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Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-03-09
CONTENTS
[01] ND criticism of gov�t policies
[02] US embassy co-organises tree-planting project near Marathon
[03] Papandeou-Pelosi meeting in D.C.
[04] Building activity down in '09
[05] 4th popular EU tourist destination
[01] ND criticism of gov�t policies
(ANA-MPA) -- Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party, via spokesman
Panos Panagiotopoulos, on Tuesday reiterated its demand that the
government to change or withdraw altogether a controversial draft law
on immigration. Panagiotopoulos said the draft law "leads Greek society
to dangerous dead-ends and if implemented Greece will become a pole of
attraction for illegal migrants."
[02] US embassy co-organises tree-planting project near Marathon
(ANA-MPA) -- The US embassy in Athens, in cooperation with the historic
municipality of Marathon and NGO "Green Belt", held a reforestation
project at the Marathon archaeological museum site of Vranas on
Thursday.
High school students from the Nea Ionia district along with teachers,
NGO leaders, US embassy programme alumni, the embassy community, and
other individuals participated. A special tour of the archaeological
museum followed the tree-planting portion of the event.
Before planting the first tree, US ambassador Daniel Speckhard joined
Marathon Mayor Spyros Zagaris in welcoming the volunteers. The site was
ravaged during a wildfire in the summer of 2009.
"It will be 2,500 years from the Battle of Marathon later this year,
and I am proud that we will contribute to the beauty of this area,"
Speckhard said at the event.
[03] Papandeou-Pelosi meeting in D.C.
WASHINGTON (ANA-MPA / T. Ellis) - US House of Representatives Speaker
Nancy Pelosi reiterated here that Greece would not be left alone in the
current economic crisis.
Speaking after talks on Tuesday with visiting Greek Prime Minister
George Papandreou, the California Democrat referred to the strong ties
between the United States and Greece as well as to the important role
of the Greek-American community. She added that the United States would
stand by Greece and the Greek people in these difficult moments.
[04] Building activity down in '09
(ANA-MPA) -- Building activity dropped 22.3 pct in volume in December
2009, compared with the same month in 2008, although building permits
fell only 3.1 pct in the same period, the National Statistical Service
announced on Tuesday.
[05] 4th popular EU tourist destination
BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA) - Greece is the fourth most popular tourist
destination in the European Union for 2010, according to the EU
Eurobarometer poll, unveiled on Tuesday. The most popular tourist
destination in the EU is Spain, followed by Italy and France.
Responding to the question "where do you intend to go for holidays in
2010", 8.3 percent said Spain, 6.1 picked Italy, 5.8 percent prefer
France and 3.9 percent said Greece.
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