Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 14-04-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Samaras certain "Greece will make it", having already won many challenges

[02] PM Samaras to chair meeting of New Democracy's Political Committee on Tuesday

[03] Juncker notes Greek bond issue not panacea for Greeks' hardship

[04] ECB's Draghi stresses the need for Greece to stay on course with fiscal adjustments

[05] Greece's successful exit to the markets marks the era of 'Gre-entry', Macedonia-Thrace minister says

[06] New Rass poll finds New Democracy party reigns in European elections by a small margin

[07] Public Issue poll finds SYRIZA would dominate national elections at 29 pct. of the votes

[08] Gov't spokesman sees SYRIZA "sinking ever more into the delirium of its misery"

[09] SYRIZA comments on government spokesman' statement

[10] SYRIZA's leader Tsipras views the North-South division in Europe as being a "criminal act"

[11] SYRIZA's Central Committee approves party's declaration for Euroelections

[12] Gov't spokesman Kedikoglou fiercely rebukes opposition leader Tsipras

[13] Independent Greeks leader Kammenos sees "no positive message" from Greece's re-emergence in the bond markets

[14] "Potami" leader Theodorakis does not exclude post-European-elections cooperation with any party

[15] KKE secretary names SYRIZA leader a "time-server" and a "couch puppy"

[16] Deputy FM visits Cape Verde

[17] Gov't spokesman to deliver speech at conference on "Protection of Minors in the Digital Era"

[18] Justice Minister: "Extreme ideologies are confronted in the political track, not in court rooms"

[19] Hellenic Nany General Staff denies incident with Frigate Salamis, Defence Min asks for briefing

[20] Eurobank's EGM approves 2.86 billion euros share increase

[21] Shopping activity down by 10 pct in many Greek cities, Greek Commerce Confederation head says

[22] Shops' business hours during Holy Week

[23] Super Puma Air Force helicopter rescues two cruise ship passengers

[24] Metropolitan of Ioannina Theoklitos died

[25] Police dismantles drug trafficking ring in Western Greece

[26] Super League results

[27] Clouds, rain Politics

[01] PM Samaras certain "Greece will make it", having already won many challenges

Samaras notes in his article, that "When our government took over in June 2012, all 'omens' were against us", adding that "Today, all these things appear so very distant... Step by step, we changed the climate in Greece and abroad, stabilized the country, won the bet of fiscal adjustment and the bet of reforms".

The prime minister goes on to emphasize, that this feat "has been recognized by our critics and the whole of Europe[...] Now it is being indisputably recognized by the hardest 'critic': the international markets", in reference to the successful Greek-state five-year bond issue which mate-rialized this week, the first one after the country's bailout.

According to Samaras, after the bailout terms imposed on the country, now Greece is returning to normality, stressing that "From now on, of priority will be a turn to growth. The relief of all those hurt, the restitution of wrongful [uninten-tional] acts. From now on, my priority will be to stand by hurt Greece. To those who kept Greece standing...".

The Premier emphasizes, that Democracy was challenged in the last two years "from an irresponsible opposition which was trying to 'stir up the people' against Greece's participation in the euro-zone, but also from a felonious organization [ultra-right Chryssi Avgi party] which, under the cover of its parliamentary representation, was unleashing unprecedented acts of violence. [...]We sent this criminal organization to justice. Something that has no precedent in Greece...".

Samaras strongly claims, that "We won't let anyone jeopardize this course. We won't let anyone push us back into a crisis, now that we started to get over it...".

In a censorious note, he indirectly refers to main opposition Radical Left Coalition SYRIZA party, saying that "Some people made it their 'profession' for years to denounce the Memorandum [the official text governing the tripartite bailout]. Now that the country is slowly returning to normality, they seem lost...". He also notes, that Greece's re-emergence in the international markets will save the country millions of euros each year, through a lower borrowing cost.

Samaras concludes on a more optimistic tone, that "Greece is managing, step by step. Earlier than expected even by the most optimistic people. But it is indispensable not to back down now. Not to be complacent and allow the ones who aim for Greece to remain stuck in misery, whimpering and isolation, to have it their way.".

[02] PM Samaras to chair meeting of New Democracy's Political Committee on Tuesday

The meeting will take place at 14.00 at Divani Caravel hotel, according to a party announcement.

[03] Juncker notes Greek bond issue not panacea for Greeks' hardship

Juncker underlined, that "The fact that Greece returns to the markets does not automatically lead to a considerable improvement in the living conditions", adding that "For Greece, the fiscal adjustment procedure will last for a very long time".

The former Luxembourg Premier went on to note, that "The living conditions cannot be improved, unless the abysmal Greek debt is reduced, in a plausible time frame.".

For Juncker, the large spending reductions imposed in the Greek health system were wrong and had "unfair consequences". He also stressed, that "it would have greatly helped the Greeks if the country had followed a more serious fiscal policy in the last 40 years".

[04] ECB's Draghi stresses the need for Greece to stay on course with fiscal adjustments

Greece's bond issue success shows, that "the markets rate the significant progress marked in the country, in a positive way", according to Draghi, who added that "it is also true, that at this moment the markets are very, very propitious towards bonds issuers all over the world".

Draghi said, that Greece's "fiscal adjustment effort must go on", as well as its "structural reforms" and its "care for the stability of the banking system".

"These three preconditions are even more important, so that [Greece's] re-emergence in the markets will not be an ephemeral event, but the beginning of a 'success story'", the president of the ECB concluded.

[05] Greece's successful exit to the markets marks the era of 'Gre-entry', Macedonia-Thrace minister says

Karaoglou was speaking at an event at the Municipality of Oreokastro on the political developments ahead of the Euroelections.

"With the early resurrection of Greek economy and its disengagement from the memoranda and the Troika, we have paved the way for the restoration of injustices, the support of the weak social groups, the increase of foreign investments and the creation of new job opportunities," Karaoglou said.

"Greece took a decisive step towards the final exit from the crisis and this is due to the sacrifices of our people who showed great reserves of patience, giving lessons of patriotic conscientiousness to whole world. With faith in the power of the Greeks, with planning, hard work, seriousness, efficiency and unifying spirit we all strive together for an extrovert Greece, a Greece that will not limit itself only to consuming but it also will produce," he said.

[06] New Rass poll finds New Democracy party reigns in European elections by a small margin

According to this latest poll - conducted between the 7th and 10th of April, 2014 from a sample of 1,002 people - New Democracy would get 21.4 pct. of the votes, with SYRIZA at 21.2 pct., incipient "Potami" party at 10.3 pct., ultra-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) at 6.1 pct., the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) at 5.2 pct., "Elia" at 4.0 pct., Independent Greeks (Anexartiti Ellines) at 3.1 pct. and Democratic Left (Dimokratiki Aristera) at 2.0 pct.. Inexplicit voting intentions were recorded at 20.1 pct., with - intetionally, as a form of political reaction - invalid votes at 2.0 pct. and "other parties" at 4.6 pct..

The Rass poll interestingly also found, that 60.1 pct. of the participants deem Golden Dawn a "felonious organization", 46.6 pct. of those voting for "Potami" party do it as a way of protesting, while 54.4 pct. want the incumbent coalition government to exhaust its four-year mandate.

[07] Public Issue poll finds SYRIZA would dominate national elections at 29 pct. of the votes

SYRIZA would be the choice of 29 pct. of voters, while New Democracy would be chosen by 27.5 pct. of the electorate. Third place would be captured by ultra-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) getting 10% of the votes, followed by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and incipient "Potami" party at 7 pct. each, junior government coalition partner PASOK at 6 pct., Independent Greeks (Anexartiti Ellines) at 4 pct. and Democratic Left (Dimokratiki Aristera) at 3.5 pct., with "other parties" accumulating a total of 6 pct..

Asked which party they believed - irrespective of their personal preference - would dominate in national elections if these were held immediately, 48 pct. of poll participants opined in favour of SYRIZA and 39 pct. in favour of New Democracy. The incumbent Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was chosen by 44 pct. of the poll participants as the person "most suitable for Premier", with the leader of main opposition party SYRIZA Alexis Tsipras following at 26 pct. and "neither of the two" gathering 28 pct. of participants' preference.

The poll was conducted throughout Greece between the 1st and 8th of April, 2014.

[08] Gov't spokesman sees SYRIZA "sinking ever more into the delirium of its misery"

"[SYRIZA] Doesn't have propositions. It doesn't have a political platform. In a short while, it won't even have a memorandum [the official accord governing the tripartite bailout]. Which is why SYRIZA is sinking ever more into the delirium of its misery...".

[09] SYRIZA comments on government spokesman' statement

"Shortly after the underground connection of the premier's entourage with the neo-Nazi party was revealed, the government spokesman's effort to attack SYRIZA has exceeded all limits," the main opposition party said.

"Mr. Kedikoglou," SYRIZA added "should realize that his party was exposed in such a clear way that any reference of this sort enrages all democratic citizens."

[10] SYRIZA's leader Tsipras views the North-South division in Europe as being a "criminal act"

Tsipras maintained, that the Left forces in the whole of Europe are in support of SYRIZA's proposition for a pan-European conference on a considerable public debt write-off, a proposition "which will benefit the whole of the European South". He also noted, that the representatives of the Right and Social Democracy forces are supporting the current debt policy.

In response to criticism that SYRIZA allegedly represents a far-Left political force, Tsipras mockingly replied in his interview, that "when you stand at the Right to the degree [Premier] Mr. Samaras and his self-confessed anti-communist friend [resigned government general secretary] Mr. Baltakos are, it is only natural to mistake SYRIZA as being far-Left".

In his view, the forthcoming dual European and municipal elections in Greece will signal the end of the incumbent government and its policy.

[11] SYRIZA's Central Committee approves party's declaration for Euroelections

Certain objections have been raised on the persons that will run as candidates, which are mainly related to those cooperating rather than being members of the party.

The setting up of SYRIZA's ballot ticket is expected to be completed on Wednesday.

[12] Gov't spokesman Kedikoglou fiercely rebukes opposition leader Tsipras

In a clear reference to Tsipras, Kedikoglou added, that "he who is dangerous, is the one asking for the country to drop its NATO membership in a period of great rearrangements, in which Greece's prime concern is stability. He who should be worried, is the one who is being constantly refuted in his ambitions for the country's destruction. He whose days left are not many, is the one who founded his existence on the memoranda [official agreements which govern Greece's bailout], which finish".

[13] Independent Greeks leader Kammenos sees "no positive message" from Greece's re-emergence in the bond markets

In statements he offered on Saturday to "Real News" newspaper he stressed, that "It is criminal for the Premier not to see that the citizens are wretched... There are no economic criteria, clearly only political criteria... We didn't re-emerge in the markets as a sovereign State... Independent Greeks don't even recognize the bond.".

Kammenos sets as a prerequisite for any future possible government cooperation between the Independent Greeks and the main opposition Radical Left Coalition SYRIZA party, Greek public debt's unilateral write-off.

[14] "Potami" leader Theodorakis does not exclude post-European-elections cooperation with any party

Theodorakis rejected criticism that "Potami" has no concrete political platform for the forthcoming European elections, maintaining that no other party - apart from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) - has more specific propositions to offer, than "Potami".

When asked if "Potami" would cooperate either with the two incumbent government's coalition partners - New Democracy (Nea Dimokratia) and PASOK parties - or the main opposition Radical Left Coalition SYRIZA party, he replied that one has to wait for the outcome of the European elections in Greece and the new political balance to be fashioned, in order to start talking about "government collaboration".

[15] KKE secretary names SYRIZA leader a "time-server" and a "couch puppy"

Koutsoubas utterly rejected any possibility of cooperation with the main opposition Radical Left Coalition SYRIZA party, naming its leader Alexis Tsipras "a couch puppy" when it comes to the latter talking to German MPs or to Brussels EU executives.

For Koutsoubas, there just might be a recovery in the Greek economy, "which is normal, after that many years of crisis. Besides, it's the way that the economic cycle of Capitalism functions. But the people won't benefit from this recovery. It will be a recovery with high unemployment and embers of people's rights. Greece might re-emerge in the markets, the memoranda [official agreements governing the tripartite bailout] might cease to exist in their present form, but the long-term memoranda that the EU imposes, the anti-popular measures that the Capital requires, will remain. For years, we have stressed, that the implemented policy transcends the management of high debt. It is a policy which benefits powerful businessmen, implemented in all countries of the EU.".

He also noted, that "It was convenient to the Capital, that this policy was connected to the debt, the loan agreements and the memoranda, offering governments the capability to implement anti-popular measures under blackmails such as 'we won't get the next loan tranche', 'we will go bankrupt' etc.. EU and long-term memoranda go hand in hand and whoever hide this are duping the people.".

As far as Tsipras is concerned, Koutsoubas in his interview also remarked he thinks of him as being a "time-server".

[16] Deputy FM visits Cape Verde

The agenda for the talks included current political and economic developments in the EU, security and stability in Cape Verde, development cooperation - with emphasis on Cape Verde's will to use renewable energy sources - the readmission Agreement and the Agreement on the liberalization of the fisheries permit regime, and trade and investments.

During the meeting, Gerontopoulos expressed his appreciation of the special partnership between the European Union and Cape Verde.

Gerontopoulos was received by President Jorge Carlos Fonseca and discussed with him, among other issues, the common values and principles embraced by the EU and Cape Verde. He also met with Prime Minister Jose Maria Neves, whom he briefed on the strong global position of the Greek merchant fleet, expressing Greece's readiness to provide know-how on tourism and shipping cooperation.

Gerontopoulos also met with Culture Minister Mario Lusio de Sousa Mendes, who expressed his admiration for Greece's history and culture. The two ministers exchanged views on the role that cultural events can play in promoting the understanding between peoples, while they looked at the prospects for future cooperation between the two countries in this sector.

[17] Gov't spokesman to deliver speech at conference on "Protection of Minors in the Digital Era"

The Conference will take place on April 14 and 15 at Zappeion Megaron, according to an announcement by the government spokesman's office.

Deputy Minister attached to the Prime Minister and Government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou will address the participants raising diverse issues regarding the minors in the digital era.

Kedikoglou will refer to issues such as the impact of digital communications on minors, the existing regulatory and legislative framework for the protection of minors in the digital era and the initiatives that need to be undertaken in the private and public sector to limit risks deriving from the converged media.

[18] Justice Minister: "Extreme ideologies are confronted in the political track, not in court rooms"

Athanassiou reminded every concerned citizen, that the prosecution of members of the far-Right "Golden Dawn" (Chryssi Avgi) party is not a prosecution against the party itself in total".

The minister stressed, that Justice and every institution "must not and cannot, be blackmailed by these people". He emphasized, that law does not allow the recording of conversations without the consent of all parties involved, in reference to a publicized secret video recording which led to the resignation of the former government general secretary Panagiotis Baltakos.

[19] Hellenic Nany General Staff denies incident with Frigate Salamis, Defence Min asks for briefing

A TV station earlier on Sunday reported that in the evening of Wednesday, April 9, a guided missile almost hit the Frigate SALAMIS off the coast of Haifa, in Israel.

The Hellenic Navy General Staff on Sunday categorically denied that "in the evening of April 9, 2014 a guided missile almost hit Frigate SALAMIS off the coast of Haifa, in Israel" and added the Frigate had never been threatened by one.

The Hellenic Navy General Staff said in a statement that a member of the crew of the Frigate in the evening of April 9, 2014 was urgently taken to a hospital in Haifa for reasons irrelevant to the alleged incident.

SALAMIS returned to Salamina naval base on Saturday. The Frigate participated in the scheduled multi-national exercise "Noble Dina" conducted in the sea around Crete and in Eastern Mediterranean between March 26 and April 10 with the participation of Navy and Air force units from Greece, the United States and Israel.

Financial News

[20] Eurobank's EGM approves 2.86 billion euros share increase

The Hellenic Financial Stability Fund is expected to decide on Monday on the minimum price per share of the offering, which cannot be lower than 0.30 euros.

In the coming two weeks, Eurobank's top executives will be traveling abroad to meet with investors in roadshows organized in major financial centres.

Book building will take place during 26-30 April, while Greek investors will be able to buy about 10% of the share offering.

[21] Shopping activity down by 10 pct in many Greek cities, Greek Commerce Confederation head says

"The activity in tourist places is rather satisfactory as a result of the Catholic Easter and the earlier start of the tourist season," Korkidis said.

He added there is no comparable base for shops' revenues on the so-called Palm Sunday, as this is the first time that shops operate on the Sunday before the start of the Holy Week and pointed out that the Easter bonus has not been paid yet to private sector employees.

[22] Shops' business hours during Holy Week

During the coming Holy Week, from Holy Monday up until Holy Thursday, shops' business hours will be from 09:00 a.m. until 09:00 p.m., while on Holy Friday they will open at 01:00 p.m. and close at 07:00 p.m.. During Holy Saturday, shops will be open from 09:00 a.m. until 03:00 p.m..

During Easter Sunday and Easter Monday all shops will be closed, returning to their regular business hours by Tuesday the 22nd of April, 2014.

It is noted, that super-markets, shops and businesses which are members of the Hellenic Retail Business Association (SELPE) will close on Holy Friday at 09:00 p.m. and on Holy Saturday at 08:00 p.m.. On Sunday the 13th of April, they will close at 08:00 p.m..

General News

[23] Super Puma Air Force helicopter rescues two cruise ship passengers

One of the rescued passengers is a 66-year-old Dutch national who had suffered a heart stroke while on board the cruiser. The other is a 36-year-old Indian national who had suffered an injury at one of his fingers.

[24] Metropolitan of Ioannina Theoklitos died

He was born in 1930 in Thessaloniki. He was ordained a deacon in 1958 and a priest in 1960. In 1975 he was elected and enthroned as Metropolitan of Ioannina, Western Greece. He also served for several years as a member of the Board of the National Bank.

[25] Police dismantles drug trafficking ring in Western Greece

The arrested will be taken to the Patras Misdemeanors Prosecutor.

Soccer

[26] Super League results

In other action:

Xanthi-Panathinaikos 3-1

Veria-Asteras Tripolis 1-0

Panionios-Platanias 0-0

Aris-PAS Yiannena 0-0

Ergotelis-Kalloni Mytilini 3-0

Panthrakikos-Atromitos Athens 1-3

Levadiakos-PAOK 3-2

Panetolikos-OFI Crete 1-0

?

Final standings (after 34 weeks of play):

1. Olympiakos 86 - CHAMPION

2. PAOK 69 - PLAY OFFS

3. Atromitos 66- PLAY OFFS

4. Panathinaikos 66- PLAY OFFS

5. Asteras Tripolis 58 - PLAY OFFS

6. OFI Crete 44

7. Ergotelis 44

8. Panetolikos 42

9 Levadiakos 42

10.Panthrakikos 41

11.PAS Yiannena 41

12.Kalloni Mytilini 39

13.Panionios Athens 39

14.Platanias Hania 38

15.Veria 38

16. Xanthi 38 - BARRAGE

17. Apollon Smyrnis 36 - RELEGATED

18. Aris Thessaloniki 22 - RELEGATED

Weather forecast

[27] Clouds, rain

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