The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-09-27

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Said Ministers and Party Officials

27 Σεπ 2008 20:44:00 (Last updated: 27 Σεπ 2008 21:58:53)

Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA-MPA

Commitment to real politics and exit from introversion was the crystal clear message Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis sent to everyone and mostly to the so-called rebel lawmakers during his Friday speech at the sitting of the partys Central Committee. "The message was received," said the Conservative Ministers and party officials. However, Conservative deputy Thanassis Giannopoulos interview with Sunday paper "Proto Thema" has caused sensation. Giannopoulos urged State Minister and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos to step down and reiterated that a slim majority does not mean that cadres should not speak their minds. In a statement Giannopoulos sent in writing, he claimed that the interview in question had preceded the Prime Ministers speech, which, as he said, satisfied him completely. In the meantime, two new polls that are to appear in Sunday papers are quite interesting. The first gives the lead to the Socialists, while the second suggests that Kostas Karamanlis has better leading skills than Socialist leader George Papandreou. Both polls were carried out before the session of the ruling partys Central Committee.

The day after for the ruling party was portrayed in the words Kostas Karamanlis used and in the stern message he sent. Holding everyone responsible, he outlined his future course of actions.

He reiterated his determination to go on with the reforms as planned within the set timelines. Among his keynote priorities are a protection-umbrella over the citizens with regard to high cost of living, the continuation of major and minor works throughout Greece, works that amount to 18.5 billion euros, the promotion of reforms and the drafting of the new state budget.

New Polls

Two new surveys that are to appear in Sunday papers keep proving how hazy things are in Greeces political life.

The VPRC poll conducted for Eleftherotypia suggests that the ruling party of ND (New Democracy) enjoys a two-point lead. ND garners 32.5percent, PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) receives 34.5percent, KKE (Greek Communist Party) gets 8percent, SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) earns 14percent, while LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) 4.5percent. Questioned which government is capable of solving the countrys problems, 27 percent of the despondent give a positive rating to Socialist leader George Papandreou and 21percent to Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis. However, nearly half of those surveyed (47 percent) says none of the two.

The survey conducted by Public Issued for Kathimerini tis Kyriakis paper manifests the profile of the two political leaders. The Prime Minister has the lead over the Socialist President, as 40 percent of the voters believe in him, compared to 16 percent who opt for George Papandreou. With regard to corruption, 34 percent believe that the Socialist leader can do better, while 12 percent give a positive rating to the Prime Minister. Finally, on the question "whom do you think of upon hearing the world honest?" 31 percent of the respondents say no one, 30 percent answer Kostas Karamanlis and 21 percent George Papandreou.

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[02] Greek FM Addresses the UN

Greeces Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis is to wrap up her contacts in New York with an address at the 63rd UN General Assembly.

Prior to that, Bakoyannis agenda includes a meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, with whom she is expected to discuss the Cyprus row, the FYROM name dispute, the situation in the Caucasus, as well as other regional matters.

The Greek Foreign Minister will also meet with her counterparts of Turkey, Bosnia, Iran, Brazil and Egypt. During her Friday meeting with NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer, Bakoyannis made it plain that talks on FYROMs NATO bid could only resume provided that the name dispute was settled.

Translated by Areti Christou

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