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Thursday, 21 November 2024 | ||
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-08-25Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PASOK president tours fire-damaged KassandraMain opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou arrived in Chalkidiki on Friday for a tour of fire-damaged Kassandra, as the first 'finger' of the peninsula is called, expressing anguish at the extent of the disaster and describing it as a "biblical catastrophe"."We must immediately support those stricken with anti-flooding measures, restitution and a whole series of things that I will have the opportunity to discuss with local officials," he said. Papandreou was accompanied by PASOK National Council secretary Mariliza Xenoyiannakopoulou and the MPs Evangelos Venizelos, Yiannis Magriotis, Haris Kastanidis and local MP Yiannis Drivelegas. "We are here to express our support, to look to the next day. But, unfortunately, we must condemn the complete irresponsibility of the present government, which has one of the most modern fire-fighting fleets in Europe and, due to irresponsibility and partisan interests, has essentially dismantled this service. We see the results in such a tragic way in this formerly gorgeous area of Kassandra," PASOK's leader noted. He also expressed understanding for the frustration of those who suffered losses due to the fire. PASOK's leader repeated his claims of "criminal negligence" and "irresponsibility" on the part of the government during a speech closing a meeting with local authority officials and residents in Palimni, demanding that those responsible be made answerable. He also demanding an record of the damage inflicted by the fire, immediate flood protection works and "communications" support for the area. All laws and programmes for natural disasters should be activated, he said, while calling for the creation of an additional special programme for Chalkidiki to be included in the 4th Community Support Framework. According to Papandreou, the PASOK party had already put together a working team to work with local officials and draw up a series of proposals for coping with the aftermath of the massive fire, noting that this made his visit to the area more than a formality. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |