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Friday, 19 April 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-07-23Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] FM Bakoyannis terms Middle East crisis as 'apotheosis of absurdity'Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis has described developments in the Middle East as an "apotheosis of absurdity." In a statement in Sunday's edition of "Eleftherotypia" newspaper, Bakoyannis said that " each day of hostilities that passes, boosts the vicious circle of violence and strengthens all those who seek instability and tension in the region." The foreign minister called for "a truce now," in accordance also with the position of the government, becauses, as she stressed, "there is no more time left, it is already late," adding that "it necessary for an end to come." As Bakoyannis stated, Greece is cooperating with the other European countries for "the fastest possible easing of the crisis," while "it supports and strengthens the effort of the UN Secretary General (Kofi Annan)."She also stressed that the government of Lebanon must be supported by the international community" and "to acquire as soon as possible, the complete and substantial sovereignty in the whole of the country's territory." Bakoyannis said she supports the immediate and unconditional release "of all the captive soldiers" and the "general disarmament of the para-military groups." Regarding the role of Greece, Bakakoyannis said "our country is ready to undertake an active role in the restoration of the country (Lebanon)." She added that "Greece is one of the first countries which responded to the requests of the government of Lebanon," while also "our country's humanitarian aid was the first to reach the port of Beirut." [02] KYSEA to convene on TuesdayThe Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA) will convene on Tuesday morning under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on the issue of the approval of the unified long-term programme for the development and modernisation of the Armed Forces, for the 2006-2010 period. Later in the day, the Inner Cabinet will convene and immediately afterwards the Ministerial Council.Dealt, among other things, will be the country's tourism development with Tourism Development Minister Fani Palli-Petralia as rapporteur. [03] Papandreou on Middle East developmentsMain opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader George Papandreou has described as a "luxury" the international community's "apathy" regarding what it going on in the Middle East. In a statement in Sunday's edition of "Eleftherotypia" newspaper, he said that "what is needed is a strong intervention by the international community, as the only road for a way out of the crisis is dialogue."Papandreou described as "tepid" the to date reaction and called on the international community ""to act immediately, in a coordinated manner and effectively, so as to avert further attacks against non-combatants and infrasructures and to put an end to the new cycle of violence and blood." The PASOK leader accused the government that "in front of this situation, it chooses silence," and that it "refuses its responsibilities even as member of the UN Security Council." Papandreou also said that that the Greek government "restricts itself to the role of an observer," something which is "inadmissible," given that the developments "directly affect Greece and the Greeks." He stressed that he himself, his party, but also Socialist International (SI) "say no to a broader crisis, no to violence as an answer to the problems, no to a new Iraq." He added that in his capacity as President of Socialist International, he will continue to undertake initiatives for peace in the region. [04] Papariga to visit Lebanon on TuesdayCommunist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga will meet on Monday with the Ambassador of Lebanon to Athens, William Habib, and on Tuesday she will visit Lebanon at the head of a KKE delegation. Taking part in the delegation will be Dimitris Koutsoubas, member of the Political Bureau, and Eleni Mavrouli, journalist of "Rizospastis" newspaper.The KKE delegation will express the party's strong condemnation "of Israel's crimes" and its support to "the just struggle of the Lebanese and Palestinian people." Meanwhile, the Athens Labour Centre and peace movements will hold an anti-war rally and march on Tuesday towards the U.S. and Israeli embassies. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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