Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-03-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Final Results of Greek Elections: �New Democracy� party wins Greek elections with comfortable majority

[02] PM-elect Karamanlis sets new government's priorities

[03] Papandreou concedes defeat in general elections

[04] New ND government expected to be sworn-in on Tuesday

[05] Communist party leader says 'helmsman' changed in conservative policy

[06] Coalition of the Radical Left satisfied with entry into Parliament

[07] DHKKI leader says 'election struggle lost, but we gained dignity, credibility'

[08] LAOS leader Karatzaferis says 'we are on the right path'

[09] Caretaker interior minister praises organization and climate of elections

[10] Main party leaders hold lunches for journalists

[11] 56th anniversary of Dodecannese union with Greece celebrated

[12] Convict's escape from Alikarnassos goes undetected for 1 day

[13] National Council expresses concern about Turkish Cypriot position

[14] UNFICYP proposed funding close to 48 million dollars

[15] EU senior officials in Turkey for talks

[01] Final Results of Greek Elections: �New Democracy� party wins Greek elections with comfortable majority

Athens, 8/3/2004 (ANA)

With 99.5% of votes counted, ND polled 45.37 percent of the vote to PASOK's 40.55, a result that makes 48-year-old Costas Karamanlis the next -- and youngest ever -- Greek prime minister.

ND secures a significant majority of about 165 seats in the 300-member Greek Parliament, against 117 for PASOK.

A new government is expected to be sworn-in on Wednesday.

The Communist Party of Greece ranked a distant third garnering 5.89 percent and securing 12 seats, while the Coalition of the Radical Left received 3.26 percent, a fraction over the 3.00 percent margin needed to enter Parliament. It secures 6 seats in the House. The Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) mustered 2.19 percent and the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) got 1.79 percent.

Karamanlis, the namesake and nephew of Greek statesman Constantine Karamanlis, won the premiership on his second try after assuming the party�s reins in 1997. He lost the April 2000 elections by a mere 70,000 votes. The ND leader will also be the first prime minister born after the divisive Greek civil war (1946-49).

Conversely, newly elected PASOK leader George Papandreou, the former high-profile Greek foreign minister, failed to follow in the footsteps of his late father, three-time premier and PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou.

In his first comments to a crowd of reporters and supporters at the Zappeion Hall, next to the Parliament in downtown Athens, the prime minister-elect promised to live up to the voters� trust.

''I am in politics to contribute; now that the citizens� decision has been expressed; I offer my commitment to ... meet their (citizens�) trust, and to fulfill the agreement we have jointly signed,� Karamanlis said.

In pointing to a standing Greek foreign policy concern, he also promised to work for a �just, workable and European solution� for Cyprus, less than two months before the divided island republic becomes a full European Union member.

The more-or-less regularly scheduled elections come only five months before the Olympic Games return to the land where they were born during antiquity and to the city that hosted the first Games of the modern era (1896).

[02] PM-elect Karamanlis sets new government's priorities

Athens, 8/3/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis is set to become Greece�s youngest prime minister at the age of 48.

In his first comments to a crowd of reporters and supporters at the Zappeion Hall, next to the Parliament in downtown Athens, the prime minister-elect promised to live up to the voters� trust.

''I am in politics to contribute; now that the citizens� decision has been expressed; I offer my commitment to ... meet their (citizens�) trust, and to fulfill the agreement we have jointly signed,� he said.

In pointing to a standing Greek foreign policy concern, Karamanlis also promised to work for a �just, workable and European solution� for Cyprus, less than two months before the divided island republic becomes a full European Union member.

Karamanlis, the namesake and nephew of ND�s founder, Greek statesman Constantine Karamanlis, also referred to a reformed agriculture policy, an all-important sector in the east Mediterranean country, noting the need for more competitiveness.

His next statement referred to the much-anticipated Olympic Games of Athens -- the Opening Ceremony comes on August 13. Karamanlis cited the need to �put the best face forward for the finest and safest Games ever.�

�There are no winners and losers today ... today democracy and Greece have won, which calls on us to give our best for a tomorrow filled with optimism, certainty and self-confidence,� he stressed in a brief statement replete with references to national unity.

[03] Papandreou concedes defeat in general elections

Athens, 8/3/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou reportedly wished Karamanlis �strength� in his new post as Greece�s prime minister, while the latter asked the former foreign minister for cooperation within the framework of new morality that should distinguish the coming political period �. �I am looking forward to your cooperation,� Karamanlis told Papandreou.

In comments to the press afterwards, Papandreou, the first-born son of late three-time prime minister and PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou cited his party�s long tenure in power -- 19 out of the last 23 years.

He emphasized that PASOK will vigorously back efforts for a resolution of the long-standing Cyprus problem, �an issue of supreme importance that has entered a crucial phase ... for a viable and just solution�.

Moreover, he stressed that his party, which passes into the sphere of the main opposition, backs efforts for the Olympic Games, only months before the Games return to Greece in August and ''will strengthen the effort for the maintenance of the country's high prestige on the international scene, as well as its development course and the economy.''

He stressed that ''PASOK will stand against any effort to abolish the gains achieved by the Greek people and mainly the effort to abolish the social state, through expressions of revenge, the re-founding of the party state or authoritarianism.'' He added that ''we are the ones who established equality before the law and the equality of rights.''

Papandreou promised that his party will now exercise a �policy of quality, which however will be uncompromising,'' shortly before saying that �citizens sent their message�.

In a telling statement, the former foreign minister cited a �little time to persuade citizens�, a reference to his assumption of the ruling party on February 8, a month after Prime Minister Costas Simitis said he would step down as party leader.

Referring to what preceded the general elections such as his election as PASOK leader, Papandreou said that when he decided to assume the party leadership, ''he knew of the past with the mistakes which had been made, as well as that there was fatigue among the electorate and that is why he asked for changes to be made.''

�This election is a new beginning for me,� he told reporters at a news conference hall next to the Greek Parliament, adding that his party would proceed to changes within its ranks.

PM urges ND to respond constructively to mandate, work for country's interests: Incumbent Prime Minister Costas Simitis, commenting on the results of Sunday's general elections in the country, wished the winning New Democracy party ''to respond constructively to the mandate it received and to work with the country's interests as its criterion.''

Simitis said ''the Greek people decided in today's confrontation that there should be a new government in Greece, an alternation enabling the people to judge the conservative party as well in exercising power.''

On the other hand, he added, ''we democratic and progressive forces, PASOK with George Papandreou as its leader will continue under the new conditions to safeguard with our effort all that has been achieved in past years and to have progress and the reforming of Greek society to continue.''

Simitis further said ''all have a role in a democracy. Our role will be creative and will contribute to the effort to have Greece move even further ahead and even higher.''

The prime minister thanked all who backed PASOK in the elections, as well as during the years of its governance which had preceded, and the Greek people in their entirety that helped to have the elections held in a way confirming their desire for democracy.

[04] New ND government expected to be sworn-in on Tuesday

Athens, 8/3/2004 (ANA)

According to the ND's Secretary for Political Planning, George Souflias, ''the sooner as the new government is announced and sworn-in the better,'' he said.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday night, Souflias said that ''quite a few discussions have taken place for the composition of the new government, however, the final decision rests with the future prime minister.''

Referring to the scenario of general elections being held again in 2005 in the event of inability to elect a new President of the Republic, Souflias said that ''if the margin is more than 3 percent, then PASOK will not dare call for elections. If PASOK gets less than 120 seats, the eventuality of an interim stage will not loom.''

On the vote by the Greek people, he said that they responded to the slogan ''political change'' and assessed that the voters ''sent a message that they punish, while with the margin they gave us, they showed that they do not being petty.''

On the following day of the elections, Souflias said that ''we will not implement a policy of austerity, but a policy of tidying up,'' stressing that ''what will characterize the policy of the government of New Democracy is prudence, dialogue and boldness.''

Concluding, he said ''the Olympic Games will be the ND's top priority.''

Meanwhile, ND leader Costas Karamanlis received congratulations on his victory in telephone calls by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos, the prime ministers of Spain, Jose-Maria Aznar, of Portugal, Jose Manuel Durao Barraso, of Albania, Fatos Nano, European People's Party (EPP) President Wilfried Martens, ''Athens 2004'' Olympic Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, and Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas.

[05] Communist party leader says 'helmsman' changed in conservative policy

Athens, 8/3/2004 (ANA)

Papariga said what was unfortunate was that the electorate's discontent was expressed with a move to ND, resulting in a decrease in the forces of bipartisan politics not being achieved.

The KKE leader expressed satisfaction over the increase in the party's votes, particularly in Athens and Piraeus.

Papariga said KKE believes its responsibilities will increase as of Monday.

''KKE will work for the regrouping of the popular movement, because only with terms of a movement will the people acquire self-confidence and trust in themselves to enable them to release themselves from bipartisan politics,'' she said.

Papariga said PASOK will not move in an opposition direction regarding ND, despite the fact ''there will also be blows dealt under the table'' and stressed the need for the creation of an opposition front in which KKE will play a leading role.

[06] Coalition of the Radical Left satisfied with entry into Parliament

Athens, 8/3/2004 (ANA)

Constantopoulos said the party achieved its entry and the stabilization of its position in Parliament under conditions of polarization and despite unfavorable predictions.

The Coalition leader congratulated the party's friends and members for their struggle and assured them that the Coalition of the Radical Left will devote all its powers to honor their confidence.

Commenting on the results of the elections, Constantopoulos said that intense popular discontent to the policy of PASOK was expressed and attributed this discontent benefiting the New Democracy party to the function of the bipartisan system and predicted that despite the change in government the same policies will be continued.

Constantopoulos said his party will exercise systematic opposition towards ND, while stressing that it will work to achieve the unity of the Left with the purpose of creating a great Leftist side which will effectively resist bipartisan politics.

[07] DHKKI leader says 'election struggle lost, but we gained dignity, credibility'

Athens, 8/3/2004 (ANA)

Just before midnight when 31.67 per cent of the votes cast had been counted DHKKI was at 1.60 per cent, far below the 3 per cent margin required to enter Parliament.

Tsovolas congratulated New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis for his victory and wished him all the best in his work in government.

He also congratulated DHKKI's friends ''who remained standing in this relentless bipartisan struggle'' and all the citizens who voted for his party, terming them ''heroes under the circum-stances the election struggle was held and with the way the mechanisms of disinformation and the buying out of consciences operated.''

Tsovolas went on to say ''the struggle will continue for DHKKI because the country needs a change in policy in practice and not in words to enable us to resist the bipartisan system and to create the political and economic terms for the country's progressive course.''

He expressed the conviction that the party will do very well in the Euroelections due in June, adding that ''it is clear that in these elections progressive people were led to ND, not because they became conservatives, but to secure the defeat of this PASOK.''

[08] LAOS leader Karatzaferis says 'we are on the right path'

Athens, 8/3/2004 (ANA)

Referring to his party's percentage of the vote, he said ''it could be described as a great success for a newly established party,'' at the same time noting that ''in 90 days time we have the Euroelections which will be held in a completely new framework and without pseudo-dilemmas, while with our 200,000 voters as a diving board, we will be able to contest much more.''

Concluding, he gave ''warm congratulations'' to the winners.

[09] Caretaker interior minister praises organization and climate of elections

Athens, 8/3/2004 (ANA)

''We served our purpose to organize the most friendly to the citizen and to the environment elections,'' he said, adding that ''a few minor problems were dealt with immediately.''

On the broadcast of the results, he said there would be a continuous flow and that from 20.15 onwards the results will come from individual ballot stations and which any television channel can broadcast. He noted that it is possible that these results ''may not correspond to reality, that is, the percentages not being indicative'' of the final results.

[10] Main party leaders hold lunches for journalists

Athens, 8/3/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou held his dinner at Kerameikos and Karamanlis at the restaurant Aigli in Zappeion.

Both leaders said they were confident about victory in the polls.

[11] 56th anniversary of Dodecannese union with Greece celebrated

Athens, 8/3/2004 (ANA)

Despite general elections throughout the country on Sunday, thousands of Rhodes residents gathered on the island's coastal Mandrakiou boulevard to attend the official commemorative events, which were preceded by a church service.

The events included a major parade by school pupils, boy scouts and girl scouts, local associations, the military, the police, and the fire brigade.

The government was represented by caretaker foreign minister Tassos Giannitsis, while also in attendance were representatives of the political parties, the armed forces, the security corps, and resistance organizations.

[12] Convict's escape from Alikarnassos goes undetected for 1 day

Athens, 8/3/2004 (ANA)

Ilia Albert, who was serving a 15-year sentence as a drugs of-fender, escaped on Friday afternoon during the prisoners' yard time by using the sheets from his cell to climb over the prison wall.

His absence was first noticed on Friday night and his escape confirmed in the morning.

The public prosecutor has been informed and has ordered a preliminary investigation into the conditions of the escape and possible liability by prison employees.

[13] National Council expresses concern about Turkish Cypriot position

NICOSIA 8/3/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash displays at the UN-led talks, Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said on Saturday.

Speaking after a two and a half hour long Council meeting, the spokesman said that President Tassos Papadopoulos who re-presents the Greek Cypriot side to the talks briefed in detail party leaders about this week's proceedings at the ongoing discussions.

''After the briefing, the members of the Council exchanged views on various issues that emerge from the talks and had a wide ranging discussion. They also talked about future moves,'' the spokesman said.

He said Papadopoulos would continue to brief the Council, the top advisory body to the Cypriot President on the handling of the question of Cyprus.

Responding to questions, he said that at Friday's meeting UN Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who conducts the talks, did not hand to the sides a different document than the one he initially communicated to them, which catalogued the issues under discussion.

''De Soto expects that by Thursday the positions of the two sides will be defined,'' he added.

He said de Soto's remark, that as time passes the chances for a settlement are diminishing, reflects the tight framework within which the sides are expected to conclude an agreement on the basis of a UN proposal Kofi Annan put forward last year.

Papadopoulos and Denktash resumed talks in mid February on the basis of the Annan plan with a view at reaching a settlement by 22 March.

Failing that, Greece and Turkey would engage in extended negotiations with the two sides and if that attempt yields no results then Annan will step in to finalize the text of his proposal, which will then be put to separate simultaneous referenda.

Alvaro de Soto returned from Turkey on Saturday where he met with the foreign minister and senior officials. He said he expects the ''give and take'' to begin this week.

De Soto is set to travel to Athens as well in the days ahead, after Sunday's general elections produce the new government in Greece.

Responding to questions in Ankara, de Soto said talks take place on the basis of the Annan plan and the sides present the changes they wish to introduce to it.

[14] UNFICYP proposed funding close to 48 million dollars

NICOSIA 8/3/2004 (CNA/ANA)

In his report to the General Assembly on administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of the UN peacekeeping operations, Annan notes that the proposed sum would cover an increase in authorized strength of civilian police from 35 to 69, a proposal for new four international posts, five national posts and the upgrading of the post of the Chief Administrative Officer as well as additional requirements owing to increased cost of utilities and maintenance services.

The report said that the number of bi-communal events in Cyprus increased from approximately 40 meetings and 14,000 participants in 2001/02 to 95 meetings and 33,000 participants in 2002/03 and the average number of persons from both sides using the crossing points increased from less than 100 a day in 2001/02 to an average of 11,150 a day since 23 April 2003.

In April last year the Turkish Cypriot occupation regime lifted partially restrictions on free movement to and from the island's occupied areas.

The report said there was an increase in the number of farming, access and job permits issued by the Force from 561 in 2001/02 to 686 in 2002/03 and an increase in the detection of cases of illegal access to the UN buffer zone from 201 in 2001/02 to 371 in 2002/03.

According to the report there was a one hundred per cent increase in bicommunal events and twenty per cent of mines and unexploded ordnance were cleared in the UN buffer zone.

A five per cent reduction of ceasefire violations was registered and there was increased cooperation of the police and law enforcement agencies in inter-communal cases, the report said.

[15] EU senior officials in Turkey for talks

NICOSIA 8/3/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen, whose country exercises the six-monthly rotating EU presidency, will lead a delegation of the EU Troika to meet Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.

''This is a very important year in the development of relations between the EU and Turkey. Turkey has made great progress in legislating for reform and we will encourage the government to persevere with implementation at all levels,'' Cowen said in a statement.

''We will also discuss the ongoing negotiations on the Cyprus problem, which we sincerely hope will result in agreement on a settlement which will enable the accession to the EU of a united Cyprus on May 1,'' he added.

His comments come as Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash are engaged in direct talks on a UN proposal for a comprehensive settlement.

The two sides aim at reaching agreement by 22 March, but failing that, Turkey and Greece will participate in extended negotiations to help bring about a negotiated deal. If that attempt does not yield results, UN Secretary General will step in to finalize his proposed plan before putting it to separate simultaneous referenda.

Cowen will be accompanied by his counterpart from the Netherlands Bernard Bot, who takes over the presidency in July, EU Commissioner responsible for enlargement Gunter Verheugen and EU High Representative for common foreign and security policy Javier Solana.

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