Athens News Agency: News in English, 00-06-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece - Syria - Assad

[02] Karamanlis-New Democracy party congress

[03] Rally Acropolis-McRay

[04] Gov't - Memorandum - Terrorism

[05] Weather - Monday

[01] Greece - Syria - Assad

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas extended the Greek government's condolences late Saturday night on the death of Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad.

"We express our sorrow on the death of Syrian President Hafez Al-Assad. We extend our condolences to the Syrian people on the loss of their leader, which comes at a very crucial moment for developments in the region," he said.

[02] Karamanlis-New Democracy party congress

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis concluded his party's three-day special congress on a strict tone on Sunday afternoon, saying that he will not tolerate phenomena of introversion and repeated many times that the minority should fall in line with the majority's decisions.

Karamanlis said no one can accept "tendencies and trends in paralytical directions" because such a thing would lead to anarchy.

"I, who was obliged to embitter or become embittered in the effort to ostracise introversion, do not have the right of tolerance," he said.

Karamanlis said those who "take dialogue for weakness are mistaken", adding that the party has learnt to distinguish between dialogue and grumbling and that it has learnt from the past and will not turn back.

He called on party members to forge ahead and exercise their institutional role.

"Let us put an end to attitudes which can not be explained but can be misunderstood. Dialogue should take place in the (party) organs. Cries and whispers in the (TV) channels which embitter our people and make our rivals happy are a thing of the past. We cannot be the victims of the channels which seek the exception and ignore the whole," he said.

Karamanlis said he believes he does not have rivals in the party and looks upon all members as associates and colleagues. He predicted that rapid developments might take place due to the government's "inadequacy" and the "bills it has to pay off." He also pointed out that all should do their duty towards the 43 percent of the electorate which voted for ND in last April's elections and warned that "there is no collective responsibility for individual shortcomings."

[03] Rally Acropolis-McRay

Collin McRay won the 47th Rally Acropolis which came to an end in Itea on Sunday. The British driver left Carlos Sainz, who also belongs to the Ford team, in second place.

Sainz reduced his tempo in the last special route at the order of their team and let McRay, who was leading during the biggest part of the race, come first. Juha Kankounen from Finland (Subaru) came third.

[04] Gov't - Memorandum - Terrorism

Greeces public order minister reportedly verified that an anti-terrorism cooperation memorandum between Athens and Washington should be signed by the end of the year.

Greek minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis was quoted by the Athens daily ?Eleftherotypia? on Sunday as saying that ?negotiations have already been completed and were now waiting for further procedures in order to sign. I believe that that within the year it (memorandum) will be signed?.

The issue of terrorism again burst onto the spotlight in Greece over the past week, with extensive international media attention, following the assassination Thursday morning of Britains defence attache in Greece.

[05] Weather - Monday

Fair and sunny weather is forecast for throughout Greece on Monday. Northerly winds, weak to moderate in the west, gusty to gale force-levels in the Aegean before slacking off in the afternoon. Temperatures will be between 18C to 34C on the mainland, 20-29C in the islands. Sunny weather in Athens, 22C-33C. Mostly sunny in Thessaloniki, 21C to 32C.

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