Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-09-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Restricting TV channels to four will reduce diversity in the media, ND's Hatzidakis says

[02] Congratulations to Greece's Senikidis for winning silver medal in Rio

[03] Race to put out Thassos wildfire before nightfall

[04] Athens welcomes Geneva truce plan for Syria

[05] More floods in Argos as work begins for relief to Thermaikos

[01] Restricting TV channels to four will reduce diversity in the media, ND's Hatzidakis says

He accused Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of doing the opposite of all he promised at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) two years ago, such as on the issue of non-performing loans.

The country lacked governance and was in a state of chaos, with the weakest in society bearing the brunt of the problems, Hatzidakis said.

"Paradoxically, in relation to the expectations that it cultivated, the only thing that we can expect from this government is that we will remain in the memorandums for ever," he said, stressing the need for the country to get a 'new start'.

"We don't promise miracles. We do, however, promise to follow the path followed by other countries, such as Ireland and Cyprus, who were in memorandums and exited," Hatzidakis added, while dismissing talk of ND 'infighting'.

"ND is proceeding united. The problems will henceforth be faced by SYRIZA," he said.

[02] Congratulations to Greece's Senikidis for winning silver medal in Rio

Senikidis won the silver medal in the men's F20 shot put event at the Rio Paralympic Games on Saturday, while fellow team-mate Stratos Nikolaidis just missed the bronze to rank fourth.

[03] Race to put out Thassos wildfire before nightfall

A meeting was held on the island on Sunday morning to assess the situation, with the participation of Alternate Minister for Citizen Protection Nikos Toskas, Rural Development and Foods Minister Vangelis Apostolou, four Kavala MPs, the Kavala Region deputy governor, the island's mayor and the General Secretary for Civil Protection.

Toskas reported that nearly all the country's aerial fire-fighting forces had been deployed to get the fire on the island under control and prevent the situation from deteriorating further, especially for mountain villages. Meanwhile, more than 80 fire engines, 120 fire men and many volunteers among local residents were fighting the flames on the ground.

The meeting conducted an overall assessment of the situation after the fire began at dawn on Saturday, with Toskas noting that the state machinery was in full readiness and that a state of emergency had been declared on Thassos, speeding up payment of compensation and restoration of burnt areas.

Among others, the fire has completely destroyed hundreds of hectares of olive trees and hundreds of beehives, as well as an still unknown area of virgin forest, creating fears for winter flooding in coastal areas.

Operations to put out the fire resumed at dawn on Sunday, while Apostolou and Toskas inspected the extent of the fires in a helicopter, ahead of Sunday's meeting.

According to Thassos' mayor, fire-fighting efforts during the night had been largely successful in preventing the fire from spreading to inhabited areas and farm land, though some homes were burnt on the fringes of mountain villages that had already been evacuated, so there were no deaths or injuries. The nuns at the Agios Panteleimonas and Archangelos nunneries returned after being evacuated on Saturday.

[04] Athens welcomes Geneva truce plan for Syria

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the ceasefire agreement the United States and Russia announced on Syria.

All parties must fully implement this agreement to immediately stop the bloodshed, protect civilians and allow for the unimpeded and seamless distribution of humanitarian aid.

This truce will hopefully be an important step in the direction of an agreement that ultimately ends a long-lasting civil war and the drama of the Syrian people," the announcement said.

[05] More floods in Argos as work begins for relief to Thermaikos

Charitsis said that money for short-term work on infrastructure will be disbursed on Monday, while a detailed description of the damage and needed work will be carried out.

The city of Argos was the latest to experience serious flooding due to the heavy rains falling on Greece throughout the past week. A storm on Saturday evening flooded roads and brought traffic to a halt on the Corinth road leading out of Argos for an extended period of time.

Many basement and ground-floor homes and shops were flooded, while two people had to be rescued from their homes by the fire brigade as a precaution.

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