Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-04-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis dismisses any notion of reshuffle, says fight against corruption will continue

[02] ND government in deadlock, PASOK party spokesman says

[03] ND leads rival main opposition party by 3%, according to latest poll

[04] Education minister hails new Pope Benedict

[05] Tension at Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

[06] President Papoulias attending Mesolonghi Exodus celebrations

[07] Memorial service in Athens commemorates 90th anniversary of Armenian genocide

[08] Archbishop Christodoulos criticises people pretending to be interested in the Church

[09] Arrested fugitive Apostolos Vavylis to be taken to prison in Venice

[10] Turkish national arrested on charges of carrying illegal immigrants in wooden boat

[11] Iacovou says Cyprus an obstacle in Turkey's EU course

[12] Papadopoulos says Cyprus better off for rejecting Annan plan

[01] Karamanlis dismisses any notion of reshuffle, says fight against corruption will continue

Athens, 25/4/2005 (ANA)

Karamanlis' statements came in an interview published in the Sunday edition of the Athens daily "Kathimerini".

"I believe that the ministers comprising a government must have adequate time to be informed, to plan and to implement the government's work. We have now entered the phase in which major reforms are beginning to be implemented," he said.

Moreover, the prime minister rejected criticism that the government lost time in promoting its policy, saying "I do not accept this", as he explained that there is a process for decisions to mature and that a great deal of time is required for results to become apparent.

"I do not feel that there are delays," the prime minister stressed and noted that many months of preparation are required for each issue.

Karamanlis further underlined that new tax measures will not be imposed and, replying to the question on why measures were not taken earlier, he said a complete assessment of the country's fiscal situation had to be made.

"When it became apparent that the deficit is almost five times of what had been estimated when the 2004 budget was approved, we were obliged to take measures. And I say we were obliged because they were unavoidable," he added.

Karamanlis cited a new incentive package for businesses, more elastic shop hours, reforms focusing on state utilities and enter-prises, pension reform in the banking sector and privatisa-tions, naming the profitable football betting pools and lottery organi-sation, OPAP, as first on the list. He also said the privati-sation of debt-ridden Olympic Airways (OA) is also a priority.

"Some have criticised us because we did not solve all the pro-blems (the country faces) in one year. Everything cannot be done from one day to the next," he said in characterising the oppo-sition's stance, while adding that his government has requested specific proposals.

Foreign affairs: Referring to relations with neighbouring Turkey, Karamanlis said Greece is pursuing a full normalisation of relations. However, he said Athens wants to protect its rights and interests, while he noted that support of Turkey's European prospects is a correct policy.

"Certain behaviours do not change from one day to the other. A society with specific characteristics cannot become European on all levels from one day to the other, it is a long process. Turkey's, and its leaders' behaviour is judged and evaluated on a daily basis," the Greek prime minister said, while declining to com-ment on relations between the civilian and military leaderships in Turkey.

"I do consider, however, that the Greek prime minister must always have an open channel of communication with the Turkish prime minister as well as the most sincere relationship as possible," he said.

As far as the long-standing Cyprus issue, Karamanlis cited both the significance of the island republic's accession to the Euro-pean Union as well as the Greek Cypriot community's right to reject a solution it did not desire.

"The primary target remains a solution to the Cyprus problem based on the Annan peace plan ... There are, of course, issues that must be revised. The most important part is to proceed carefully," he said.

Additionally, Karamanlis said he doesn't forecast any new initiative prior to the Oct. 3 date that Turkey has received for beginning EU negotiations.

Regarding the FYROM 'name issue', Karamanlis reiterated that although the recently presented Nimetz proposal does not fully satisfy Athens, it does offer a prospect that is "worthy of discussion".

"The side that will not agree to sit down and talk will bear, after 15 years, the weight of this intransigence," the Greek premier said.

The fight against corruption: In commenting on one of the more crucial fronts his government is facing, namely, the campaign to fight corruption and curb the influence of vested interests, Karamanlis appeared unwavering, saying it would be unthinkable to change his stance now.

"I am doing this not because I bear ill feelings towards anyone; nor is this a witch hunt, but I deeply believe that the struggle for transparency is linked with the quality of our democracy and economic development. There is no free economy when the game is partially rigged or rigged in certain sectors," he emphasised.

In an even more telling statement, Karamanlis referred to a "vile" attack against the government by some quarters, as well as an effort to cover-up anything positive done by the government and, conversely, to magnify the negative or even to create issues.

"I know very well why all of these things are occurring and what the motives are," he noted.

Finally, the Greek prime minister referred to a "lawless" media environment that leads to mind-boggling competition. "When I refer to phenomena of disinformation, to a large extent I am referring to this situation. This should concern us as a society," he added.

[02] ND government in deadlock, PASOK party spokesman says

Athens, 25/4/2005 (ANA)

Athanassakis said "13 months after the assumption of the country's governance, Mr. Karamanlis is repeating promises and announcements, while he is trying, as usual, to remove his own responsibilities."

The spokesman further said Karamanlis is "trying to create new hope for all who believed his election commitments and saw, in such a short period of time, their hopes disappointed by the lack of sincerity, the inconsistency, the unreliability and the erroneous and antipopular policies of the ND government."

[03] ND leads rival main opposition party by 3%, according to latest poll

Athens, 25/4/2005 (ANA)

Specifically, ND was picked by 36.2 percent of respondents; 33.2 for PASOK; 7.3 percent for the Communist Party of Greece (KKE); the out-of-Parliament LA.OS party polled 3.8 percent and the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) 3.1.

In response to the question of is most suitable for prime minister, Premier Costas Karamanlis was picked by 42.2 percent of respondents, followed by PASOK leader George Papandreou with 26.9. Some 28.2 of respondents said neither.

On the question of which party is most likely to win the next general election, ND leads with 57 percent, followed by PASOK, with 22.6. An estimated 34.7 percent of respondents have a positive or more or less positive view of the government and 52.3 a negative or more-or-less negative view.

Moreover, 26.3 have a positive or more-or- less positive view of PASOK and 46.6 a negative view of the party. As to which of the two major parties is more to blame for the current state of the economy, 51.5 percent said PASOK and 11 percent said ND.

In addition, 61.8 percent favour a government reshuffle, while 69.1 believe that it has a problem in its communication policy.

[04] Education minister hails new Pope Benedict

XVI ROME 25/4/2005 (ANA - L. Hadjikyriakos)

"We hail the new Pope. We look forward to his active participation in consolidating international peace and securing cooperation among peoples," she said.

"At the same time, we express our optimism over a constructive contribution by all religions, which are based on common foundations and which share the same values, towards the eradication of two evils of our modern times. The combatting of poverty and the brushing aside of fanaticism and intolerance," the minister added.

[05] Tension at Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM 25/4/2005 (ANA - P. Haritos)

Six bishops abstained from the ritual to protest developments taking place in the Patriarchal foundation and to express their disapproval of the current Patriarch in this way.

On departing from the Temple of the Resurrection, Irineos, who had a strong police escort, was met with praise from a number of Greek faithful who had arrived to attend services scheduled for the Holy Week.

The Patriarch greeted the faithful who had assembled outside the temple, but a few steps away other people who had gathered rained abuse on him and the police were obliged to tighten the cordon around him and push demonstrators aside.

[06] President Papoulias attending Mesolonghi Exodus celebrations

Athens, 25/4/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, he said "today is not a day for statements. It is a day for concentration. Mesolonghi is in the hearts and souls of the Greeks and constitutes an example for all."

Tourist Development Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos is also in the city as the government's representative at the celebrations.

The mayor of Mesolonghi gave an official luncheon for President Papoulias earlier in the day.

[07] Memorial service in Athens commemorates 90th anniversary of Armenian genocide

Athens, 25/4/2005 (ANA)

"Such anniversaries do not just affect only those that fell; they do not only affect those people who, for national reasons, remember all that occurred in the past ... Such anniversaries affect all of us, all countries and all of the world's peoples," Pavlopoulos said.

Among others, brief addresses were made by the Armenian ambassador in Greece, Vahram Kazhovan, and former Parlia-ment president Apostolos Kaklamanis.

After the memorial service a wreath was laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the estimated 1.5 million victims of the Armenian genocide.

[08] Archbishop Christodoulos criticises people pretending to be interested in the Church

Athens, 25/4/2005 (ANA)

"Let those who say they are interested in the Church back off a little. It requests this of them," the Archbishop said, adding that "we also have rights in this country."

Archbishop Christodoulos pointed out that "we are doing our duty because the people need a dynamic Church. A Church which has its head held high. A Church which is not affected by the isolated mistakes of certain clerics, because no one has the right to generalise cases."

Referring to the humanitarian task of the Church, Archbishop Christodoulos said it provides 6,000 portions of food on a daily basis for indigent people, regardless of religion.

"This is the task the Church has to show against the wretchedness of these days. Wretchedness which is coordinated and maintained by people who want to demolish the holy institution of the Church, which constitutes the prop of people," the Archbishop added.

[09] Arrested fugitive Apostolos Vavylis to be taken to prison in Venice

ROME 25/4/2005 (ANA - L. Hadjikyriakos)

Bologna public prosecutor Lucia Musti, who is handling the case, also said Vavylis is being charged for the possession of a forged passport, which carries a sentence of one to six months.

Musti further said that his friend, Lucia Tadei, will be prosecuted now for harbouring a wanted man.

As regards Greek prosecutors who want to interrogate Vavylis, they can do so with approval by the Venice public prosecutor and after permission is requested from the Italian justice ministry.

Musti also said Vavylis can ask to be allowed to serve his sentence in Greece.

[10] Turkish national arrested on charges of carrying illegal immigrants in wooden boat

Athens, 25/4/2005 (ANA)

The Turk left the illegal immigrants on the beach and tried to escape, but port officials succeeded in arresting him. The illegal immigrants, 27 of whom have been found, are in good condition and are of various nationalities.

The boat, seven metres in length, has been confiscated, while the region is continuing to be combed in the event another wave of illegal immigrants arrives.

[11] Iacovou says Cyprus an obstacle in Turkey's EU course

NICOSIA 25/4/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking before his departure for Rome, where he will be representing the President of the Republic and the government at the inauguration mass of newly elected Pope Benedict XVI, Iacovou said Turkey's EU accession course was "very complicated" and that "the progress made by Turkey so far is unsatisfactory."

Additionally, he said a common position of the EU, achieved by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) in view of the EU-Turkey Association Council to be held on April 26, was "a good position," adding that he had "no doubt Turkey would try to question this position."

[12] Papadopoulos says Cyprus better off for rejecting Annan plan

Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos has expressed a conviction that Cyprus' position is today much better than it would have been if the plan for a Cyprus settlement proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had been accepted in a referendum on April 24 last year.

Speaking after the conclusion of a pancyprian congress to celebrate the 80 years of existence of the Cyprus Communist Party - AKEL and invited to comment on the fact that today is the first anniversary of the referendum, at which the Greek Cypriot community rejected the Annan plan, President Papadopoulos said ''what I had said then has been verified.''

''Hard work is needed and certainly our position today is much better than it would have been if we had accepted the Annan plan,'' he pointed out.

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