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

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

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin: Greece return to markets sometime in '11

[02] PM: Dilemma is forwards or backwards

[03] Opposition reaction to Juncker remark

[04] 'Dialogue of Civilisations' on Rhodes

[05] DM: Actions, not words

[01] FinMin: Greece return to markets sometime in '11

In striking a distinctly optimistic tone in statements on the sidelines of the annual World Bank-IMF fall meetings here, Papaconstantinou cited the drop in spreads by some 200 points over the last few days.

"However, we cannot return to the markets at the moment with bond issues, as the cost of borrowing will be high; in any case, there is no such need as yet, as the agreement with the troika has guaranteed us the capital we need until 2012," he said. (ANA-MPA)

Moreover, the Greek FinMin referred (ANA-MPA) to a distinct reversal of the country's image in international markets, as he cited the achievement of policies over the past five months, one envisioned in the closely watched three-year economic adaptation programme.

Caption: Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou (L) and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn (R) participate in the "BBC World Debate: Stimulate or Consolidate" at Constitution Hall in Washington, DC on 08 October 2010. The IMF/World Bank Meetings are being held in Washington, DC this week which will host Finance Ministers and Bank Governors from 187 countries. ANA-MPA / EPA / Stephen Jaffe

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[02] PM: Dilemma is forwards or backwards

The Greek prime minister said that he is aware that many are suffering, as well as the criticism against his government, stressing however, that "I prefer this criticism rather than letting Greece go bankrupt. The difficulties are nothing before the consequences of a bankruptcy, particularly for the weaker strata and the middle class ... I shall not let Greece collapse; it is my patriotic duty."

Papandreou also sharply criticised the opposition, saying that many from the right or left speak out against the memorandum, while merely counter-proposing a vote of exit from supervision, "because Greece is changing".

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[03] Opposition reaction to Juncker remark

Juncker was reportedly quoted as saying that he was aware of Greece's fiscal problems in 2008 although he said nothing in order not to harm French and German exports to the east Mediterranean countries.

"That means that either: 1) If we want to find out who is to blame for the economy we must go back to 1981 -- Something that PASOK wants to avoid for obvious reasons. 2) The European Union and mainly Germany and France must 'help out' and not the IMF." (ANA-MPA)

The ND leader concluded by saying, "I supported this position at the EPP's conference, but unfortunately, I was alone ... the government not only backed their arguments, downgrading the country for petty partisan reasons, but in essence it accepted unconditionally (ANA-MPA) an option that is strangling Greece and Greeks today. Let everyone draw his own conclusions."

KKE

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) stressed in an announcement that "the heads of the EU and the IMF are saying half the truth and big lies ... they are concealing that the policy of PASOK and of New Democracy that led to the country's looting by big capital had the support and the guidance of the EU and that the crisis dealt a blow at all the countries of the EU." (ANA-MPA)

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[04] 'Dialogue of Civilisations' on Rhodes

"This was a significant forum because it contributes to the dialogue between peoples and civilisations, resulting in the promotion of understanding, a foundation of peace, particularly in our wider region," Minister of State Haris Pamboukis said.

One of the co-founders of the annual event, the influential head of the state-run Russian Railways, Vladimir Yakunin, praised the participation of several high-ranking Greek government officials at this year's forum, while he also met successively with (ANA-MPA) Greek Deputy Tourism & Culture Minister Giorgos Nikitiadis.

The latter stated the Greek side's efforts to offer the maximum amount of support towards facilitating tourism visas for Russian citizens wishing to visit Greece, while praising the forum's role in showcasing the popular holiday island in the Russian market. (ANA-MPA)

Caption: A view of the main fortress in the old quarter of Rhodes harbour. ANA-MPA

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[05] DM: Actions, not words

"... it would be very important if we saw specific initiatives on the part of Turkey to decrease its own armaments programmes, particularly in military means related directly to the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. This would have a greater significance than many statements."

Venizelos stressed that the crisis is making the country more sensitive to national issues, stating that "the fiscal crisis is making us even more sensitive and careful on issues of foreign and defence policy. Nobody should believe that Greece has decreased strength in these sectors."

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