Transport Strikes Hit Greek Capital

EDITORS NOTES: Better keep a very close eye on what goes on in Greek Union woes. Coming to an America near you, soon!

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Buses, metro trains, trams and taxis were not running in the Greek capital Friday, snarling traffic as public transport workers striked for a second day in an unrelenting barrage of protests against government austerity measures.

Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos criticized the repeated strikes and protests, which have included the take-over of government buildings and risk slowing reforms the country needs to qualify for bailout loans.

"This is a challenge at the heart of democracy," the minister said in Parliament, adding that "the image there has been in the last few weeks is one of lawlessness," and that blackmail was different from fighting for people's rights.

Venizelos said the government was prepared to assume the political cost of pushing through unpopular but necessary austerity measures.

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