The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-10-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] ND Leader Tours Piraeus

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ND party leader Antonis Samaras, accompanied by Basilis Mihaloliakos, the conservative party's candidate for Piraeus mayor, toured the city of Piraeus. He visited many shops and spoke to shop owners who expressed concern over the present economic situation as well as the situation of the city.

Mr. Samaras said his visit aimed to listen to people's views but also described Piraeus as the dirtiest city he has visited within the frame of his tours. The ND leader expressed concern about the over 40% drop in turnover and close downs of many shops while some shop owners complained that they had not sold even one product.

He said the ND party has a plan to move the country ahead and promised to do anything he can to change the situation.

Sources: ÁNA/ÌPA News item: 42225

[02] OSE &Suburban Train 24-hour Strike

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OSE and Suburban Railways employees have started mobilizations in protest against draft-bill on the purging of the organization. On Wednesday they are staging 3-hour work stoppages which have created several problems to commuters. On Thursday, they are staging a 24-hour strike halting all train services while there will be no metro services from Doukissis Plakentias to Athens International Airport. People can get to the Airport only ETHEL buses.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA/ÌPA

News item: 42231

[03] Opening 17 Rehab Centers in next 6-Months

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Health Minister, Andreas Loverdos announced that OKANA ( Drug Combat Organization) with the cooperation of Health Ministry will open 17 new rehabilitation centers nationwide within the next 6-month period. Mr. Loverdos said the aim of the Ministry is total handling of drug addiction including use, prevention and re-admission to society. The Health Minister said that drug addiction problem could not be used to serve petty partisan expediencies.

ÏÊÁÍÁ Survey

The 17 new rehabilitation centers will open at a respective number of hospitals mainly in Northern Greece to treat over 5.000 drug addicts who are in the long waiting lists.

OKANA survey shows that drug addicts not admitted in rehab programs are the ones who cause social annoyance. According to the survey 85% of drug addicts in 11 "sites" are not in any rehabilitation program, 40% have applied for admission into a program. Other statistical data show that 78% of drug addicts are males, 33.7 average age.

Prescription of methadone under strict preconditions has already started for ones involved in the rehabilitation program.

Source: ÍÅÔ News item: 42230

[04] Wrangling on Economic Policy

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Prime-minister George Papandreou successive work meetings with the so called production Ministries are centered on implementation of Memorandum, planning of actions in the next period and policies to boost growth and liquidity in the market. In his statements in Piraeus, ND party leader Antonis Samaras agreed with extension of period for repayment of Troika loan but totally opposed to a new memorandum and new austerity measures. Mr. Samaras launched strong attack against both Prime-minister George Papandreou and Finance Minister George Papakonstantinou.

Sources: ÍÅÔ - ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA/ÌPA

Related News: PM Chairs Government Coordination Committee Meeting

News item: 42229

[05] Heating Oil Regular Supply Starts Friday

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Distribution of heating oil starts on Friday, October, 15 as scheduled following an agreement reached during Wednesday's meeting of Finance undersecretary Dimitris Kouselas with the administration board of Gas Station Owners Federation. According to the terms of the agreement, fuel consumption tax paid by gas station owners in advance will be returned within two days while advance payment of consumption tax will be abolished as of January, 1, 2011.

In his statements, Mihalis Kiousis, president of Gas Station Owners Federation raised safety issue linked with the promotion of draft-bill reducing least distance between gas stations and public gathering sites. Transport Ministry draft-bill reducing distances between gas stations and public gathering sites opens the road for the creation of gas stations by super-markets.

Finance undersecretary D. Kouselas is to meet with the National Federation of Fuel traders. Sale price, based on Monday's refinery prices, for heating oil has been set at â¬0.67 per liter.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA-ÌPA

News item: 42205

[06] PM Chairs Coordination Committee Meeting

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The Government Coordination Committee, chaired by the Prime-minister , is holding a meeting at the Interior Ministry. Next Mr. Papandreou will have successive meetings at the Parliament with the Ministers for Finance, Employment and Regional Development, who are handling issues toping the priority list for the next period. Counter measures for low pensioners will be included within procedures for the drawing of 2011 state Budget. In the meantime, Prime-minister George Papandreou announcements at the ITF (International Thessaloniki Fair) will be specified in the coming period and before local administration elections.

On Tuesday, Finance Minister George Papakonstantinou, addressing the competent Parliament Committee discussing the new state budget draft , underlined that 2011 is the year to set in motion a stable and viable growth of Greek economy. He repeated the government's commitment to give back the share of their sacrifices to the worst hit by the crisis.

New Democracy party described as developmental and socially fair the draft of the new state budget. LAOS doubted that targets would be met. On its part the GCP forecast continuation of antipopular attack and SYRIZA spoke of a final strike against low income groups.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8 News item: 42148

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