Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-12-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM briefed by foreign minister; visits volunteer group

[02] Athens newspaper headlines

[01] PM briefed by foreign minister; visits volunteer group

Caption:ANA-MPA file photo of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

[02] Athens newspaper headlines

The government's firm stance on the planned changes to the social security system, and developments regarding the ailing national carrier Olympic Airways (OA) following the European Commission's insistence that the airline return illegal, under EU legislation, aid received from the Greek state, were the main front-page items in Monday's dailies.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Will OA finally close down? Irregular landing - The solutions being advanced for the national carrier", adding 'end of era for OA since, following the negative development in the negotiations in Brussels, the solution of closure of the national carrier and creation of a new, smaller company -- in essence a 'Sabena' solution ala Greece -- is being advanced.

APOGEVMATINI: "Inheritance tax, parental gift tax and first-home tax being abolished - Alogoskoufis (national economy and finance minister) to table the relevant bill in parliament within the week".

AVRIANI: "George (main opposition PASOK party leader Papandreou) dissolving PASOK and will announce at the party Congress a new scheme along the model of the Italian 'Olive' party - Androulakis and Kotzias preparing the new party's manifesto".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "The northern neighbours' (FYROM) primary goal is international consolidation of their nationality as 'Macedonians', with the next step being a change of borders"

ELEFTHEROS: "Magginas (employment minister) intransigent, despite the storm of reactions (over the changes to the social security system)".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "TEBE (merchants' social security/pension fund) pensions in danger after 2010 - The report of the National Actuarial Authority (before it resigned) on TEBE, with its 1.13 million insured and pensioners".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Right hand in our pockets - Government, with plan, launches attack at the beginning of its (new) term in office".

ESTIA: "The prospect of dual elections, following the new change of the electoral law", adding that the government was proceeding with the tabling of a new electoral law that will reinforce the top party with 50 seats (in the 300-member unicameral parliament) against the present 40.

ETHNOS: "Three bombs in Karamanlis' hands: OA, social security sector and high cost of living are the government's new nightmares".

TA NEA: "End of ASEP (public sector hiring examinations board) for the public sector - Government abolished it with legislative coup".

VRADYNI: "25,310 stremma of land in 17 municipalities being incorporated in the City Plans".

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