Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-05-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM issues message on 60th anniversary of WW2

[02] Ruling ND party 2.4 pc ahead of main opposition PASOK, according to Kappa Research poll

[03] PM Karamanlis, main opposition PASOK leader issue messages on occasion of Europe Day

[04] President Papoulias attends special ceremony for Greek WW2 veterans in Moscow

[01] PM issues message on 60th anniversary of WW2

The prime minister stressed that the slogan "no more war", which was on the lips of all the peoples of the world in May 1945, is feasible today, adding that the peoples of Europe, the continent in which the horror began, are proving that cooperation is more effective than confrontation.

"60 years after the ceasefire, the challenge of our generation is the example of unified Europe, an example of peace, democracy and prosperity to serve as a source of inspiration for all of humanity," the message said.

Karamanlis further said the valuable podium of the United Nations, the organisation created in the spirit of postwar optimism for a better common future for the peoples of the planet, must be utilised and upgraded.

"These are the targets we are promoting with determination as a country and as a people, both with our participation in the European Union and with Greece's capacity as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the next two years. And this commitment constitutes a self-evident obligation for such a country as Greece, which played a leading role in the allies' effort for victory against fascism and nazism, paying a disproportionate heavy toll in blood," the message added.

[02] Ruling ND party 2.4 pc ahead of main opposition PASOK, according to Kappa Research poll

The poll gives ND 37.5 percent, PASOK 35.1, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) 6.5, the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) 3.5 and the Coalition of the Left Movements and Ecology 3.1

The survey was carried out between April 15 and 25, while the poll conducted by the same company last March had shown a 4.5 percent margin in ND's favour, with ND garnering 39.2 and PASOK 34.7.

Prime Minister and ND leader Costas Karamanlis leads PASOK leader George Papandreou by 7.1 percent on the question of who is most suitable to be prime minister. Karamanlis polled 43 percent as against 35.9 for Papandreou.

Lastly, as regards the question which party will probably win the next general election, respondents gave ND 51.1 percent and PASOK 28.6.

[03] PM Karamanlis, main opposition PASOK leader issue messages on occasion of Europe Day

According to a press release by the prime minister's press office, Karamamnlis said:

"May 9 has a particularly symbolic character. It is a day of celebration and pride for the European Union, for the member-states, and mainly for its citizens. It is the day which reminds all that Europe has permanently left in the past the conflicts and wars and henceforth is the continent of peace, democracy, stability and prosperity.

"The previous year, the European Union made the greatest enlargement in its history up to now, sealing in the best way the reunification of the European continent.

"This year it is called on to decide on yet another challenge, the ratification of the Constitutional Treaty. It is an effort of superb and substantial importance as it paves its further political integration, incorporating and at the same time safeguarding, in a common text, the fundamental individual, political and social rights of the European citizens. A text which shows the values and principles upon which the Union is built, in parallel setting its powers, operations and competencies."

On his part main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader George Papandreou, in an announcement, said that "from the procedure of ratification of the European Constitution by the European Union's member-states will be judged to what degree Europe will be able in an effective and trustworthy way to meet in the coming years the hopes of the European citizens and the needs of the member-states, within the framework of the world system and of the international political and economic developments."

[04] President Papoulias attends special ceremony for Greek WW2 veterans in Moscow

Giving the veterans honourary medals on behalf of the Greek state, President Papoulias said "it is the least it can offer in return for their contribution of life and struggle."

He further said "I stand before you with awe, not only because the personal history of each is written with heroism and self-denial, not only because Greece, the world, owe to you, to those of you who had struggled against fasicism and nazism, a part of their freedom, but because you represent the highest expression of Hellenism."

President Papoulias also said "distance probably brings you closer to the characteristics of the Greek and promotes them to qualities, with the most important being to survive in the place where he lives and make the homeland which receives him his homeland."

The president noted that the presence of the Greek WW2 veterans in Russia "reminds us not to forget you and your dead. The difficult path from which you have come here is the reason that we owe you a great deal", adding that "we honour those who were lost and we are proud of your strength."

President Papoulias is in Moscow to attend celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the defeat of nazism and fascism.

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