Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 12-06-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] ND leader Samaras outlines policy on security, illegal immigration

[02] PASOK leader interviewed live on AMNA web TV

[03] Budget deficit down significantly in Jan-May

[04] Visitors, revenues in museums down in Feb. 2012

[01] ND leader Samaras outlines policy on security, illegal immigration

"Citizens' security is a condition for democracy, there is no freedom in the city if it cannot protect its citizens from fear. Without security fear reigns ... The citizens of Athens, of the Aghios Panteleimonas district (in central Athens), as well as of Patras and other cities are aware of this," Samaras said. "No one can be free when one is afraid for his or her family, from impunity and crime," he added. amna

He further said that there is the economic dimension to crime as well, since there can be no growth without security, as well as criticising rampant bootleg street trade and an underground economy. "There can be no organised production when someone drives away businesses, closes down ports, etc."

The measures he presented to consolidatie security include legal changes governing arrest procedures and the conviction of offenders, as per the standard procedure in other European countries, as he said. He also called for more neighbourhood police patrols, alleviation of prison overcrowding, the deportation of foreign convicts, as well as a crackdown on so-called "low impact crime", which he said is a forerunner of more serious offences. www.amna.gr

On the question of illegal immigration, he said "economic migrants" have already broken the law by entering the country illegally.

[02] PASOK leader interviewed live on AMNA web TV

He warned that the lies during the campaign period were leading to an absolute impasse.

Replying to viewers' questions submitted via social networks' websites, Venizelos cast blame on New Democracy (ND) of "blind management during the period 2007 to 2009", while he also turned his fire on SYRIZA which, he said, had collected 'criminal' PASOK cadres and was saying that "money exists".amna

On the ultra-right Chryssi Avghi (Golden Dawn) party, he said that the "absence of the state allows it to act as it does".amna

Venizelos noted that both Spain and Italy were implementing measures that Greece is also implementing, while on Germany's insistence on International Monetary Fund (IMF) involvement, he said that this was due to lack of confidence in the European Commission.amna

On extension of the timeline for fiscal adjustment, Venizelos clarified that additional economic reinforcement is needed from the support mechanism.amna

Venizelos further opined that the Greek citizens are tired of the economic situation and don't want to hear the truth while, in closing, he said the people are called on to vote in Sunday's repeat general elections with "historic perspicacity". amna

[03] Budget deficit down significantly in Jan-May

The central bank, in a report, said that regular budget revenues totaled 18.091 billion euros in the five-month period, from 18.784 billion euros last year, while spending fell to 23.583 billion euros form 27.457 billion euros over the same periods, respectively. www.amna.gr

[04] Visitors, revenues in museums down in Feb. 2012

However, visitors in the archaeological sites around the country rose by 39.9 percent in February 2012, but revenues fell 45.8 percent in comparison with February 2011.amna

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