Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-06-02

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] KONSTANTOPOULOS: EARLY ELECTIONS ARE POSSIBLE

[02] REPPAS: SECURITIES ISSUE IN PARLIAMENT BEFORE THE SUMMER

[03] SIMITIS IN BEIJING

[04] TSOHATZOPOULOS ON CEM STATEMENT

[05] STEFANOPOULOS VISITS AUSTRALIA

[06] TAKIS CLERIDIS: CYPRUS NEAR THE EU FINISH LINE

[07] REACTIONS TO PAPADOPOULOS "BOMB" STATEMENT

[01] KONSTANTOPOULOS: EARLY ELECTIONS ARE POSSIBLE

Early elections are not out of the question according to the President of the Coalition, Nikos Konstantopoulos, in an interview he gave to the Sunday Eleftherotypia. He considers that on the one hand the government has every reason to pursue elections after the completion of the Greek Presidency of the EU, and on the other, because electoral surprise is a standing trick of the two major parties.

In his interview, Mr. Konstantopoulos insists on the institution of the proportional system, even as late as in the elections following these, he observed evident anxiety in PASOK and New Democracy in winning over the Left, aiming at improving their image to 'fish for votes' and a single party victory. He was not specific on what the Coalition will do in the second round of the municipal-prefectural elections, while in reference to foreign policy he pointed out that such public disputes show a lack of strategy on Mr. Simitis behalf.

[02] REPPAS: SECURITIES ISSUE IN PARLIAMENT BEFORE THE SUMMER

The securities issue will be discussed in Parliament before the summer and there is no issue of political cost, since with our proposal we are creating a modern social securities system for wage-earners, which will be a source of security for all workers and will favor an atmosphere of stability and trust in economy and society. An end will be put to worries concerning pensions, pointed out Minister of Labor Dimitris Reppas in an interview to the Sunday Eleftherotypia.

There is no powerful PASOK without a powerful Simitis, and there is no powerful Simitis without a powerful PASOK, is Mr. Reppas' answer to succession and countdown scenarios concerning PASOK and Mr. Simitis. In reference to the recent surveys, the Minister stressed that the negative atmosphere surrounding PASOK must be reversed, and this atmosphere was attributed to the fact that the government is by definition the opponent of problems.

In the same interview, Mr. Reppas described ND policy as a commentary, accusation and criticism policy, while the government is present in its work, and concerning a dialogue with the Left, he stressed that it is still timely and furthermore an element of evaluation for every party's political stance.

[03] SIMITIS IN BEIJING

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis began his six-day visit to China with his arrival in Beijing today.

Tomorrow Mr. Simitis will have meetings with the President of China Jiang Zemin and Prime Minister Zhu Rongji in the People's House. In the framework of these meetings bilateral agreements of cooperation will be signed and further cooperation potential in view of Greece's Presidency of the European Union and the Olympics in Athens, will be discussed.

On Tuesday, Mr. Simitis will speak at the Chinese and Greek Businessmen Forum in Beijing and will then meet the President of the National People's Congress, Mr. Lee Peng in the People's House, where he will speak to teachers and students.

On Wednesday, he will visit the Xian Province and then Shanghai on Thursday, where on the following day, he will meet with the Forum of Greek and Chinese Businessmen. The Prime Minister will also visit the Shanghai development zone and the Latsis Group marble factory.

[04] TSOHATZOPOULOS ON CEM STATEMENT

Minister of Development Akis Tsohatzopoulos commented on the statement of Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on the Cyprus issue:

"I think that the closer we come to Cyprus' accession to the EU, the more we will hear unfavorable prospects and estimations form the Turkish leadership. What I have to say, is to call the Turkish leadership to realize that there is a political opportunity for the two countries to cooperate, to utilize a common prospect of a new European future, and finally, to overcome barriers, anachronism, and old frames of mind, which have burdened the countries' relations for a long time. Only something positive can result from all this for Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and all the people of the region".

[05] STEFANOPOULOS VISITS AUSTRALIA

President of the Republic Kostis Stefanopoulos is leaving today, in order to visit Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

Mr. Stefanopoulos will have meetings with the leaderships of the above countries, and members of the Greek communities there.

The President of the Republic will be accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Giannis Magriotis, Secretary General of Greeks Abroad, Dimitris Dollis and businessmen.

[06] TAKIS CLERIDIS: CYPRUS NEAR THE EU FINISH LINE

Cyprus is running the final lap for EU accession, while it may even be to a very small degree a contributor to the community budget, stressed the Cypriot Minister of Finance, Takis Cleridis, in statements to the Macedonian Press Agency from Samothraki, where he was in the framework of the Thrace-Aegean-Cyprus programme. Furthermore, the Cypriot Minister of Finance mentioned that certain Cypriot businessmen rightfully desire Cyprus' accession to the EU, while others see that it will affect them negatively.

Cyprus is in the final lap. Cyprus has closed 28 of the 29 chapters, which means we are almost ready. The last chapter pending is that of agriculture, and that because it seems the EU is not yet ready.

I could say that Cyprus' benefits will be double. Firstly, political, because we will belong to a large political family, the family which geographically, Cyprus is a member of. From a financial point of view I do not think we will have any tangible benefits, apart from the fact that we will be in a unified market again and Cypriot businessmen will get a chance to promote themselves, show how good they are. Other benefits are those to come from EU packages, something to influence all countries in accession. On our side, as things stand now, Cyprus may even be a contributor, to a very small degree, to the community budget.

According to Mr. Cleridis, Cyprus has met all Maastrich criteria, even though they may not be the criteria Cyprus needs in order to join the EU. We have low unemployment, low inflation, our debt and public deficit are below the allowable Maastrich levels.

[07] REACTIONS TO PAPADOPOULOS "BOMB" STATEMENT

The bomb statement Minister of Health Alekos Papadopoulos made, that he will not participate in the coming parliamentary elections, caught everyone off guard.

In an interview to the Sunday Kathimerini, the Health Minister mentioned: I have decided not to run in the next parliamentary elections.

Mr. Papadopoulos pointed out that he wishes to remain in his position until the end of the government's term, in order to continue the health reform, and he stated that he has the Prime Minister's support in his work's difficult moments.

On not participating in the next elections he mentioned: I feel the need to change my life. I want to be in the background for a while, politically speaking. I want to do things I love and have missed.

This unexpected statement caused many reactions within the government and in the Opposition. Answering a question on Mr. Mr. Papadopoulos' intention not to participate in the coming elections, Minister of Development Akis Tsohatzopoulos appreciated that he should have first informed the Party of his opinions, in order to make any wish he had clear.

This is the first I hear of it and I cannot imagine that Alekos Papadopoulos would do such a thing, simply by making a statement to the press. I believe that his long experience with the Party should have made him inform us first, discuss those opinions with all of us, the base of the Party, the people, in order to make any wish he had clear and send messages in all directions, said Mr. Tsohatzopoulos.

The Health Minister's interview to Kathimerini was commented on by Social Affairs Coordinator of New Democracy Nikitas Kaklamanis, who underlined:

Mr. Al. Papadopoulos' interview is not addressed to the Greek people, but to his comrades at the Maximos Mansion and the Har. Trikoupi offices.

I respect his decision for a temporary departure from the political life of Thesprotia, I am sad about it and would ask him to reconsider, just as I would ask him to reconsider his failing policy in the Health sector.

On the specific issue, his interview is full of inaccuracies and accusations against third parties, without a trace of self criticism.

I would tell my good friend, Alekos Papadopoulos, that 'you can tell a good captain, in a rainstorm'.

Deputy Minister Spyros Vougias pointed out that: If there is a problem, then it concerns the whole political set, televised democracy as Mr. Papadopoulos puts it. This is the anxiety of a sensitive man, who is very concerned with the course things are taking. But I believe that because PASOK, as well as the whole political set, needs him, he will reverse his decision and become an active citizen and politician on all levels.

Deputy Minister Tziolas stressed that: A. Papadopoulos shows the human side of politicians. Politicians are not just professionals running on their own track. They have their own needs, anxieties, problems, they have an interior world, which at a point in their life they have the right to be occupied with, to show and develop. This human side of Mr. Papadopoulos surprised those who did not know it. But I have known him for years and it has not surprised me at all. It certified that above all, Alekos is human.

Deputy Minister Gesoulis underlined that: I have three observations to make concerning Alekos Papadopoulos: Firstly, his statement was a surprise to us all. Secondly, the fact that he is making this decision and that he made that statement, is an important political event, when a man of politics, responsibility, consequence and creativity departs from political life. The third is the mind-frame created developed, which should make us all think, and especially the media who form public opinion.

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