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    June 29, 2011

Greek Police, Protesters Clash as Parliament Considers Austerity Reforms

   VOA News
   A policeman sprays tear gas as a protester walks away during an
   anti-austerity rally in Athens June 29, 2011. Photo: Reuters
   A policeman sprays tear gas as a protester walks away during an
   anti-austerity rally in Athens June 29, 2011.

   Clashes broke out Wednesday between police and protesters trying to
   surround the Greek parliament, and police fired tear gas to disperse
   the crowd.
   Workers in Greece are in the second day of a 48-hour general strike,
   and the country is all but shut down by the protest action, aimed
   against a new round of national austerity reforms.
   Wednesday's clashes took place as lawmakers considered Prime Minister
   George Papandreou's plan to raise taxes, cut government spending and
   sell state assets.
   A prominent opposition conservative, Elsa Papadimitriou, said she is
   breaking with her party and will vote for the austerity plan when it
   comes up for a parliament vote later Wednesday.
   Greece must adopt the plan by Thursday to avoid default on loans it
   received last year as part of a $156 billion international bailout, and
   to collect an $17 billion share of that aid.
   Video footage of protests

   Many protesters feel the $40 billion austerity plan imposes harsh
   penalties on workers and pensioners, while sparing the wealthy.
   About 20,000 people had gathered Tuesday in Athens for initially
   peaceful demonstrations that turned violent. At least 4,000 police
   officers armed with stun guns, tear gas and batons fought the
   protesters, who hurled rocks and firebombs.
   Authorities say at least 14 protesters were arrested, and more than 20
   people suffered injuries.
   Transportation, schools and other services were closed Tuesday, as well
   as many private businesses. Hundreds of flights were canceled or
   rescheduled as air traffic controllers walked off the job. The air
   traffic controllers' union said airports would be closed for several
   hours again Wednesday.
   Christine Lagarde, the newly named head of the International Monetary
   Fund, called on opponents of Papandreou to support the austerity
   package, "in the spirit of national unity."
   EU officials have warned that Greece has no choice but to adopt the
   austerity plan, saying a default would be calamitous for the 17
   countries that use the common euro currency and the broader world
   economy.

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