Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-10-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK nat'l council ratifies main leadership candidacies; all three address session

[02] Former US president Clinton visits Acropolis after talks with Karamanlis

[03] French Ag Minister Barnier to tour fire-ravaged areas of Evia on Mon.

[04] Greece decries Turkish inaction to stem surge in illegal migration

[05] Interior minister chairs meeting on wildfire restoration work

[06] Alexandria Patriarch warmly welcomed by Moscow Patriarch Alexiy

[07] KKE leader addresses 33rd KNE festival

[08] SYRIZA cadre Voutsis comments on son's armed robbery arrest

[09] President Papoulias visits Elassona

[10] Tourist development minister meets with actress Nia Vardalos

[11] Exhibition in Hania on medieval French castles

[12] Petroleum company employee robbed of 60,000 euros in Egaleo

[13] Sports

[01] PASOK nat'l council ratifies main leadership candidacies; all three address session

The candidacies of a handful of unknown candidates failed to receive a vote from the national council, while the candidacy of junior cadre Dimitris Tziotis received one vote.

Without approval from the national council or membership on the party' s political council or the national council itself, individuals wishing to vie for PASOK' s leadership must, according to the party's charter, present by Oct. 14 the signatures either of a third of the party's regional organisations or signatures of one-tenth of its members, roughly 35,000 signatures.

With 341 votes in favour and four against, PASOK' s national council approved a proposal by the party's political council on the procedure to be applied in the leadership election.

The council also unanimously approved corresponding proposals for the convening of the party's national conference on Nov. 2-4 and for a congress to be held in February 2008.

Addresses

In terms of addresses by the main candidates, PASOK leader George Papandreou inaugurated the party's two-day national council on Saturday with a lengthy examination of his tenure at PASOK' s helm since February 2004, subsequent election results and policy directions, without however, holding back on criticism of internal party developments.

"PASOK has a contract with history," Papandreou noted at one point, while he repeatedly called for a renewal of his mandate to allow a "new beginning for both the party and Greece."

Papandreou told the council session - ostensibly assigned the task of examining the causes of the party's defeat in the Sept. 16 general elections -- that "we must find our soul and identity again" and stressed that the party will remain independent and will allow "no (outside) manipulation."

The PASOK leader and former foreign minister termed the session a creative starting point for a victorious future, saying a confirmation of PASOK's unity is a precondition for victory.

"We do not want a regime-like PASOK merely for the sake of exercising power, but a party of changes that will lead Greece ahead," at which point he said he assumed the leadership of PASOK in 2004 and instead of making reforms he chose to strike an internal party balance.

Outlining how he views PASOK from now on, he said that PASOK must be populist, radical and patriotic.

Papandreou appeared determined to bring about major changes, both in the image of the party and in its organising structure.

He referred at length to relations between the economy and politics and to efforts, as he said, by some quarters to control the political world, as well as the role played by the mass media, noting that "we don't want any bosses above our heads."

Papandreou appealed to the parties on PASOK's left to join his party in discussing the country's major problems, so that no "conservative turn be allowed". He also proposed the creation of a permanent forum for differences between the parties to be aired.

One prominent absence from the session was former PASOK Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who sent a letter to the party's leader and to party secretary Nikos Athanassakis.

Simitis said he took the decision not to participate because, as he noted, polarisation is promoted, along with what he called a "bucking of responsibilities" for the election defeat and an effort to consider him "a part of the problem" that is preoccupying PASOK.

Venizelos

In an addressed that followed Papandreou more than an hour later, top PASOK Thessaloniki-area deputy and former minister Evangelos Venizelos, one of the three primary contenders for the Nov. 11 election, said the ballot is a major opportunity for a "new meeting between PASOK and society."

Venizelos said the party bequeathed by its founder, Andreas Papandreou, is not today's "scared and defeatist" PASOK of 38 percent, but it is the PASOK of 48 percent in 1981 and 1993's 47 percent.

He further said the party must provide hope and prospects to the people, while stressing that there is no danger of a rift in the party, particularly when it implements a self-evident democratic course.

Referring to the 2007 election result, Venizelos said the defeat brought PASOK back to the forefront of society's interest and said that this could be good if the party can renew itself and contest victory again.

Venizelos noted that a precondition for PASOK's future victory is the creation of a "new social majority" that will be based on a new political agreement and will have a new plan for the country as a precondition.

Lastly, Venizelos underlined that PASOK must appeal to the poor, the marginalised, the uninsured, the unemployed, immigrants, pensioners, low-wage earners, farmers, the dynamic middle classes and students, among others.

Skandalidis

Former party secretary and minister Costas Skandalidis, one of the three main contenders for PASOK's helm, noted that "the defeat was a multiple one. It was ideological because we have lost the hegemony of our ideas for some time now."

Skandalidis further said that "today, after this defeat, everything is starting from a zero basis" and noted that criticism must also mobilise the historical elements in PASOK's course.

He stressed that with its stance PASOK downgraded the major national goals "that we had achieved throughout the entire previous period."

Athanassakis

Main opposition PASOK Secretary Nikos Athanassakis referred to "a painful defeat and we do not have to beautify words."

Athanassakis said that both defeat and victory have many fathers, with the difference that someone rarely assumes fatherhood in the event of defeat, adding that he must assume the part of the responsibilities attributed to him from his post.

He further said that he submitted his resignation to party leader George Papandreou the day after the elections, although the latter asked him to stay on since procedures had already been scheduled.

A bevy of other top cadres took the podium on Sunday, including former top minister Theodoros Pangalos, who announced that he will not be a candidate in the Nov. 11 party election, while he expressed his support for Papandreou.

Other speakers included former ministers Vasso Papandreou, Christos Papoutsis, Anna Diamantopoulou, Petros Efthymiou, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Miltiades Papaioannou, Alekos Papadopoulos, Apostolos Kaklamanis, Andreas Loverdos, Mihalis Chrysohoidis, George Floridis and others.

[02] Former US president Clinton visits Acropolis after talks with Karamanlis

On Friday evening, Clinton detailed his views on major international challenges of the 21st century, in a speech at a downtown Athens hotel that was attended by several government and opposition members and the country's top executives.

After his address, the popular ex-president dined with main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou at a hotel in the region of Syntagma Square.

[03] French Ag Minister Barnier to tour fire-ravaged areas of Evia on Mon.

Afterwards, Barnier, a noted former EU Commissioner for regional development, is scheduled to be received by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, while he will also hold talks with Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

According to reports, the issue of improving the Union's civil protection framework to better deal with natural disasters - an initiative promoted by Athens following last August's massive wildfires in southern Greece -- will dominate talks.

[04] Greece decries Turkish inaction to stem surge in illegal migration

"Greece believes that the problem of illegal immigration, with its intense humanitarian dimension, can be handled effectively with sincere cooperation at the international and bilateral level; with productive cooperation between neighbouring countries ... but not through false allegations and unfounded accusations," foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos stressed on Sunday.

"At a time when all evidence shows, beyond any doubt, that Greece's eastern land and sea borders are experiencing continuous and intensifying pressure from an increasing number of illegal immigrants, certain circles in Turkey are making, in various ways, an overt effort to distort reality and to avoid their own responsibilities," the spokesman added.

Koumoutsakos further underlined that "we have repeatedly noted and pointed out inadequate and incomplete policing on the Turkish side of the border. This is encouraging the flow of illegal immigrants, which in most cases takes place with ways and means that are dangerous for their lives."

"On the contrary, Greece places a great emphasis on handling the phenomenon of illegal immigration given, indeed, that the largest portion of its borders is an external border of the European Union, and all a border of the Schengen Pact area. It is indicative that 7,944 illegal immigrants were arrested on (Greece's) eastern land and sea borders in 2005; in 2006 it was 22,151, while during the first eight months of 2007 17,897 illegal immigrants (attempting to reach Greece via Turkey) have already been detained."

Turkey, he added, "is not responding substantively to commitments it has assumed with the Greek-Turkish readmission Protocol of 2001. There is unwillingness for effective cooperation. As a matter of fact, between April 2002 until May 2007 it (Turkey) has accepted for readmission only 1,646 illegal immigrants out of claims for 24,754, which is a percentage of about 6.65 percent."

Furthermore, the spokesman added that no real progress has been achieved in negotiations to conclude a readmission agreement between Turkey and the EU.

"What is necessary, and what we are looking forward to from the Turkish side is, on the one hand, a substantive response within the framework of existing bilateral cooperation between the relevant authorities and, on the other, the speedy conclusion of the readmission agreement with the EU," he concluded.

[05] Interior minister chairs meeting on wildfire restoration work

Pavlopoulos said that the restoration programme will be carried out in full and reiterated that work at Ancient Olympia will be completed in time, while adding that the government's interest also lies in preventing natural disasters in light of winter and of possible flooding phenomena.

[06] Alexandria Patriarch warmly welcomed by Moscow Patriarch Alexiy

Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II was welcomed here on Saturday by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexiy II at the Russian capital's airport, in the presence of representatives of Greece and Egypt.

Immediately afterwards, the two Church leaders headed to the Monastery of St. Daniel, where they held talks in the presence of large delegations from both sides.

The official visit to Moscow by the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Africa is his first since his election three years ago.

The two religious leaders had the opportunity to hold talks on Orthodox ecclesiastical issues on Saturday evening, as well as to issue pleas for world peace.

In welcoming the Patriarch of the ancient Alexandrian Church, the Patriarch of Moscow referred to the bonds of friendship and fraternal love with which the two Churches have been linked for centuries.

On his part, Theodoros thanked the Church of Russia for its support of the African Orthodox Church's missionary work.

[07] KKE leader addresses 33rd KNE festival

For the first time, Papariga also referred at length to developments taking place in main opposition PASOK, stressing that the crisis it is experiencing is mainly a crisis of the social democrat strategy.

She also focused on KKE's increased responsibilities, as she said, after the general elections, with optimism being the main characteristic since, as she said, the election success encloses a "new impetus" and that KKE is the only party that is "strengthening, consolidating and widening its whatever achievements."

Commenting on KKE's policy, Papariga said her party is on the "other side" of the political system, and always opposite the "traditional political pylons of the capitalist system and its new allies."

Speaking about the election result, Papariga said that "today we are celebrating the success, the success that our party achieved in the election struggle."

Lastly, she said that the success includes an impetus "that we have the responsibility of utilising for the benefit of the class struggle, for the benefit of the people's interests, for the benefit of young people, our children."

[08] SYRIZA cadre Voutsis comments on son's armed robbery arrest

Commenting on Sunday for the first time since his son's arrest, Voutsis said that "I did not ask for, nor am I seeking and will not tolerate any preferential treatment at whatever stage of this case"

Voutsis said he is also "covered" by statements made by SYRIZA coalition head Alekos Alavanos two days ago, while he added that "my son, who has his own ideological views, has always, just like now, faced the consequences..." while stressing that he will stand by him.

"Many don't like us (SYRIZA and its main component, the Coalition of the Left) because we were always on the front line against those who deprive others of their rights; those who profiteer with the bugbear of building modern societies of zero tolerance, those who disdain social struggles in favour of 'law and order'..." Voutsis concluded.

The SYRIZA cadre's son, G. Voutsis, 22, was apprehended by a passerby, a trucker, as he fled a bank in the central Athens district of Gyzi last week, moments after he allegedly held up the National Bank branch with an accomplice.

The accomplice is still wanted, while police found a pair of handguns, a hand grenade and roughly 23,000 euros of the bank's money on the younger Voutsis, who according to police, has been involved in self-styled "anti-establishment" and anarchist cells in the greater Athens areas.

[09] President Papoulias visits Elassona

President Papoulias said that the achievements of those warriors must create feelings of honour and pride and strengthen our determination to achieve the peaceful goals set before us today: progress, development, social justice and respect for the environment.

Referring in particular to the 1912-1913 Balkan Wars, Papoulias stressed that the combination of courage, vision, faith in one's goal and methodical movement constitute an example for every era, as well as for the current one.

General News

[10] Tourist development minister meets with actress Nia Vardalos

Vardalos is best known for starring, writing and co-producing the comedic hit "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".

[11] Exhibition in Hania on medieval French castles

The exhibition is being hosted within the framework of events organised by the Greek-French society of Hania, the municipality of Hania and the Hania prefecture.

The exhibition will feature feudal castles through the works of 19th French archaeologist and historian Léo Drouyn.

[12] Petroleum company employee robbed of 60,000 euros in Egaleo

The employee, who was collecting proceeds from the company's petrol stations, stopped his car when he saw a garbage can in the middle of the street and then two robbers armed with a pistol jumped out of a stolen car and snatched a bag containing the money from him after threatening him at gunpoint.

The robbers made their getaway on a motorcycle they had left at the spot and abandoned the car.

[13] Sports

Olympiakos Piraeus - Apollon Kalamaria 1-0

PAOK Thessaloniki - OFI Crete 2-2

Ergotelis Crete - Aris Thessaloniki 0-1

Iraklis Thessaloniki - Veria 1-1

Xanthi - Atromitos Athens 0-1

Asteras Tripolis - Panathinaikos Athens 1-0

Larissa - Levadiakos Livadia 3-3

Panionios Athens - AEK Athens 0-3

Standings after four weeks of play:

AEK 12 points

Atromitos 9

Olympiakos 8

Panathinaikos 7

Panionios 7

Xanthi 7

OFI 7

Aris 6

Larissa 5

PAOK 4

Asteras 4

Ergotelis 3

Veria 3

Iraklis 2

Apollon 1

Levadiakos 1

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