Keep Talking Greece

Protesters Tried to Storm Syrian Embassy in Athens

February 4, 2012 Comments Off on Protesters Tried to Storm Syrian Embassy in Athens

A group of 50 Syrian nationals tried to storm the embassy of Syria in Psychiko suburb of Athens in the early morning hours of Saturday. They entered the yard of the embassy armed with stones and wooden sticks. The protesters gathered at the Syrian embassy after reports of a bloodbath of in the city …

Thessaloniki: Farmers from Nevrokopi Distribute Free Potatoes (pics, video)

February 4, 2012 4

Defying the cold and drizzle, potato farmers from Nevrokopi and Drama, Northern Greece, arrived early in the morning at Thessaloniki International Exhibition Centre, and started to distribute 12 tons of potatoes to residents of the city. They distribute 1,700 packs containing 6 kilos of potatoes free of charge, while 300 packs …

Greek FM on ICJ Ruling: “Issue of German War Compensations Remains Open”

February 3, 2012 1

Greek Foreign Ministry issued a statement commenting of the ruling of the International Court of Justice on Italian and Greek court decisions asking compensation for WWII Nazi atrocities. The FM stated that concerning the German compensations to Greece for damages during the occupation remains open. Here is just an excerpt …

Greek FinMin: Impotant Amendments on Emergency Property Tax

February 3, 2012 Comments Off on Greek FinMin: Impotant Amendments on Emergency Property Tax

Thousands of property owners who try to scratch together the emergency property tax or stand in long queues to request exemptions of reduced fees will take a relief breath that the property power will not be cut off. The Greek Finance Ministry prepares an amendment on the emergency property tax bill that …

Papademos’ Resignation Rumors Denied – Angry Coalition Gov’ Partners

February 3, 2012 5

Oh, these rumors can bring down currencies. The EURO sharply declined towards the US-Dollar when rumors appeared on international media that Greek PM Lucas Papademos might resign if the party leaders of his coalition government do not back him on the second loan agreement with the country’s lenders. The rumors …

Juncker: Eurogroup Meeting on Feb 6 Postponed

February 3, 2012 Comments Off on Juncker: Eurogroup Meeting on Feb 6 Postponed

The Eurogroup meeting planned for Monday, Feb 6, 2o12, where eurozone finance ministers would deal with Greece second bailout package has been postponed. “It may be scheduled later next week” said a spokesman of Eurogroup head, Jean-Claude Juncker on Friday afternoon. However he did not exclude a possible meeting via teleconference, if necessary. …

“Anonymous” Hack Greek Ministry Website and Warn of Further Attacks

February 3, 2012 1

Computer hacking group Anonymous launched a cyber attacked on the website of the Greek Ministry of Justice. The website was defaced with a “Justice is coming ” message and a two-minute uploaded -kind of creepy-video. An english speaking “Anonymous” wearing a mask and a robe, read a message sharply criticizing …

FinMin: €65 Bn Withdrawn from Greek Banks Since 2009

February 3, 2012 7

The uncertainty about a possible bankruptcy and euro exit, but also increased taxes and unemployment haveforced Greeks to withdraw the incredible amount of 65 billion euro from the banks since 2009. Speaking at the parliament, Finance Minister Evanhgelos Venizelos revealed these data, noting that only €16 billion were transferred to banks …

Patras: Property Owner Hands Out Home-Keys to Bank

February 3, 2012 2

A man entered a local bank branch in the city of Patras, western Peloponnese. He was holding the keys of his home, which he had bought with a loan mortgage of 300,000 euro. He neared the branch director and left on his desk two keys. when the director asked “What …

ICJ Rejects Italian, Greek Court Rulings On Compensations to Victims of WWII Nazi Atrocities

February 3, 2012 8

The International Court of Justice in The Hague rejected Italy’s demands for compensations to victims of World War II Nazi atrocitiesand ruled that Germany has legal immunity from being sued in foreign courts by the victims. The court ruling indirectly rejected also Greece’s positions on compensation for the Distomo massacre, …

Archbishop of Athens: Austerity “Fatal”, could Trigger “Social Explosion”

February 2, 2012 7

The leader of Greece’s Orthodox Church, Archbishop of Athens and All Greec,e Ieronmos II warned on Thursday, that the rising poverty in the crisis-hit country could trigger a “social explosion,” as the government raced to push through more cost-cutting reforms needed to conclude debt deals and avoid a default in March. “Homelessness and …

Greece’s Trade Unions, Employers Reject Troika’s Demands For Wages Cuts in Private Sector

February 2, 2012 Comments Off on Greece’s Trade Unions, Employers Reject Troika’s Demands For Wages Cuts in Private Sector

GSEE, the trade union umbrella for the Greece private sector and Employer’s Associations came to the same conclusion after three hours of negotiations. To say “No” to Troika’s demands to lower the minimum wage and to abolish the 13th and 14th salary. GSEE chairman Yannis Panagopoulso told reporters “It is not allowed that …