Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-07-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou rules out cooperation with ND

[02] Martens: EPP to unveil text on climate change

[03] KKE leader: Zero tolerance after forest blaze

[01] Papandreou rules out cooperation with ND

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou has unveiled a "100-day programme" for a future PASOK government, in statements during an interview published in the Sunday edition of an Athens daily, where he is also quoted as ruling out any post-election cooperation with ruling New Democracy should neither major party achieve Parliamentary dominance.

Among others, Papandreou referred to the creation of a new environment ministry, more state outlays for lower-income classes, changes in the tax code, commencement of a "social dialogue" for changes in education and for social security reforms.

Asked about the possibility of post-election cooperation with ND to form a government in case neither party has enough Parliament strength to form a strong government, Papandreou categorically ruled out such an option, saying merely that PASOK will be victorious in the next election.

In reference to the recent rash of forest fires in the country, Papandreou charged that the prime minister, personally, and his government have been unable to deal with any crisis in the country over the past four years.

Finally, Papandreou called corruption a "structural problem" in the country, while dismissing the term "guilty past" for PASOK, saying instead that omissions and mistakes were on an individual basis and not the product of an entire political faction.

Papandreou's interview was published in the Sunday edition of "Kathimerini".

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Papandreou.

[02] Martens: EPP to unveil text on climate change

Climate change and initiatives developed by the European People's Party (EPP) grouping to deal with the global phenomenon was the subject of EPP President Wilfried Martens during a ruling New Democracy pre-congress meeting in the northwest city of Ioannina on Sunday.

The venue also served for an EPP congress session focusing on climate change.

According to Martens, the EPP grouping has recognised the grave dangers associated with climate change, calling it the most significant challenged faced by the current generation.

Moreover, he said the EPP, in association with national governments, will unveil a text in early 2008 offering a "realistic and comprehensive" plan to deal with climate change.

"Our goal is to combine economic dictates with ecology", he said, while referring to EU Commissioner Stavros Dimas' "impressive text" last Friday, which serves as a "Green Paper" on climate change.

The veteran Belgian politician and prime minister also said ruling New Democracy party's place Greece amongst the group of countries playing a leading role on the complex issue, while he expressed confidence that ND and Costas Karamanlis will again be voted into power by the Greek people in the upcoming elections.

Caption: EPP President Wilfried Martens speaks in the NW city of Ioannina on Sunday, July 1, 2007. ANA-MPA / P. PAPPA.

[03] KKE leader: Zero tolerance after forest blaze

Papariga made the statements touring a tour of the devastated forestland, one of the greater Athens area's few remaining mountainous greenspaces, part of a bid to prevent the ubiquitous, in Greece, land grabbing and illegal building that has often occurred over the past decades following wildfires.

"Beyond the historical crimes and responsibilities for this situation in Greece, with the destruction of forest lands and the environment, on this day and in the phase we are now in, KKE is interested in is not just general proclamation about what areas will be reforested but in expanding the natural park all the way to the Tatoi region," she said, adding that by her estimates 50 percent of the Parnitha national park has been left in ashes.

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