Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-09-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Inner Cabinet meeting on economy-finance ministry issues

[02] Papandreou to chair meeting of PASOK coordinators

[03] FM in Washington for talks with US officials

[01] Inner Cabinet meeting on economy-finance ministry issues

The government's policy is uniform and collective, and when the government and the prime minister say "zero tolerance to corruption" it is only reasonable that it applies to the entire government, indiscriminately, national defence minister Evangelos Meimarakis said Monday in reply to press questions, after a meeting with prime minister Costas Karamanlis.

Replying to other questions, Meimarakis said that there was no "backstabbing" among government members.

Asked to comment on a slander lawsuit lodged by deputy development minister Yannis Papathanasiou against main opposition PASOK MP and former minister Kimon Koulouris earlier in the day, Meimarakis said it was only natural to take recourse in justice to defend one's honour when one's honour and reputation were offended and the public dialogue exceeded the limits.

He said that political dialogue and activity "will bring us out of the unwholesome climate of the past days", adding that there was a climate of concern which, however, was reversible and was not heavy for the government.

Meimarakis said that the government's volition for zero tolerance to corruption and aggressive tackling of the phenomenon was firm, adding that there was no issue of "offsetting" but, rather, a comparison of the policies and measures that have been taken by the current government against corruption (vis-a-vis the preceding government), and whether the proper "antibodies" have been created in the citizens so that they could also contribute in combatting the problem.

Up until two-and-a-half years ago (when ND assumed the government), the citizens considered it in vain to lodge complaints of corruption phenomena, according to data from recent opinion polls, the minister said, whereas now, due to the policy applied by the present government, they perceived that the volition exists for zero tolerance and for sending all such cases to justice.

[02] Papandreou to chair meeting of PASOK coordinators

Meanwhile, party spokesman Nikos Athanassakis said Monday that the Competition Commission must function as an independent authority, adding that any ministers who attempted to control it should be held accountable.

Commenting on press reports sparked by Papandreou's absence from Sunday night's event at the Megaron Athens Concert Hall commemorating International Day of Peace, which was organised by the Presidency of the Republic, Athanassakis said there was no problem in PASOK's and Papandreou's relations with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, who served as foreign minister under PASOK governments in the past.

Also, PASOK coordinator for education issues Milena Apostolaki on Monday accused the government of "not only escalating its intransigence and the mockery of thousands of striking teachers", but also of "unfortunately escalating the use of uncontrolled violence, launching for a second time an unprecedented attack against the strikers".

Apostolaki exclusively attributed responsibility to the government over the fact that public elementary schools remain closed for a second week due to the teachers' strike, which was continuing for the second week following a fruitless meeting Monday between public elementary school teachers federation (DOE) representatives with education minister Marietta Yannakou.

[03] FM in Washington for talks with US officials

US state department deputy spokesman Tom Casey on Monday noted Greece's important role in the Balkans, replying to a question on Greek foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis' upcoming meeting on Tuesday with secretary of state Condeleezza Rice in Washington on Tuesday, during a regular press briefing.

Casey said that Rice was certainly "looking forward" to meeting with Bakoyannis.

"They have met previously as you know. Greece is, I believe, currently the President of the UN Security Council so I'm certain they'll talk about those issues. I expect they'll touch on a number of other bilateral concerns," he said.

"Certainly Greece is a good friend and NATO ally, has an important role to play in NATO as well as in the broader region in the Balkans. I know those issues will probably be things that will be on the agenda as well. Certainly she looks forward to seeing her," Casey added.

Bakoyannis, who was in New York for the 61st UN General Assembly and Security Council meetings, was due in Washington early Tuesday (Greek time) for a two-day visit during which she would have separate talks with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, President George W. Bush's national security advisor Steve Hadley and Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, as well as meet with members of Congress, among them also with Senator Hillary Clinton.

Her discussions are expected to focus on the Greek Presidency of the UN Security Council, bilateral cooperation, international matters such as the situation in the Middle East and the Balkans, the Cyprus issue, Turkey's European prospects and energy safety.

Bakoyannis will speak at Washington's Centre of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on the theme "Unified Strategy for South East Europe: The role of Greece". After the speech, she will attend a luncheon with CSIS members and with other associates of foundations of foreign policty.

She will also speak at Georgetown University where she will attend the inauguration of the new Greek studies faculty at the university. Finally, she will inaugurate the new building of the Greek Embassy in the U.S. capital.

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