Antenna News in English 280696

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From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: antenna@compulink.gr

News in English, of 2/06/1996

TITLES

• The prime minister's bold gambit at the start of Pasok's congress.
• Andreas Papandreou's widow grieves at his graveside.
• And, the nation offers its condolences to Andreas Papandreou's family.

PASOK/CONGRESS

In a speech that was applauded by some, heckled by others, Mr Simitis supported his candidacy, saying the party and the government must be headed by the same person.

Mr Simitis's chief rival for the presidency, Akis Tsochatzopoulos, argues that a collective leadership is needed, and that no one person can replace Andreas Papandreou.

Even from his symbolic seat, which remained empty, the late Andreas Papandreou continues to cast a shadow over Pasok.

The fourth congress will be faced with the task of choosing someone to replace him as party president, and keep the party together.

There was ringing applause at several points as the delegates watched a half-hour film triubte to Papandreou and the past triumphs of Pasok.

But the tension which is likely to dominate the congress soon became apparent. The tone of prime minister Kostas Simitis's speech to the 5 thousand-odd delegates to Pasok's fourth congress surprised no one, but its determined, gloves off tone angered some.

Mr Simitis wasted no time in taking up the key argument his opponents use against him in his bid to become party president. Supporters of interior minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, his main rival for the post, argue that the post-Papandreou Pasok cannot needs a collective leadership. No one can replace Papandreou at the helm of both the government and the party, they say. Thus Tsochatzopoulos should lead Pasok.

Mr Simitis took the argument head on, questioning the sincerity of the Tsochatzopoulos camp.

The prime minister asked rhetorically, "Where were all the voices calling for collective leadership before I took over as prime minister?"

He reminded the delegates that when Papandreou was still premier, he, Simitis, had been one of those leading the call for more input from party members in formulating policy.

At that time, Mr Simitis had resigned from the party's executive bureau, protesting that it wasn't being used by then-prime minister Andreas Papandreou.

At the congress, he said the organs alaready exist within Pasok to allow for collective input from party members, and that only one leader can guarantee coordination of the work of the government and the party. His government he continued, has already started putting those bodies to use - far greater use than they had ever been put to in the past.

Mr Simitis's direct attack on the Tsochatzopoulos camp brought boos and chants of "Andreas, you live and guide us" from delegates angered by his words.

Continuing, Mr Simitis said that he intends to run for the party presidency. If he isn't made president, he added, he will step down as prime minister. That brought heckles and cries of "shame".

The premier explained that it is inconceivable that there should be one man as prime minister and another as party president. It would be confusing to the people, and it would rob the prime minister of much of his power and authority.

Collectivity, he said, doesn't mean having many people at the top, but ensuring that the party members as a whole have democratic input into what the party stands for.

Mr Simitis added that there will be no losers or winners at the congress.

But later, when the congress recessed, a number of delegates in the Tsochatzopoulos camp expressed bitterly that the prime minister's speech had been divisive, and disrespectful of Andreas Papandreou's memory, coming as it did just a day after his funeral.

Many in Simitis's camp defended the prime minister's speech.

Deputy interior minister Lambros Papadimas said the only thing that will keep Pasok united is having one man at the top.

And MP Vassilis Kedikoglou said, "We need to appear powerful as a party, with a powerful prime minister and a powerful government, so we can fulfill our promises to the Greek people".

Akis Tsochatzopoulos will speak Friday. He kept his cards close to his chest Thursday. Arriving at the congress he said that "the gap lef by Andreas Papandreou will become apparent to us all as time passes. But our responsibility is to continue on the course he set. Pasok can and should lead Greek society toward the year 2000.

The question now is, will Tsochatzopoulos, in an attempt to strengthen his bid for party leadership, insist that the prime minister and party president be different people?

Despite the friction, all the delegates believe that the party will emerge united from the congress. Environment minister Kostas Laliotis said unity was the message that Andreas Papandreou wanted to send to the congress.

PASOK - FILM TRIBUTE

Opening the congress, party leader Kostas Skandalides paid tribute to the achievements of Papandreou, and called on the party to move on.

Skandalides said, "we no longer have Andreas Papandreou with us". He told the party to move toward the future by combining what Pasok has been with radical renewal, and with an orientation to the new conditions, and new needs of the age".

As the party prepares to move on in what looks certain to be a stormy congress, Andreas Papandreou remains the figure who unites all the party members in spirit.

The congress began with a half-hour film tribute to Andreas Papandreou, and the goals and achievements of Pasok.

PAPANDREOU

Visiting the grave of her departed husband, Dimitra Papandreou, inconsolable, pleaded, "please, leave me alone with my husband for five minutes".

Hundreds of people left flowers and notes on the grave. One note said, "You will live on in my heart, as long as I breathe".

One man said "I came from Iraklion, Crete to say farewell to Andreas Papandreou and to wish him sainthood, he brought freedom to this country".

Most of the visitors Thursday were young people, among them many foreigners, familiar with Andreas Papandreou's life.

One young girl said "I'm grieving over his death but also filled with admiration; he was a great leader".

KASTRI/EKALI

Late into the night Wednesday, people called on Dimitra Papandreou at her residence in the Athens suburb of Ekali, expressing their condolences in person.

People also flocked to the old Papandreou residence in nearby Kastri, to express their condolences to Andreas Papandreou's children, and Margaret Papandreou, his second wife, who bore all four of his children.

One of the visitors to Kastri was prime minister Kostas Simitis, who wrote in the condolences book there, "The memory of Andreas will remain alive for everyone. It is our duty to continue his work".

ALIKI

Vouyouklaki, currently in an Athens hospital being treated for a liver disorder, writes, "Dear Dimitra, I sympathise with you in your deep grief and pain at the loss of your beloved husband, who was a great politician. I express my immense sorrow. May God give you strength and good health".

Vouyouklaki's doctors say the star is in stable health.

She was visited by actor Lakis Lazopoulos Wednesday. He says she is in good spirits and doing well.

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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