Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-11-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] Nimetz calls on Greece, fYRoM for talks in New York

[02] KKE on social solidarity benefit

[03] DM Venizelos press conf'

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Nimetz calls on Greece, fYRoM for talks in New York

The announcement said that during statements made to the press on Wednesday by the Secretary General and the Greek prime minister in Athens, the Secretary General noted that his personal envoy on talks between Greece and fYRoM, Matthew Nimetz, is willing for the talks to resume as soon as both sides are ready.

It was further pointed out that the Secretary General mentioned that it is an encouraging fact that the Greek prime minister told him that "Greece is ready" and "will fully support" the "continuous facilitating role" of Nimetz.

The announcement also stressed that Nimetz mentioned that he is in contact with the sides and has proposed the holding of a meeting in New York during the week beginning as of November 16.

[02] KKE on social solidarity benefit

Papariga said that KKE's position is that "a big struggle must start this year for the national collective agreement and for the branch agreements." She also pointed out that this struggle must be supported by all the working people.

"With a struggle front which, if it unwinds through unified action by all the working people, can create preconditions even for a better situation, even for the blunting of problems," she said.

Referring to statements by EU Finance Commissioner Joaquin Almunia, Papariga said that "the working people have tightened their belts many years ago," adding "the working people have no responsibility for the debts and the deficits."

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga

[03] DM Venizelos press conf'

Venizelos announced the reshaping and modernisation of legislation concerning armaments contracts to enable the General Defence Armaments Department to acquire the necessary legal backing. In this context, the assistance of the International and European Economic Law Centre has been requested and EU legislation will be incorporated for additional transparency guarantees to be provided.

The Citizen's Protection ministry will be given the former Uza Moria army camp on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos for the creation of a refugee reception centre.

On the possibility of the participation of Turkey in the European force that supervises by air the Greece-Turkey borderline for the detection of illegal immigrants, Venizelos said that "if the neighbouring country wants to participate in the European force, but respecting the sovereign rights and the territorial integrity of our country, as well as international regulations, then it is welcome. Unfortunately, however, Turkey through its radars is continuing to harass helicopters and aircraft of the European force."

On the question of the ministry's budget, the minister said that 700 million euros were saved this year from expenditures on armaments, while the proposal for a 36 percent increase in operational expenditures was not accepted.

As regards 2009, the expenditures for armaments, based on deliveries, amount to 3.157 billion euros, in 2010 they will be less than 2. 72 billion euros, in 2011 they will be restricted to 350 million euros and in 2012 to 85 million euros.

Commenting on Greece's international commitments, Venizelos said that "we accept the decision-framework (for the procurement of French frigates) and we shall proceed to the best moves for the protection of the national interest and of the state."

Caption: Defence Minister Evangelos Venizelos gives press conference on Wednesday 4 November in Athens. ANA-MPA/ Margarita Kiaou

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The economic crisis and the new tax policy, tax evasion which reaches 30 billion euros every year, the State Budget draft to be tabled on Thursday in parliament, the dockworkers' strike, the new flu and the situation in main opposition New Democracy (ND) ahead of the election for a new leader, dominated the headlines on Thursday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Government playing games with migrants, seeking their vote in order to alter election results".

APOGEVMATINI: "Prime Minister George Papandreou's close associates appointed as secretaries general in the Ministries".

AVGHI: "Dockworkers block Cosco - New 48hour strike on Thursday and Friday announced at Piraeus port".

AVRIANI: "Industrialists accuse self-employed professionals and small and medium sized enterprises of tax evasion reaching 30 billion euros every year".

ELEFTHEROS: "Something strange is happening with our national issues - Rapid developments in the midst of blatant contradictions".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Indirect taxes from January - State Budget draft contains the well known recipe".

ESTIA: "The economy languishing - Wealth distribution requires production".

ETHNOS: "Government's plan for changes in public sector".

KATHIMERINI: "PM statement: Every migrant's child to be born in Greece will acquire Greek nationality".

LOGOS: "Situation in Piraeus port out of control - Dockworkers extend their strike".

NIKI: "6,100 hirings in Health sector - Scenery changes in state hospitals and healthcare".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Communist party leader Aleka Papariga's statement: Piraeus port's privatisation must be annulled".

TA NEA: "Doctors appeal: Be vaccinated against the new flu".

TO VIMA: "Professionals' taxation on the horizon - 700,000 professionals declare only 4 percent of the tax income".

VRADYNI: "IKA state Social Security Foundation warns: Pensions and Christmas bonus in jeopardy".

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