--Dollar broadly higher against other major currencies with rises against euro, yen, sterling. --Euro was hit by concerns over Greece's debt issues and falls in share and commodity prices. --Analysts say Greek government will likely pass austerity measures by a narrow margin. By Tatsuo Ito Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES TOKYO (Dow Jones)-- The dollar broadly strengthened against major currencies in Asia on Monday as jitters over this week's parliamentary votes in Greece on a EUR28 billion package of austerity measures heightened traders' risk aversion, prompting them to buy the greenback. Falling stock and commodity prices, coupled with global growth concerns, also added to uncertainty in the currency market, leading traders to trim their holdings of riskier currencies such as the euro, the U.K. pound, and the Australian dollar. The greenback also gained against its safe-haven rivals such as the yen and the Swiss franc. "It was rare to" see such a big move during Asian trading hours on Monday, said Makoto Noji, senior currency strategist at SMBC Nikko Securities. Uncertainty over this week's Greek votes and falls in global share prices "prompted short-covering for the dollar, while the euro is besieged by various negative factors," he added. At 0500 GMT, the euro was at $1.4123 from $1.4192 late Friday in New York, according to figures from EBS. It earlier tumbled to as low as $1.4102. The U.K. pound stood at $1.5922, after falling to a near five-month low of $1.5913, from $1.5967. The dollar was at CHF0.8374 from CHF0.8328. "A risk-averse mood has extended from last week, with an eye on falling stock and commodity prices and Greece's debt problems," said Yoshio Yoshida, a trader at Mizuho Trust and Banking Co. "Those factors have worked in favor of dollar buying, although trading could be a wild ride this week," he added. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will need to get austerity bills through the parliament on Wednesday and Thursday to keep the country from defaulting on its debt over the coming months by getting financial aid from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. Although there is great uncertainty over the outcome, some traders and analysts here are cautiously optimistic. "The most likely scenario is that the bills can get passed by a narrow margin," said Osamu Tanaka, a senior economist at Dai-Ichi Life Research Institute. "Even if they are voted down, there is a chance that a second vote will be taken after the government amends the bills," Tanaka added. SMBC's Noji said that demand for the euro from central banks in emerging nations looking to diversify the composition of their reserves should support the euro at $1.39 this week. He also cited a technical reason for support at around $1.3958, since it is a midpoint between the high in July 2008 and the low seen in June, 2010. At 0500 GMT, the dollar was at Y80.75 from Y80.43 late New York Friday, while the euro was at Y114.03 from Y114.12. The ICE Dollar Index, which tracks the U.S. dollar against a basket of currencies, was at 75.882 from 75.589. By Tatsuo Ito, Dow Jones Newswires; +813-6269-2780; tatsuo.ito@dowjones.com

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