge Eleni Kalou asking for lift or reduction of the 400.000 bail imposed on their client along with ban on his exit from the country.

"Personal Reasons"

"The ND party in two reports of the Inquiry Committee has clearly expressed its position. It will not deal with drolleries, such as calling as witnesses even former ministers who have no relation with the case merely to create impressions", said opposition party deputy and member of the Inquiry Committee E. Stylianidis commenting on G. Boulgarakis proposal to call as a witness among others A. Samaras, in his competence of former Culture Minister .

ND had proposed ministers involved in the case to propose witnesses themselves. However, senior party members said that this position had nothing to do with G. Boulgarakis move, that was proposed for clearly personal reasons and has no relation to investigations in the case.

In the meantime, Kostas Karamanlis close aides said that the former Prime-minister would speak when he considers it is the right time.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

News item: 38810

[02] K. Papoulias: Political Class Responsible

"The political class is mainly responsible for Greece's decline because they are the ones who owe to lead developments. The current disapproval of the political system is many times unrefined in its generalization but- in its substance- is fair" said the President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias in his short speech to mark the 36th anniversary since the Restoration of Democracy in Greece during a plain ceremony at the Presidential Mansion, on Saturday morning.

"Social Cohesion Endangered"

"The violent outbreak of the financial crisis closed a historical circle of Greece's democracy, the one that started in 1974. During this historical circle Greece achieved a big economic development, inequalities diminished and democratic institutions deeply rooted", said the President of the Republic and added: " Despite the rise in living standards, the administration did not develop, clientelism relations between citizens and the political system remained, the rule of law did not sufficiently develop. Short-sighted concepts, which finally proved destructive, prevailed in Greek society".

"The impact of the financial crisis is not the same for all. Some suffer losses, some see cuts in salaries and pensions, others loose their jobs, in other words everything". Karolos Papoulias

"Middle class that was the vehicle of Greece's prosperity for decades has weakened. The weakest have reached the limits of survival", said the President of the Republic

"Protest is just and justified, though not when expressed through trade autism and indifference for the majority of the society. In other words what we name social cohesion is highly endangered", he said

Sounding the bell, Karolos Papoulias warned of a possible outbreak of violence, racism, bigotry and regression. This is why he called for changes -that did not take place for decades- in administration and economic structures, thoughts and life stand.

He also called for equality of rights without exemptions while he stressed that Constitutional provisions are not empty words. And went on to say that economic burden should be fairly distributed and Health and Education not to be enjoyed only by the privileged.

The President of the Republic believes that only under the above preconditions the country could exit the financial crisis despite the poverty that has hit a large part of the population.

Finally, referring to developments in the EU, he said that the collapse of the European social model is not a response but a move of panic against the uncontrollable power of financial market and speculators.

"The European Union will pay for its indifference so far to the world financial system. But it will overcome the crisis because its financial and social stamina is strong as well as the common interests of its peoples", said the President of the Republic.

Messages Center on Financial Crisis

Our struggle for the restoration of our autonomy, social and economic justice and the creation of a mor substantial democracy is our tribute to those who did not succumb to dictatorship, stresses the Prime-minister in his message.

"Today we honour the leaders of the Restoration of Democracy era, the fighters against dictatorship, all who fought for Democracy, Freedom, Human Dignity" says the message of ND leader A. Samaras,⦠"admitting the mistakes that led to the failure of the post dictatorship model". "After 36 years (â¦) we are called to work for the country's exit, as soon as possible, from the financial crisis", he stressed.

There is no cure for the present political system, the only answer is the people's unity to open the road or his power, says the GCP.

LAOS message speaks of a Democracy based on principles and respect to the lives of people while SYN party describes as a duty the liberation of social forces who will fight for a better future.

Plain Event

A plain event, as last year, was held to mark the 36th anniversary of the Restoration of Democracy as the President of the Republic has said: "receptions and big events are not in accordance with the spirit of the fight against dictatorship, provoke society and disregard the measure that should determine the behavior of the political world".

Attending the event were the political and state leadership, Prime-minister G. Papandreou, the main opposition leader A. Samaras, political party leaders, representatives from the clergy, scientific and financial world, deputies, European deputies and other officials.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA News item: 38807

[03] Three Arrested on Arson Charges

Fires in Thesprotia and Sithonia are under control while there is no fear for spreading of the fire that broke out in Acrata on Saturday noon. In the meantime, the Fire Department announced that 3 people were arrested in connection with fires in Halkidiki, Lefkada and Karystos. A Serbian national, 34 was arrested in Halkidiki charged of igniting fire in farm land as he was burning dry weed. A Czech national was arrested in Lefkada on the same charges while a 43yo resident in Karystos using an electric device was also arrested . Sparks from his electric machine ignited the fire .

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÁNA-ÌPA

News item: 38815

[04] Sweltering Heat

As temperatures reached sweltering 40C -41C on Saturday people flocked to the beaches to stay cool . All beaches in Attica are crowded with people struggling to keep cool and out of some real danger. But meteorologists forecast drop in temperatures from Monday. In the meantime, the exodus of holidaymakers continues. Ones travelling by car face some problems from the 81km -87km on the Athens-Lamia national road due to works in progress.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8 News item: 38808

[05] Greek Banks 5 out of 6 Pass Stress Test

Five Greek banks, National, PostBank, Piraeus, Alpha and Eurobank successfully passed the European Banks stress test. The only bank that failed was ATE Bank as stress test showed it could not survive in most adverse conditions. Apart from ATE Bank another six European banks failed the stress test. The meetings of the interministerial committee on privatizations and the Ministers' Council centered on developments in the economy . It was stressed that fear of bankruptcy is fading away.

Next 40 Days Crucial

The next forty days are particularly crucial for the banking sector in view of a tougher stress test in September.

Greek banks are called to:

Assess stress test results

Proceed to actions that will strengthen capital sufficiency.

However, there is high mobility in the government's economic staff as two to three advisors will be hired , who among others will examine Piraeus Bank offer for double take over of ATE Bank and PostBank.

"This specific offer is the first public proposal to the State and will be assessed through institutional procedures. We will wait for the advisors' assessment", said Finance Minister G. Papakonstantinou in an interview with the newspaper "Kosmos tou Ependyti".

Specifically, for ATE Bank, that received the lowest rating, the government intends to participate in the increase of its shareholders' capital.

Developments in the banking sector will not come before autumn as the special advisors will need many weeks to complete assessment of the State's assests and submit their final proposals.

Source: ÍÅÔ

News item: 38820

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