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Wednesday, 4 December 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-05-20Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou calls for change in countryMain opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou, addressing his party's two-day programme conference in Piraeus on Saturday, said that the party will begin a struggle to rid the country from the worst government it has ever had and to bring in a new and great change and added that "this government must leave here and now."Papandreou also called once again for early elections (elections are normally due in Greece in March 2008) that, in his view, must have two preconditions. First of all, scandal cases must be clarified, at least from a political point of view, to enable confrontation ahead of elections to be based on the parties' programmes only. In addition, Papandreou said that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis must not use national issues as an election ploy to lead the country to elections. Referring to issues considered as being scandals and for which he called for clarifications, the PASOK leader included the stock exchange issue and the recent cases regarding bonds, phonetapping and the abduction of Pakistanis. Lastly, Papandreou accused the government of failing to clarify its positions and of intending to go to the elections with the second volume of its secret agenda but, as he noted, the Greek citizens will not believe it this time. Caption: PASOK leader George Papandreou addressing his party's conference in Piraeus on Saturday, May 19, 2007. ANA-MPA / KATERINA MAVRONA. [02] FM sees no developments over Cyprus issueGreek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, speaking in an interview with the Cypriot newspaper "O Fileleftheros" over the weekend, said that she sees no considerable developments over the issue of Cyprus in the near future and assesses that a "crucial" window to an opportunity might open in 2008.The Greek foreign minister further said that she did not predict any crisis in Cyprus and the Aegean as a result of the political instability prevailing in Turkey. Bakoyannis further said that a solution to the issue of Cyprus is a steadfast pursuit for Greek foreign policy. She also clarified that no deviation exists between Athens and Nicosia and pointed out that Greece and Cyprus are two separate countries and exercise their policy independently. "When there are different approaches, we discuss them," she explained. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis. [03] Public order minister not resigningPublic Order Minister Vyron Polydoras, speaking in an interview with the Sunday edition of the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia", said he was not afraid of difficulties and did not intend to resign and stressed that "I am not stuck to the chair. I want to be free and I am free."Polydoras further pointed out that "I will not resign because I am not one who will throw down his shield, nor am I a coward. I am not afraid of difficulties." Speaking about the shortage in information, that he referred to recently, the minister said that there is interest in filling in the vacuum and suitable measures will be taken to improve the situation. The public order minister also assured that no pressure is being exerted for new arrests by any foreign factor. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras. [04] Deputy DM warns Turkey over irrational demandsDeputy Defence Minister Vassilis Mihaloliakos, speaking on the island of Crete on Sunday, called on Turkey "to quit historically inaccurate and irrational demands against our country." His comments were made during the unveiling of a bust erected at Akrotiri, in the prefecture of Hania, in memory of Greek Air Force hero Costas Iliakis."Greece supports Turkey's course towards the future and the European Union, but its path must pass through absolute respect for the rules of International Law and for the European Union's access criteria," Mihaloliakos stressed. The deputy defence minister also pointed out that "Greece wants Turkey to find her pace, because accession to the European Family is mainly a political decision. However, this does not mean that we have signed a 'blank cheque'. It must be realised at last that tension benefits no one." Praising the role played by the armed forces, Mihaloliakos said that "today, with the unveiling of the bust of Costas Iliakis, we are sending a resounding message in every direction that we do not forget. In the face of Costas Iliakis, both the Air Force and our Armed Forces in their entirety are being honoured, that are and will remain absolutely prepared to confront every provocation and every threat." Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Deputy Defence Minister Vassilis Mihaloliakos. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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