Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-10-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] ND parliamentary group meeting

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] ND parliamentary group meeting

Karamanlis said that the repercussions of the crisis, with the increase in the prices of petroleum products and of foodstuffs are affecting high prices, as well as the revenues and expenditures of the public sector.

The prime minister went on to say that the Greek economy is maintaining growth rates that are more than double those of the eurozone, unemployment has dropped to the lowest levels in years and the banking system is showing resilience and added that weaknesses do exist that can be handled.

"We are going through a difficult era and we are experiencing the greatest crisis in the postwar period," Karamanlis said.

The prime minister criticised the opposition, saying that some are trying to convince the citizens that these increases in international prices do not concern us and that the Greek government is to blame for everything.

"They are out of touch with international reality. It is a display of petty partisanship that is unacceptable for the days that we are experiencing. The citizens are aware of the repercussions," he said.

Appealing to ONNED's young men and women, Karamanlis said "keep the essence of politics, keep the flame of hope and of our joint struggles lighted."

Karamanlis underlined that "I shall not place any expediency above the interests of my country. I do not accept pressures from anyone. I am exercising the policy that my country needs," while adding "no to the levelling doubting of everything. No to opportunism that harms the country. Yes to the principles and the values that unite us."

The prime minister pointed out that reforms will be continued and that the government is working to strengthen the protection net for the sensitive social groups that are the most hard-hit by the repercussions of the international economic crisis.

Karamanlis concluded his address by saying "we are forging ahead without compromises, all of us together determined with optimism and vision."

CAPTION: ANA-MPA file photo of the Greek parliament

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The crisis in the international credit system and its repercussions in Greece, the resuults of three new opinion polls, and the Vatopedi monastery scandal dominated the headlines on Monday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "A week of developments begins - Starting on Monday with the meeting of the ruling New Democracy (ND) party's parliamentary group".

APOGEVMATINI: "Everyone must look out for himself - Europeans shocked by German leader Angela Merkel 's cynical statements".

AVRIANI: "Why main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou dreads the revelations in the Siemens slush funds affair".

CHORA: "Social security Funds and Banks losing billions of euros due to the decline on the Athens Stock Exchange".

ELEFTHEROS: "New shock in ND after claims that Development Minister Christos Folias is involved in a scandal with a real estate company".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Steep price hikes in food and oil - Black winter for households - Price increases of up to 67 percent in supermarkets and up to 30 percent in heating oil in October".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Five billion euros in new taxes - 2009 Budget: Second tax-raid after this year's 6 billion euros".

ESTIA: "Critical period for the economy- Political uncertainty is acting negatively".

ETHNOS: "Double shock from price hikes and fising interest rates - Borrowers and consumers in the vise of the financial crisis".

TA NEA: "Wild toying with bank deposits - Underground war over interest rates".

VRADYNI: "The cohesion battle - ND regaining the lost ground , PASOK upgraded rising in popularity, the latest opinion polls indicate".

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