Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-02-09

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] George Papandreou elected new ruling PASOK president

[02] Gov't rejects ND criticism of its program for tourism

[03] ND leader Karamanlis outlines policy at campaign rally in Katerini

[04] KKE leader Papariga calls people to counter-attack by voting for KKE

[05] FM Papandreou to visit Cyprus on Thursday

[06] DHKKI leader launches attack on main parties, two-party system

[07] Battle of the Opinion Polls continues

[08] Cyprus president Papadopoulos leaves for Athens consultations

[09] Papandreou visits child welfare home, shelter for drug users

[10] Archbishop Christodoulos hosts luncheon for Greek Eurodeputies

[11] Athens mayor continues tour of eastern Crete

[12] Six-kilometer tailback on Athens-Corinth highway due to accident

[13] Concern over fire at disused agricultural chemicals plant

[14] Illegal immigrants intercepted on the coast of Leros

[15] WWII bomb neutralized in Crete

[16] OIF sec. gen. to sign Olympic Truce Declaration

[01] George Papandreou elected new ruling PASOK president

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

The vote was the culmination of a three-day national congress which began on Friday.

With the results of only a handful of polling stations remaining to be announced, at press time out of 1,013,533 votes casted by members and friends of the ruling party only 1,675 votes were found blank. Papandreou gathered 1,011,858 votes.

Papandreou said Sunday's results constituted ''a new mandate for him to proceed on the road of change and overturning.''

He said that ''a new page is turning today, a different sun is rising,'' adding that ''an experiment of democracy has succeeded.''

Speaking late Sunday after the announcement of the results, Papandreou said from the historic town of Kileler in central Greece, ''we sign a new contract of unity which will serve institutions and values. We are creating a new national unity with national consensus. We are proceeding to confront the difficult tomorrow, making breakthroughs in the state and creating a social state. And in this new state we want the voice of everyone.''

The new PASOK party president said ''today is a great day for the democratic party but also for Greece,'' adding that the citizen today ''gives a mandate for us to change our party, to change Greece.''

He concluded by saying that ''we will win on March 7 and we will proceed together.''

Voting underway for formal election of Papandreou to PASOK helm: The ruling PASOK party extraordinary congress was poised Sunday to formally name foreign minister George Papandreou as the new party president at the end of a three-day session.

In an unprecedented procedure, PASOK registered voters and 'friends' were also given the opportunity to vote for the uncontested Papandreou at some 3,000 polling stations set up throughout the country, and another 115 abroad.

The polls opened at 8:00 a.m. and were to close at 7:00 p.m., while PASOK registered members and friends in the Australian cities of Melbourne and Sydney also took part, for the first time, in the procedures for election of a party leader, on Saturday.

Papandreou, who voted at noon in the Peristeri district, said he was moved, adding that this ''unprecedented procedure'' would ''change the political status quo in general in our country''.

Prime minister Costas Simitis, who voted in Piraeus, said that ''today is a historic day for PASOK'', which was ''implementing a new way for the election of the PASOK president, a procedure open to society'', adding that it was a way applied by other socialist parties in the EU.

''This is the direction: Opening up to society, participation of the citizen -- because the citizen wants to know, and to co-decide, on who will lead the country,'' Simitis said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the supervising committee overseeing the election process, Paraskevas Avgerinos, said late Saturday that it was the committee's obligation to secure the validity of the electoral process and secure and facilitate the free participation of the citizens.

At the same time, constitutional law professor Dimitris Tsatsos denied a ruling by the Personal Data Protection Authority that the voting process among PASOK registered members and 'friends' (who are not formally registered with the party) contravened the constitution with respect to confidentiality of the vote, while, according to sources, former Euro-MP and lawyer Ioannis Stamoulis intended to submit a petition to the Council of State requesting nullification of the Personal Data Protection Authority's ruling (#6/2004).

ND spokesman's reaction to PASOK party president's election: A main opposition New Democracy (ND) party spokesman late Sunday evening called on ruling PASOK's new president George Papandreou ''to proceed to a substantial dialogue over the real problems of Greek citizens''.

''PASOK today completed the ceremony of appointing its new president. The procedure was theirs, the lists of those who voted were theirs, the mechanisms of control were theirs and the result was also theirs,'' ND spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said in a statement.

''We wish to Mr. Papandreou courage in his new duties. But now the time has come to speak politics. We call on him to proceed, as of tomorrow, to a substantial dialogue over the real problems of Greek citizens,'' Roussopoulos concluded.

ND leader says election of Papandreou as sole candidate 'unprecedented': Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis termed the election of George Papandreou as ruling PASOK party president on Sunday as ''the formal crowning of a public relations decision which had been taken some time ago.''

Karamanlis noted that ''every party makes its choices'' and in this sense, it was of no concern to him.

''However, I must say that this procedure in essence says nothing. The decision was taken some time ago and announced more than a month ago. Therefore, the procedure we are observing is nothing more than the formal crowning relating to public relations. It would have been different if there were two candidates. A sole candidate in a procedure is unprecedented.''

The ND leader added that ''the basic thing in democracy is for rules to exist and for rules to change through specific foreseen procedures. I see in all this procedure elements of a public relations nature.''

Concluding, Karamanlis reminded that about a month ago he challenged Papandreou to an open debate, ''three televised debates between us and another one with all the political party leaders. We are awaiting an answer.''

On his part, Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas described Sunday's election as a ''parody''.

''We are indifferent to what is happening today in PASOK, which is a parody,'' he said, adding that ''the ND and PASOK are implementing a neo-liberal, anti-popular policy which will be implemented the day after the (March 7) general elections, irrespective of who comes to power.''

Coalition leader lashes out against Papandreou, calls PASOK congress a 'parody'

Dismissing ruling PASOK's extraordinary congress as a "parody", Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Constantopoulos on Saturday accused ruling PASOK's candidate president George Papandreou of trying to create a leader-dominated party stripped of ideology, that was firmly rooted in the political center.

Speaking from Evros, Constantopoulos said the speech given by Papandreou at the congress did not allow any illusions about PASOK's future political profile.

"It will be totally unrelated to visions of social reorganization and the true interests of weaker social classes," he stressed.

He also complained that smaller parties were given limited air-time by the media and that this was deliberately orchestrated by powerful interest groups.

"They are trying to make ordinary citizens forget what everyone has experienced in the past years. To forget that the two main parties support the same policy and that they will do the same things when they become a government," Constantopoulos said.

[02] Gov't rejects ND criticism of its program for tourism

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas said Karamanlis was "desperately trying to cover up the problems caused by his own program" but stressed that he had focused on measures that were already being implemented in all other European countries.

"This is something that all the people in tourism want. It is something that contributes to growth," Protopapas said.

Similarly, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos advised ND to examine PASOK's program more closely before criticizing it.

He denied that the program contained measures similar to the controversial amendments for the Porto Carras resort brought to Parliament by ousted former minister Christos Pachtas.

Attributing ND's criticism to an attempt to "recover from recent gaffes over repos and the social insurance issue," he said the party had chosen unwisely, since the specific measures had been passed by Parliament over a year ago.

"We provided that sufficiently large tourist areas, more than 30 hectares, will have the option of building apartments for sale. This is a measure that has been passed by Parliament and ratified by presidential decree, which is now in force and has absolutely nothing to do with Halkidiki or any other area," the minister underlined.

[03] ND leader Karamanlis outlines policy at campaign rally in Katerini

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

''We pledge ourselves to forming a government that will abolish the party banners from the public sector and will reward the ability and contribution of all, a government with social sensitivity and responsibility. We commit ourselves to governance based on principles and values,'' he said.

Karamanlis outlined his party's positions regarding the farmers, and its new economic policy.

''On March 7 we will decide for our present and future. It is the time to put an end to lost opportunities for our country,'' he said, adding that the priorities were to implement a National Strategy for Regional Development, to support the small and medium size enterprises, to reinforce agriculture and tourism, to create new jobs, and to relieve the population groups with the greatest needs: low-salary earners, low-pension earners, working women and the unemployed.

Noting that unemployment was the biggest social problem today, he said ND was placing strong foundations to increase the rate of growth, for the creation of new enterprises, new investments and new jobs. The target, he added, was to ''reduce unemployment by 3 percentage points by the end of the first four-year term''.

Karamanlis says PASOK 'does not convince anyone' : Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis, addressing a campaign rally at an indoor stadium in Lamia, central Greece on Sunday evening, lashed out against the ruling PASOK party, stating that ''it does not convince anyone.''

He noted that ''what we have heard (from PASOK) during the recent period does not convince anyone. It simply admits its failure and responsibilities for the present state of affairs, recognizing that the people entrust and adopt our (ND's) positions.''

Karamanlis added that PASOK ''is attempting to create confusion in society by stating that it aims, 30 days before the elections, to create a different party.''

The ND leader concluded his tour with a visit to Thebes where he referred to the region's problems, namely ''the shrinking of farmers' incomes, unemployment and the lack of infrastructure.''

In an address, he noted that ''all of Greece, with one voice, calls for political change.''

[04] KKE leader Papariga calls people to counter-attack by voting for KKE

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

Addressing an event organized by the Thessaloniki party organization for the 85th anniversary of the founding of the KKE, Papariga accused the leaders of the two major parties of trying to misguide the Greek people, and severely criticized the platforms presented by both the ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy.

With respect to PASOK and George Papandreou, she said that "when a party changes leader, it doesn't mean its also changing policy", while with respect to ND and Costas Karamanlis, she said that if they came to power they would implement the same policy, and the only thing that would occur would be a change of party, and not a political change.

She described the social policies of both those parties as "crumbs aimed at slowing down the crisis that will break out in society".

KKE leader urges young people to cast protest vote for her party: Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga on Saturday urged young people to cast their vote for the Communist party at the March 7 elections and thus express their condemnation of the two main parties by reducing their share of the vote.

Addressing a youth rally at the Near East stadium, Papariga accused ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy of trying to trick young people with a ''bland phraseology that hides their true goals, by references to digital technology and by playing with terms like change, revolution, innovation and new challenges''.

According to KKE's leader, no previous electoral battle had witnessed ''so much and such gibberish and empty words''.

She also noted that the program of both parties was apparent in the way that they had governed the country, and was responsible for the problems that existed today.

[05] FM Papandreou to visit Cyprus on Thursday

NICOSIA 09/02/2004 (ANA/G. Leonidas)

He will arrive in the city of Paphos on Thursday where he will address Greek nationals and later in the day visit Nicosia where he will meet with Turkish Cypriots at the Ledra Palace checkpoint. The same evening, he will address a gathering at the Nicosia Conference Center.

Papandreou is expected to meet Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos on Friday morning.

FM tells PASOK voters Cyprus solution must be based on Annan plan: Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Sunday stressed the need for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue based on UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan, noting that the international community's interest must be utilized.

Speaking during a tele-conference with PASOK voters in Nicosia, he underlined that the common position of the Greek and Cypriot governments is that the talks must resume on the basis of respect for the UN resolutions and the acquis communautaire, given that Cyprus is in essence already a member of the European Union.

Papandreou asked for a mandate in the March 7 general elections so as to work for a settlement of the Cyprus issue, ''utilizing the international prestige which the Greek government has achieved all these years''.

[06] DHKKI leader launches attack on main parties, two-party system

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

He slammed ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy as the ''champions of neoliberal, anti-working-class politics'' and said they were engineering an artificial polarization in cooperation with powerful economic and media interests.

''Unemployment, high prices, poverty and insecurity cannot be dealt with through communications gimmicks or changes in party leaders,'' he said, in a reference to recent events within PASOK, while he was particularly scathing about future PASOK leader George Papandreou, saying that the PASOK congress now underway was underestimating the intelligence of the Greek people.

Tsovolas said that the Greek electorate were the victims of neoliberal two-party politics and needed a radical change in the government's economic and social policy so that there was substantial redistribution of income in favor of the low- and middle-income classes, combined with social protection and employment.

DHKKI leader Tsovolas addresses rally in Crete: Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas on Sunday said that his party was providing the Greek people with a realistic, genuine democratic and progressive political proposal for authority, for a different course for the country and the people.

Addressing a campaign rally in Ierapetra, Crete, Tsovolas referred to the public relations methods "being employed by the two neoliberal parties in Greece", referring to the ruling PASOK and main opposition New Democracy, and called on the Greek citizens to not be trapped again "in the pseudo-dilemmas of the neoliberal two-party system".

Tsovolas said that Greece needed a change of policy, and not a change of leaders in the two anti-popular parties that have been ruling the country over the past 13 years and had led to large unemployment, a high cost of living, limitation of the welfare state, and insecurity.

[07] Battle of the Opinion Polls continues

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

More specifically, the results of a Metron Analysis poll appeared in the Sunday edition of the Ethnos newspaper, the results of a VPRC 'electoral barometer' appeared in the Sunday edition of Kathimerini newspaper, while the results of a RASS opinion poll were made public on the private STAR television station on Saturday night.

Metron Analysis poll: The Metron Analysis poll indicated a 3.7 percentage point lead for main opposition New Democracy party against the ruling PASOK, reflecting the repercussions of the 'Pachtas affair' for PASOK as well as the problem that arose regarding ND's economic platform, as it was conducted between January 29 and February 6 among a sampling of 1,596 voters nationwide.

With respect to voter intent (intention of voters), 40.9 percent of respondents said they would vote for ND, compared with 37.2 percent for PASOK, 5.3 percent for the KKE, 2.8 percent for SYN, 1.6 percent for LAOS, and 1.1 percent for DHKKI, while 10 percent said they were not sure.

Concerning who the respondents predicted would win the March 7 elections, 53.1 percent said ND, against 31.9 percent who said PASOK.

To the question of who was better qualified for prime minister, 45.4 percent said foreign minister George Papandreou (who was slated to be formally elected as the new leader of PASOK at the party Congress ending Sunday evening), compared with 43.8 percent for ND leader Costas Karamanlis.

To a similar question, but without being restricted to only Papandreou and Karamanlis, 39.8 percent of respondents said Papandreou, 38.6 percent said Karamanlis, followed by 2.5 percent for KKE leader Aleka Papariga, 2.3 percent for Dora Bakoyianni (ND cadre and current Athens mayor), 1.9 percent for SYN leader Nikos Constantopoulos, 1.5 percent for prime minister Costas Simitis, 1.3 percent for LAOS leader George Karatzaferis, and 0.9 percent for DHKKI leader Dimitris Tsovolas.

On questions regarding Papandreou's and Karamanlis' image: - Papandreou led with respect to 'prestige abroad' (64.5 percent, vs. 24.8 percent for Karamanlis); 'is more friendly and human' (45.7 percent vs. 42.5 percent); 'has better prospects for the future' (42.4 percent vs. 40.9 percent); and 'inspires more confidence' (41.1 percent vs. 40.9''. - Karamanlis led with respect to 'is more frank' (39.0 percent vs. 35.3 percent for Papandreou); 'cares more about the peoples problems' (38.8 percent vs. 32.7 percent); 'has better associates' (37.9 percent vs. 37.3 percent).

Rallying among the PASOK voters was put at 79.4 percent, while among the ND voters at 91.0 percent.

Voter movement from PASOK toward ND was put at 9.9 percent, while from ND to PASOK at 3.7 percent.

VPRC barometer: According to the VPRC 'electoral barometer', with respect to voter intent, 46.5 percent of respondents said they would vote for ND, against 41.5 percent for PASOK, followed by 5.5 percent for the KKE, 3.5 percent for SYN, 1.5 percent for LAOS, and 0.5 percent for DHKKI.

Papandreou was considered more qualified for prime minister by 46 percent, against 36 percent for Karamanlis.

To a question on to what degree the respondents were interested in the March 7 elections, 70 percent responded 'I am interested', against 30 'not interested''.

With respect to which party was anticipated to win the elections, 46 percent said ND, against 26 percent who said PASOK.

The opinion poll was conducted on February 4-5 by telephone among a sampling of 1,200 voters.

RASS poll: According to the RASS poll, conducted between January 26 and February 2 among a nationwide sampling of 1.414 voters, ND maintained its lead (with a 4.3 percentage point difference) with respect to voter intent.

More specifically, 39.0 percent of respondents said they intended to vote for ND, against 34.7 percent for PASOK, followed by 5.8 percent for the KKE, 2.7 percent for SYN, 2.0 percent for LAOS, and 1.1 percent for DHKKI, while 14.7 percent did not reply.

With respect to which party was anticipated to win the March 7 elections, 51.5 percent said ND, compared with 34.1 percent who said PASOK.

To the question of who was more qualified for prime minister, 39.2 percent of respondents opted for Karamanlis, against 38.6 percent for Papandreou, 2.4 percent for Papariga, 1.3 percent for Constantopoulos, 1.3 percent for Karatzaferis, and 0.9 percent for Tsovolas.

With respect to who was more frank with the people, 34.0 percent of respondents said Papandreou, against 33.6 percent who said Karamanlis.

To a question on whether there would be changes, with new faces, in a prospective PASOK or ND government: 53.2 percent said there would be changes in a PASOK government, against 29.4 percent who said there would be no changes; 50.1 percent said there would be changes in a New Democracy government, while 32.5 percent said there would be no changes.

[08] Cyprus president Papadopoulos leaves for Athens consultations

NICOSIA 09/02/2004 (ANA-G. Leonidas)

Speaking at the airport before his departure for Athens, Papadopoulos said that his government's target had always been the finding of a solution by May 1, and expressed conviction that if mutual good political volition was displayed, UN secretary general Kofi Annan's timetable could be adhered to.

Papadopoulos reiterated that there was close cooperation with the Greek government, and that his imminent talks in Athens were within that framework, noting that it was unconceivable that an exchange of views and talks with the Greek government did not precede at such a critical turning point for the Cyprus issue.

To a question on the Turkish side's stance, Papadopoulos said that, to date, there had been no official statement of acceptance of the negotiations process on the basis of the Annan plan.

Papadopoulos said he felt much strengthened by the backing of the Cypriot political leadership, with which he said he would have a broad exchange of views with a broader political horizon vis-a-vis Cyprus.

[09] Papandreou visits child welfare home, shelter for drug users

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou began the visits early in the morning, driving himself to the Hatzikyriakio Child Welfare Institution, where 80 girls from dysfunctional families are currently living, before driving on to the Cultural Shelter run by the ''Diavasi'' open program, home to 45 young people battling with drug dependency problems.

During the visits, Papandreou said he was dedicating the day to people with problems and those who had devoted their lives to helping them, who symbolized the Greece of ''giving and contribution'' that everyone desired.

He refused to comment on an interview given by main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis the previous day.

Papandreou's leadership of the ruling PASOK party stands to be confirmed after Sunday's vote, in which he is the sole candidate.

According to sources, 1500 ballot boxes have been set up throughout the country at which PASOK members and ''friends'' can go in and vote for Papandreou as party president, between the hours of 8:00 and 19:00.

An online system has been set up, so that the results of the vote are expected to be made public by 22:00 on Sunday night.

The changes to the party charter made on Friday at PASOK's extraordinary congress have also apparently circumvented objections voiced by the independent Authority for the Protection of Personal Data about the legality of recording the personal details of PASOK 'friends' who wished to vote.

According to government spokesman Christos Protopapas, everyone was expected to take part in ''this great democratic and participatory process that gives George Papandreou the mandate for change, the mandate to turn his vision and plan for the country into action''.

Press reports say that Papandreou is expected to step up his pre-election tours after Monday and that he intends to step down as foreign minister.

According to the newspaper 'To Vima', he intends to ask Prime Minister Costas Simitis to place Theodoros Pangalos in the position of foreign minister and to bring in Costas Laliotis to take over the campaign strategy position currently held by Pangalos.

President Stephanopoulos hands out awards to young people of Aegean islands

In a ceremony held at the Old Parliament building in Athens on Saturday, President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos handed out a series of awards for outstanding achievement to school children, athletes and students from the Aegean islands.

This is the fourth year in a row that this event dedicated to the young people of the Aegean islands is organized by the Aegean ministry. According to Aegean Minister Nikos Sifounakis, the event is a way to pay tribute to the young people that continue to live and achieve on small and isolated islands in the Aegean, in spite of the many hurdles that they have to overcome.

He noted that one of the most serious problems facing the islands was population drain due to emigration by people seeking to make their fortunes on the mainland or abroad.

[10] Archbishop Christodoulos hosts luncheon for Greek Eurodeputies

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

Christodoulos touched upon a number of issues, including the election campaign, noting that the Church has instructed the clerics to stay away from every campaign event as it does not wish to exert any pressure on the faithful who support parties and candidates who dispute the Church.

The Archbishop also expressed pessimism about the Cyprus issue, stating that ''the Cypriot people during this three-month period will go through its worst moments.''

However, Greek EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou and Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis did not share the Archbishop's pessimism, stating that Greece and Cyprus are in a strong position.

[11] Athens mayor continues tour of eastern Crete

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

The meeting focused on issues pertaining to the Athens Olympics in the summer and preparations being made by the two cities, as well as the use of the Olympic facilities after the Games.

Bakoyianni afterwards departed for Lasithi, where she continued her meetings with local mayors, productive classes and the public.

At the town of Vrahasi, local inhabitants expressed their disagreement with the 'Kapodistrias' law that merged small local authorities into larger administrative units and asked that main opposition New Democracy take steps to create an autonomous municipality.

Bakoyianni relayed ND's standing position that such problems should be handled through local referenda, saying that this was the best way to sound out public opinion on these issues.

She then visited Neapolis, where she met Petra and Hersonissos Metropolitan Nektarios and the local mayor.

[12] Six-kilometer tailback on Athens-Corinth highway due to accident

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

No one was injured during the accident and the two vehicles were removed from the road fairly quickly but traffic piled up because of road works taking place at the 53rd kilometer of the highway.

Traffic police were diverting vehicles onto the old highway toward Corinth at Elefsina and at the 42nd kilometer of the national highway until the traffic load lightened.

Traffic was heavier than usual on Saturday because of day-trippers taking advantage of the good weather.

[13] Concern over fire at disused agricultural chemicals plant

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

The fire broke out at the Diana plant in Stavroupolis, Thessaloniki in the afternoon and was quickly put out but it is unclear whether dangerous toxic gases may have been released.

About 200 tones of pesticides were stored in barrels on the site, pending their removal for destruction in Germany and an unspecified quantity was burned during Saturday's fire.

It was the last batch of some 1000 tones of chemicals stored on the site that were removed in 2003 after strenuous protests by local groups and environmental organizations.

More than 40 men and twenty vehicles took part in the operation to put out the fire, which was extinguished within two hours.

[14] Illegal immigrants intercepted on the coast of Leros

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

None of the immigrants had any form of identification document on them and the group is currently being held on the island while a preliminary investigation gets underway.

[15] WWII bomb neutralized in Crete

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

The bomb was uncovered during excavations to widen the Northern Road axis near the Kako Oros region in Iraklion, and the army was immediately notified. The Iraklion-Agios Nikolaos section of the national highway was also closed to traffic for several hours.

A bomb disposal squad was immediately dispatched, and the bomb was neutralized with a controlled explosion.

[16] OIF sec. gen. to sign Olympic Truce Declaration

Athens, 09/02/2004 (ANA)

Earlier, in the day, Diouf will sign the Olympic Truce Declaration, adding his signature to that of other prominent international personalities.

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