Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-03-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tripolis -Pyrgos highway closed for five days

[02] FinMin on taxation bill

[03] ASE opening: Decline

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Tripolis -Pyrgos highway closed for five days

Traffic is being diverted via three other routes.

Police have placed signs on the roads to inform the drivers.

[02] FinMin on taxation bill

The minister stressed that no European decision will replace the steadfast observance of the country's commitments, as they are registered in the Stability and Development Programme.

The taxation bill was criticised by the main opposition New Democracy (ND) party and the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party, as being basically counterproductive, while some deputies referred to its "socially unfair character, on which the Left mainly based its criticism.

On the other hand, PASOK party rapporteur Andreas Makrypidis, as well as the ruling party's deputies, focused on the reforms being attempted by the bill to correct the socially unfair distortions of the taxation system.

On the part of ND, Th. Karaoglou termed the bill "counterproductive, much lower than circustances," since "in periods of economic recession, the most targeted effort must be in the country's development sector. Unlike our party that presented 23 measures, unfortunately the bill intensifies the crisis even more and creates a negative psychology."

Speaking for the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Angelos Tzekis underlined that "the reply of working people to the bill must be political and warlike": "Wealth is produced in Greece," the Communit party's rapporteur pointed out. "In the decade of 2000-2009 the working man has paid for the debt over 200 billion euros, while pofits for businesses exceeded 150 billion. It concerns looting of social wealth: The natural tax increased, while for businesses it fell from 40 percent to 25 percent."

On the part of LAOS, Ilias Polatidis said that "the common feeling of justice is not being satisfied" and that from the bill, with some exceptions concerning youth entrepreneurship for example, "the development element is absent."

[03] ASE opening: Decline

Individual sector indices were moving mostly downward, with the biggest gains in Travel, up 1.12 percent; and Industrial Products, up 0.97 percent.

The biggest losses were in Public Utilities, down 2.34 percent; and Food and Beverages, down 1.63 percent.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was down 1.03 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was down 0.93 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was down 0.54 percent.

Of the stocks moved, 22 were up, 35 were down, and 26 were unchanged.

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The launch of a syndicated seven-year state bond issue in order the Greek state to raise at least 5.0 billion euros, the new terror and crime incidents reported in the last 48 hours, the regulations contained in the new taxation bill and the changes to the new social security system dominated the headlines on Tuesday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "How the settlement of debts will be applied".

APOGEVMATINI: "According to an Education Ministry announcement, 88,165 students will be accepted this year in Universities and Colleges".

AVGHI: "The rescue net is full of holes - Loan interest remains at 6 percent".

AVRIANI: "Poverty brings violence and terrorism - 26 armed robberies reported in the last 24h".

ELEFTHEROS: "American professor of Harvard University gives private lessons to ministers".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Citizens Protection Minister Michalis Chryssohoidis unconditionally surrenders to crime".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "The 5 'why' of the massacre - Police point the finger at the Fire Cells, but they deny it".

ESTIA: "The proofs of standard of living are ungrounded, unjust and impromptu".

ETHNOS: "Nightmare without frontiers and colour - Unprecedented outbreak of violence".

IMERISSIA: "Yes under conditions to the borrowing test - Five billion euros to be raised through the launch of a 7year bond but ...with 5.9 percent interest".

KATHIMERINI: "Incidents of extreme violence - Three dead from terror attack and armed robberies in the Athens district of Patissia".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Cold reception for the new state bonds issue".

NIKI: "Terror enters our homes - Crime skyrockets".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Rise up now against the sacrifice of the popular rights - PASOK ( ruling party), ND (main opposition New Democracy) and EU are leading the people to a tragic condition".

TA NEA: "University entry exams: The number of new student entry positions and in which Schools - Examinations start on May 14".

TO VIMA: "Terrifying outbreak of violence - Police point at Cells of Fire terrorist group as responsible for the incident in Patissia - The group denies it".

VRADYNI: "Another such 'victory' and we are lost - Speculators were not frightened by the...loaded gun".

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