Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-10-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM: Investing in the people's sound judgment

[02] Seaman drowns in ship collision

[03] National elections underway in Greece

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] PM: Investing in the people's sound judgment

"Today, the Greek men and women are making a decision of responsibility. They are deciding on a safe exit from the crisis, on policies that are tough but guarantee a dynamic start to the race of development from 2011 onwards," Karamanlis said.

'We are investing in the sound judgment of the Greek people. I have absolute confidence in the citizens' maturity. The solutions, the developments, the country's tomorrow, our children's future, are all in our hands. Victory is in our hands. Together, we are winning hope," the prime minister added.

Caption: Prime minister and ruling New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis at his main campaign rally in central Athens on Friday, the final day of campaigning for the October 4 general elections. (ANA-MPA/S. Pantzartzi)

[02] Seaman drowns in ship collision

Under conditions as yet unknown, the small Greek freighter "Kapetan Michalis" sank off Amorgos after a collision with the Malta-flagged Ukrainian freighter "Santana". The body of the Greek vessel's 70-year-old cook Nikos Drossos was spotted a few hours later by a passenger ferry.

The 'Santana' was led to the nearby island of Syros.

The 'Kapetan Michalis', with a 9-member crew on board and carrying a shipment of cement, was sailing from Carpathos island to Myconos island, while the 'Santana', with a 20-member crew and loaded with iron sheeting, was sailing from Ukraine to Thailand.

[03] National elections underway in Greece

Voting began at 7:00 Sunday morning all over Greece, while polling stations will close at 7:00 p.m.

Voting is mandatory for the total of 9,835,007 registered voters, of which 5,076,727 are women and 4,758,280 are men, while 2.5 percent of are first-time voters. The voting age is 18 and up.

Voters will directly elect 288 members of parliament in the country's 56 electoral districts, with crosses of preference. The remaining 12 seats in the 300-member parliament will be distributed among the list of 'honorary' candidates nominated by the respective parties on their State MPs tickets on the basis of the percentage each party receives in the elections nationwide.

The first indicative results are anticipated at approximately 10:00 on Sunday night, with preliminary estimations at midnight, while final results are expected around 5:00 a.m. on Monday.

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

Sunday's general elections and speculations on the "morning after" dominated the headlines in Athens' newspapers on Sunday.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Karamanlis, without hesitation: All of Greece is 'blue' (representing the ruling New Democracy party)".

APOGEVMATINI: "Today we elect a leader that will responsibly and efficiently administer the country's present and future".

AVGHI: "A strong SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left parliamentary alliance) in parliament and in the struggles is in our hands".

AVRIANI: "The new government also doomed to failure" in the face of the immense problems threatening the country's future.

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "George's (main opposition PASOK leader Papandreou) era - Change of scene - Forecasts indicate clear-cut PASOK victory, with self-sufficient majority - What is waiting to be seen is the extent".

ETHNOS: "Papandreou gives indication of his intentions: I will put an end to the partisan state and arrogance".

KATHIMERINI: "Agony over the 'morning after' - Today, the citizens decide - As of tomorrow, the leadership is called on to work creatively for the country".

LOGOS: "The 'morning after' scenarios - The outcome of today's elections will be decisive for the future of all the parties".

NIKI: "Vote for self-sufficient government - George and PASOK the guarantee for our children's future".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Every vote for the KKE (Communist Party of Greece) is a blow against plutocracy".

TO VIMA: "The new government - The changes, the faces, the problems - PASOK self-sufficient majority to emerge from the ballot boxes".

VRADYNI: "Vote of responsibility - In the face of the critical crossroads, the Greek people are making today the responsible choice and placing their confidence in the government that will lead them safely to the future".

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