Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 11-11-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] New PM confers with European leaders, Cabinet members throughout weekend

[02] FinMin details priorities in letters to new Cabinet, ahead of 'troika' arrival

[03] Vote of confidence in new government scheduled for noon Wednesday

[04] ND parliamentary group meeting on Monday

[05] KKE Central Committee: Make things difficult for the new government

[06] The Papademos government 'must not even have a breather', KKE leader tells rally

[07] Tsipras: New gov't '80pct PASOK, 10pct ND, 10pct ultra-right, and 100pct Memorandum'

[08] New Greek PM phone contact with Cyprus President

[09] New DM to visit Cyprus

[10] BoG chief holds meeting with chiefs of largest banks

[11] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

[12] Thessaloniki Film Festival awards - Russia's Nikonova wins Golden Alexander for 'Twilight Portrait'

[13] Truck colliding with road signpost on Athens-Patra motorway was carrying 695 kg of cannabis

[14] Fire-bomb attack atainst riot police

[15] Police detect counterfeit banknotes laboratory in Crete

[16] Moroccan Boubker wins 29th Classical Marathon in record time

[17] Rainy on Monday

[18] Athens' Sunday newspapers at a glance

[01] New PM confers with European leaders, Cabinet members throughout weekend

Papademos had a tele-conference on Sunday morning with French president Nicolas Sarkozy and German chancellor Angela Merkel, who congratulated the new prime minister, with talks focusing on matters related to the materialisation of the October 26-27 eurozone summit decisions and Greece's commitments arising from those decisions.

He also had a series of telephone discussions with eurozone chief and Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker, European Commission (EC) president Jose Manuel Barroso, International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Christine Lagarde, European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi and European Council president Herman van Rompuy.

Papademos also had a telephone conversation on Saturday with Cyprus president Demetris Christofias, his first with a state leader following the assumption of his duties.

He further had a meeting with government vice-president and finance minister Evangelos Venizelos to review the economic situation ahead of the government's policy statement to be presented by Papademos in parliament on Friday, which will be followed by a debate culminating in a vote of confidence at noon on Wednesday.

[02] FinMin details priorities in letters to new Cabinet, ahead of 'troika' arrival

According to finance ministry sources, the purpose of the letters, sent on Saturday and copies of which were forwarded to new prime minister Lucas Papademos, is to facilitate the drafting of the new government's policy statement and immediate activation of the government.

The European Commission (EC), European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) 'troika' teams are due in Athens early in the week to continue negotiations on the disbursement of the 6th tranche and commencement of implementation of the second bailout loan programme as decided at an October 26-27 eurozone summit.

The 'troika' heads will arrive at a later date after completion of the preliminary work by the teams.

[03] Vote of confidence in new government scheduled for noon Wednesday

Papademos will present his policy statement on Monday afternoon, at 7:00 p.m. in parliament, after which a three-day debate begins on the policy statement, which will wind up at noon on Wednesday with a roll-call vote.

All the political party leaders and all the ministers, deputy ministers and MPs wishing to do so may speak during the parliamentary debate.

[04] ND parliamentary group meeting on Monday

Samaras is expected to reiterate his position regarding the new government, clarifying that he supports the effort it will make for ratification by parliament of the October 26-27 eurozone summit decisions and for disbursement of the 6th tranche (8 billion euros) of the 110 billion euro EU-IMF bailout loan to Greece.

He is also expected to reiterate that the participation of ND cadres in the new government does not mean an ND-PASO co-governance, while reiterating his demand for immediate general elections after the specific task of the transitional government headed by Lucas Papademos has been completed.

[05] KKE Central Committee: Make things difficult for the new government

The text refers in length to the latest developments in Greece, which culminated in the formation of a cooperation government under Lucas Papademos, and warns that "an extremely hostile alliance against the people, a black front of the parties of the big capital, with the EU and the maestro" is being overtly formed.

As for the participation of the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party in the new Cabinet and its backing of the cooperation government, the KKE said that this once again confirms that the social-democrat (PASOK) and neoliberal (New Democracy) parties are allies with the far-right because the latter is also a component of the bourgeois political system.

The aim of the new government "is not to save the people but to subjugate them and lead them to an even worse massacre with the loan agreement and the bankruptcy Memorandum, the KKE said, adding that the new government was formed in order to serve and impose the interests of big capital in Greece and the other EU member countries.

The KKE called on the working class and popular strata to give the government a hard time, with their struggle, and to take advantage of the difficulties the government will come upon in order to topple it as quickly as possible.

[06] The Papademos government 'must not even have a breather', KKE leader tells rally

Papariga also announced KKE's election and organisational readiness so that the Lucas Papademos government "must not even have a breather."

The KKE leader referred to the latest political developments, stressing that the change of prime minister was being planned since last June and then, according to her, "the change was averted also with the intervention of the Americans".

According to Papariga, the element that determined political developments was the "great popular struggles that developed in the past months in the streets, universities, technical institutes, tollgates, the civil servants' struggles and the insubordination movement."

Karatzaferis chairs meeting of LAOS members in new transitional government

Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) leader George Karatzaferis convened on Sunday afternoon a meeting of the four LAOS members who have taken up posts in the new Greek transitional government under prime minister Lucas Papademos.

The meeting was held in view of the new government's policy statement to be unveiled in parliament by Papademos on Monday, which will culminate in a vote of confidence at noon Wednesday after a debate.

The LAOS members in the new government, which was sworn in on Friday, are transport minister Makis Voridis, alternate defence minister George Georgiou, deputy minister for development, competitiveness and shipping Adonis Georgiadis, and deputy minister for agricultural development Asterios Rontoulis.

[07] Tsipras: New gov't '80pct PASOK, 10pct ND, 10pct ultra-right, and 100pct Memorandum'

"Over the past two years, a policy is being applied in Greece that has turned Greece into an international and European guinea pig, with the aim of spreading this policy to the other European countries," Tsipras continued.

He said that a new type of government was sworn-in in Greece on Friday, "and we learn that in Italy they intend to proceed to such a new type of governance with a technocrat prime minister", adding that "the rationale is being established that policy and governance are the work of specialists who know better than the people how to manage our destinies without having the people's mandate and democratic legitimacy".

"These are governments of social de-structuring and democratic regression," he warned.

Tsipras opined that the new government will not follow a different policy than that of the preceding government of George Papandreou, and called for the forging of "a new coalition of authority that will stand opposite the alliance of the memoran-dum".

He further warned that continuation of the same policies will only aggravate the problems, adding that it was shameful that one in two young people are jobless today, while the country's elite -- which represents 1 percent of the Greek people, pays only 0.8 percent of the direct and indirect taxes.

Tsipras stressed that a common policy of the European Left is needed "that will reverse the current political and economic freak of a Europe that sells out the European acquis, that dissolves democracy and devotedly follows the orders of a directorate that is determined by the policies of the fiscal and credit capital".

The conference, attended by trade unionists from 12 European countries, will wind up on Saturday afternoon.

[08] New Greek PM phone contact with Cyprus President

According to an announcement released in Nicosia on Saturday, Christofias took the opportunity to congratulate Papademos and wished him every success in the heavy responsibilities he is undertaking.

Christofias also communicated with former prime minister George Papandreou on Thursday, whom he thanked for the assistance and support that he and his government provided to Cyprus during their term in office, and wished Papandreou all the best in his political career.

The Cyprus president further called Greece's President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, to whom he conveyed his government's and the Cyprus people's support to the people of Greece and expressed hope that Greece will manage to soon overcome the crisis it is facing.

[09] New DM to visit Cyprus

According to an official announcement released in Nicosia, Eliades telephoned Avramopoulos to congratulate him on the assumption of his post and to invite him to visit Cyprus.

Avramopoulos accepted the invitation and will visit Cyprus on Thursday.

The new Greek defence minister also reiterated Greece's steadfast support for the Nicosia government's efforts to reunite Cyprus.

Financial News

[10] BoG chief holds meeting with chiefs of largest banks

Bank of Greece (BoG) governor Provopoulos chaired the meeting, which was attended by national Bank of Greece (NBG) CEO Apostolos Tamvakakis, Alpha Bank president Yiannis Kostopoulos and CEO Dimitris Mantzounis, Eurobank president

Timos Christodoulou and CEO Nikos Nanopoulos, and Piraeus Bank governor Michalis Sallas and CEO Stavros Lekkakos.

Special focus was placed on the liquidity problem faced by banks, which is being aggravated by a continuing withdrawal of deposits, which in turn has resulted in further limitation of credit extension to businesses and households.

According to the latest data available, lending to the private sector of the economy are posting a 2 percent reduction annually, and both sides agree that this limitation of credit is an obstacle to recovery of the economy.

The bankers hope that the present strong pressure on liquidity will be ameliorated after the disbursement of the 8 billion euros 6th tranche of the 110 billion euro EU-IMF bailout loan to Greece while, in the meantime, the disbursement of a 30 billion euros guarantees package will give a small breather to the banks, as it will enable them to replace part of the liquidity that has been lost due to the increasing reduction in deposits. It is estimated that overall deposits declined by approximately 10 billion euros in the two-month period September-October alone. However, restoring a comate of political stability, which is a condition for the elementary function of the economy, also remains a critical factor.

According to sources, the banks were asked at the meeting to immediately take measures that will limit their non-operational cost, which is also one of the terms contained in the Memorandum that Greece has signed with its international

[11] Foreign Exchange rates - Monday

U.S. dollar 1.385

Pound sterling 0.869

Danish kroner 7.553

Swedish kroner 9.229

Japanese yen 107.17

Swiss franc 1.254

Norwegian kroner 7.868

Canadian dollar 1.411

Australian dollar 1.362

General News

[12] Thessaloniki Film Festival awards - Russia's Nikonova wins Golden Alexander for 'Twilight Portrait'

Below are the awards presented at the event:

Best Feature Film Award - Golden Alexander (20,000 euro):

PORTRET V SUMER KAKH (TWILIGHT PORTRAIT) by ANGELINA NIKONOVA, Producers Leonid Ogaryov, Angelina Nikonova and Olga Dykhovichnaya, Screenwriters Angelina Nikonova and Olga Dykhovichnaya, Russia, 2011.

Special Jury Award - Silver Alexander (10,000 euro):

OSMDESAT DOPISU (EIGHTY LETTERS) by VACLAV KADRNKA, Producer Vaclav Kadrnka, Screenwriters Jiri Soukup, Vaclav Kadrnka, Czech Republic, 2011.

Special Jury Award for Originality and Innovation - Bronze Alexander (5,000 euro):

PORFIRIO by ALEJANDRO LANDES, Producers Fransisco Aljure, Alejandro Landes, Screenwriter Alejandro Landes, Colombia/Spain/Uruguay/Argentina/France, 2011.

Best Director Award: MARK JACKSON for WITHOUT, Producers Mark Jackson, Jessica Dimmock, Michael Requa, Jaime Keeling, Screenwriter Mark Jackson, USA, 2011.

Best Screenplay Award:

JOHN MCILDUFF for BEHOLD THE LAMB, Director John McIlduff, Producer Kevin Jackson, UK, 2011.

Best Actress Award:

STEFANIA GOULIOTI for J.A.C.E., Director Menelaos Karamaghiolis, Producers Menelaos Karamaghiolis and Fenia Kossovitsa, Screenwriter Menelaos Karamaghiolis in collaboration with Nicolas Panoutsopoulos, Greece/Portugal/Turkey/FYROM/The Netherlands, 2011.

Best Actor Award:

WOTAN WILKE MOEHRING for DER BRAND (THE FIRE), Director Brigitte Maria Bertele, Producer Hartwig Koenig, Screenwriter Johanna Stuttman, Germany, 2011.

Artistic Achievement Award: RONIT ELKABETZ, MICHAEL MOSHONOV, YOAV ROTMAN for MABUL (THE FLOOD) by GUY NATTIV, Producers Chilik Michaeli, Ina Fichman, Avraham Pirchi, Tami Leon, Moshe Edery, Leon Edery, David Silber, Screenwriters Noa Berman-Herzberg, Guy Nattiv, Israel/Canada/Germany/France, 2010.

The Best Artistic Achievement Award goes to the cast of the Israeli drama, Mabul, which, in the intensity, passion and the unity of its ensemble performance, distinguishes the original narrative and makes the film real, relevant and deeply moving

FIPRESCI AWARDS

The 52nd International Thessaloniki Film Festival FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) jury bestowed the FIPRESCI awards:

For a film in the International Competition Section 2011 to OSMDESAT DOPISU (EIGHTY LETTERS) by VACLAV KADRNKA, Producer Vaclav Kadrnka, Screenwriters Jiri Soukup, Vaclav Kadrnka, Czech Republic, 2011.

For a film in the Greek Films 2011 section to I POLI TON PEDION (THE CITY OF CHILDREN) by YORGOS GIKAPEPPAS, Producer and Screenwriter Yorgos Gikapeppas, Greece, 2011.

HUMAN VALUES AWARD (7,500 euro):

The Hellenic Parliament TV Channel bestowed the award to a film of the Open Horizons section, ROMEO ONZE by IVAN GRBOVIC, Producer Paul Barbeau, Screenwriter Ivan Grbovic, Sara Mishara, Canada, 2011.

FISCHER AUDIENCE AWARDS :

For a film in the International Competition section (3,000 euro):

MABUL (THE FLOOD) by GUY NATTIV, Producers Chilik Michaeli, Ina Fichman, Avraham Pirchi, Tami Leon, Moshe Edery, Leon Edery, David Silber, Screenwriters Noa Berman-Herzberg, Guy Nattiv, Israel/Canada/Germany/France, 2010.

For a film in the Greek Films section (3,000 euro):

SUPER DEMETRIOS by GEORGIOS PAPAIOANNOU, Producer Georgios Papaioannou, Screenplay Alexandros Stogiannis, Georgios Papaioannou, Spyridon Papanaoum, Dimitrios Papavassiliou, Haralambos Papapostolou, Argiris Puggouras, Greece, 2011.

For a film in the Balkan Survey section (3,000 euro):

NEPRIJATELJ (THE ENEMY) by DEJAN ZECEVIC, Producer Nikolina Vucetic Zecevic, Screenwriters Djordje Milosavljevic, Serbia/Bosnia & Herzegovina/Croatia/Hungary, 2011.

For a film in the Open Horizons section (3,000 euro):

TYRANNOSAUR by PADDY CONSIDINE, Producer Diar-mid Scrimshaw, Screenwriter Paddy Considine, UK, 2011.

THE GREEK FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION (PEKK) AWARD

For a film in the International Competition section:

PORTRET V SUMER KAKH (TWILIGHT PORTRAIT) by ANGELINA NIKONOVA, Producers Leonid Ogaryov, Ange-lina Nikonova and Olga Dykhovichnaya, Screenwriters Angelina Nikonova and Olga Dykhovichnaya, Russia, 2011.

For a film in the Greek Films section:

I POLI TON PEDION (THE CITY OF CHILDREN) by YORGOS GIKAPEPPAS, Producer and Screenwriter Yorgos Gikapeppas, Greece, 2011.

[13] Truck colliding with road signpost on Athens-Patra motorway was carrying 695 kg of cannabis

A refrigerator truck struck a signpost at a location where work was underway. Its driver abandoned it and when police arrived, notified by motorway employees, they found the cannabis inside the truck.

The truck's 48-year-old owner was arrested at noon in Lecheo in the Corinthia prefecture and is being questioned.

[14] Fire-bomb attack atainst riot police

The group threw molotov cocktails at the riot police, and the ensuing fires totally burned two private cars and a motorcycle parked on the curb.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze before it spread to other vehicles.

[15] Police detect counterfeit banknotes laboratory in Crete

Police appear to be on the tracks of a counterfeiters' ring that had spread its activities to the island of Crete.

Police in the city of Iraklio spotted the man in a car in the region of Gazi Maleviziou and a check revealed four banknotes of 500 euros, 10 50s and six 20s, concealed under the driver's seat.

An ensuing search of his home revealed a further 33 banknotes of 500 euros, two 100s, 23 50s and three 20s, as well as a printer and a photocopying machine, knives and bangers.

Sports

[16] Moroccan Boubker wins 29th Classical Marathon in record time

Two sideline events were also held in tandem: a 10-kilometer split and a 5-kilometer split.

Boubker covered the 42-kilometer distance in record time, breaking the previous record of 2:12:40 set by Kenyan Raymond Bett in the 2010 Athens Classic Marathon.

The first woman to finish the race, which set off from Marathon at 9:00 a.m., was Ethiopia's Elfneshe Yado Melaku with 2:35:25 (12th overall), followed by Russia's Kamila Khanipova with 2:33:31 (45th overall).

The first Greek runner to finish was Dimitrios Theodorakakos with 2:24:10, in 7th place overall.

The runners were cheered on by young and old alike who lined up on the streets along the route.

The 42-kilometer Classic Marathon is based on the legendary run carried out by the ancient hoplite Pheidippides who ran all the way from the battlefield of Marathon to the ancient city of Athens to bring news of the Greek victory over the invading Persian army, and traces the actual route he is believed to have taken. Pheidippides died as soon as he arrived in Athens, shouting 'Enikikamen' (we won). Pheidippides' effort inspired the modern Marathon event, which covers roughly the same distance as that between Marathon and central Athens and was created for the first-ever modern Olympic Games of 1896.

Weather Forecast:

[17] Rainy on Monday

[18] Athens' Sunday newspapers at a glance

AVGHI: "Deeper into the crisis".

AVRIANI: "George's (PASOK former prime minister Papandreou) close friends made a fortune from the 'referendum bomb' that sank the stockmarket and the euro".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Reverberations in the political parties from the Papademos (new transitional prime minister) 'experiment'."

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Parties and shambles".

ETHNOS: "Opinion poll: Vote of hope and mandate for bold decisions".

EXPRESS (financial): "Negotiation with troika for 8 billion euros in measures".

KATHIMERINI: "The crisis, the opportunities and the traps".

KERDOS (financial): "Race for the 8 billion euros".

LOGOS: "The troika's list for uniform salary scale, serve labour, collective labour agreements..."

NIKI: "Two-speed euro, with bank deposits the victim".

PARASKINIO (weekly): "Why Merkel (German chancellor) 'ousted' George (Papandreou)".

PARON: "They (PASOK) are ousting him (Papandreou) from the party leadership, too".

PROTO THEMA (weekly): "NO new taxes and salary-pension reductions - YES layoffs in public sector, growth and small state".

REALNEWS: "They're ousting George (Papandreou) from party leader, too".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Down with the government of the EU-plutocracy-bourgeois parties 'black front'."

TO VIMA: "The behind-the-scenes of the change".

VRADYNI: "The big changes to retirement superannuity and supplementary pensions".

36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana-mpa.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: ILIAS MATSIKAS

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