Athens News Agency: News in English, 04-02-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather Forecast: Fair with light cloud on Monday

[02] Anti-racist rally held in Athens, demonstrators call for immigrant

[03] MRB poll shows ND leading PASOK, but Papandreou preferred as prime

[01] Weather Forecast: Fair with light cloud on Monday

Fair weather with light cloud in the northeast of the country is forecast on Monday. Winds northerly light to moderate and strong at sea. Temperatures in Athens 1C to 15C and in Thessaloniki 1C to 10C.

[02] Anti-racist rally held in Athens, demonstrators call for immigrant legalisation

An anti-racist rally, followed by a march to Parliament, was organised by many organisations in Omonia Square in Athens on Saturday afternoon, including the Anti-Capitalist Alliance, the Movement for the Citizen's Rights, the Arab Immigrant Centre and the Greek Social Forum.

The specific day, on which similar rallies were held in other European capitals, has been set by the European Social Forum as the Day against Racism.

The main demands voiced during the rally were legalisation for immigrants and asylum for refugees, while the leading slogan was ''no to a European fortress'' and to policies being implemented to achieve this target. The demonstrators also denounced the ''unbelievable bureaucracy'' with which immigrants are faced with.

Disturbances broke out on a limited scale between anarchists and far-rightists in Stadiou Street, near the statue of Kolokotronis. Firebombs and stones were exchanged, but police intervention with teargas soon restored order.

[03] MRB poll shows ND leading PASOK, but Papandreou preferred as prime minister

A nationwide opinion poll carried out by the MRB company for the Athens daily ''Kathimerini'' shows the main opposition New Democracy party 3.7 percentage points ahead of the ruling PASOK party, but Foreign Minister and PASOK party leadership candidate George Papandreou is preferred as prime minister.

The opinion poll was prepared between January 16-26, with 2,000 respondents using a questionnaire and a ballot box.

The lead, although considered strong, does not make researchers feel certain of the outcome of the March 7 election. They believe the electorate is in a state of intense mobility which is greatly affected by day-to-day changes.

The MRB's opinion poll gives the following percentages to the parties:PASOK 35.4 percent, New Democracy 39.1, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) 5.1, Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology 2.9, Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) 2.2 and Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) 1.2.

On the question of which politician is considered the most suitable to become prime minister, the response was George Papandreou 37.6 percent, ND leader Costas Karamanlis 37.5, Prime Minister Costas Simitis 2.7 and Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni 2.6.

As regards the question ''between Karamanlis and Papandreou, who is the most suitable to become prime minister'', Papandreou received 45.3 percent and Karamanlis 43.3.

Lastly, on the question of "which party do you think would win if the election was held next Sunday", respondents gave 51.2 percent to ND and 35 to PASOK.

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