Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-01-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM addresses symposium in Paris

[02] Two foreign nationals arrested for drugs, weapons possession

[03] Illegal migrants detained in Evros

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] PM addresses symposium in Paris

French industry, energy and digital economy minister Eric Besson, under whose initiative the two-day symposium is organised, greeted Papandreou at the opening of the event and praised him for the "fortitude and courage" with which he was facing the crisis. (ANA-MPA)

Papandreou, in turn, thanked Besson for the invitation to "such a high level conference", adding that he is fully aware that the invitation was due mainly to the struggle being waged by both himself and the country, a struggle that "leaves open wounds, and which we are trying to improve". (ANA-MPA)

The Greek premier noted that there are "three myths" that prevailed during this period of crisis. (ANA-MPA)

The first myth concerns the country's debt "which was not the cause, but a symptom, the tip of the iceberg", Papandreou said, adding that "the real cause was the deficiency in management, the bad use of the resources, the unequal distribution of the money, the clientele nature of the governance...". (ANA-MPA)

In a specific reference to Greece, he outlined the reforms being made in the country. "Although we have not yet taken all the necessary measures, we have, however, acknowledged them as necessary," he said. (ANA-MPA)

The second myth concerns the international markets and the immense concentration of the fiscal power, stressing that the challenge is to make the marks work toward the common good rather that comprising a "tool for the concentration of privileges for the few". (ANA-MPA)

"In a globalised world, we need to regulate and check the power of the markets so that there will be greater equality," Papandreou elaborated. (ANA-MPA)

The third myth concerns "the impression that a (EU) member state can take measures on its own, that it was considered that there was no need for solidarity, or need for stronger governance," the Greek premier continued. (ANA-MPA)

"But the issue is much more complex and many large economies have big problems," Papandreou continued, and stressed the need for greater European integration. (ANA-MPA)

Turning to the future of the economic landscape, the prime minister said that "the power is changing, it is heading to Asia and the emerging economies". (ANA-MPA)

"The challenge for us is to resist the competition. We do not wish to compete with the countries in which anarchic labor and miserable working conditions prevail. We want to have our own products, to invest in green development, in renovative structures, in quality and in social growth," Papandreou stressed. (ANA-MPA)

In that context, Papandreou clarified that the assistance to Greece and Ireland should not be considered "charity" but, rather, "gaining time to allow us to organise and to meet the challenge". (ANA-MPA)

The two-day symposium is discussing how to reform the international monetary system. (ANA-MPA)

Caption: Greece's Prime Minister George Papandreou delivers a speech during the opening session of the 'New World, New Capitalism' conference at the Bercy finance ministry in Paris, France. (ANA-MPA/EPA/IAN LANGSDON)

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[02] Two foreign nationals arrested for drugs, weapons possession

Police said the two detainees, aged 22 and 27, lacked travel documents and were arrested by Kilkis drug squad officers inside Greece.

The detainees had been placed under discrete surveillance by police, acting on a tip-off on drug and weapons smuggling.

Police found and confiscated 3.1 kilos of cannabis, a Scorpion submachine gun and ammunition in the possession of the two FYROM nationals.

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[03] Illegal migrants detained in Evros

Police spotted the group of 16 illegal migrants in the Tycheros farming region and placed them under surveillance.

After a 4-hour trek, the illegal migrants reached the town of Peplos, where two trucks were waiting for them.

Police intervened, and arrested the driver, a foreign national, of one of the trucks, while the second driver evaded arrest and is wanted.

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[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The economy and economic issues mainly dominated the headlines in Athens' newspapers on Thursday.

AVGHI: "Toll Movement - Citizens angered by consecutive increases in toll rates and constant creation of new toll stations refuse to pay toll fees".

KATHIMERINI: "The markets once again wary - Greek spread nears 1,000 points".

LOGOS: "Tax-storm without end".

NIKI: "Spectre of shutdown for businesses - 2011 a year of deep recession for commerce".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Nationwide mobilisation for action against the banks that loot the people".

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