ND members differentiate views on blockades
NEWS IN DETAIL
Farmers in Thessalia today handed Regional secretary general P. Vasiliou
a list of six demands, and submitted a request for mediation with the
government so that the current stalemate may be overcome.
Wednesday is considered a crucial day for developments, when it is hoped,
Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas, returning from abroad, will have
some positive proposals.
Meanwhile, Communist Party secretary general Aleka Papariga yesterday
criticised the government's "authoritarian, uncompromising, and inhuman"
attitude towards the farmers.
Referring to the EU Dublin summit, Papariga said "the prime minister has
again returned empty-handed, as the EU does not guarantee the Greek
borders. The government could use farmers' blockades as a negotiating
weapon to exercise pressure on EU organs"
Former New Democracy prime minister Georgios Rallis has differentiated
his position from that of incumbent leader Miltiades Evert on farmers'
blockades of national and provincial highways which have cut the country in
two.
"I do not agree with showing solidarity with every form of mobilisation.
The blockading of national highways is an unacceptable method," he said in
an interview with the Sunday Eleftherotypia newspaper, adding indirect
criticism of Evert for putting his party and personal interests before the
national one.
Former New Democracy national economy minister Stephanos Manos also
criticised the farmers' actions in an interview to the same newspaper,
calling on them to "withdraw by themselves", and criticising Evert's
statement last week that, "if the cost of their demands does not exceed 200
billion drachmas, they should be met".
"If something like this takes place, then we shall have a new blockade by
some social group every day, each one asking for 200 billion," he
said.
Aspiring leadership contender Giorgos Souflias said in an interview with
Kathimerini today that he had told farmers that "certain things could be
done and others not", and that "the agricultural problem in our country
stands above traditional party lines.
"A serious and responsible medium-term agricultural policy should aim at
competition, without national subsidies," he added.
WEATHER (Monday)
Light cloud in most regions, with light rain in most areas. Light to
moderate northerly and northeasterly winds Athens: Light rain possible,
temperature 9-16 C Thessaloniki: Temporary cloud, temperature 6-13
C.
(M.S.)
