Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-01-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] RENEWAL ON MARCH 7

[02] KARAMANLIS RESPONDS, "ND WILL WIN"

[03] A COLD JANUARY FOR 2004

[04] JUDGES FOR ELA TRIAL SELECTED

[05] KARAMANLIS ON SIMITIS: THE LAST COMMUNICATIVE PERFORMANCE HAS ENDED

[06] PAPANDREOU: DEVELOPMENTS IN PASOK A CHALLENGE FOR ALL

[07] SUCCESSION ISSUE IN PASOK - EARLY ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7

[08] ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7

[09] JUDGES FOR ELA TRIAL

[01] RENEWAL ON MARCH 7

His decision to leave PASOK's presidency and to carry out elections on March 7 was announced by Prime Minister Costas Simtis, in his message to the Greek people today, while he made a review of the 8 year period during which he has been Prime Minister, which he characterized as the most creative ever for Greece. Our work must be continued and I am obliged to make sure that it is, said the PM. Mr. Simitis stated that he will continue to be Prime Minister until election day, when he will turn over the position to his successor in the leadership of PASOK. Prior to the speech, there was a joint meeting of the Governmental Committee and the Executive Office, while Mr. Simitis had briefed President of the Republic Costis Stefanopoulos earlier.

[02] KARAMANLIS RESPONDS, "ND WILL WIN"

A short while ago a circle closed, said President of New Democracy Costas Karamanlis, commenting on the Prime Minister's statements, while he attributed Mr. Simitis' decision to popular pressure due to the failure of his policies. Mr. Simitis is depriving the Greek people of their opportunity to judge him, but not of their opportunity to judge his policies, said Mr. Karamanlis, who appeared to be certain of ND's victory in the elections.

[03] A COLD JANUARY FOR 2004

Frost has taken over many areas of Greece this morning, with temperatures at 9 C o in Castoria, - 6 in Alexandroupoli, and 4 in Thessaloniki. Temperatures are one degree below zero in Attica's northern suburbs, while the temperature at the Elliniko old airport is at 1 degree. All ships are still in port, as stormy winds will not allow for them to travel. The weather is expected to improve over the next few days, as northern winds are expected to turn to the southwest.

[04] JUDGES FOR ELA TRIAL SELECTED

The names of the DAs and the members and alternate members of the Three-member Felony Court of Appeals to try the case of the ELA terrorist organization, were drawn this morning.

The court will be presided over by Elisavet Mounakou Brilli, with Grigoris Mamalis as alternate President. The members of the court are Zoe Kompotiani and Dimitris Moustakas, with Constantinos Fragos and Giorgos Adamopoulos as alternate members.

Eleftherios Patsis was drawn as bench DA, with Constantinos Voumpiris as his back up. The ELA trial will commence on February 9, in the special chamber constructed in the Corydallos penitentiary women's block, where the 17N trial was held.

[05] KARAMANLIS ON SIMITIS: THE LAST COMMUNICATIVE PERFORMANCE HAS ENDED

A short while ago a circle closed, the last communicative performance was given, a performance of no essence or content, commented President of New Democracy Costas Karamanlis immediately following the announcement of the Prime Minister's initiatives.

He characterized the Prime Minister's decision to move procedures for the election of a new PASOK President as an escape, and observed: With his flight, Mr. Simitis is admitting the failure of PASOK's policies. He has decided not to stand before the Greek people and ask it to review his policies. He refuses to answer for the problems accumulated by his government. Thus he deprives the Greek people of the opportunity to judge him, but not of the opportunity to judge the results of PASOK's policies, to judge the days and works of power system. Of the establishment they created all together, which they all conserve together, and which they want to continue to conserve.

Regarding the early elections on March 7, he seemed pleased and underlined: We insistently asked for elections in our national interest and at last elections have been set. Procedures within PASOK concern PASOK alone. But in the elections, in the coming elections, policies will be judged, responsibilities will be attributed, collective responsibilities, progress will being evaluated, choices will be made.

Mr. Karamanlis stated that today's developments are the immediate result of popular dissatisfaction, indignation and the dead ends caused by the government's policies to the whole of society. Today, society is turning to ND and is placing its demand for a better future, prosperity and justice there. For new policies, for a new government.

[06] PAPANDREOU: DEVELOPMENTS IN PASOK A CHALLENGE FOR ALL

Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou stated that the move of Prime Minister Costas Simitis today to mark the procedures for change in PASOK's leadership as an action characterized by a true sense of decorum, bravery and responsibility.

According to Mr. Papandreou's characteristic statement, it is a challenge for all, for PASOK to change and win the battle of future challenges.

Mr. Papandreou did not answer the question on whether he intends to resign from the position of Foreign Minister.

[07] SUCCESSION ISSUE IN PASOK - EARLY ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7

His decision to initiate the procedures to elect a new President for PASOK, to retain his position as Prime Minister and to carry out early elections on March 7, drawing on the Cyprus issue, was announced this afternoon by Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

I will initiate the necessary procedures for the election of a new President for PASOK, stated Mr. Simitis and continued: I will continue to be Prime Minister until the day after the elections. The new PASOK President will lead the new PASOK government immediately following the elections. PASOK's Central Committee will convene tomorrow in order to decide on the procedures for the elections of a new President.

As far as the early elections are concerned, he underlined: Elections will be held on March 7. The country's government is obliged to handle the significant developments in the Cyprus issue and thus needs fresh popular endorsement.

In explaining the reasons that led to his decisions today he said that as Prime Minister for the last 8 years he has the obligation to avert the danger of Greece being led to stagnancy or even regression.

He noted that his decisions today were the continuation of the initiatives he began last July (the election of a Executive Office and new Secretary of the Central Committee), and he stressed the need for renewal, stating that a party and a government need to be renewed. The leader must dare to create new standards and express this renewal.

Regarding his successor, Mr. Simitis stressed that PASOK has leading officials with knowledge, experience and the ability to handle difficult situations and they have proven this fact. One such example was the way the European Presidency of the EU was handled.

The Prime Minister referred to his work as Prime Minister over the past 8 years and noted that Greece has become a powerful country. It joined the EMU, it has one of the highest growth rates in the EU, it has dealt with the issue of domestic terrorism, it closed the issue of the king's property, it has diplomatic superiority in the region, Cyprus joined the EU and the path for the solution of the Cyprus issue has been opened. Greece has changed for the better spectacularly.

He accused the Opposition of not showing consent, even in major goals, such as the accession to the EMU, Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue, ND held extreme positions, which were refuted in practice.

[08] ELECTIONS ON MARCH 7

Parliamentary elections will be held on March 7, according to the announcement made by Prime Minister Costas Simitis to the members of PASOK's Executive Office.

The joint session of the Governmental Committee with the Executive Office was completed a few minutes before 12. The Prime Minister informed them on his decisions and there were no positions taken on the issues.

The Prime Minister will address the people at 1pm, while statements will later be made by the Secretary of PASOK's Central Committee, Michalis Chrysochoidis.

[09] JUDGES FOR ELA TRIAL

The composition of the court to try the ELA terrorist organization suspect members, will be drawn at the Athens Court of Appeals today. The names of 10 DAs, 10 appeal court presidents, and 30 appeal court judges will be placed in the lottery, from which the composition of the Three-member Felony Court of Appeals.

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