Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-05-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis confers with justice minister; latter sharply attacks PASOK

[02] Putin receives Greek president Papoulias

[03] KKE leader lashes out at ND, PASOK

[04] Greek GDP up 4.6% in Q1, yr/yr

[01] PM Karamanlis confers with justice minister; latter sharply attacks PASOK

Papaligouras told reporters after the meeting that the justice system appeared to be under fire lately by PASOK, adding that "over the past few weeks it has been undergoing an unprecedented attack, as its credibility is being questioned by the main opposition, questioning aimed at downgrading this institution at a time when we are proceeding with determination to root out trial-fixing rings".

Papaligouras stressed that Greek judges could be "neither intimidated nor coerced by anyone", adding that PASOK had once again chosen the wrong target.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

[02] Putin receives Greek president Papoulias

In welcoming the Greek President to the Kremlin, Putin underlined the dynamic development of bilateral relations, whereas Papoulias pointed to the cordial understanding between Athens and Moscow and the absence of problems in relations.

The Russian president referred to heightened bilateral relations in the sectors of economy, humanitarian affairs and cooperation for the exchange of military know-how, with the latter contributing greatly to the creation of a climate of confidence, given Greece's NATO membership.

Papoulias stressed, on his part, that Greek-Russian activities were founded on deep historical roots, underlining the speedy development of bilateral relations in a relatively short period of time.

Earlier, the Greek president had a meeting with Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov and attended the unveiling of a monument dedicated to the Lihoudis brothers, scholars from the Ionian island of Cephallonia.

Caption: Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with Greek President Karolos Papoulias (L) at the Kremlin in Moscow, May 31, 2007. ANA-MPA / EPA/ M. KLIMENTYEV

[03] KKE leader lashes out at ND, PASOK

"In the pre-election period, disorientation and the securing of consciences have one goal, that working people go to the polls having forgotten what has taken place over the last three years, over the last seven years, in the last 15-20 years," Papariga said upon arrival at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport for a four-day tour of the Thessaly region.

"ND is sporting the profile of a party that honors the national resistance, pensioners, the popular strata. But at the same time, it is preparing rubber bullets and color pellets because it knows very well that its policy gives rise to demonstrations, strikes. As for PASOK? It has literally strapped on the bandoleer. It is proceeding with takevoers on coastal property, forgetting that for many years it did not advance the national land registry and forest registry. It did not proceed with them because it wanted forests, coastlines, free spaces to be sold off first, and then to proceed with the land and forest registries to legitimize it," she said.

The KKE secretary general said that working people cannot be disoriented again with promises and benefits, "which are literally shameful and insulting, not even crumbs".

The KKE leader will be touring the prefecture of Kozani on Thursday.

Caption: An ANA-MPA file photo of Papariga.

[04] Greek GDP up 4.6% in Q1, yr/yr

The statistics service said investments rose by 15.8 pct in the January-March period. Exports grew 9.8 pct in the three-month period contributing 1.3 percentage points to final demand growth, while imports were up 15.1 pct in the same period.

Spending on final consumption grew 2.8 pct in the first quarter, contributing 1.8 percentage points to final demand growth.

Caption: A view of the port of Piraeus, Greece's largest commercial and passenger hub. ANA-MPA

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