Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-10-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK leadership candidates step up campaigns

[01] PASOK leadership candidates step up campaigns

In an interview late Monday evening with the state-run NET television channel, he said that expulsions are not in his intensions, stating that such a move would only be a last resort, while describing expulsions as an ?extreme tool?.

The main opposition party is holding a nationwide vote on November 11 for the election of a new leader following defeat in last months general elections in the country. PASOK members, egistered supporters and friends are set to vote in this much expected election.

Incumbent party leader George Papandreou, Thessaloniki deputy and former minister Evangelos Venizelos and deputy and former party secretary Costas Skandalidis are the three leadership contenders.

Papandreou stated that he will seek a new party unity based on political agendas and "leftist and democratic ideas."

He stressed that he seeks a clear mandate for a "new beginning" that will be launched immediately, announcing what he termed as important party charter changes at an imminent party congress in January 2008.

Papandreou also said that he will respect the outcome of the Nov. 11 election and called on all leading party officials and his two rivals, Evangelos Venizelos and Costas Skandalidis, to do the same.

Regarding the question on who can better confront Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and defeat him, he commented that he does not think that Karamanlis is a "model example to be copied", stressing that ?the people will choose something different and not something that imitates the prime minister?.

Regarding sharp criticism he has recently levelled against unnamed "vested economic interests" and local media owners, Papandreou said he wants transparent relations with power centers regardless of whether they control mass media or economic interests, adding that ?transparent relations means that there are rules?.

Referring to the so-called ?swing to the left? as inferred from his addresses of late, Papandreou clarified that he will not adopt everything the rest of the left professes, stating certain parties on the left are conservative, referring specifically to the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).

Venizelos outlines economy policies

On his part, Evangelos Venizelos on Tuesday referred extensively to economic policy, outlining his goals for what he called a strong and competitive Greek economy.

The Thessaloniki deputy and former minister in successive PASOK governments also referred to a ?fair redistribution? of wealth and a more effective social state.

?Despite the deep mistrust of citizens at the European level on whether or not a socialist government can implement an alternative populist programme, there is an answer that must be given, as this is a condition for PASOKâs victory,? Venizelos said.

Among others, the law professor by training cited the creation of a fund for the new generation, a ?social economy? fund and the recording of what he called ?inflation of the poor?, which possible differs from official inflation data.

Skandalidis tours Pella, Imathia prefectures

Costas Skandalidis was on a tour of two Macedonian prefectures, Pella and Imathia, on Tuesday to promote his candidacy, stressing the "need to restore confidence among the candidates, party cadres and simple members."

"The term 'confidence' must prevail during these last days. We must leave behind confrontations that are not up to the circumstances. We must restore the lost communication among us. This confidence should then become a contract of confidence with society and the people," Skandalidis said.

He was also due to address a supporters' rally in Katerini, Imathia prefecture later in the evening.

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