Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-03-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Agriculture minister meets Central Macedonia farmers

[02] Greek Press Review

[01] Agriculture minister meets Central Macedonia farmers

He made the statement as he arrived to meet representatives of the farmers of Central Macedonia - a meeting held in the framework of national dialogue on farming policy begun by the minister in previous weeks.

During the meeting with the farmers, it was decided that representatives of Central Macedonia farmers will have an advisory role on agriculture ministry committees dealing with farm policy issues.

Commenting on the results of the talks, Hatzigakis said he had been pleasantly surprised that the problems raised were well presented and "scientifically structured".

The minister announced that he will visit Brussels next week, where there would also be a discussion about the 500-million-euro aid package, and he promised radical changes and reforms to the farming sector. He said that he would carry out his promises to farmers in full, in spite of any difficulties that may arise.

Among issues raised by farmers at the meeting were the reduction of the "price gap" between producers and consumers, uncovering cartels responsible for boosting prices of basic foodstuffs, an end to party politics within farming cooperatives, less red tape, support for farm exports, reduction of VAT payments by farmers, land issues and sustainable water management, among others.

[02] Greek Press Review

The spat in Parliament between Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou over the economic crisis and developments concerning Olympic Airways (OA) after the agreement between the State and Marfin Investment Group (MIG) were the main front-page items in Saturday's dailies.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Prime minister accuses G. Papandreou of irresponsibility".

APOGEVMATINI: "Absence of parents...breeds hooliganism" (article on rising violence among children and the role of electronic games).

AVGHI: "Government-hijacker! Olympic lands in MIG's hands".

AVRIANI: "Vgenopoulos [MIG CEO] saves Olympic and saves tax-payers from 1,000,000 a day, which were the national carrier's losses".

CHORA: "This is what we inherited. Karamanlis' lobs thunderbolts at Papandreou in Parliament".

ELEFTHEROS: "Shock proposal to Karamanlis - a breather for New Democracy (ND). Get rid of the 'dirty ones' and restore the party's reputation". (claims push by George Sourlas for the ousting of ND members compromised by involvement in shady dealings)

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "300,000 entrepreneurs to tax offices" [article on changing tax rules for businesses and self-employed].

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Pay and save us. Revenue-raising measures...but attractive ones, planned by government".

ESTIA: "Supplement of 12 March 1894 today" [advertises special supplement - a reprint of the newspaper's 7th issue"

ETHNOS: "Consensus lasted one day. Shift to polarisation by PM and full frontal assault on PASOK".

KARFI ON THE WEEKEND: "He's setting up double ballot. He should leave the play-acting aside."

KATHIMERINI: "Extreme polarisation after consensus founders. Karamanlis: I'm not considering elections".

LOGOS: "They clashed over the crisis in Parliament. Karamanlis and Papandreou after consensus collapses".

NIKI: "Seven knives in our back. Shock measures planned for society" [Paper forecasts harsh revenue-raising measures to fill empty state coffers].

PRESS TIME: "Vgenopoulos the pilot. Why Vassilakis' bid [for OA] was thrown out."

RIZOSPASTIS: "ND-PASOK weakened. Strong Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and popular movement. Pointless clash by ND-PASOK and damning report by Commission on labour rights".

TA NEA: "Real estate prices deflating. Up to 15 percent down in six months".

TO VIMA: "Karamanlis facing dilemma. Strong pressure for a change of course after collapse of consensus".

VRADYNI: "Subsidies and stage for 13,000 jobless. 'Booster shots' for employment amid crisis".

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