Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-10-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM's nationally televised press conf'

[02] ND refers to 'political blackmail'

[03] Lesser opposition's reaction to PM's statements

[04] MIG to invest 260 mln euros in health sector in 2010-11

[05] Demolished building to free up space for new park in Athens

[06] Birbili on 'South Stream' pipeline

[07] Projects to support tourism

[08] Scorpions concert on Wed.

[09] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] PM's nationally televised press conf'

Asked about the possibility of early elections, Papandreou said: "I have no intention of going to early elections" but pionted out that if the result of the local elections is added on to certain other parametres and the sum leads to a deadlock then, since there are no deadlocks in democracy, the sovereign people must speak.

The prime minister noted that a package amounting to 110 billion euros was secured, the biggest to be secured historically and added that "today, after these sacrifices we can hope and the first light has appeared at the end of the tunnel."ANA-MPA

He further said that "if we delay or stop the course towards the big changes, all these sacrifices will be lost and what is most probable is that we will return to the past and to an even worse fate. We have escaped from the storm, but it cannnot be ruled out that we shall return to it."

Papandreou underlined that he was not interested in the political cost and that his personal wager is to clash, with the aim of change, with those forces that are keeping the country behind.

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[02] ND refers to 'political blackmail'

ND spokesman Panos Panagiotopoulos called on the prime minister to abandon what he called "fear-mongering" and to change his policies.

"We're working for stability, security and the growth of our country. We're interested, above all, in getting Greece through this crisis without harm. The prime minister is obliged to work for this and not to blackmail voters. However, Mr. Papandreou should not be mistaken, ND is ready for any possibility," the spokesman said, in reference to now widespread speculation over a possible early election.

In closing, Panagiotopoulos referred to the upcoming municipal and regional elections on Nov. 7 and the second round on Nov. 14, noting that "tonight even the last undecided voters, in seeing Mr. Papandreou, have finally determined what message they will send."

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[03] Lesser opposition's reaction to PM's statements

"PASOK's candidates will dip into single digit percentages with another such multi-channel appearance by the prime minister before the elections," Karatzaferis opined.ANA-MPA

He also referred to a panicked appearance and a lack of optimism from the televised press conference, where seven prime-time news readers asked questions.

On its part, the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) issued a statement noting that the "prime minister, under the weight of public opinion pressure, admitted that a vote in the coming elections will be for or against the (EU-ECB-IMF) memorandum. The blackmailing dilemmas, however, are void and outdated, therefore, they will not persuade anyone," the party's press release read.

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[04] MIG to invest 260 mln euros in health sector in 2010-11

Addressing the opening ceremony of a new wing of the Athens-based Mitera maternity hospital, Vgenopoulos stressed that "we are already implementing our own fast track and it is fully successful".

He said the MIG-controlled Hygeia Group is one of the most successful groups in its field around the world, as shown by the numerous certifications it has won over the years.

Alexios Komninos, the chief executive of the maternity hospital, said it is the largest such facility in Greece with 501 beds.

Health and Social Solidarity Minister Andreas Loverdos, in his address, stressed the government will resolve all the primary problems facing the private health sector by the end of the year.

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[05] Demolished building to free up space for new park in Athens

According to a press release by the City of Athens, demolition of the building -- located for decades on the corner of Menandrou, Veranzerou and Xouthou streets -- illustrates the "start of a town-planning revival of the city's historic centre."

"We are celebrating an exceptionally important and historic event, namely the creation of the first square in 150 years in a built-up area of the city's historic centre," Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis said at the scene.

The building belonged to the Navy Veterans Fund (NAT) but had been abandoned since the 1980s, while in 2003 it was declared as hazardous. The municipality commenced efforts to acquire the NAT building in early 2008, efforts that were successfully concluded in January 2010. The building collapsed in 14 seconds.

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[06] Birbili on 'South Stream' pipeline

She stressed that the 'South Stream' should be treated as a priority plan for the EU and that Athens supported its inclusion in the European networks development programme for 2011-2020.

"Our goal is to establish Greece as a modern transit hub, not just for oil via the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline but also for natural gas," Birbili added.

The minister said Greece's aim was to enhance energy security in the region, acting as a conduit between East and West, Europe and the Balkans, and linking its natural gas system with that of its neighbours in order to promote diversification of energy sources and routes.

She particularly emphasised the importance of the two pipeline projects - Burgas-Alexandroupolis and Southstream - for relations between Greece and Russia while highlighting Russia's role as the now most significant energy provider.

Within the EU, Greece supports a reinforcement of relations with Russia by establishing a stable and strong legal framework that will encourage trust and transparency, she said.

Prior to addressing the IEW, Birbili held talks with Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko and they agreed to set up a working team that will meet before the end of 2010 to discuss a joint position on the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project.

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[07] Projects to support tourism

Addressing a business lunch organised by the South East Group, a sponsor of the 11th Prodexpo, Nikitiadis said the first two programs for "Green Tourism" and "Alternative Tourism", budgeted at 30 and 28 million euros respectively, were already underway, while another two, "Modernise in Tourism" and "Cooperation-Innovation in Tourism", budgeted at 27 million and 22 million euros, respectively, will begin early in 2011.

The Greek minister said the government is currently evaluating 50 projects aimed at boosting tourism in various regions in the country, worth around 134 million euros. These projects will not only boost tourism but they will create jobs as well, Nikitiadis stressed.

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[08] Scorpions concert on Wed.

The Athens date on the band's farewell 'Get your Sting and Blackout' tour - originally scheduled for October 6 - had to be postponed after signer Klaus Meine suddenly came down with acute laryngitis. Organisers at the time had stressed that the Athens date was only postponed, however, and that all tickets already sold would be valid for the new date.

The concert will finally take place this Wednesday at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Faliro. The doors will open at 18:30 and the concert will begin at 19:30 with opening act Giorgos Gakis and The Troublemakers, a five-member classic rock band from Greece with influences from bands like Whitesnake, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Deep Purple and, of course, the Scorpions themselves.

Next on stage at 20:35 is the Greek band Firewind, another metal band, with the Scorpions due to appear on stage at 21:45.

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[09] Athens Newspaper Headlines

Prime Minister George Papandreou's nationally televised press conference expectedly dominated the headlines on Tuesday in Athens' main newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Greek FBI to be established".

APOGEVMATINI: "Prime Minister George Papandreou asks citizens to vote for (EU-ECB-IMF) memorandum".

AVGHI: "He's bluffing (Papandreou) and losing".

AVRIANI: "Papandreou will leave after local government elections".

ELEFTHEROS: "Prime minister's blatant contradictions".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "He's threatening early elections under spectre of the troika".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Threats with empty revolver a confession of defeat".

ESTIA: "Mr. Papandreou threatening with early elections".

ETHNOS: "Clear victory or recourse to ballots".

IMERISSIA: "Polarisation of political climate - Early elections dilemma a risk".

KATHIMERINI: "Mr. Papandreou points to early elections".

LOGOS: "Nationally televised shock and awe".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "24 billion euros in 'red loans' in first half of 2010".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Workers income under guillotine".

TA NEA: "The great gamble - George (Papandreou) opens his cards".

TO VIMA: "Papandreou's dramatic warning: General elections if (local elections) results indicate impasse".

VRADYNI: "Hypocrisy and self-contradiction".

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