Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-05-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou calls for change in country

[02] FM sees no developments over Cyprus issue

[03] Public order minister not resigning

[04] Deputy DM warns Turkey over irrational demands

[01] Papandreou calls for change in country

Papandreou also called once again for early elections (elections are normally due in Greece in March 2008) that, in his view, must have two preconditions.

First of all, scandal cases must be clarified, at least from a political point of view, to enable confrontation ahead of elections to be based on the parties' programmes only.

In addition, Papandreou said that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis must not use national issues as an election ploy to lead the country to elections.

Referring to issues considered as being scandals and for which he called for clarifications, the PASOK leader included the stock exchange issue and the recent cases regarding bonds, phonetapping and the abduction of Pakistanis.

Lastly, Papandreou accused the government of failing to clarify its positions and of intending to go to the elections with the second volume of its secret agenda but, as he noted, the Greek citizens will not believe it this time.

Caption: PASOK leader George Papandreou addressing his party's conference in Piraeus on Saturday, May 19, 2007. ANA-MPA / KATERINA MAVRONA.

[02] FM sees no developments over Cyprus issue

The Greek foreign minister further said that she did not predict any crisis in Cyprus and the Aegean as a result of the political instability prevailing in Turkey.

Bakoyannis further said that a solution to the issue of Cyprus is a steadfast pursuit for Greek foreign policy.

She also clarified that no deviation exists between Athens and Nicosia and pointed out that Greece and Cyprus are two separate countries and exercise their policy independently.

"When there are different approaches, we discuss them," she explained.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

[03] Public order minister not resigning

Polydoras further pointed out that "I will not resign because I am not one who will throw down his shield, nor am I a coward. I am not afraid of difficulties."

Speaking about the shortage in information, that he referred to recently, the minister said that there is interest in filling in the vacuum and suitable measures will be taken to improve the situation.

The public order minister also assured that no pressure is being exerted for new arrests by any foreign factor.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras.

[04] Deputy DM warns Turkey over irrational demands

"Greece supports Turkey's course towards the future and the European Union, but its path must pass through absolute respect for the rules of International Law and for the European Union's access criteria," Mihaloliakos stressed.

The deputy defence minister also pointed out that "Greece wants Turkey to find her pace, because accession to the European Family is mainly a political decision. However, this does not mean that we have signed a 'blank cheque'. It must be realised at last that tension benefits no one."

Praising the role played by the armed forces, Mihaloliakos said that "today, with the unveiling of the bust of Costas Iliakis, we are sending a resounding message in every direction that we do not forget. In the face of Costas Iliakis, both the Air Force and our Armed Forces in their entirety are being honoured, that are and will remain absolutely prepared to confront every provocation and every threat."

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Deputy Defence Minister Vassilis Mihaloliakos.

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