Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-05-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM determined to end corruption

[02] Byzantine Museum new exhibition: 'From Byzantium to the Modern Era'

[03] Alt. FM on Erdogan's visit

[04] ASE opening: Rise

[05] �thens Newspaper Headlines

[01] PM determined to end corruption

"The government had to change in order for the truth to shine. This government will not suffice with just the appearances. The citizens realise this even if some have doubts," he added.

Addressing the party's Economic and Social Committee of Rhodopi, Papandreou also announced that the state will guarantee a 61 billion euros syndicated loan, by five banks, to the "United Textiles Industries" so that the industry may go ahead with productive activities through its new business plan.

Papandreou further noted the importance placed on making use of the human potential, warning that "if we don't invest in that, in a few years' time they will come again and tell us to reduce salaries in order to be more competitive".

Earlier, Papandreou visited the Center for Orientation and Social Support of Persons with a Disability.

[02] Byzantine Museum new exhibition: 'From Byzantium to the Modern Era'

The exhibition features the Museums Post Byzantine Collections on the sections/themes "Venetian Rule and the Greeks", "Society and art in Venetian Crete", "Painting in the Ionian Islands: A justifiable hybrid", "From antibolon to icon", "The Ottoman conquest and the 'Genos'", "The Communities of the Romioi", "Aspects of Everyday Life", "Church: Place of worship/site of social cohesion", "Monasteries: Flowering and brilliance", "The polymorphism of the 18th century", "The printed book and the New Hellenism", "Religious painting in the Hellenic State", and "Byzantium and Modern Art".

[03] Alt. FM on Erdogan's visit

Briefing the Committee on the outcome of the Turkish prime minister's visit, Droutsas referred to "the beginning of a new effort for rapprochement, that will only be judged by the result. It was a strong symbolic visit, that passed the message for cooperation and understanding, the creation of a climate of confidence, and consolidation of the effort to normalise the relations between the two countries."

Droutsas further said that "many taboos have been broken over the past ten years, we are discussing openly and frankly. There was a sincere exchange of the known views and positions in a climate, however, of common political volition in order to look at the future, and the Greek positions were set out by prime Minister George Papandreou with explicitness and directness. It goes without saying that our positions and the signed contracts are not at risk and are not threatened from the meetings with the Turkish side. We are aware of the opposite views, we do not disregard them nor do we ignore them but we will not let them hinder the venture. We are ready to discuss any project but not the phobic syndromes," concluded Droutsas

All opposition parties expressed their reservations over the issue.

[04] ASE opening: Rise

Individual sector indices were moving upward, with the biggest gains in Financial Services, up 2.46 percent; and Travel and Recreation, up 2.30 percent.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was up 1.07 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was up 1.38 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was up 1.10 percent.

Of the stocks traded, 65 were up, 14 were down, and 10 were unchanged.

[05] �thens Newspaper Headlines

Former PASOK Minister Tassos Mantelis' admission that he received money from Siemens, the felony charges filed against him and former PASOK prime minister Costas Simitis' reaction who expressed "rage and regret", and the new social security system, mostly dominated the headlines on Friday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Main opposition New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras states in parliament: The evidence incriminates only PASOK!".

APOGEVMATINI: "Shocking dialogues in parliamentary fact-finding commission - Mantelis answered with unbelievable cynicism to parliament deputies' consistent questions".

AVGHI: "Operation 'scot-free' by the 'kickbacks parties' - Simitis remembered the 'strong Greece' and 'regrets' the Mantelis incident".

AVRIANI: "Simitis handed over the country to Siemens - The fact-finding commission must summon him to account for the billions of euros in 'gratuitous contracts' to the Germans and the kickbacks received by his close associates".

ELEFTHEROS: "Civil war in PASOK over the Siemens kickbacks - Simitis plays dumb"

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Siemens scandal brings turbulence in PASOK".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Kickback burns Mantelis - Indictment for money laundering and prohibition from leaving the country".

ESTIA: "Penal indictment of a former minister is provided under the constitution and the law".

ETHNOS: "They woke up late and now are running - Charges against Mantelis were pressed with a two-year delay".

IMERISSIA: "The lay-offs system changes".

KATHIMERINI: "Mantelis charged with felony - Money laundering and ban on leaving the country".

LOGOS: "Price rises bring poverty....Steep price hikes in series of staple goods".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Changes without any 'allowances' in social security system".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Government is downgrading the children�s' education".

TA NEA: "Severe measures on salaries and .... deductions in compensation for layoffs in the private sector".

TO VIMA: "Outcry over the kickbacks - Mantelis charged with money laundering".

VRADYNI: "Antonis Samaras: Institutional shielding against corruption - Severe attack on the government'.

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