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The Greek government's negotiations with the major political parties to agree on new austerity measures are dragging. The euro zone is getting impatient. And the unions called a general strike Tuesday. A retired manifest in Athens against the austerity measures December 15, 2011

The difficult negotiations between the Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos government and political parties are expected to continue Tuesday, while Greece will be a general strike, to wrest the downstream parties to reforms demanded by the EU and the IMF.

As the day until late at night, Mr. Papademos was to meet Monday evening the Troika representing the country's creditors, EU, IMF and ECB, whose patience is sorely tested by the length of the bargaining.

The hope is to conclude a political agreement Monday between the leaders of the three government parties, George Papandreou (Socialist), Antonis Samaras (Conservative), and George Karatzaferis (far right), on measures to implement was away with the "very likely" to report Tuesday to the meeting originally scheduled for Monday, according to a government source. "Negotiations continue

. There are still issues to resolve," said a government source told AFP in order to justify this new deadline. The challenge is to put an end to three weeks of negotiating a double, both with foreign creditors and the three political leaders, on the modalities for the further course of rigor required by countries in return for a second plan bailout of 130 billion euros.

To release these funds, and also endorse the erase operation 100 billion debt by private creditors, institutional lenders require an explicit commitment to MM. Papandreou, Samaras and Karatzaferis, in turn reluctant to countersign and unpopular measures that could deepen the recession. But the length of the bargaining has the patience to creditors.

Discussions are "already beyond the time," warned Monday Amadeu Altafaj, spokesman for the European Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Olli Rehn, noting that Brussels had relied on an outcome this weekend. Meeting in Paris, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have also increased their pressure.

"The Greeks have made commitments, they must scrupulously respect, there is no choice, time is short, it's a matter of days, now we must conclude" Sarkozy said. Sarkozy and Merkel also wanted the money paid by creditors to Greece (as a slice) is blocked in an account "to be sure that this money will be permanently available" to ensure service payments of debt.

Athens has a vital need for new aid to avoid default on 20 March, at maturity of debt of 14.5 billion euros. After five hours of Sunday in discussions with the three leaders, Mr. Papademos expressed an agreement on the extent of cost savings (about 3.3 billion euros) on the implementation of reforms aimed at lowering production costs and on a scheme to recapitalize banks.

According to media reports, the recent negotiations should focus on cutting the amount provided in supplementary pensions, the reduction demanded by the EU and the IMF in the minimum wage and on a proposed 15,000 layoffs in the public fast. The two leaders were right when they left the meeting raised their voices against the rigors advocated, but Mr. Karatzaferis then shared developments "satisfactory". The Socialist Party, which ruled the country until the November ouster of Mr. Papandreou, former Prime Minister-elect is ready "to show the same sense of responsibility" than before, for his part said his door voice, Panis Beglitis. But it does give the green light "that if an agreement on all of everything," he warned.

The Ministry of Finance has in turn ruled out the hypothesis of a deletion of two of the 14 months' salary in the private sector, despised by Mr. Samaras. Most newspapers were betting on a deal Monday morning's final trio Greek politics, which would allow Mr. Papademos lead to a close parallel final agreement on debt restructuring with private creditors.

The two largest unions, GSEE and ADEDY for the private to the public, also anticipated an agreement calling for a general strike Tuesday 24H, which is particularly disturbing schools, links with the islands, public transport and administration. A demonstration is planned in the center of Athens in mid-day.  

The new measures "are the chronicle of a death foretold (…), the goal is to bring down the entire law of labor and reduce wages by 20 to 30% in addition to cuts already made," he said President of GSEE, Iannis Panagopoulos. With ADEDY, GSEE had already organized six general strikes in 2011, but failed to bend donors. The leftist opposition, communist and radical, for its part is mounted to the front by announcing events on Monday night.

France Telecom continued its sale of foreign assets by selling its 100% subsidiary Orange and Hutchison 3G Austria to 1.3 billion euros, confirmed Friday the conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa rat.

The agreement, which is subject to approval of regulatory authorities telecom and competition, will take effect in mid-2012, the conglomerate said in a statement ;.

Orange Austria's capital is currently divided between France Telecom and the investment fund Mid Europa Partners.

The French operator, which has launched a review of its assets, has already beaten its subsidiary Orange Switzerland, sold at the end of December to fund Apax Partners for 1.6 billion euros. 

January 23, Stéphane Richard, CEO of France Telecom, told the BFM Business microphone that selling the group's business in Austria was "a matter of days ".

Hutchison 3G, a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa conglomerate owned by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, is already present on the Austrian market through the brand "3".

Interest rates Italian debt to 10 years have passed the psychological threshold of 6% to 6.06%. Concerns focus on capacity from Rome to take charge of its massive debt of 1,900 billion euros. Asian stock markets closed sharply down Monday, August 8, 2011. The Tokyo Stock Exchange lost 2.9%, Shanghai 3.79%, Sydney 2.9%, 3.82% Seoul, Hong Kong 2.11%. The Bombay Stock Exchange, she fell to its lowest since 2010 (-3%).

Despite the Europe Agreement in an attempt to stem the crisis, the cost of financing the huge debt of Italy rose again Friday at a bond test, the markets continue to doubt the credibility of the Berlusconi government.

Net inflows of life insurance products was negative in September, the first time since December 2008, said Monday the French Federation of Insurance Companies.

The collection amounted to 9.7 billion euros in September while the amount of benefits paid totaled 11.5 billion euros.

Net inflows, the difference between contributions and benefits remains positive throughout the year.

In the first nine months of 2011, benefits payments to customers were up 19% to 78.8 billion euros, while the premiums collected by insurance companies has decreased from 11% to 98 billion euros .

The life insurance industry is suffering from financial market volatility, higher the performance of the booklet A and competition from other savings accounts that banks promote to increase the deposits of their customers.

The budget deficit in Greece reached 10.6% of GDP in 2010, not 10.5% as previously calculated, announced Monday the national office of statistics.

"According to preliminary data, the public deficit in 2010 is estimated at 24.1 billion euros (10.6% of GDP)", the office announced in a statement.

The volume of public debt in 2010 was also revised upward to 144.9% of GDP, against 142.8% in the previous estimate.

The Summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union initially planned Oct. 17 will be postponed to October 23, time to have new findings on the situation of Greece and the recapitalization of banks, said Monday the president European Council Herman Van Rompuy.

This report is also expected to have new conclusions on strengthening the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), he added.

"This schedule will allow us to finalize a comprehensive strategy on the crisis of sovereign debt in the euro area covering a number of issues related to it," he said.

Finance ministers of the euro area (Eurogroup) and the European Union (Ecofin) will meet before October 23, he said.

A source explained that the delay was due in part to the fact that the report of the EU and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the progress of the sanitation program of Greek public finances is not yet available.

"The leaders want to be able to act on the basis of the results of the report of the troika, which was not ready in time for the original date," said one EU source."We believe that the postponement is due to a request from Paris than in Berlin."

Greece said on Monday it had completed its meetings with the inspectors of the European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank for the release of a tranche of assistance Athens needs to avoid bankruptcy by a month.

Another source said that EU officials in charge of organizing the meetings had begun to make contact with the Member States to set a new date.

"They go around to all delegations to see if anyone is able to postpone the summit," she said.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced Sunday they will present by the end of a response "lasting and comprehensive peace" to the crisis in the euro area, which should go through a recapitalization of banks in Europe.

The euro rebounded frankly Monday at midday, as equity markets driven by banking stocks after opening sharply lower, thanks to hopes for the European Central Bank cut its interest rates for support the economy.

The ECB is the only one of four 'major' world's central banks to have begun a cycle of rising rates, falling twice since April. The easing of inflationary pressures reinforces those who believe that the ECB will be forced to ease monetary policy because of sluggish growth.

"The ECB does not undertake to advance and rate cuts can not be excluded.It all depends on future developments, "said Ewald Nowotny in the morning, a member of the Governing Council of the ECB.

The euro, which hit a new low in eight months against the dollar and a 10-year low against the yen, is back above $ 1.35 in favor of speculation the ECB and a Ifo business climate in Germany better than expected although declining.

The anticipation of a share of the ECB also feeds a rebound in oil prices.Brent, who had fallen below 102 dollars, is trading around 104.80 dollars a barrel and U.S. crude, which had been reduced to just above 77 dollars, rose above $ 80 a barrel .

The Ifo economist Klaus Abberger Institute said he expected a return of the refinancing rate of the ECB to 1% – against 1.5% now – while stressing that it is difficult to anticipate when the decline could intervene.

This perspective has somewhat overshadowed concerns about the debt crisis in the euro area and the difficulties of European leaders at the curb.

On equity markets, the Paris Bourse takes about 3%, as the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, supported by the values ​​of the insurance and banking, respectively, whose indices resumed about 6% and 4.7% .

The U.S. Treasuries and German Bunds were down in response to buoyant equity markets, but caution is still required and the predominant feeling is that this decline will be only short-term bond markets.

The index futures suggested Wall Street now open sharply higher as they gave a sharp decline in market early in the day.

Eurobond BELIEVED "inevitable"

Asian stock markets were down sharply over yet, as investors once again stung by the fact that the EU leaders' discussions, especially concerning the strengthening of EFSF, have resulted in anything concrete.

Europe has once again been called to beef up Sunday its response to the debt crisis that afflicts him, asking the International Monetary Fund including more action from the European Central Bank.According to the IMF, the ECB is indeed the only player strong enough to "scare" the financial markets.

"As long as political leaders have not developed a long-term solution to address the debt crisis, the short-term outlook for copper and equity markets will remain negative," said Ong Yiling analyst Phillip Futures.

Klaas Knot, Member of the Board of Governors of the European Central Bank (ECB) on Monday called for the creation of an independent budgetary authority to impose sanctions on countries in the euro area with a high deficit.

He also finds "inevitable" the introduction of euro bonds common to the euro area.

PSA Peugeot Citroën could reduce up to 10% of its workforce in France by eliminating temporary positions against the expected slowdown of the European car market, write Friday Les Echos and La Tribune, citing union sources after a meeting between Group management and its unions.

Last week, at the motor show in Frankfurt, chief executive of the manufacturer, Philippe Varin, announced an acceleration of cost reductions to cope with the uncertain economic environment in Europe and increased competition in the segment of B C3 cars.

He then mentioned an adjustment from temporary workers and subcontractors.According to the Tribune of Friday, nearly 10,000 temporary positions, or nearly 10% of the group in France, would ultimately threatened.

Asked about the figure, a PSA spokesman said it was "far too early to tell," noting that the working groups set up by Philippe Varin would make their work in October.

PSA employed in late June in the automotive industry 81,240 people, with an additional 10% of temporary workers.

"The willingness to reduce the volume of temporary workers is not good news for employment, particularly among youth," said the CFDT Metallurgy in a statement."This policy will have a direct impact on working conditions, especially for those most vulnerable."

Eric Besson, Minister of Industry, said that one should not rush to draw conclusions on possible job cuts coming at PSA.

"Do not cry wolf when there is no wolf," he said on Canal +.

"Let them wonder about the consequences of the crisis on their future and take steps to remain competitive, surprising and shocking," he added.

500 PERMANENT PENDING

Faced with the rebound in demand after the crisis of 2008-2009 and the success of several new models of the group, such as the Peugeot 3008 and Citroën DS line, PSA has increased its staff of French 1.600 people between December 2010 and June. But faced with economic uncertainty reappeared this summer, the group has suspended its recruitment plan, except strategic functions.

"In terms of staff, we have a temporary drive that represents 10% of the workforce in France, plus subcontractors in large numbers, there were elements of flexibility, plus the mobility agreement, So we are in a situation that is not comparable to 2008, "said Philippe Varin during a press conference in Frankfurt.

In October 2010, PSA has identified 980 jobs to disappear, of which 700 have already been subject to a mobility agreement.For others, the process of management jobs and skills (GPEC) signed in April 2010 and expiring on 30th of this month has been extended until the end of the year Thursday at the CEC.

On this occasion, the unions again sought assurances on the future site of Aulnay-sous-Bois (Seine-Saint-Denis), redundant 300 people since the decision of the night shift in October 2010.But PSA still refuses to comment on the post-C3, saying only that the plant will produce even this model in 2014 and the post is "define".

Regarding the site of spare parts of Melun-Sénart (Seine-et-Marne), which is scheduled to close since the group decided to Vesoul (Haute-Saône) the central store, 180 people are still give their response to the proposals of mobility that has made their PSA.

Total announced Wednesday the acquisition of a 40% interest in five licenses offshore Lamu Basin, Kenya, to develop its presence in exploration and production in the countries of East Africa.

The transaction is subject to approval by the Kenyan authorities, the oil group said in a statement.

The field of operation, located off the Lamu archipelago, covers an area of ​​more than 30,500 square kilometers in water depths between 100 and 3,000 meters.

Total has recently engaged in the exploration and development of reserves of Lake Albert, Uganda, and was selected to develop exploration activities in Tanzania.

The deposit is located over 2,000 meters deep off the coast of Guyana. But it is too early to estimate its potential. The permit allows the drilling to 6000 meters deep and angered environmentalists.

Oil was first discovered off the coast of Guyana, as Total and Shell. The deposit was located in deep water, in more than 2,000 meters deep, about 150 kilometers northeast of Cayenne.

"We are pleased with the preliminary results of the first ever undertaken exploratory drilling off the coast of French Guiana," said an official with the exploration department of Shell, David Lawrence. The "major" Anglo-Dutch holds the largest share (45%) of the project. She said it is too early at this stage to assess the reserves, but the initial results are "encouraging."

A spokesman for Total, which owns 25% of shares, confirms that this is the first discovery of oil off the French department. Guyana, region and overseas department of French, whose per capita income is one of the lowest in the country, has never produced oil.

A basement as rich as the Gulf of Guinea?

The finding revives hopes for a new Eldorado in the department overseas, prompted by the recent major discoveries in the north-east coast of neighboring Brazil.

Geologists assume that the basement of the northeast coast of South America is similar to the rich in hydrocarbons, Gulf of Guinea in Africa. The two were indeed connected before the continents formed and drift away from each other.

The exploration permit is operated by Guyanese British company Tullow Oil, which owns 27.5% of the project.It allows drilling to 6,000 meters (2,000 feet of water and 4,000 m in the oceanic basement). The installation in March of this platform had attracted the wrath of environmentalists, who worry about such a possibility of operation after the disaster of the Deepwater Horizon platform in the Gulf of Mexico.

According to Total, the drilling has already reached 5711 meters below sea level "After a campaign of intermediate measures, the drilling of the GM-ES-1 will resume soon to reach its planned final depth. The production potential and scope resources will then be identified, "said Total. "The joint venture will continue its drilling, evaluate results and decide next steps," said Shell.