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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-11-10
CONTENTS
[01] HAU event showcases book preserving traditional Epirus songs,
poetry
[02] Government-sponsored support package backed by banks
[01] HAU event showcases book preserving traditional Epirus songs,
poetry
The Hellenic American Union (HAU) on Monday hosted an event in
Athens showcasing the book "A Weft of Memory, A Greek Mother's
Recollection of Songs and Poems", written by linguist and retired US
ambassador Thomas J. Scotes to preserve the folklore and traditional
music of his mother's ancestral home in mountainous Epirus province,
northwest Greece.
The 300-page bilingual Greek and English volume catalogues and
details traditional Epirot songs and poems.
Scotes' mother, Vasiliki, was born in the village of Theodoriana,
Arta prefecture, a century ago. She emigrated with her husband and
family to the United States, and specifically to Harrisburg, Pa. in
1931
[02] Government-sponsored support package backed by banks
A government-sponsored plan unveiled to support the banking sector in
Greece cope with the international financial crisis has the support of
the overwhelming majority of the banks operating in the country,
according to statements issued by the Hellenic Bank Association (HBA)
and the Association of Co-operative Banks of Greece (ACBG). According
to an HBA statement, "the suggested measures are moving on the right
direction in support of the Greek economy and therefore they have the
backing of the association despite the disagreement voiced by certain
of its members." Banks, however, act individually as provided by the
legislation on competitiveness and there can be no interbank agreement
within the framework of the HBA, the statement reads. On their part
the 16 banks represented by ACBG serving roughly 200,000 customers,
private individuals and small-medium sized companies, notified Finance
Minister George Alogoskoufis Monday on their intention to join the
28-billion-euro package extending credit to households and small and
medium sized investors. According to ACBG, the preconditions and terms
set will ensure transparency, allow for state control and keep the cost
of money under control. Furthermore, all co-operative banks
participate in the Credit Guarantee Fund for Small and Very Small
Enterprises (TEMPME SA) facilitating access of small and very small
enterprises to the country's financial system by providing guarantees
and undertaking part of their financial and commercial risk.
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