Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-02-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't criticises troika

[02] Troika: Regret, 'deep respect'

[03] Transport stoppages, strike 

[01] Gov't criticises troika

"We asked them to help, and we are honoring our commitments to the utmost. But we did not ask of anyone to interfere in the country's domestic affairs. Everyone must understand their role. And we will make this clear to all our partners," government spokesman George Petalotis said in a late-night statement on Friday following a troika press conference earlier in the day.(ANA-MPA)

"We have need, but we also have limits," Petalotis said, adding that "we will not negotiate the limits of our dignity with anyone".(ANA-MPA)

"We take orders only from the Greek people," the spokesman stressed.(ANA-MPA)

Interior minister Yiannis Ragoussis, speaking in Veria on Saturday, stressed that the exclusive responsibility lies with the Greek government, adding that "the Greek people have not given a mandate to any troika representative to interfere in the country's political life and give lessons".(ANA-MPA)

Ruling PASOK's National Council secretary Michalis Karchimakis, in his own statement on Saturday, slammed what he called "ultimatum-like recommendations and orders".(ANA-MPA)

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[02] Troika: Regret, 'deep respect'

The statement said that the troika noted that Greece's economic program remains on track and also indicated "our continuing strong support" for the government's efforts to meet the objectives of fiscal consolidation and restoring growth and competitiveness.(ANA-MPA)

The collaboration in this effort "has always been, and continues to be, based on mutual trust", the statement said, adding that the three institutions (EC, ECB, IMF) "have full respect for the prerogatives and initiatives of the government in all areas of economic decision-making", noting that their role is to advise and support the government.(ANA-MPA)

The full text of the troika statement appears below:(ANA-MPA)

"At the conclusion of our joint mission yesterday, we noted that Greece�s economic program remains on track. We also indicated our continuing strong support for the Government in meeting its objectives of fiscal consolidation and restoring growth and competitiveness, as reflected in the Memorandum on the program. Our collaboration in this effort has always been, and continues to be, based on mutual trust. Our three institutions have full respect for the prerogatives and initiatives of the Government in all areas of economic decision-making, and our role is to advise and support the Government while considering options during the decision-making process. It is regrettable if a different impression was perceived at any time. We recognize the difficult challenges facing the Greek economy and we have the deepest respect for the tremendous efforts being made by the Greek people. We continue to support those efforts."(ANA-MPA)

Statements by the troika chiefs during a press conference on Friday at the conclusion of the delegation's inspection sparked a sharp retort by the Greek government, which accused the troika of interfering in Greece's domestic affairs.

Criticism was also forthcoming throughout Friday from the opposition parties as well as several government officials, while the complaints over the troika's "unacceptable attitude" were conveyed by prime minister George Papandreou personally on Saturday in a telephone conversation with IMF managing director Dominique Strauss Kahn.(ANA-MPA)

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[03] Transport stoppages, strike

Employees in all public transports have called a 24-hour strike on the day the controversial bill will be voted on, tentatively planned for Tuesday. That same day, public transport workers will hold a large protest rally outside parliament.

On Monday, the Athens Metro and ISAP urban trains will not be running from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. due to a five-hour work stoppage called by the respective employees' unions.

Meanwhile, ISAP employees will hold a motorcycle demonstration on Monday, starting with a rally at Athens' central Kotzia Square at 11:00 a.m. and on to the Transport Ministry on Messogion Avenue.

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