THESSALONIKI-Carolos Papoulias, President of the Greek Democracy was forced to leave from the parade celebrating the anniversary of the heroic “OXI”- the “no” that the Greek prime minister Ioannis Metaxas said to Italy’s ultimatum asking the surrender of Greece to the forces of the Axis. That was on October 28th, 1940.
October 2011 however, after a controversial rescue plan and an even more controversial 50% haircut, Greek citizens say “OXI” once more but not to the Italians.
This time it is their very own government they want out. Hundreds of demonstrators in Thessaloniki took over the street where the parade was supposed to take place and shouted some rather insulting slogans for the Greek government. Mr Papoulias was standing on the dignitaries’ platform, patiently waiting for the parade to start for more than half an hour whilst listening to” Get out of here you thieves” and “You are traitors”. Riot police tried to push them away but the demonstrators would’nt leave. Mr Papoulias seemed rather irritated and declared ” I’m truly disappointed. They should have chosen another day to demonstrate.
They can’t call me a traitor. I fought for this country since I was fifteen years old” .“It is clear that these are organized groups,” said Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris. «I don’t know if they have been triggered by political parties. I’m not sure which party would think there is anything to gain from this.”Boutaris defended himself against accusations that he had been poorly prepared for the protests.
The parade in Thessaloniki got cancelled, for the first time since the parades began but things are not much better in Athens and Pireas where demonstrators have taken over the streets as well and shout slogans against politicians.
Prime Minister George Papandreou contacted Papoulias by telephone to express his sorrow over the incident, blasting “efforts to undermine the democratic institutions in the country,” according to local media.
Greek government spokesman Elias Mossialos said it’s an insult to the institution of the Presidency and the struggles of Greek people by a small minority.
Far-right Popular Orthodox Rally party called for the resignation of Citizen’s Protection Minister Christos Papoutsis over the failure of police forces to disperse the crowd, while ruling socialist party deputies and opposition lawmakers criticized the events.
Main opposition conservative New Democracy party leader Antonis Samaras commented that it was “a destructive reaction to a destructive government policy that marred the national holiday.”
Thessaloniki: Parade Got Gancelled-President of Greek Democracy Forced To leave
German Austerity Policies Remind Greeks of Nazi Occupation
According to Reuters, the harsh austerity measures imposed by the German mechanisms on the Greek people have revived historical enmities and many Greeks are beginning to compare the current circumstances to the Nazi Occupation of Greece during World War II.
On the occasion of the “Oxi” celebrations in Greece on the 28th of October tension seems to rather escalate. Some Greeks have started to resent German tourists travelling to Greece, while some media persons have called the Greek PM “dosilogos”.
Reuters reported that many Greek cartoonists depict EU task forces on Greece “as ferocious soldiers in World War Two German uniforms”.
The Occupation of Greece back in the 1940s becomes a touchy subject of the present due to the terrible financial circumstances of debt-hit Greece and the consequent social turmoil.
According to Reuters, for ordinary Greeks, the German presence in their affairs is chilling, while many have called on Germany to bail out Greece “on the grounds it owes Athens money for war atrocities in the past”.
Deputy Prime Minister Theodoros Pangalos had also referred to the gold taken by Nazi Germany from the Greek central bank and has never been returned. Germany refused to comment on that complaint.
Number of Households Needing Food Aid on the Rise
Hunger is increasingly becoming a problem among poor Greek households, with more and more families unable to make ends meet, the Greek branch of the humanitarian aid organisation ‘Doctors of the World’ warned in a press conference on Wednesday.
It said volunteer doctors working at the organisation’s four health centres in Athens, Perama, Thessaloniki and Hania were reporting an increase in the number of Greeks seeking their aid and also a rise in those asking for food.
“The number of Greeks seeking medical attention from us has shot up from 6-7 percent last year to 30 percent this year, out of a total of 30,000 people seen in the past year. They are elderly people, those on small pensions, young unemployed, people with chronic diseases who come in great anxiety, often with a hospital prescription in hand, because they are unable to pay for their contribution. What shocked us most, however, is that many now ask us for food,” said a representative of DoW.
(source: ana-mpa)
Cyprus Finance Minister: Government Ready to Shore Up Banks
Cyprus’ Banks are expected to try to raise capital privately to strengthen their capital adequacy, Finance Minister Kikis Kazamias has said, stressing that the Government is ready to step in and take all actions necessary to ensure financial stability.
In a written statement issued Wednesday, Kazamias noted that the whole banking system at EU level is facing serious challenges arising mainly from the debt crisis in the eurozone.
He said that “an effort is being undertaken at EU level to further increase the capital adequacy of the EU banking system so as to be able to cope with further shocks from the debt crisis.“
Therefore, he added, “increasing European banks’ capital aims at maintaining the necessary capital in the banking system at very high levels following any significant assessment of the value of government bonds held by banks in order to maintain a climate of trust in the system.“
Minister stressed that “in this context, as is already known, the Cypriot banks are exposed to government bonds and so are facing the same challenge.“
The entire issue, he added, is being addressed with all due consideration by both the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Cyprus.“
Kazamias stresses that “the required additional strengthening of the capital adequacy of Cypriot banks should be done primarily by the banks themselves.“
“However, if necessary, the Government in close collaboration with the Central Bank is prepared to take all necessary actions to ensure financial stability,“ he added.
Finally, Kazamias noted that the issue of effective response to the challenge of further strengthening the capital adequacy of European banks is being handled at European level, with the possible involvement of the European Financial Stability Fund.
(source: cna)
Lesvos Island Offers Assistance to Quake-Hit Turkey
Members of the Organization named “Coexistence and Communication at the Aegean” made an appeal to the people of Lesvos island for offering assistance to Van, Turkey, recently hit by an earthquake.
Essentials will be accepted by the Greek Rescue Team, such as blankets, diapers, bandages, shoes, torches and batteries.
These items will be sent to Ayvalik, Turkey, located opposite of the island of Lesvos and then will be forwarded by the local solidarity committee to the quake-hit region.
Members of “Coexistence and Communication at the Aegean” stated, “In spite of poor economic circumstances that Greece is under, people from Lesvos will provide assistance to Van as they similarly did in the 1999 earthquake.
Greek-Cypriot Chef Cooks in Honor of Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth will be treated with Halloumi cheese and watermelon during the Leaders’ Summit of the Member States of British Commonwealth that is going to take place on 29th of October in Perth.
The halloumi-decision was taken by a Greek-Cypriot chef, Kostas Simatos, that was selected to cook for a dinner organized by Julia Gillard in honor of the Queen Elizabeth and the 50 leaders of the Member States of the British Commonwealth.
The chef stated: “I think that the combination of halloumi cheese and watermelon is delicious. I hope that the Queen and the leaders of the Member States will remain satisfied by the dinner”.
The 42-years-old chef, Kostas Simatos was born in Johannesburg of South Africa to Greek-Cypriot parents. After his studies, he worked in South Africa and afterwards at Hilton in Kuwait.
Since 1994, he has stayed in Perth of West Australia, and even if he had cooked for many celebrities in the past, he thinks that the imminent dinner will be a great challenge for his career”.
Papandreou: New EU Aid Deal Buys Nation Time For Reform
Prime Minister George Papandreou said Thursday that a new aid deal for Greece, which also includes a 50% write-down of the country’s debt, would give Greece time to enact badly needed reforms.
Speaking in a nationally televised address, Papandreou also moved to reassure nervous Greeks that the debt write-down would not collapse the country’s banks, or impair the ability of its deficit-ridden social security funds to pay out pensions.
“Yesterday’s decision gives us time. It removes the insecurity; it gives us the opportunity to chart and follow our own path,” he said. “And I want to confirm that this decision will in no way create problems for the banking system or for [the payment of] pensions.”
His remarks come less than a day after European leaders reached a deal in an attempt to stem the spread of Europe’s widening debt crisis.
(source: Dow Jones)
Alexia to Sing at LA’s Biggest Peace Concert of the Year Honoring Stevie Wonder
Artists for Peace (AFP) announced today the countdown to the largest peace event of the year set to take place on November 1, 2011 (11/1/11) at the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk. The “Never Again” Peace Concert this year will be honoring the legendary Stevie Wonder for his continuous efforts as the United Nations Messenger of Peace.
The “Never Again” Peace Concert is an annual event that brings together some of the hottest artists from around the world for an evening celebrating life and survival. Performances by American artists Chaka Khan, Eric Benet, Pras, Malina Moye will be accompanied by world music performances by Flora Martirosian, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, and Alexia Vassiliou to name a few. The artists will perform hits of their own as well as a special selected tribute song for this year’s honoree.
Touted as one of Greece’s national treasures, Alexia is regarded as a gem internationally, too. Soulful and versatile singer, songwriter, performer, musician with a series of gold and platinum records to her credit, not the least of which was her debut that sold almost 200,000 copies, Alexia possesses a voice and style that is unforgettably singular. Striking beauty and inordinate talent—these qualities are surpassed only by the warmth and strength of her spirit.
The “Never Again” Peace Concert serves to increase awareness and create better understanding of the injustices of discrimination. In the words of founder Flora Martirosian, “We must do everything we can so that, in this day and age and beyond, we make sure we educate our youth to be more understanding and harmonious” Martirosian goes further on to say “It is with great respect and pleasure that we are able to give the United Nations Messenger of Peace, the legendary Stevie Wonder the AFP Angel Award for his ongoing work to help others through change.”
Proceeds from the concert event goes to benefit several key charities. These organizations include Children with Leukemia in Armenia, The Chaka Khan Foundation, We Are You Foundation, Genocide Memorial Museum to name a few. You can join these artists and supporters from around the world of music and art. Tickets are now available through all Ticketmaster outlets and Gibson Amphitheatre box office. Tickets start at just $40.
The concert’s founding organization, Artists for Peace began in 2008 by founder Flora Martirosian whose mission is to unite artists from around the world for genocide awareness. Through the universal language of music and art, artists can help influence global change as well as educate and prevent further crimes against humanity. (www.Artists4Peace.org)
Greek Foreign Minister Lambrinidis and Secretary Clinton to Meet in Washington
Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Stavros Lambrinidis will be meeting with his US counterpart the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today evening at 20:15 (Greek time) at State Department in Washington DC.
According to diplomatic sources, topics for discussion between the two officials will include the Greek debt crisis and the possible developments occurring after today’s agreement in Brussels, the Cyprus Problem, and the Turkish threats against the Republic of Cyprus due to the latter’s offshore gas exploration, as well as the general situation in the Middle East.
In view of the impending negotiations in NY concerning the Cyprus Problem on this coming Sunday and Monday, Clinton is expected to repeat the US government’s support towards the attempts of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to find a comprehended solution based on a bizone, bicommunal federation in Cyprus.
After his scheduled meeting with Clinton, Lambrinidis will be representing the Greek government in the 2-day-long celebrations in Washington for the occasion of the national anniversary of October 28, organized by “The Washington Oxi Day Foundation” and the Jewish community. The events are expected to be attended by several US Congress members and Obama’s government officials.
Moreover, the Greek Foreign Affairs Minister will be holding discussions with members of the Hellenic-American community.
Greek Fast Food Owner Vs. Utah NBA Lockout
Mike Catsanevas and his family who run the fast food chain known as “Crown Burgers”, are aggravated by the NBA lockout directly affecting their profits in the most negative way.
“Crown Burgers” has 21 locations around Utah and other states but Salt Lake City businesses relying on the local NBA team Utah Jazz to boost profits will witness a serious 25-30% decline due to the lockout.
“Tremendous impact on our business. It’s cutting into us,” said Crown Burger Manager, Mike Catsanevas, who has decided to represent all local businesse owners in an attempt of making everyone involved in the NBA realize what a severe economical blow this lockout means for their businesses.
The restaurant employs 41 workers who rely on Utah Jazz games to pack the parking lots outside the Energy Solutions Arena and the cash machines with money. If NBA games continue to be cancelled Mr. Catsanevas fears he will not be able to survive this time, as he did back in the 1999 last work stoppage.
“People were upset and had a right to be. Everybody needs to be paid for their jobs,” he said. “But how much money do you need to make? Let’s be honest here. Everybody else is suffering (in this economy). I don’t want to bad-mouth players or the owners, but how much money do these guys really need to keep making?” told Mr. Catsanevas the USA Today.
Businesses are hoping the NBA will resolve the lockout before the season begins because even a single lost game means bad businesses for everyone.