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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-01-18Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM: Government cannot be coerced, has nothing to fearThe government can neither be coerced, nor does it engage in coercion, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis stressed on Friday, speaking in parliament during the Hour of the Prime Minister, in response to a question tabled by Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) parliamentary group leader Alekos Alavanos regarding recent events involving the culture ministry.Karamanlis stressed that he has never made concessions or 'discounts', nor would he make concessions or 'discounts', on matters of legality, principles and values. The premier strongly criticised those who "opt for the path of pillorying, of generalised belittlement, stressing that no one has the right to "sow the seed of fear and resignation" among the citizens, nor to adopt unfounded claims. "This is unfair, dangerous, and deeply undemocratic," Karamanlis said. Elaborating his question, Alavanos, whose Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party heads the SYRIZA group, said that there was a climate of decay and morbidity in the country, and asked the prime minister point-blank whether he had faced a coercion attempt. Recalling the Koskotas banking scandal and the referral of the then prime minister over the matter, Alavanos asked why the New Democracy government rejected the proposal for setting up a parliamentary fact-finding commission over the "major scandal" that has emerged. Alavanos also called on the prime minister to dismiss the chief of the Financial Crimes Squad (SDOE), given rampant rumours of his involvement in the case. He further referred to rumours implicating an ND deputy in the affair "who was found in a procedure of collusion, with good or bad intentions", adding that it was not possible that the prime minister should not demand information from those making the accusations, and not defend or charge the MP who, Alavanos said, was "crucial to the government's existence". Replying, Karamanlis said that the government does not conceal or cover-up anything, fears nothing, has never spared and will not spare anyone. Regarding the 'morbid climate', the premier said he was determined to do everything needed to rid the country of that climate. He stressed that every wrongdoing that was uncovered was referred to justice "which we have faith in and whose work we support", and expressed his certainty that "Justice is in a position to find and uncover what is behind this affair". Caption:Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis speaking in parliament during the Hour of Prime Minister on Fri.18 Jan.2008 ANA-MPA/PANTELIS SAITAS [02] PASOK leader briefs President on positionsMain opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou was received on Friday by President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias. Speaking to reporters before the meeting, held at Papandreou's request, the leader of PASOK said that these are difficult times, stressing that the Greek people were shocked by developments, with corruption being an undermining factor targeting democratic institutions, the credibility of the political system and the self-confidence of the Greek people. Papandreou underlined the need for solutions, pointing out that this was the reason for his meeting with the President, in order to seek his advice and contribution. On his part, President Papoulias told Papandreou that his request for a meeting was a well thought out decision<font size="3" face="Verdana">. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou[03] Premiere: "Asterix at the Olympic Games"On their way to Olympia and its famous games the Gauls who made Julius Caesar's life difficult made a short stop on Thursday evening in Athens at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron)."Asterix at the Olympic Games", the third film based on Gossiny and Uderzo's famous comics, had its European premiere Thursday evening. Frederic Forestier, the film's director, and the actors Gerard Depardieu, who plays "Ovelix", Adriana Karambeu and Vanessa Hessler were also present. French star Alain Delon in the role of Ceasar was not able to attend the event. The film will start be shown in Greece and France on 30 January. Caption:Film director Frederic Forestier (C), French model Adriana Karembeu (L) and French actor Gerard Depardieu (R) pose to photographers during the European premiere of the movie 'Asterix at the Olympic Games' at the Megaron Concert Hall in Athens, Greece, 17 January 2008. EPA/ANA-MPA/SIMELA PANTZARTZI [04] Athens Newspaper HeadlinesPrime Minister's office director Yiannis Angelou's additional testimony before the examining magistrate on the Zachopoulos affair and PM Karamanlis' response on Friday in parliament to questions on the issue tabled by Synaspismos party leader Alekos Alavanos dominated headlines on Friday in the Athens newspapers.ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Pimps (of public life) prepare change of political scene". APOGEVMATINI: "Karamanlis on Zachopoulos affair - Prime Minister took everyone by surprise and will speak in parliament on the burning issue". AVGHI: "Major cover up - Phone-tapping phone case shelved". AVRIANI: "Politicians and journalists fooling the people and feeding them sex tapes to forget their problems". ELEFTHERI ORA: "....The system is left without shock absorbers". ELEFTHEROS: "Shocking accusations by (Popular Orthodox Rally-LAOS leader George) Karatzaferis draw strong reaction by Justice Minister". ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "(Prime Minister's press office director Yiannis) Adrianos face to face with ("Proto Thema" co-publisher) Themos (Anastasiadis) - -Government points finger at Anastasiadis (as being the Zachopoulos DVD courier)". ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Byzantine intrigues - Adrianos' new testimony over a 'forgotten' phone call". ESTIA: "Hour of decisions for government - Change of policy is mandatory". ETHNOS: "They're trapping the courier in stages - Angelou's new testimony key to the Zachopoulos affair". KATHIMERINI: "Karamanlis,Papandreou intervene on crisis - Angelou's new testimony". LOGOS: "Answers on Zachopoulos affair.....from Karamanlis to Alavanos question - Karamanlis' first public intervention". NIKI: "Parade of depositions before the examining magistrate - Karamanlis' associates in never-ending questioning". RIZOSPASTIS: "Working class must be the protagonist of developments against anti-popular scenarios". TA NEA: "Admission of the secret meeting- Contradictions over the DVD". TO VIMA: "Karamanlis-Alavanos showdown on Zachopoulos affair will take place on Friday in parliament" VRADYNI: "Karamanlis intervenes - He will state his positions in parliament on Zachopoulos affair". ay. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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