Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-10-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Resounding 'no' to Polydoras leadership of NCRTV from opposition parties

[02] Obama will raise debt relief for Greece during Athens visit, Joe Biden says

[03] Legislation abolishing article 2A on NCRTV's powers to be tabled on Monday, sources say

[04] Parthenon Marbles 'should return home', Beijing Forbidden City museum director says

[01] Resounding 'no' to Polydoras leadership of NCRTV from opposition parties

After dismissing Polydoras as "not up to requirements" for the post, ND insisted that the government withdraw the Pappas bill and replace it with new legislation, which the main opposition said it would itself table in Parliament, that returns to the NCRTV all the powers envisioned under the Constitution.

"The appointment to the NCRTV of persons of recognised standing will follow immediately afterward," it said.

'No' to Polydoras from Democratic Alliance, Potami

The Democratic Alliance also rejected Polydoras as not meeting its criteria and said it will "steadfastly stick to its positions that it will contribute positively to the formation of the NCRTV so that there is proper regulation of the broadcasting scene."

"SYRIZA proposed candidate chairman Vyron Polydoras does not meet the requirements we have set. The proposal simply serves the well-known political games of the SYRIZA-ANEL coalition with the conservative faction, in exchange for political immunity of the destructive for the country period 2004-2009."

"We await truly consensus-building proposals so that a reliable and acceptable NCRTV can be formed," the party said.

Opposition Potami also said it would not back Polydoras as chairman of the NCRTV:

"Potami does not play with the institutions and will not consent to the trivialisation of independent authorities. It will not vote as chairman of the NCRTV a person from the deep past of the Greece of default...it will not become an accomplice to the downhill slide followed by the government," a party announcement said.

Union of Centrists urges gov't to 'take back Pappas bill'

The Union of Centrists led by Vassilis Leventis called on the government to take back law 4339 drafted by Minister of State Nikos Pappas in its entirety, in order to facilitate the formation of a new NCRTV. Only in such a case would ND be forced to give consent, the party said in an announcement.

"Taking back one or two articles does not have an impact because the entire opposition objects," it said, while the name of the NCRTV chairman mattered little. The important thing was to create political consensus for the formation of the NCRTV.

KKE: No to 'bargaining and games over share of media pie'

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) on Saturday dismissed the disagreements between ND and the SYRIZA-led ruling coalition over the television licences NCRTV as an attempt to disorient the voters.

"They have promoted [this issue] to the 'mother of all battles' in order to hide their strategic agreement on all the other serious and crucial issues that make the lives of the people more difficult. KKE will not take part in the bargains and games whose main goal is to redistribute the media pie and decide who prevails in this redistribution," a party announcement said.

[02] Obama will raise debt relief for Greece during Athens visit, Joe Biden says

"I promise you that he will raise every related issue," Biden said on Thursday night, at the Washington OXI Foundation's annual gala at the US Institute of Peace, in response to reporters' questions.

Biden received the Oxi Day Award for Courage, as did his son Beau Biden, who died of cancer a year and a half ago and was given the award posthumously. Also honoured was Yazidi survivor of ISIS atrocities and sexual slavery, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and UN Goodwill Ambassador Nadia Murad.

[03] Legislation abolishing article 2A on NCRTV's powers to be tabled on Monday, sources say

[04] Parthenon Marbles 'should return home', Beijing Forbidden City museum director says

"All nations with ancient civilisations share the same desire: that scattered cultural heritage should return home," Dr. Shan said. "The best choice, when an object has been preserved, is that it should appear in its original location. Its initial origins are the best home. I think that China, Greece and other countries with ancient civilisations must unite and join hands for the return of objects that have been taken from our countries," he added.

Dr. Shan said that he had visited Greece many times and observed Greek cultural affairs with great interest, including matters relating to the protection of cultural heritage and museum management in Greece. He noted the very good level of cooperation between the Palace Museum and Greek museums in preserving cultural heritage, as well as the very high Greek standards in this area.

"We are fortunate to have the assistance of the Greek agency for preserving cultural heritage and the Greek government," he said, expressing a desire to further broaden cooperation with Greek museums.

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