Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-10-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou addresses PASOK Political Council

[02] Deputy FM warns FYROM on name dispute

[01] Papandreou addresses PASOK Political Council

Papandreou said that the party's "grassroots want democratic and open procedures to be safeguarded," adding that the party's grassroots, its bodies and he personally guarantee the party's unity and the safeguarding of procedures.

He reiterated that ballot boxes must be open to the end and added that there is the possibility of agreement with regard to the approval of candidacies, otherwise voting can take place.

As regards an assessment on the outcome of the general elections, the PASOK leader said that he has made an initial evaluation twice, on the day of the elections and during the Parliamentary Group meeting.

Focusing on government policy, Papandreou said that the aim of PASOK "is always to defend the interests of the people against a neo-conservative policy that is being applied by the ruling New Democracy (ND) party."

He also made reference to the state budget and to "taxes being imposed by the government, as well as to the secret agenda that is opening gradually," as he said, and "which will burden the average and poorer Greek even more."

The Political Council unanimously confirmed a previous agreement on procedures for the election of the party's president on November 11.

The meeting did not focus on the causes of the party's defeat in the September 16 general elections, which will be an issue to be examined by the National Council over the weekend, without any proposal being made by the Political Council.

PASOK spokesman Yiannis Raggousis said that the timetable and the procedures for the election of the party president that have already been agreed on, apply in full.

[02] Deputy FM warns FYROM on name dispute

Greece "means what it says on the issue demanding from all countries which are interested in becoming members of the European Union (EU) or NATO to follow a policy of good neighbourliness and implement the committements they have undertaken," Valynakis said, after his meetings with Fried and Assistant to the Deputy State Secretary Rosemary di Carlo.

Talks also focused on bilateral relations, developments on the Kosovo issue and Greek-Turkish relations.

Valynakis reiterated Greece's position that Turkey can become a full EU member on condition it abides by all criteria and all preconditions set by the Union.

The Greek minister discussed these issues also with State Department Deputy Undersecretary Matthew Braiza during a reception hosted by Greek Ambassador Alexandros Mallias.

In statements after his talks at the State Department, Valynakis said that Greece's role is that of a factor of stability and peace for all countries in the region.

"Our adherrence to our strategic aim, that is to transform Balkans from what it was - a powder-keg of Europe - to a region of cooperation in a European neighbourhood is well known," he said.

On the issue of Kosovo he said he explained to his interlocutors that "we are trying for a solution to be found, a solution which will be mutually acceptable, a solution safeguarding stability in the entire region, a solution based on international legality, that is through UN Security Council resolutions, a solution which will be based also on European principles. That is why it is necessary to give more time to diplomacy, so as for these solutions to be found and we hope that the Troika will contribute towards this direction."

On the FYROM issue, Valynakis said that Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis had made "clear to the American side a few days ago, and I think the message was understood, that intransigence can not lead to any positive result, that intransigence can have serious repercussions on Skopje's course towards Euro-Atlantic institutions."

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