Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-09-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government's judiciary reform paying off, PM says

[02] Russian ambassador attends event in memory of children killed in Beslan terrorist attack

[01] Government's judiciary reform paying off, PM says

"The judiciary is democracy's strongest foundation," Karamanlis said after his meeting with Justice Minister Anastassios Papaligouras.

The government's key objectives regarding the judicial branch, from the moment it took office, were to modernise the judicial system, upgrade quality, speed up processes and reinforce its independence, he explained.

In terms of quality, Karamanlis said that from January until today, a number of judges found to have violated their oath have been expelled.

"We have adopted strict measures that reflect the government's volition to crack down on corruption, and to support the overwhelming majority of judges who are honest," Karamanlis said.

The prime minister also referred to the legislative measures the government has taken as part of its reform programme, such as simplifying and accelerating pre-trial procedures, improving the operation of criminal courts, and reinforcing defendants' rights.

In terms of infrastructure, Karamanlis said that significant progress has been made with the building of new court houses and prisons, and the modernisation of courts' computer systems.

"Our interventions are already bringing about results; they are leading to significant changes that will soon become apparent to citizens - often incovenienced when dealing with the court system - as well as to judges and lawyers," he said.

[02] Russian ambassador attends event in memory of children killed in Beslan terrorist attack

The event was held at the school for children of the Russian embassy's staff, at the opening of the new school year, while a delegation of pupils and parents from the 4th school of Halandri was also present and expressed hope for "security for children all over the world."

The Russian ambassador stressed the need for all to rally round the struggle to combat terrorism, saying that children are the most holy cells of society and pointed out that those who harm them in such a way "are not human beings."

Poems were recited during the event, a minute's silence was observed and flowers were laid in memory of the dead.

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