Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-05-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government: ND's stance 'not helping'

[02] Samaras on consensus

[03] Work stoppage in ports

[04] Greece first in tutorials

[05] Tempi tunnel project

[06] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Government: ND's stance 'not helping'

"[ND's] obsession with the adoption of the entire Zappion II proposal does not help anyone and is only of concern to certain population groups," he said.

He stressed that ND's call for lower taxes "sounded good" but challenged the main opposition to say where the money would be found and not dwell only on the good news.

The spokesman pointed out that Greece had not yet secured the fifth tranche of the bailout loans and stressed that things were difficult, with negotiations with the EU-ECB-IMF troika at a "critical juncture".ana-mpa

At the same time, he dismissed the latest reports in the Financial Times as 'science fiction'.

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[02] Samaras on consensus

Addressing ND's parliamentary group, Samaras ruled out "any thought of a consensus on the tax increases announced on Sunday by the prime minister", stressing that "an understanding on the taxation issue would have created the preconditions for a substantive discussion on a programme aimed at ensuring a rekindling of the Greek economy." ana-mpa

Referring to the medium-term programme sponsored by the government, he stressed that his party could give its approval to individual articles if they are put to a vote separately.

Samaras stressed that the pressures exerted raise an issue of democracy, pointing out that "we cannot consent to a policy that is wrong and leads to a dead end. Giving my approval when I disagree, while my criticism has been proved to be correct, would be equal to approving the abolition of political opposition and democracy. I will never sign the self-abolition of democracy and political opposition."

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[03] Work stoppage in ports

Also, Piraeus Port Organisation (OLP) employees will hold a protest rally at Karaiskaki Square in central Piraeus, and from there march to the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries ministry.

A similar demonstration and march will be held in Thessaloniki.ana-mpa

Meanwhile, the board of the nationwide federation of port employees OMYLE will meet later Tuesday with union representatives of the other public utilities and state organisations (DEKO) that are affected by the government's privatisations program in order to discuss joint moblisations, while a 24-hour strike is also planned.

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[04] Greece first in tutorials

Greek parents spend more than â¬950 million per year, which is equivalent to 20 percent of government expenditure on primary and secondary education, in order to supplement their children's education.

Tutoring is widespread in southern European countries, the report noted. Following Greece are Spain (â¬450 million), Italy (â¬420 million) and Cyprus (â¬111 million).ana-mpa

In the 27-nation Union, more than 50 per cent of school pupils receive private tutorials.

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[05] Tempi tunnel project

Works for the tunnel, which bypasses the winding and rockslide-plagued Tempi Valley on the main Athens-Thessaloniki highway, began in August 2008 in both directors -- the southern end at the mouth of the valley, and the northern end at the Omolio township.

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[06] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The government's negotiations with the Troika (EC, IMF, ECB) for the disbursement of the fifth installment of the EU-IMF bailout loan, the new tax package, the rapid privatisations beginning with Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE), turmoil in ruling PASOK and the cuts in civil servants' lump sum retirement superannuity and benefits, dominated the headlines on Tuesday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "One billion euros will be channeled to small and medium sized enterprises".

AVGHI: "The auction begins".

AVRIANI: "Our taxes will go to the Troika".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Layoffs and cutbacks in salaries 'sealed'."

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Venomous installment - Painful and rapid privatisations agreed before the disbursement".

ESTIA: "Additional taxes a huge mistake".

ETHNOS: "Discounts in the new tax package".

IMERISSIA: "Agreement with the Troika - The mid-term programme to be 'sealed' within the next days".

KATHIMERINI: "Wave of 'indignants' in ruling PASOK".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "The fifth installment to be judged by the end of the week".

RIZOSPASTIS: "June 3, day of action with PAME (labour union affiliated to Communist Party of Greece) against the new measures".

TA NEA: "Cuts to retirement superannuity and benefits".

VRADYNI: "70,000 unemployed to be hired in tourism sector".

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