Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 10-11-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM: No snap elections on horizon

[02] Early morning results from regional, municipal elections

[03] Abstention the clear winner in local government elections

[04] Samaras: Elections sent message of policy change

[05] ND expresses satisfaction with election results so far

[06] KKE leader satisfied with party's showing

[07] Tsipras on election results

[08] F. Kouvelis: Snap elections not ruled out

[09] Alavanos assumes responsibility for poor showing

[10] MP Dimaras says he'll resign

[11] First round of local government elections opens on Sunday

[12] PM Papandreou sends message of stability, growth for continuation of country's salvation course

[13] PM gives interview to 'Ethnos tis Kyriakis' newspaper

[14] 'Outcome of Nov. 7 polls definitive,' PM tells 'Ta Nea'

[15] PM visits PASOK-backed candidates on Crete

[16] ND leader Samaras votes in Pylos

[17] ND leader gives interview to 'Typos tis Kyriakis' newspaper

[18] People must become protagonist of developments, KKE leader says

[19] KKE General Secretary visits Piraeus

[20] LAOS leader repeats call for all-party government

[21] LAOS party leader votes in Thessaloniki

[22] Tsipras votes in Kypseli in local elections

[23] President Papoulias calls on citizens to support 'Kallikratis' institution

[24] Beglitis concludes three-day visit to U.S.

[25] Greek frigate pulled out of Turkish naval exercise over air space violations

[26] LAOS leader meets Citizen's Protection minister

[27] Small plane crashes near Kalavryta, two wounded

[28] Two babies not in child seats seriously injured in road accident

[29] Woman arrested for drug dealing in Souda harbour

[30] Four arrested for dealing heroin in Larissa

[31] Search still on for 80-year-old missing at sea

[32] Sixteen illegal migrants found, trucker arrested in Patras

[33] Hania police probe rape, abduction case

[34] Grenade thrown in Pangrati

[35] Super League results

[36] Rainy on Monday

[37] The Sunday editions of Athens' dailies at a glance Politics

[01] PM: No snap elections on horizon

The prime minister stressed that Greece urgently needed a change of direction and that the previous economic and social model had failed.

"We have changed the direction and we must now complete the effort and function with a different outlook," he added.

"During one year of PASOK governance we refuted those who considered that the country had no future," he stressed, adding that the difficult effort had to continue with better terms and conditions.

He stressed that he had undertaken the country's helm at a difficult time and that the effort underway was the effort of all Greeks, not just that of the government.

According to the premier, the main priorities for the country were to put public finances in order and drastically reduce deficits in order to bring public debt under control, reduce state spending and radically overhaul the state sector, and stabilise the economy by restoring a growth trajectory.

"We have the plan and the will to succeed," he said but stressed that there was no easy way and no magic solutions.

Papandreou expressed concern over the high levels of abstention during the regional and municipal elections, urging those that had abstained to cast their vote in the second round of run-off elections.

"We need all the forces of the country in this effort [to emerge from the crisis]," he emphasised.

He also appealed to social partners, stressing that this was a national effort that had no room for petty party politics and attitudes.

Finally, he thanked all those that participated in the election under the new Kallikratis plan and stressed that this had been the first great step to the largest decentralisation of power that had ever been carried out by a Greek government.

[02] Early morning results from regional, municipal elections

In the crucial election for Attica regional authority head, with 33.87 percent of the vote counted and an estimated voter turnout of 55.1 percent, PASOK-backed candidate Yiannis Sgouros was in the lead with 24.10 percent of valid votes, versus 20.43 percent for main opposition New Democracy-backed candidate Vassilis Kikilias. Rebel one-time PASOK candidate Yiannis Dimaras, a high-profile candidate for opposing the EU-IMF memorandum, was third with 15.82 percent.

In Athens, the largest municipality in the country, ND-supported Athens mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis was ahead with 35.04 percent of valid votes at 1 a.m. with 40.2 percent of votes counted. He was tailed by George Kaminis, the candidate backed by PASOK, with 28.50 percent of the vote. The clear winner, however, was abstention since participation by Athens voters stood at record lows of just 41.84 percent.

In Thessaloniki, the second-largest Greek city after the capital, participation in the election stood at 53.43 percent. With 39.27 percent of the vote counted, ND-backed candidate Costas Gioulekas was ahead with 38.59 percent of the valid votes and Yiannis Boutaris, the candidate backed by ruling PASOK, was second with 33.08 percent of the vote.

In Piraeus, Yiannis Mihas backed by PASOK was in the lead with 30.46 percent and second place went to ND-backed Vassilis Mihaloliakos with 23.04 percent.

In the regional elections, the PASOK-backed candidate Yiannis Maheridis won outright in the Southern Aegean region with 50.34 percent but no clear winner had emerged in the remaining 12 regions during the first round, except for the Crete region, which was close to being called for the PASOK-backed candidate.

Ruling PASOK candidates had come first in Attica, Western Greece (43.66 pct vs. 26.39 pct for runner-up), Crete (49.33 pct vs. 18.79 pct for runner-up), the Peloponnese (42.24 pct vs. 40.62 pct for runner-up) and Central Greece (39.61 pct versus 35.62 pct for runner-up).

ND-backed candidates were in the lead in Eastern Macedonia & Thrace (41.55 percent against 41.34 for PASOK), in the North Aegean (38.32 percent against 36.55 percent for PASOK), Western Macedonia (37.78 pct versus 32.47 pct for PASOK), Epirus (43.71 pct vs. 37.18 pct for PASOK), Thessaly (38.62 pct vs. 34.25 pct for PASOK), the Ionian Islands (28.93 pct vs. 26.85 pct for PASOK) and Central Macedonia (43.61 pct vs. 30.99 pct for PASOK).

In the regions where no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote during the first round of the elections there will be a run-off election between the top two candidates in the first round on November 14.

Similarly, roughly a third of all municipalities elected a mayor in the first round and most of those elected were independents running in relatively small communities. Here also, there will be a run-off election between the top two candidates in the second round.

[03] Abstention the clear winner in local government elections

With 40 percent of the vote counted in the early hours of Monday, the abstention rate in regional elections was 40.02 percent, while blank or spoiled votes posted another record at 9 percent.

Abstention rates for municipal elections were even higher at 40.5 percent, while blank and spoiled votes accounted for 5.37 percent.

In the five largest municipalities of the country, abstention stood at:

Athens - 58 percent, Thessaloniki 46.9 percent, Piraeus 56.5 percent, Patras 39.4 percent and Iraklio, Crete 36.3 percent.

Throughout the country, the highest recorded abstention rate was in Prespes (76.15 percent), followed by the islands of Nisyros (75 percent), Agios Efstratios (73 percent), Ithaca (68.48 percent), Limnos (67.77 percent), Kythera (65.81 percent), and Symi (65.56 percent). Rates of abstention above 60 percent were also recorded in Servia-Velventos (63.75) and Florina (61).

[04] Samaras: Elections sent message of policy change

"The Greek people have spoken. These elections have sent a message of change, so we can exit the crisis with growth and not (economic) asphyxiation ... Today, those who were threatened, those who were blackmailed and live with the spectre of unemployment, replied to the government," he added.

Moreover, Samaras said PM George Papandreou's attempt to employ a dilemma towards the voters backfired, saying the results yielded no "carte blanche" for the PASOK government.

Additionally, the ND leader said his party is leading in most prefectures and municipalities, while saying that the 10-point difference PASOK enjoyed from the previous general election has been "wiped out".

"Never has a main opposition party brought about such a total turnaround," he said, underlined that the results bore "multiple messages for all".

[05] ND expresses satisfaction with election results so far

The party also seemed satisfied with the narrow margin between the party's candidate Dimitris Drakos, now second, and the PASOK-backed independent candidate Petros Tatoulis in the Peloponnese.

According to the main opposition party, both candidates have strong chance of election victory in the second round.

ND was also celebrating a strong lead by its candidates in the regions of Central and Western Macedonia, Epirus, Thessaly and the Ionian Islands that they believe will be hard to overturn. All these regions will go to a second round of run-off elections that ND is confident will go its own way.

The main opposition is mostly strongly concerned about the result in Crete, where its own candidate is currently third but ND officials have not ruled out the possibility that he may yet take second place.

Within Rigillis, party officials said that the strategy adopted by ND leader Antonis Samaras has paid off and note that a year after ND's crushing defeat in the 2009 elections, the party seems on the road to recovery under Samaras.

Samaras is due to take statements late on Sunday night, after Prime Minister George Papandreou has spoken.

[06] KKE leader satisfied with party's showing

Speaking from her party's headquarters in Athens, Papariga said KKE is on an upward course, based on initial projections giving the party approximately 12 percent of the vote on a nationwide basis.

"We did not say before the election that the vote revolved around local government, but that it was a political vote, and this satisfies us and vindicates our position," she said.

Papariga said KKE stands by its position to give a "political character" to the election, while again calling on the Greek people to vote against PASOK and ND, as well as the EU-ECB-IMF memorandum.

[07] Tsipras on election results

"Absentiism should worry us, all very seriously. We're focusing on it, but not Mr. Papandreou," he said, while also charging that the prime minister announced that he is continuing his policies "without political legality".

[08] F. Kouvelis: Snap elections not ruled out

Kouvelis, who recently left the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Parliamentary grouping, again referred to the prospect of a snap election, "and not just on the basis of today's results".

[09] Alavanos assumes responsibility for poor showing

Alavanos, a previous leader of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA), stressed that the results -- in the low single digits -- was "not very good". Nevertheless, he maintained that the current government must leave as soon as possible.

[10] MP Dimaras says he'll resign

Dimaras, who according to projections (around 15 percent) late in the evening will fail to enter the second round next Sunday, entered the race months after being expelled from PASOK's Parliamentary group for voting against an EU-ECB-IMF memorandum allowing for a 110-billion-euro bailout plan.

"We gave a honourable, sincere and honest battle, and we will continue," he said.

Were Dimaras to resign his position in the 300-MP Parliament would be filled by the first runner-up on PASOK's ballot, former minister Stefanos Tzoumakas.

[11] First round of local government elections opens on Sunday

This election introduces a number of new elements following the sweeping changes to the boundaries of local authorities under the Kallikratis plan, which greatly reduced the number of municipalities but also made them much larger, while abolishing the second-tier local authorities governing prefectures and introducing 13 elected regional authority governors.

The recent announcement by Prime Minister George Papandreou that a poor result for PASOK may lead him to consider the prospect of early general elections has raised also raised the stakes a great deal higher than is usual for a local government election.

In areas where there is no clear winner during the first round of elections, there will be a second round on November 14 at the same times and using the same procedure.

If the vote fails to take place in a municipality or in one or more polling stations for any reason, another election will be held on Wednesday, November 10.

Those eligible to vote for municipal councils and mayors are Greek nationals resident in the municipality that are over 18 and registered in their municipality or community electoral roll, as well as nationals of any of the 26 European Union member-states that are over 18, permanent residents of Greece and registered in the special electoral rolls of the municipality where they reside (up until August 31, 2010).

Those eligible to vote for regional authority officials do not include EU member-state citizens, Greek expatriates without Greek nationality and legal residents from third countries.

Those deprived of their rights to vote cannot vote in these elections.

Those that have no obligation to vote in the elections are foreign nationals, those aged over 70 and those that are more than 200 kilometres from the polling station where they vote (this must be certified by the municipality in the location they are in).

Those wanting to vote must display either a police ID card or temporary replacement issued by a proper authority, or a valid passport, or a driving licence, or social insurance fund booklet. Voters not included in the electoral roll that have not been deprived of their voting rights can apply to the municipality or community where they are registered in order to request a certificate that they are registered in the municipal register in order to exercise their voting rights.

[12] PM Papandreou sends message of stability, growth for continuation of country's salvation course

Papandreou termed in a statement the present day as being a day of important decisions, both for the "Kallikratis" plan and the country's course.

"We are making a vision a reality with 'Kallikratis'. We are changing a clientele and concentrated state and we are bringing power close to the citizen, for the first time, that will change his day-to-day life, that will bring close health, welfare services, and will also help for growth in a Greece that will be better, in a Greece that will be fairer, in an economically viable Greece. But we are also taking decisions for the stability of the country's course, since we need this stability to continue the difficult, on many occasions, but self-evident changes. We are winning battles, we shall continue to win battles as a country and I know that we can. All together Greece can," Papandreou stressed.

[13] PM gives interview to 'Ethnos tis Kyriakis' newspaper

Papandreou added that it is up to the citizens to decide on Sunday "whether we shall continue steadfastly along the course of the salvation and restructuring of the country or whether we shall turn back to decline and to Greece of bankruptcy."

The prime minister also criticised the previous New Democracy party government of "abandoning the ship when it was sinking," while accusing the present leadership of the main opposition ND party of undermining the effort of Greek society in its entirety with its stance.

[14] 'Outcome of Nov. 7 polls definitive,' PM tells 'Ta Nea'

Papandreou strongly criticised the opposition parties and especially main opposition New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras for adopting anti-Memorandum rhetoric, accusing them of populism and sacrificing the country's best interests to the final tally in the ballot box.

"Without a trace of compunction, for months now, they have considered that the local government elections would be a good opportunity to wound our national struggle. To outbid each other in populism, contend in demagoguery, with the exclusive goal of 'scalding' the government," Papandreou noted.

"All they care about is to be able to say on the night of the elections that PASOK was defeated and that, therefore, the effort we are making to extricate the country from the great impasse has been defeated. That the government has lost the legitimacy to continue its policies," he added.

Papandreou emphasised that his statements about holding early general elections if PASOK was defeated were not a bluff. Noting that this was not his preferred course, he nevertheless stressed that his decisions would be guided by what he considered best for the country and that the results of the first Sunday would be crucial in making his decision.

"On November 7 the citizens have an opportunity to give a clear answer concerning the country's course: forward to stability and self-evident changes or backward to adventures," he stressed.

Papandreou also denied that he was considering "flight" from the prime minister's office - such as by taking up a post in the United Nations - underlining that "my duty is here, to my country, with the mandate given to me by the Greek people".

He repeated, however, that his only criterion for making decisions was whether the country's course toward stability was threatened, in which case the "sovereign people will have to make their decisions".

"The message from the ballot boxes will be of definitive importance, especially that in the first Sunday for the regional authorities," he said.

[15] PM visits PASOK-backed candidates on Crete

"We always drawn strength from Crete to continue the struggle," Papandreou stressed in statements after the visit, speaking to people that had gathered to hear him at the city's Eleftherias (Freedom) Square.

The prime minister wished all PASOK-backed candidates on the island the best of luck in the upcoming elections. He is due to return to Athens early on Saturday afternoon.

[16] ND leader Samaras votes in Pylos

"Today its is up to the Greek people to speak. The Greeks are not afraid. They will choose the best and will also send a strong message to the government. A message for a change in course. Hope shall win again," Samaras said in a statement.

[17] ND leader gives interview to 'Typos tis Kyriakis' newspaper

Samaras stressed that "after PASOK misled voters before October 2009 and afterwards attempted to pass the policy of the Memorandum through a climate of fear, it is attempting now to blackmail the electorate by threatening with elections."

[18] People must become protagonist of developments, KKE leader says

"Today, the endurance of working people towards extortions and phobic dilemmas will be counted," Papariga said, calling for an end to television discussions that reproduce the extortion of elections.

"The people have nothing to fear. The people must become the protagonist of developments," the KKE leader added.

[19] KKE General Secretary visits Piraeus

In statements to people gathered at the pavilion, Papariga underlined her opposition to the "government's extortionist dilemma for the elections" and stressed that "there is another way".

[20] LAOS leader repeats call for all-party government

Speaking to reporters during a dinner, Karatzaferis expressed hope that Prime Minister George Papandreou would "not succumb to the temptation for a political deviation" and explained that he meant the leaked rumours about holding double elections, both for local government and for Parliament.

He also repeated his proposal for an all-party government, saying that he would not support an extended Papandreou government but would participate in a government that also included main opposition New Democracy and its leader Antonis Samaras.

According to LAOS's leader, Papandreou was not in control of his own party and for this reason had been unable to impose the candidates of his choice for regional authorities.

[21] LAOS party leader votes in Thessaloniki

"Today is the day on which there will be a count of how many Greeks think freely and vote according to conscience and how many turn up for the elections pressured by phobic, extortionate dilemmas," Karatzaferis said in a statement.

[22] Tsipras votes in Kypseli in local elections

Tsipras called on the citizens in a statement to condemn in the elections "the policy of bankruptcy, the Memorandum and the political forces that have led the country to the present state."

Tsipras added the "today, the Greek people have a great opportunity," and made the assessment that the elections will promote the political correlations of the new political setting, pointing out that "hope must not be absent from this setting" and that as far as his party is concerned hope is the meeting of the Left with forces of the socialist sector.

[23] President Papoulias calls on citizens to support 'Kallikratis' institution

"It is an institution that strengthens popular participation," President Papoulias said in a statement after voting in local elections in the country on Sunday in the city of Ioannina.

"It is a reform that should have taken place a long time ago," President Papoulias added, wishing "all the best" for all the candidates.

[24] Beglitis concludes three-day visit to U.S.

Greece's Alternate Defence Minister Panos Beglitis on Friday ended a three-day working visit to Washington, during which he presented the U.S. military leadership with a memorandum describing Turkey's behaviour in the Aegean in recent years.

During the visit he met U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (ISA) Alexander Vershbow and the chairman of the U.S. Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen.

Beglitis expressed Athens' strong concern over the behaviour and practices adopted by Ankara in the Aegean, particularly the constant violations of Greek air space and other actions that clearly aimed to dispute the legal status and Greece's territorial rights in the region.

At the same time, he repeated the Greek government's desire to improve relations with Turkey and pointed to Greece's support of Turkey's European perspective on condition that Turkey fulfilled the obligations arising from the treaties governing the operation of the European Union.

Concerning Greece's participation in peace-keeping missions, Beglitis emphasised that Greece had remained a steadfast, faithful and reliable ally through its participation in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, KFOR in Kosovo and the operations against piracy in Somalia, in spite of its current economic difficulties. He also pointed to the country's contribution to regional security issues in the Balkans and Mediterranean.

During his visit there was a meeting between delegations of the two countries at the High Level Consultative Committee that held an in-depth discussions on ways to further improve and enhance the strategic partnership of the two countries.

Beglitis also had the opportunity to discuss a series of issues focusing on the upcoming NATO summit in Lisbon, NATO relations with Russia and the EU and Greece's contribution to peace-keeping missions for protecting world peace and security.

Beglitis also briefed U.S. officials on recent changes to modernise the Greek armed forces and a series of measures taken to create a "modern, flexible and efficient force" that was of higher quality in terms of equipment and operations.

[25] Greek frigate pulled out of Turkish naval exercise over air space violations

During an aeronautical cooperation exercise forming part of "Mavi Balina", 10 Turkish military aircraft entered the Athens Flight Information Region without submitting flight plans on Saturday. A total of seven infringements within the Athens FIR were recorded, which became six violations of Greece's national airspace east of Rhodes. Two of the Turkish aircraft were armed.

The same violations were repeated during the exercise on Sunday, with six Turkish aircraft entering the Athens FIR without submitting flight plans and carrying out four infringements of air traffic rules and four violations of Greek airspace east of Rhodes. Again, two of the aircraft were armed.

On both occasions, the frigate was ordered to pull out of the specific phase of the Turkish exercise and NATO authorities were informed of the reasons for its departure.

Prior to the start of the Greek-Turkish exercise, there had been a request to set aside areas within the Athens FIR for this purpose that were approved by the Greek Civil Aviation Authority. All the Turkish aircraft were identified and intercepted by Greek Air Force planes.

The Turkish exercise is taking place in the eastern Mediterranean from November 1-11.

[26] LAOS leader meets Citizen's Protection minister

General News

[27] Small plane crashes near Kalavryta, two wounded

[28] Two babies not in child seats seriously injured in road accident

Both were rushed to Xanthi General Hospital with serious head injuries after the car they were travelling in was involved in a head-on collision with another car. From Xanthi they were then transported to the Alexandroupolis University Hospital.

[29] Woman arrested for drug dealing in Souda harbour

Concealed within her luggate were 5.2 kilos of cannabis and 52.75 grammes of cocaine. The 20-year-old has been charged with drug dealing.

[30] Four arrested for dealing heroin in Larissa

The four men, ranging in age between 23 and 40 years old, were arrested in the early hours of Saturday when they attempted to sell 300 grammes of heroin to an undercover police officer for 4,500 euros.

Following a search in a warehouse at Agios Georgios Krannonos in Larissa, police found another two packages of heroin weighing a total of 397 grammes.

The drugs were confiscated and the four are to be led before a public prosecutor.

[31] Search still on for 80-year-old missing at sea

Scuba-diving units also joined the search on Saturday afternoon, after coast guard vessels found a half-sunken boat in the region of Falkonera.

The elderly man had left the island of Serifos on Monday in a small plastic-hull boat in order to reach an islet in the Saronic Gulf.

[32] Sixteen illegal migrants found, trucker arrested in Patras

The truck was confiscated and the migrants detained, with the exception of two that were underage and were released at the orders of a public prosecutor.

[33] Hania police probe rape, abduction case

According to reports, a 40-year-old Romanian woman has already been arrested in the case, while another six suspects, all male, are wanted on rape charges.

Police said the incident came to light after the Norwegian consulate notified local authorities in the popular tourist area, a tip-off which led to the Norwegian woman's detection. The latter charged that she was held against her will in residence in the region for 20 days, where she was assaulted repeatedly by a number of unknown men.

The arrested suspect is expected to be led before a local prosecutor.

[34] Grenade thrown in Pangrati

Soccer

[35] Super League results

The games between Aris Thessaloniki-Larissa, Kavala-PAOK Thessaloniki, AEK Athens-Ergotelis Crete and Atromitos Athens-Panathinaikos Athens will be played on Monday November 8.

Weather Forecast

[36] Rainy on Monday

[37] The Sunday editions of Athens' dailies at a glance

AVGHI: "Landmark vote for future".

AVRIANI: "Negative vote to George (Papandreou, the premier) and to (EU-ECB-IMF) troika".

CHORA: "No to occupation. Vote against government representatives of the memorandum".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "We can do without the IMF. Vote NO to memorandum".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "We're in elections now".

ETHNOS: The newspaper banners a front-page election-day interview by PM George Papandreou, with the headline "We're not playing with the country's future".

FREE SUNDAY: "This is how they're (EU Commission) preparing (Greece's) 'controlled bankruptcy'."

KATHIMERINI: "What Mr. Papandreou is afraid of; the 'troika's' concerns".

PARON (weekly): "Election (bombs) to explode (today)".

PROTO THEMA (weekly): "They're chasing off 10 percent (of civil servants) via early retirement".

REALNEWS (weekly): "George's (Papandreou) dilemma".

RIZOSPASTIS: The communist party-affiliated paper banners a headline calling for votes of the candidates it backs.

TO VIMA: "They're (two major parties) afraid of (election-day) surprises, shunning snap election".

VETO (weekly): "Ballot boxes sending explosive message".

VRADYNI: "All of the new, painful (austerity) measures. How our lives will change with cut-backs".

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