Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-09-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis to meet BoG governor on Monday

[02] PASOK leader addresses party rally in Halkida

[03] KKE leader addresses youth

[04] Greek Super League soccer results

[01] PM Karamanlis to meet BoG governor on Monday

On Friday, the premier praised the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for its contribution to reducing maritime accidents as well as for its sensitivity on matters of environmental protection, during an event in Athens marking the IMO's 60th anniversary and the annual World Maritime Day, which is observed this year on September 25.

Opening the event, which was organized by the Merchant Marine ministry at the Evgenidio Foundation, Karamanlis described the IMO as "an example of multi-sided and institutional cooperation".

Karamanlis pledged that Greece would assist IMO in every way towards attracting young people to the maritime sector, and suuport efforts for speedy introduction of new technologies.

Stressing that it was an honor for Greece to be hosting the events celebrating World Maritime Day, the prime minister reiterated that Greece would back IMO's efforts in very way.

Greetings were also addressed by merchant marine minister Anastasis Papaligouras, who stressed that IMO was successfully meeting the demands of the times.

The official international celebration of World Maritime Day is the traditional diplomatic reception held annually at IMO's headquarters in London, with national events taking place in many countries throughout the world, but since 2005 an official parallel celebration is hosted in a different IMO member country each year, with Greece the host of the official parallel events of the 2008 celebration.

The past host cities have been Lisbon, Singapore and Sao Paolo.

[02] PASOK leader addresses party rally in Halkida

Calling on the government "not to decrease funds for health, welfare, education and public investments in the new budget," Papandreou said his party would wage its own battle for the budget "at the same time highlighting its own proposals-solutions."

"We are here to declare simply and clearly: The bill of their (government's) failure cannot arrive everyday in front of our doors while some others are stealing the wealth of the country," the main opposition leader charged.

Referring to recent opinion poll results showing his party in advance of the ruling ND, Papandreou said "we have all seen the first messages of confidence to our consistency, our will and our committments. But we have not come to Halkida as commentators of today's opinion polls. We are all here as guarantors of a different course."

Referring to ongoing press speculations regarding a possible cabinet reshuffle, Papandreou said that "cabinets are easily being reshuffled but the mentalities of a government remain the same, while the citizen is asking today for a change of policies and not of ministers."

Outlining PASOK's plan, he said it had four immediate priorities: supporting the families' income, restoring the social state, "green development" and a fair and effective public administration. He pledged for a decrease of taxation regarding low and middle incomes and supporting weaker social groups through subsidies and fighting against price hikes.

On the question of financing his party's programme, Papandreou said that "in politics options always exist." Accusing the ND government of "granting billions of euros to the rich", the PASOK leader said his party would "tax effectively wealth where it exists even if we displease some people."

He also pledged economising on military expenditures, rationalising public expenditure and "restoring the effectiveness of mechanisms against tax evasion."

One of PASOK's "basic priorities" was a fair and effective state, Papandreou also said. "This is our vision...Nothing is easy, but nothing is fatal," he concluded.

[03] KKE leader addresses youth

She launched a stinging attack against the ruling New Democracy (ND) party and the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement as well as against the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA), the proposals of which she described as ?a life jacket with a hole in it.?

Papariga made an extensive historic review on the course and action of the party which this year marks the 90th anniversary of its foundation. She underlined that the KKE ?never compromised despite the great difficulties it faced during its 90 year-long course.?

She claimed that the ?country�s capitalist class is making efforts to bring back the derby of bipartisanship or a period of coalition governments of centre-right and centre-left forces.? Papariga added that that in this effort, the KKE answers ?do not stop, weaken the capitalist parties, do not look for differences.?

Papariga was particularly harsh against the two major political parties and SYRIZA. Particularly, the KKE Secretary General said that ?the capitalist class and the parties which serve it, the ND and PASOK, utilized and are utilizing in a scandalous manner, the European Union (EU) support frameworks and programs, and the experience of the European neo-liberals and social-democratic parties, lavishly handing out money, taken from the sweat of the peoples to strengthen and broaden the labor aristocracy. They provocatively offer graft generously.?

[04] Greek Super League soccer results

In other action:

Larissa - Xanthi 0-1

Panthrakikos Komotini -PAOK Thessaloniki 0-1

Ergotelis Crete-Levadiakos Livadia 1-1

Thrasyvoulos - Asteras Tripoli 0-2

Panionios Athens-OFI Crete 1-1

Standings after three weeks of play:

1. Olympiakos 9 points

2. AEK 7

3. PAOK 7

4. Ergotelis 7

5. Xanthi 6

6 .Panathinaikos 6

7. Larissa 4

8. Asteras 4

9. Levadiakos 4

10. Panionios 4

11. Aris 3

12. Panseraikos 3

13. OFI 2

14. Iraklis 1

15. Panthrakikos Komotini 0

16. Thrasyvoulos 0

Caption: Action during the soccer match between Olympiakos Piraeus and Panseraikos Serres at the Karaiskaki Stadium in Piraeus on Sunday evening. ANA-MPA/George Mattheos.

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