Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-09-09

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Papariga addresses main Thessaloniki rally

[02] Inauguration of Thessaloniki suburban railway

[01] Papariga addresses main Thessaloniki rally

She called on those citizens "who agree with KKE that, during the New Democracy (ND) or main opposition PASOK governments, the standard of leaving has declined, the rights of citizens have shrank and the feeling of insecurity has become more intense, to vote for it."

Addressing herself to "all those who feel betrayed and deceived by ND and PASOK", she called on them to "realise that the two mainstream parties, each on its own way, present blackmailing dilemmas of the type (Prime Minister Costas) 'Karamanlis or non-governance', or (main opposition PASOK leader George) 'Papandreou or rightwing tragedy'."

She also said that it was not worth searching for differences separating the two mainstream parties and noted that "such defferences are secondary and superficial."

"The only apparent difference between them is antagonism for the control of government power," Papariga noted.

Commenting on the Coalition of the Radical Left's (SYRIZA) programme and policies, the KKE leader said that it "leaves the doors open for cooperation with PASOK and that is why its (SYRIZA) criticism against Greek and European Socialdemocratic movements is so soft."

[02] Inauguration of Thessaloniki suburban railway

The 98-kilometre line will go into commercial operation on Monday, while passengers will be able to travel free of charge on the first day in order to become acquainted with the new service.

The electric trains on the line will be able to travel at speeds up to 160 kilometres an hour and the average journey time from Thessaloniki to Litohoro will be 55 minutes. The line passes through three prefectures in northern Greece, those of Thessaloniki, Imathia and Pieria. There will be eight stations on its route and 16 services a day, one each hour in both directions, from 5 in the morning until midnight.

Stations along the route include Sindos, Adendro, Platy, Eginio, Korinos and Katerini. The fare from one terminal to another will be six euros one way and 10 euros for a one-month open return.

The new line is expected to be used by 3,000 passengers a day on average and the government intends to soon announce a unlimited travel card fare for those using the service daily.

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