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Thessaloniki, September 5 (M.P.A.)
Embarking on his pre-election campaign as a PASOK party list candidate, former Interior Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos foresees that his party will win the September 22 general elections. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, who had been a contender for the party presidential seat in the June-held PASOK elections and a runner-up for the Premiership in January -losing both times to Kostas Simitis, emphasized that PASOK is the only party that can guarantee political stability, a promise that can be fulfiled by following the path carved by the socialist movement's founder, the late Andreas Papandreou. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos criticised main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert as being "responsible for the destruction ND brought to Greece during 1990-93," along with ND's honorary President Konstantinos Mitsotakis, and wished upon Mr. Evert "a long term on the opposition's benches." Referring to the greco-turkish relations and Turkey's provocative behavior, the former Minister stated that Greece must respond decisively to these challenges. When told by reporters that speculations abound on cooperation between PASOK and other left-wing parties, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stated that "a true cooperation was noted in the regional elections" adding that "such cooperation will be enforced through sheer necessity, whether we want to or not. This is a factor that must be understood by the parties which are to prevail after the elections." In turn, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos referred extensively to the major issues faced by Thessaloniki, such as unemployment and traffic congestion, and acknowledged that the city is suffocating, while he announced that the greater city's largest projects, such as the subway and underwater tunnel, will be completed within the next three years.
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© 1996 Macedonian Press Agency