Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-12-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't rescinds appointment of Special Secretary for public utilities and state organisations

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Gov't rescinds appointment of Special Secretary for public utilities and state organisations

The announcement stressed that Koutoupis' personal targeting, as arise from his public remarks, "are in full aberrance with the principles and values of PASOK".

It is noted that Koutoupis took part in the open selection process for the ministries' secretaries general at his own initiative, submitting his CV which was "objectively and meritocratically" judged to be "notable". In the second stage of the selection process, Finance minister George Papaconstantinou, who did not know Koutoupis personally, called him twice for an interview, the announcement explained.

"This stance proves that, regardless of his formal credentials, Koutoupis not only lacks the elements of confidence and ethos that are necessary in order to serve the Greek citizens from a public position, but he is also compromised and liable," the announcement added, clarifying that "for this reason he cannot assume this or any other public post".

The announcement further noted that the selection procedure it followed proves that all the criteria of objectivity and meritocracy are being adhered to, without taking into account partisan or other expediencies.

"The most important credential put forward by the present government as an unswerving condition for assumption of a public post by any citizen is ethos, dignity and respect for the mandate of the Greek people," the announcement added, stressing that "the government is determined to carry on with the open staff selection process for responsible state positions, without any 'discounts' on the elements of capability and ethos that are necessary for state functionaries."

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

Brussels' support of the government's economic policy for exiting from the crisis, newly-elected main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras' first meetings and the social security issue, dominated the headlines on Wednesday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Bomb for the one-off retirement benefit (superannuation)!".

APOGEVMATINI: "The iceberg melts in ND - Samaras' initiative for unity in the party".

AVGHI: "Banks are ripping off the state".

AVRIANI: "Ultimatum from Brussels: Cutbacks in civil servants' salaries and staff reduction".

CHORA: "Samaras builds ND on strong foundations -Incorruptible persons appointed to key-positions".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "George (Papandreou, prime Minister) persuaded Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos for the Church to pay the uniform tax on real estate (ETAK)".

ELEFTHEROS: "Athens handed over to FYROM's hands - Government's dangerous handing of the national issue".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Ruling PASOK in chaos - In-party clash over the appointment of the Special Secretary for the DEKO (public utilities and state organisations)".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Umbrella and pressure (for Greece) - Eurogroup President Jean Claude Juncker: The scenarios on bankruptcy are ungrounded".

ESTIA: "Papandreou's, Samaras' close friendship (they have been friends since their college days at Amherst College) is a unique opportunity for consensus".

ETHNOS: "The new electoral law in the Interior, Decentralisation and e-Governance Minister's hands".

IMERISSIA: "Truce with foreign funds - Athens Stock Exchange skyrockets".

KATHIMERINI: "Juncker's letter to Athens contains seven conditions - Brussels reassures that Greece will not go bankrupt".

LOGOS: "Samaras launches 'operation unity' in ND".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "EU provides supports on the condition that harsh measures will be imposed".

RIZOSPASTIS: "State and employers must take measures to protect the public healthcare system".

TA NEA: "Top-level deal with Brussels after Juncker's letter".

TO VIMA: "Climate for Greek economy is changing".

VRADYNI: "Development is the only antidote to the crisis - Samaras' proposal on reversal of climate in economy".

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