Greek cabinet approves supplementary austerity package

 　　ATHENS, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Greek cabinet approved on Saturday evening a final supplementary¹ austerity package to secure further international financing next week to avoid bankruptcy² in March.

　　During the euro group meeting on Monday the discussion regarding the Greek new economic program would be concluded, said Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos chairing the extraordinary cabinet meeting, expressing confidence for a positive outcome.

　　The additional 325 million euros worth (427 million U.S. dollars) spending cuts sealed on Saturday were one of the last preconditions set by European Union and International Monetary³ Fund creditors⁴ in order to give the "green light" to a 130-billion-euro (170 billion U.S. dollars) bailout package to Greece, the second in two years.

　　The bill with the final measures that includes fresh 12 percent cuts to main pensions exceeding 1,300 euros per month and auxiliary⁵ pensions above 200 euros per month, along new reductions on salaries of civil servants, is expected to be put for voting in parliament by Monday on time for the crucial Euro group meeting.

　　Greece has been committed to a total of 3.2 billion euros budget cuts this year included in a bill approved by the assembly on Monday in order to secure the release of further international funds on time to be repay a 14.5 billion euros bond on March 20.

　　Without the aid, which also clears the way for a deal on a "haircut" of Greek state bonds owned by private creditors to ease by almost a third an over 360 billion euros debt burden, the country could default, sending shockwaves across the euro zone and global economy.

　　The latest wave of belt-tightening measures in a recession-hit country has increased reactions by labor⁶ unions and ordinary Greeks. The two umbrella trade unions of private and public sector⁷ workers GSEE and ADEDY have called for new demonstrations⁸ in front of the parliament on Sunday.

　　High school and university students gathered at Syntagma square on Saturday afternoon to protest the "unfair burden placed on poor peoples' shoulders," as written on banners.

　　This time they were symbolically⁹ joined by thousands protesters participating in rallies "in solidarity¹⁰ with Greek people" staged in dozens cities across Europe and the U.S. under the main slogan "We are all Greeks now."

1 supplementary   

adj.补充的，附加的

参考例句：

• There is a supplementary water supply in case the rain supply fails.万一主水源断了，我们另外有供水的地方。
• A supplementary volume has been published containing the index.附有索引的增补卷已经出版。

2 bankruptcy   

n.破产；无偿付能力

参考例句：

• You will have to pull in if you want to escape bankruptcy.如果你想避免破产，就必须节省开支。
• His firm is just on thin ice of bankruptcy.他的商号正面临破产的危险。

3 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

4 creditors   

n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They agreed to repay their creditors over a period of three years. 他们同意3年内向债主还清欠款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Creditors could obtain a writ for the arrest of their debtors. 债权人可以获得逮捕债务人的令状。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 auxiliary   

adj.辅助的，备用的

参考例句：

• I work in an auxiliary unit.我在一家附属单位工作。
• The hospital has an auxiliary power system in case of blackout.这家医院装有备用发电系统以防灯火管制。

6 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

7 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

8 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

9 symbolically   

ad.象征地，象征性地

参考例句：

• By wearing the ring on the third finger of the left hand, a married couple symbolically declares their eternal love for each other. 将婚戒戴在左手的第三只手指上，意味着夫妻双方象征性地宣告他们的爱情天长地久，他们定能白头偕老。
• Symbolically, he coughed to clear his throat. 周经理象征地咳一声无谓的嗽，清清嗓子。

10 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。