Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-03-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou sharply attacks gov't in Parliament

[02] Greek FM meets US counterpart in Washington

[03] Greek tourism minister meets Moscow mayor

[04] Bush Proclamation on Greek Independence Day

[01] Papandreou sharply attacks gov't in Parliament

"The corruption, lack of transparency and fraud being revealed these days are not at all incidental. They have ... to do with ND's perceptions and the officials it imposed on the state," he said.

He described the present government as "the worst the country has ever had, even worse than that of Constantine Mitsotakis in 1990-93, with a weak prime minister who is incapable of dismissing the employment minister (Savvas Tsitouridis) and other ministers".

Replying to Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in his rejoinder, meanwhile, Papandreou said that the premier appeared unable or unwilling to intervene and stop those responsible, and was instead "making compromises and protecting" them.

"Are you keeping the ministers, or are they keeping you? If you claim that it is not your responsibility, then why do you not place the responsibility where it belongs - with your ministers?" PASOK's leader asked.

Referring to the issue of the 'hidden' government bond bought by the Civil Servants Auxiliary Pension Fund (TEADY) at an inflated price, Papandreou said that this was a "hot potato" placed squarely in Karamanlis' lap and that he could not deny knowledge of the affair:

"You claimed not to have known - that you took action as soon as the Capital Markets Commission made the matter public. However, in the employment ministry's last publication regarding fund assets, the specific transaction and financial losses are recorded. And, instead of acting, the prime minister allowed other pension funds to enter into the same process. Therefore, you knew everything and did nothing - because this mechanism was set up so that your people could profit," PASOK's leader accused.

According to Papandreou, immediate elections were the only solution.

"One phrase by the prime minister would suffice; that he is submitting his government's resignation and that we are going to elections. That is what the Greek people were waiting to hear," he added.

In a reference to the management of the Funds' reserves during his first speech in Parliament, Papandreou claimed that an entire mechanism had been set up using these reserves - and the money paid by the Greek people in social insurance contributions - so that "parasitic party middle-men could get commissions," adding that ND bore immense responsibility in the affair because high-ranking ND officials occupied all those positions.

"This is not incidental. It has to do with a perception that you are systematically cultivating -- that the state belongs to you. But the state doesn't belong to you," Papandreou said, adding that "your scandal with the bonds constitutes a rewarding of fraud".

"You came (to power) to temporarily manage the assets of the Greek citizens with transparency and efficiency. You failed miserably, and that is why the people will soon send you to the opposition. And no more hide-and-seek regarding Justice. The prime minister tolerates, conceals and covers up -- naturally, everything that he can cover up," Papandreou said.

"This crime is at the expense of the pensioner, and you are accountable, Mr. Karamanlis. We expect you to find and return the money to the fund -- and this before the elections, before you leave the government," he added.

PASOKâs leader also dismissed the measures announced by the government for the future management of fund reserves as an attempt to "blow smoke in the eyes" of the public, ?similar to that blown by the government after the phone-tapping scandal, inviting Constitutional experts to change the Constitution?.

Replying to a proposal by Coalition of the Left, of Movements and Ecology (SYN) party leader Alekos Alavanos for a Parliamentary investigative committee, meanwhile, PASOK's leader said that he was not opposed, as such, but that early elections took precendence.

"At this moment, we are demanding elections. There will be transparency, however, either one way or the other," he said.

Papandreou personally pledged not to succumb, as prime minister, to any interests.

He challenged the prime minister to reveal in Parliament what he promised European Commissioner for monetary affairs Joaquin Almunia in return for the Greek economy's exit from the excessive deficit procedure.

"Tell us today, here, in this hall, that which you are concealing from the citizens: The commitments you undertook on the social insurance sector following the elections, the increase in the retirement age and the decrease in pensions as a proportion of the salary, the commitments for extended austerity," Papandreou said.

Pointing to recent statements on this issue by French politician Nicholas Sarkozy, he said that Karamanlis had dragged the country's international reputation through the mud for petty party-political ends.

"This is something that PASOK will never do; I will never do this, Mr. Karamanlis," Papandreou concluded.

Caption: PASOK leader George Papandreou in Parliament on Thursday, March 22, 2007. ANA-MPA/Maria Maroyianni.

[02] Greek FM meets US counterpart in Washington

"The meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has just taken place. We had a very constructive and useful discussion on wider issues of our region and on issues, of course, of particular Greek concern, on Greek-Turkish relations and relations between Europe and Turkey. I had the opportunity of repeating to Mrs. Rice the main position of our country on the issue of the name of Skopje (FYROM) as well. The discussion was concluded a short while ago. I think that it was understood by our American interlocutors what the Greek positions are," Bakoyannis said.

Asked whether Greece found understanding on Greek-Turkish issues, Bakoyannis said "I cannot convey and commit American policy. What I can say are the views that we tabled. It is always useful and beneficial, at the highest possible level, for the views of the two countries to be discussed. It is useful because the Greek side had the possibility for the fourth time to clarify its views on these issues."

State Department spokesman

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack, replying to relevant questions, commented on the content and the climate prevailing during the meeting held earlier in the day between Rice and Bakoyannis.

"They had a good meeting. The whole tone and tenor of the meeting was one that certainly reaffirmed and underlined the solid foundation of US-Greek relations. It was a very good, warm meeting. They have a very good rapport with one another. They covered a number of bilateral issues. They talked about the visa waiver program. They talked also about issues related to the -- to 'Macedonia'. Talked about NATO -- right, I know you would have a different name for it -- you would have a different name for it. We call it 'Macedonia'. Also talked a little bit about Greek-Turkish relations. They talked a little bit about Kosovo," McCormack said.

Asked to clarify what exactly was discussed in relation to Greek-Turkish issues, the American official said "the foreign minister (of Greece) just talked about over the past several months the tone and tenor of Greek-Turkish relations."

Caption: Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis (L) with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the State Department in Washington on Thursday, March 22, 2007. ANA-MPA/Antonis Doukas.

[03] Greek tourism minister meets Moscow mayor

Caption: Greek Tourism Development Minister Fani Palli-Petralia with Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov in Moscow on Thursday, March 22, 2007. ANA-MPA/Panagiotis Stolis.

[04] Bush Proclamation on Greek Independence Day

The White House event will also be attended by Greece's Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, who is currently in Washington on a US visit that also included talks in New York with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

On Thursday, the White House issued a Proclamation by President Bush designating March 25, 2007 as "Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, 2007".

Bush Proclamation

The full text of the Proclamation is as follows:

"The United States and Greece share a long friendship built on common values and an abiding love for freedom. On Greek Independence Day, we underscore the warm ties between our countries, recognize the Greek Americans who enrich our society, and commemorate the anniversary of modern Greece.

"The ancient Greeks entrusted their citizens with the right to govern, and they believed in the power of freedom to protect human dignity and basic human rights. Many of America's Founding Fathers studied Greek history and took inspiration from these democratic ideals as they framed our Constitution. The founders of modern Greece had the strong support of our own young democracy when they declared their independence in 1821, and our nations have stood as allies in the major conflicts of the 20th century. Today, we continue to defend freedom together in the global war on terror, as Greek and American Armed Forces work to lay the foundation of peace for generations to come.

"On Greek Independence Day, and throughout the year, we celebrate the universality of freedom and the enduring bonds between Greece and the United States.

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2007, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first."

Washington events

Archbishop Demetrios of America will preside over the commemorative events in Washington on Thursday and Friday, culimating in a special ceremony at the White House on Friday marking the proclamation of March 25, 2007 as "Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy".

On Thursday, Demetrios hosted a brunch in honour of the newly-elected members of the US Congress who are of Greek origin, and also had a private meeting with visiting Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

Later, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi hosted a luncheon in honour of the Archbishop and Bakoyannis, after which Demetrios had consecutive meetings with Greek-American Senator Olympia Snowe, US Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky).

On Thursday night, the US president's Assistant for Homeland Security director Frances Fragos Townsend, also of Greek-American descent, was due to host a dinner in honour of the Archbishop on the occasion of the celebration of Greek Independence Day at Blair House, where traditionally the White House guests are hosted.

On Friday, the Archbishop will have breakfast with the US president's special envoy for Sudan, Andrew Natsios, who is a Greek-American, followed by the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) at Arlington National Cemetery.

The celebrations will culminate with the special event at the White House, which will be addressed by President Bush and Archbishop Demetrios.

Caption: ANA-MPA/EPA file photo of US President George W. Bush (EPA/Ulises Rodriguez)

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