Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-03-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou : Gov't has no plan

[02] Acropolis closed on Thursday

[03] ASE opening : Small rise

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Papandreou : Gov't has no plan

After the meeting, Papandreou told reporters that he outlined to the prime minister his concern over the citizens' sense of insecurity, which was further exacerbated by rising unemployment, the crisis in the markets and the decline in households' income, the collapse of the health and education sectors.

"We need a new plan, a new course that will guarantee immediate measures against the economic crisis, for the market, the Greek families. A new development model that we must all together focus on" adding that PASOK commits itself to 'green growth' and a strong negotiation with a plan in the EU. «Unfortunately, what I understood is that the government does not have a plan. I'm afraid that this government has only one plan. That of general elections", Papandreou said.

"Over the last five years the government has rejected our proposals and what I realised from the meeting with the Prime Minister is that he wants us to give him a 'carte blanche'.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou

[02] Acropolis closed on Thursday

The employees are demanding payment of four months' outstanding salaries and institutional changes.

[03] ASE opening : Small rise

Individual sector indices were moving mostly upward, with the biggest gains in Insurance, up 1.97 percent; Technology, up 1.31 percent; and Banks, up 1.03 percent.

The biggest losses were in Oil and Gas, down 0.74 percent; Public Utilities, down 0.38 percent;and Financial Services, down 0.25 percent.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was up 0.43 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was up 0.66 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was up 0.50 percent.

Of the stocks moved, 54 were up, 16 were down, and 22 were unchanged.

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

Aegean Airlines' and Chrysler Aviation's tenders for the acquisition of Olympic Airways (OA), Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' briefing of President of Republic Karolos Papoulias on the extraordinary EU Summit and Karamanlis' meetings on Thursday with party leaders were the main front-page headlines in Thursday's newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "The changes in university entry exams - What the rectors recommend".

APOGEVMATINI: "Homes will not be foreclosed for debts up to 20,000 euros. - Justice Minister Nikos Dendias reveals that measures that will be taken to protect consumer loan and credit card borrowers".

AVGHI: "Crippled education, closed universities - The inter-party committee meets on Tuesday and the council on secondary education convenes on Wednesday".

AVRIANI: "Bizarre and suspicious last-minute methodizations and tenders attempt collapse of government- MIG agreement on OA".

CHORA: "Business and hard political backdoor negotiations - Political families and press barons hold secret meetings in the midst of the financial crisis

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Bla, bla, bla - Prime Minister will meet on Thursday with political leaders, on a non-existent prospect of consensus".

ELEFTHEROS: "Main opposition PASOK, when it was government, brought the social security funds to their knees, and ruling New Democracy has dealt them the final blow".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "1.7 million cars' withdrawal - Exclusive: The government's five-year plan is ready".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Battle for Olympic Airways - Impressive move by Aegean Airlines with last-minute offer".

ESTIA: "In search of agreement over the obvious - That is what the financial crisis mandates".

ETHNOS: "Blind date for the consensus - Prime Minister seeks life-vest in his meetings on Thursday with party leaders".

KATHIMERINI: "Two new contenders for OA's acquisition".

LOGOS: "New bidders for OA - The negotiations with MIG".

NIKI: "Prime Minister's consensus trick - Karamanlis is seeking a life buoy in his meetings with the political leaders".

TA NEA: "The state declares stoppage in payments! - Red alert in Health, Education and social security funds".

TO VIMA: "The ten crucial hours - Karamanlis' proposals are vague ".

VRADYNI: "Dogfights over OA - Two new 'suitors' raise the bid".

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