Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-07-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis reiterates that pre-election promises will be met, speaking at ND congress

[02] Economy minister tells ND congress government's objective is to create a healthy economy

[03] ND party Secretary Vangelis Meimarakis says 6th congress a medium in country's politics

[04] Athens Mayor Bakoyianni, addressing New Democracy congress, says party 'must define objectives of its political options'

[05] PASOK party says ND's effort to disguise itself continued at 6th congress

[06] Message by Parliament President marking 30th anniversary of restoration of democracy in Greece

[07] Gov't submits amendment on penalty rates to parliament

[08] Olympic Torch Relay reaches royal Macedonian tombs of Vergina

[09] Much-anticipated Marathon Route completed, project delivered on Monday

[10] PASOK leader Papandreou visits Fire Brigade Coordination Centre

[11] Earth tremor jolts Hania, no damage reported

[12] Mountaineer falls to her death on Mount Olympus

[01] PM Karamanlis reiterates that pre-election promises will be met, speaking at ND congress

Athens, 26/7/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis said the government will turn the expectations and visions of modern Greek society into reality and create a just and dynamic society with strong citizens.

"A free market does not mean an unaccountable market," he said, adding that "our target is a revolution in quality and in production, the private sector, the services of the state and public life."

The prime minister, making an account of the government's work in the four and a half months since it assumed the government's reins, reiterated that commitments ND made before the elections will be turned into practice. "We are working for a true social state, which cares for all and even more so for those in greater need, such as people with disabilities, the young people trapped by narcotics, the financially weaker, the unemployed and the people struck by the scourges of the century," he said.

Karamanlis placed emphasis on upgrading health care, consolidating a feeling of security among citizens in their day-to-day lives and environmental protection, citing the implementation of the Kyoto protocol by Greece, among others.

He further said the government is working on to create a healthy economic environment, to accelerate growth, increase employment and reduce unemployment.

"We are promoting modern growth policies that increase the (gross) national product," he said.

Karamanlis reiterated that education and culture are a top priority for the government as well, saying "it is the time we prove that the new governance will not be trapped by policies of comparative management?"

The prime minister stressed that the new government will embrace all Greeks and has hard work, collectiveness and effectiveness as its characteristics, while its criteria are dialogue, composition and social justice.

"The new governance rules out discrimination and segregation, dogmatism and fanaticism, and rejects dependence, vested interests, haughtiness and arrogance," he said.

Karamanlis called on delegates from other countries to convey the message of national self-confidence and of the determination of modern-day Greece to their regions.

"Tell them we have set high standards for our efforts, we are building a better Greece and we are ready to organize absolutely successful Olympic Games, having taken all the necessary measures for the greatest security possible," he added.

Karamanlis also called on delegates to continue the opening to all of society, based on the strategy of targeting the political ground of the centre.

Voting ends for ND party's 150 Central Committee members, charter changes ratified: Voting for the election of the ruling New Democracy party's 150 Central Committee members, taking place on the third and last day of the party's 6th congress on Sunday, ended in the afternoon, while the counting of votes has begun and is expected to be completed in the early hours of the morning on Monday.

The Central Committee, which also has about 350 additional ex-officio members, will convene on Thursday to elect its new secretary and the Political Council.

The candidate for the post of secretary so far is the incumbent Secretary Vangelis Meimarakis.

In another development, charter changes proposed by the party's charter committee were also ratified with a show of hands during the congress.

Changes include a decrease in the period of time required for voting and being elected a member of the party to three and six months respectively, and the enactment of incompatibility for members of the party being able to exercise administration and management in the government and being able to exercise administration and management in the party at the same time.

A substantive decrease in local party organizations is also anticipated with the operation of one only in municipalities of up to 100,000 inhabitants, while the Political Council will be deciding on the number of local organizations to operate in larger municipalities.

PM and ND leader Costas Karamanlis votes

during election for party's Central Committee: Prime Minister and ruling New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, accompanied by the party's Central Committee Secretary Vangelis Meimarakis, arrived at ND's 6th congress on its third and final day on Sunday and cast his ballot in the election for the Central Committee's 150 members.

Ministers and leading party members, including Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni, George Souflias and Prokopis Pavlopoulos, turned up early in the morning to vote.

Bakoyianni said the election process was very good and expressed her satisfaction for the congress, adding that ND will turn a new page in a new governance.

Souflias said the government's program, which it has promised the Greek people, must be implemented as soon as possible.

Pavlopoulos said ND is the government of all Greeks and the party conveys the voice of society to the government.

[02] Economy minister tells ND congress government's objective is to create a healthy economy

Athens, 26/7/2004 (ANA)

He said that the problems have already been registered and the suitable solutions studied, and they are due to be implemented after the Olympic Games.

"The government's objective is to be able to create a healthy and developing economy on a long-term horizon, to improve the quality of life and the daily life of the citizens," he said, referring to the policy which will followed, underlining that "we must cleanse the economic situation of the country, without us being led to narrow-minded austerity policies."

He spoke of a rapid, balanced and viable growth, an increase in entrepreneurship and employment, the strengthening of social cohesion and the restriction of regional and social inequalities.

On his part, Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos stressed, among other things, that the ND has as a political and ideological position democratic liberalism and the social centre, noting that it is the party "where authentic ideas of progress and democracy prevail."

He underlined that "globalization neither frightens nor threatens us, but challenges us," noting that "the time has come for us to reconcile with the business world of the country and shape a more friendly, just investment environment."

Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia referred to Saturday's 30th anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Greece, underlining that this historic event "inspires and also marks our present course."

Palli-Petrallia said that the government keeps its promises and is already working very hard to lead the country ahead, noting that in her own sector the goal was achieved for the problems and delays to be overcome and for all the major Olympic Games projects to be completed. She expressed the certainty that "Greece will host successful and safe Olympic Games."

[03] ND party Secretary Vangelis Meimarakis says 6th congress a medium in country's politics

Athens, 26/7/2004 (ANA)

Meimarakis said ND's rival from now on are the problems created by the main opposition PASOK party's system, as well as the PASOK system's mentality, and the citizens' problems.

He said the great changes that are necessary cannot take place from one day to another, since nothing is given away for free and everything is achieved with struggles.

Meimarakis further said the party's role will be upgraded and that the party will be backing the government and its choices politically, while also speaking of a party that will be open to society.

Referring to relations between the party and the government, Meimarakis said "we are in favor of a separation between party and state, but not in favor of alienation between the party and the government. In any case, the state is one thing and the government another. Government positions are one thing and state positions another. The institutional separation of the two must not lead us to political alienation because this can create preconditions for an election defeat."

[04] Athens Mayor Bakoyianni, addressing New Democracy congress, says party 'must define objectives of its political options'

Athens, 26/7/2004 (ANA)

"Our policy must have an identity and cohesion because then, its governmental action is binding and effective," Bakoyianni said.

She expressed her satisfaction that Prime Minister and New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis had confirmed on the first day of the congress on Friday the party's turn to the sphere of the centre, something, as she said, "constitutes its steadfast position these past years."

Bakoyianni called for a reduction of squandering in the public sector, fiscal cleansing, a reduction in taxes and measures for the most economically weak to enter the labor market.

Presenting her proposals for the changes in the party's statute and on the mandate of the party president, Bakoyianni called for the election of the party president by the base and for a congress to be held every two years. She stressed that "I supported and support Costas Karamanlis" who, she said, is "the country's most powerful politician."

She further underlined that "there is no point in sweeping the problems under the carpet and as long as we do not take initiatives now that we are politically all powerful and united, I fear that we are losing significant opportunities."

The mayor of Athens will depend her candidacy for the Political Council on the Central Committee's composition, the constitutional clause to be ratified on its role and composition and, mainly, on who will be declaring themselves candidates.

Internal Affairs, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos stressed that the ND never divided the Greek people and reiterated that the state will not be partisan. "We aim at a public administration with personnel which will be assessed on the basis of its ability without seeing its political identity and party affiliation," he said.

Education and Religious Affairs Minister Marietta Yiannakou said social effectiveness is the basic objective of the government's program, noting that the basic key is social justice. Yiannakou stressed that prospects are given to society for a more just state within the framework of the party's ideology which, she said, offers all, regardless of political affiliations, equal opportunities. "Meritocracy is the only secure way for these objectives to be achieved," she said.

Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras said "we received a country which had reached its limits with a system which was not functioning normally," adding that "we are obliged not to be afraid by the short-sighted political cost because the people did not vote for us so as to change government but to change their lives."

Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas referred to the government's work and particularly to the amendment regarding overdue loan penalty rates which contains favorable terms for farmers. "We are intensifying checks in the market, the competition committee is operating round the clock and the ombudsman of the consumer will shortly be a reality," he said. Sioufas added that "the speeding up of growth is our objective and for this reason we are advancing a new taxation system and a new development law."

The congress will come to an end on Sunday afternoon with the election of the Central Committee's 150 members.

[05] PASOK party says ND's effort to disguise itself continued at 6th congress

Athens, 26/7/2004 (ANA)

The announcement added that the belated discovery of the "modern social centre" does not make it a centre party and the monotonous repetition of election speeches containing generalities does not constitute an ideological framework or a vision and a strategy for the country.

It went on to say that ND is currently responsible for the country's governance and, apart from what it chooses to declare every time, it is being judged and will be judged by its work and it has already given a poor performance in this field.

Representatives of political parties speak at New Democracy congress: The Secretary of the Central Committee of the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), Michalis Chrysohoidis, Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology leader Nikos Constantopoulos and Communist Party of Greece (KKE) representative Dimitris Avramidis spoke on Saturday at the ruling New Democracy (ND) party's 6th congress which is being held in Anthoussa, Attica.

Speaking on the second day of the three-day congress, Chrysohoidis said that the ND has emerged from a recent general elections victory which allows it to implement its program and policies, noting that at the same time the ND "has great responsibilities, also like all the political forces to lead the country even further ahead."

The PASOK Central Committee Secretary said that in the 30 years since the restoration of democracy in Greece, "we have all contributed, despite our differences, to the strengthening of democracy and have achieved an unshakeable democratic environment, with enlarged personal freedoms and rights."

Having wished every success to the New Democracy's congress, Chrysohoidis stressed: �The opposition does not only back through agreement. It can also back with disagreement."

Coalition of the Left leader Constantopoulos said "congresses constitute the source of the political system," underling that "all the parties are obliged to utilize this period for us to secure balanced growth with real convergence, social justice, environmental vigilance and quality in the daily life of all."

Referring to the Olympic Games, Constantopoulos spoke of "directed terror-hysteria," noting that "we know that the options are not easy for a small country such as Greece, but we have a very tangible example in this new world scene of pressures and of the problems which can be exerted."

KKE representative Avramidis stated his party's complete disagreement with the positions expressed by the New Democracy, noting that 30 years after the restoration of democracy "ideals and objectives of the struggle remain unfulfilled."

He expressed his concern over the strict security measures at the Olympic Games and called for "the cameras to be removed" and for the "terror-laws" to be abolished. Avramidis further called for the withdrawal of Greek soldiers from Afghanistan and the Balkans and for the naval base in Souda, Crete, to close down. At the same time, he expressed concern that after the Olympic Games the dangers will intensify for the working people through dismissals, an increase in unemployment and policies which will harm the income of the working people.

[06] Message by Parliament President marking 30th anniversary of restoration of democracy in Greece

Athens, 26/7/2004 (ANA)

"The anniversary of the 30 years since the restoration of democracy in our country is a source of pride and inspiration," she said.

"Democracy was gained through struggles and sacrifices. It was consolidated thanks to the effort of all of the political forces and the faith of the Greeks in freedom," Psarouda-Benaki said, adding: �Greece of today is a country with strong institutions and national self-confidence. However, it is a country with social and economic problems which require the intensification of efforts for the strengthening of social cohesion."

Concluding, the Parliament President said: �Today, thirty years after the political changeover, we are renewing our commitment to the values of Democracy. We honor all those who struggled and were sacrificed for its restoration, as well as the political leaders who guided the course of progress since 1974 to the present day and we call on all the citizens, particularly the young generation, for us to continue united the struggle for Greece and Democracy."

[07] Gov't submits amendment on penalty rates to parliament

Athens, 26/7/2004 (ANA)

The amendment was co-signed by Economy and Finance Minister George Alogouskoufis and Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas.

The new law will freeze all auctions against debtors by the end of 2004 and offer favorable debt settlement to farmers.

Under the solution sought by the government, final settlement of such debt should not exceed three times the initial capital, while for older farm loans (signed after 1990), final settlement should not exceed two times the initial capital. For farm loans signed before 1990, final debt will not exceed 1.5 times the initial capital.

For borrowers with an initial loan capital of more than 2.2 million euros, the new law envisages a private settlement with banks and a freeze in all auctions by the end of the year.

The legislation also envisages that banks that will not accept the government sponsored settlement will not be able to proceed with auctions of borrowers' assets.

[08] Olympic Torch Relay reaches royal Macedonian tombs of Vergina

Athens, 26/7/2004 (ANA)

The relay arrived at the tomb of Philip II of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great, in what was the heart of the ancient Macedonian world in the fourth century BC, a site that is today southwest of the port city of Thessaloniki in north-central Greece.

"You can be sure that if the kings of the Macedonian dynasty, Philip and Alexander the Great, lived in our times, they themselves would have welcomed the sacred flame of Olympia. The arrival of the flame once again shines on the enduring Greekness of Macedonia -- then, since then and forever," said Vergina Mayor Chrysostomos Hatzopoulos in welcoming the Olympic Torch Relay.

The 59th day of the Torch Relay saw 240 torchbearers carry the Olympic Flame over a distance of 83.4 kilometers.

[09] Much-anticipated Marathon Route completed, project delivered on Monday

Athens, 26/7/2004 (ANA)

A brief ceremony is planned for the project, a previous "thorn" in Olympic preparations due to delays and initial shoddy workmanship.

A bevy of other Olympics-related projects, especially mass transit infrastructure, were delivered last week or are expected to be finalized this week, including the all-important metro link to the Eleftherios Venizelos Airport of Athens.

[10] PASOK leader Papandreou visits Fire Brigade Coordination Centre

Athens, 26/7/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou was briefed by Fire Brigade Chief Christos Smetis on the current situation and on the new technological systems with which the Centre's new wing will operate.

Smetis stated that the Fire Brigade was on full alert with added responsibilities this year, in view of the security of the Olympic Games, with 1,500 firemen, 150 vehicles and two helicopters.

Papandreou congratulated the Centre's leadership and personnel, noting that "despite their difficult mission, I found a personnel and leadership with enthusiasm, with a feeling of responsibility and I would say with a feeling also of national patriotic duty, now ahead of the Olympic Games which we are all certain will be held in a safe way and will be really impressive for all the world." He added: �The work being done here is a job which has the appreciation of all the Greek people in a country which has many difficulties with regard fires. Slowly but surely, with the infrastructure which has been created, with the great effort of the people of the Fire Brigade, we have managed to reach a very high level. And I believe that this will show this year as well."

[11] Earth tremor jolts Hania, no damage reported

Athens, 26/7/2004 (ANA)

The tremor's epicenter was located in the sea region west of the prefecture of Hania and at a distance of 290 kilometers south of Athens.

According to police sources, no damage was reported in the region, apart from concern caused among inhabitants.

[12] Mountaineer falls to her death on Mount Olympus

Athens, 26/7/2004 (ANA)

According to initial reports, the accident occurred in the region of Kazania at an altitude of 2,750 meters.

The woman's body was recovered by other mountaineers belonging to her group, without the help of the fire brigade being necessary. Her identity was not yet known.

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