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From: Antenna Radio <http://www.antenna.gr> - email: [email protected]

News in English, of 28/08/1996

• The national economy minister promises better economic times.
• The Acropolis gets ready for the full moon.
• Greece's very special Olympians.

EVERT

In a major televivsed speech before his parties MPs and central committee members, Evert detailed the immediate steps he will take to turn the economy around if elected.

New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert rebuffed government claims that he is irresponsibly promising to dole out millions of dollars in state aid to various groups, if elected.

Prime minister Kostas Simitis says that Evert's desire to get elected is leading him to promise people money he won't be able to give them.

In his first major campaign speech Tuesday, Evert directly addressed Pasok's charges. He said he has specific proposals for the economy which are realistic.

And he went on the offensive, saying the Greek people have had enough of politicians avoiding the truth. That's why he's challenging Simitis to three TV debates, so the people can hear the issues debated, rather than the usual monologue, composed of all the parties just saying what they want to without anyone calling them to accountability. Mr Simitis says a TV debate could turn into just another shouting match. Evert says that's undemocratic, and believes the prime minister will come around.

Evert wants separate debates on foreign policy and national security; on economic and social problems; and on insitutional changes that are needed.

Evert also attacked the government's record on the economy. He says Pasok boasts that economic growth is running at over 2 per cent a year.

But, adds the opposition leader, the European Union average growth rate is over 3 per cent, meaning that Greece is falling further behind its stronger partners, not catching up.

He says Pasok has hurt Greece by not putting EU investment funds to use. New Democracy will use the money, he claims, and get Greece on the right track.

Giving his campaign a concrete air from the outset, Evert announced seven specific measures he will adopt right after his election, designed to right some economic wrongs.

He will abolish Pasok's so-called "objective tax criteria". Under that system, professionals and small businesspeople are taxed not according to their declared incomes, but according to things like the size of their shop or office, and the location of their business. Thousands of self-employed people say the system is driving them out of business.

Evert says he will bring back an old system implemented by New Democracy in the past: ferreting out tax evaders by keeping tabs on people's personal expenditure. Evert says that will enable the government to dissuade people from making frivolous high-ticket item purchases - cut out the luxury waste, as he says. And it will also spare the little people with small incomes, high income-tax bills.

Farmers have also been angered by Pasok over the past three years. They've also been hit by taxes, and say the government's done nothing to help the flagging agricultural sector.

Evert says the farmer and rural areas are important parts of Greece. The farmer must be kept economically alive, otherwise the non-urban parts of the country will die.

Within a month of taking office Evert promises to reduce the farmers' taxes. Value added tax on farm machinery will be cut from 16 to 8 per cent; he will also abolish the tax on fuel used in agricultural production - a long-time demand of the farmers. Evert says long-term salvation for the farmers can only come through investment that makes them more competitive.

What holds for agricutlure, holds for the economy as a whole says the New Democray leader. He will also implement tax breaks in other areas, designed to encourage investment and boost the stock market. In response to Pasok's claim that he is irresponsibly ready to promise to lavish money on all and sundry if elected, Evert accuses the government of wasting money. he says he will cut wasteful state spending, and reduce the deficit as a proportion of GNP.

He adds that Greece needs a state that can meet people's needs, not squander public funds. He says that if elected, he will give people on agricultural pensions 40 dollars more a month.

The Greek people are suffering, says Evert, and want solutions to their problems, not idle promises. In his speech Tuesday, he said that he has the concrete solutions.

PAPANTONIOU

Pasok is promising working people higher living standards in 1997, without new taxes and raises above the rate of inflation.

SIMITIS

Mr Simitis's road campaign begins in Thessaloniki's trade fair in the first week of September.

Many of the the country's politicians acknowledge that television interviews and spots will play a large role in campaign '96.

The centrepiece of the tele-campaign will be the nationally-televised debate between Mr Simitis and his main challenger, New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert.

Behind the scenes, Greece's Radio Television Council is meeting to work out how much TV time should be allowed for party-political broadcasts.

The watchdog will announce its decisions Wednesday, during a meeting with representatives of the political parties.

SMALL PARTIES

Dimitris Tsovolas recently left Pasok's left-wing to set up his own party, the Democratic Movement, or Diki. Tsovolas said he no longer wanted to be party to Pasok'd austerity. Tsovolas will be in Evia on Wednesday, and in Larisa for an election speech on Friday.

Communist party secretary Aleka Papariga continued her visits in workplaces Tuesday, talking to workers at the phone company.

Left Coalition leader Nikos Konstantopoulos is planning a press conference for Wednesday, just before he starts a campaign tour of Greece.

The smaller parties resist attempts to treat the election as a contest between just the two big parties. They oppose the idea of a debate between Kostas Simitis and Miltiades Evert. Instead, they'd like a debate including all the parties.

ACROPOLIS

Once again, the culture ministry will open the Acropolis gates to all comers, from 9:30 till one in the morning.

Folk singer Domna Samiou will entertain the visitors, and fill the archeological site with the sound of her unique voice.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Gold medalist Dimitris Konstantakas says, "It's the first time Greece has ever won a gold medal in the Special Olympics. I think our country lots of them".

Kostas Fykas, a silver medalist, says, "I'm proud of what I've done, because I didn't do it only for myself, but for Greece".

New Democracy MP Fani Palli Petralia, attending the welcome home ceremony held for the Greek heroes, says "These people are not only Olympic winners. They're also life's winners". Sports minister Andreas Fouras says parliament has just passed a bill calling for the establishment for an athletic federation of people with special needs. It will be financed by the state.

One gold, one silver, and three bronze medals: that's the tally that's made Greece smile. Even without the medals, it would've been proud of these athletes, who had the courage to battle against hardship and compete in Atlanta.

© ANT1-Radio 1996

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