Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-04-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM briefed by EU Ombudsman, reiterates 'zero tolerance' policy vis-a-vis corruption

[02] Bad weather postpones annual NYC Greek parade

[03] ANA-MPA inaugurates pilot Internet radio

[01] PM briefed by EU Ombudsman, reiterates 'zero tolerance' policy vis-a-vis corruption

Diamandouros said he also briefed the prime minister on "developments concerning the reform of European public administration and on how the European Ombudsman is trying to contribute in that direction, as well as the specific initiatives that I have undertaken, so as to improve the relations between the European citizen and public administration".

He said he had discussed the same issues with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and German President Horst Koehler during his visit to Germany last month.

Diamandouros noted that the prime minister was very interested in initiatives being undertaken to improve the relations between the citizen and public administration at the EU level and, by extension, at national level.

Replying to questions, he said he will also meet with Employment Minister Savvas Tsitouridis to discuss issues concerning social insurance matters, noting that "we will discuss issues concerning social insurance at European level".

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Karamanlis reiterated his government's pledge of "zero tolerance" against corruption in tandem with a continuation of reforms throughout Greece's cavernous public sector, statements linked directly with an ongoing furor regarding a questionable bond purchase by a state-controlled pension fund.

Karamanlis, speaking to ruling New Democracy party's affiliated youth group (ONNED), devoted most of his address to the issue of state-run pension funds, amid a barrage of criticism by the opposition and a portion of the local press.

"Those who think that the instances (of corruption) that passed unnoticed in the past will be repeated today are making a huge mistake; they are also making a huge mistake if think they can lessen their guilt with irresponsible shouting ... we are continuing our battle with corruption undeterred," Karamanlis said in reference to an almost daily cascade of statements by main opposition PASOK cadres, among others over the affair, which erupted after details of the bond purchase by the civil servants' supplementary fund were disclosed weeks ago.

With the focus expanding to practically all of the dozens of primary and supplementary pension funds partially or completely controlled by the state for several decades now, Karamanlis pointed to the urgent tabling in Parliament -- last week -- of changes aimed at precluding mismanagement at such entities.

"First off, we are ensuring that knowledgeable and experienced board members and directors will be selected by the bodies representing the funds, with approval by the Bank of Greece and the Capital Markets Commission also necessary. The government, at any given time, will have no involvement," he said, adding:

"Secondly, when instances of fraud are ascertained, these funds, with the immediate assistance of the state, shall demand damages so that losses are recovered" he said.

"Zero tolerance is a commitment for us, our conviction towards transparency is non-negotiable," Karamanlis added.

Turning to one of the government's most closely-watched initiatives since it took office in March 2004, Karamanlis said a recently passed framework for changes in higher education - laying down guidelines for universities' operation, institutions' autonomy, more representative faculty elections, stricter definition of the asylum law etc. - was a tangible measure for upgrading the long-depressed academic world.

Finally, the premier also reserved a counter-attack for rival PASOK, criticising the main opposition party for the major problems in the economy and society, as he said, that it "bestowed" on his government. Karamanlis reminded that Greece's fiscal adjustment programme is the largest, percentage wise, in the euro-zone, whereas GDP growth (currently standing at 4 percent) continues to outpace the EU average. He also pointed to substantially rosier pictures for Greece's all-important tourism industry and the emerging energy-related sector.

Caption: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, right, then the main opposition leader, is shown during a visit to the Ombudsman's office in Athens on June 20, 2001 with Greek Ombudsman and subsequent EU Ombudsman Nikiforos Diamantouros. ANA-MPA / M. MAROGIANNI.

[02] Bad weather postpones annual NYC Greek parade

Greek Defense Minister Evangelos Meimarakis, in New York for talks and to take part in the parade, announced Sunday that a Hellenic Navy Philharmonic Band will extend its visit to New York to be present in the parade next Sunday.

A memorial service was held as scheduled, however, on Sunday at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, officiated by Archbishop of America Demetrios in the presence of Greek officials and representatives of the Greek-American community.

Meimarakis, who represented the Greek government in the celebrations, said after the doxology that Greece, being a member of the EU and NATO is a factor of stability and peace in the Balkan region.

He added that Greece tries to persuade even those who react that they will have to honor their signatures and that the threat of a casus belli is not consistent with good neighborly conditions, adding that peaceful coexistence will benefit the entire region.

Referring to the Greek-American community, Meimarakis underlined that in the era of globalization it is important to preserve national heritage, faith, identity, language, traditions and all those things that can keep expatriate Greek communities alive.

Caption: Minister Evangelos Meimarakis, right, meets with Archbishop of America Demetrios Meimarakis in New York City on Thursday, April 12, 2007. ANA-MPA / GANP / D. PANAGOS.

[03] ANA-MPA inaugurates pilot Internet radio

In the initial stage, two brief Greek-language news bulletins will be broadcast, at 13.00 (GMT) and 19.00 (GMT), aimed at expatriate Greeks around the world, with the rest of the programme filled with popular Greek and foreign music.

Caption: Announcers at work at the ANA-MPA's Internet radio studio in the Agency's central Athens headquarters on Monday, April 16, 2007. ANA-MPA / K. MAVRONA.

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