Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-08-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Voulgarakis says investigations to track down the arsonists of southern Attica 'are on a good road'

[02] Kefaloyiannis: Govt' subsidy for building of new ships for routes to boarder and peripheral islands

[03] Kaklamanis says 18,000 people will be employed in hospitals during ND's term in office

[04] Roussopoulos comments on IOC's decision for annual int'l throwing events at Ancient Olympia

[01] Voulgarakis says investigations to track down the arsonists of southern Attica 'are on a good road'

Voulgarakis, having first praised the systematic coordination of the relevant authorities for the extinguishing of the last week's fire, said about the course of the investigations:"We are not at point zero.. We have, I believe, quite a good picture. We shall see...."

The public order minister announced the signing of a cooperation agreement with China, which will host the 2008 Olympic Games, "in an international environment, particularly fluid," with the purpose of exchanging experiences on security issues, in the course of his second visit to Bejing in September.

Referring to the new anti-terrorist law which will be tabled in Parliament, Voulgarakis called on the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) to be "responsible, above partisanship and to maintain a consistant stance, as did the New Democary as opposition three years ago."

At the same time, Voulgarakis assured that the new measures will maintain the balance between security policie and the protection of individual rights.

Furthermore, referring to the Security Studies Centre, he observed:"Its opereation does not only concern economic sizes and benefits. It is also connected with our country's image abroad and the role it can play as a nucleus of security and development in the broader region."

Finally, commenting on the election of a caandidate mayour who garners 42 percent from the first Sunday, Voulgarakis said its safeguards the credibility of the system and rids the citizens of the hassle of them going successively to the ballot box.

[02] Kefaloyiannis: Govt' subsidy for building of new ships for routes to boarder and peripheral islands

Kefaloyiannis stressed that for the withdrawal of the "old" ships which is enforced by Greek legislation, following the "Samina" tragedy, Greece is threatened by the European Union with referal to the European Court if it persists on their withdrawal, due to the age llimit of 35 years.

The minister also said that the governmnent is subsiding the building of news ships for the boarder and peripheral islands, with a loan of three billion euros which it secured from the European Investments Bank. He said that under consideration ifs the institution of special privileges with the granting of free tickets for the transport of inhabitants of boarder and peripheral islands. He added that "passenger traffic this year has increased by 30 per cent," and stressed that in the months of July and August 2.5 million passengers will leave from the port of Piraeus to the islands.

[03] Kaklamanis says 18,000 people will be employed in hospitals during ND's term in office

Kaklamanis announced tenders in late September for the building of three hospitals. Among hem are the National Centre for Tranplants which will have 200-250 beds. The second concerns the building of a hospital in Athens with 700 beds, in place of a corresponding old hospital, and the third is the Thessaloniki Pediatric Hosital with 500 beds.

He clarified that the new hospitals will be incorprated in the National Health System (ESY), and the citizens, through their insurance funds, will have free access to them.

Finally, he termed as an "innermost desire" his candidacy as mayor of Athens, reiterating that he will discuss the issue with the prime minister, following final decisions of current mayor Dora Bakoyiannis.

[04] Roussopoulos comments on IOC's decision for annual int'l throwing events at Ancient Olympia

Roussopoulos was commenting on the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the hosting of annual international throwing events (shotput, hammer-throw, discus, javelin) at the Ancient Stadium in Olympia.

Roussopoulos said that the decision vindicates the systematic efforts made for the utilisation of the heritage left by the 2004 Olympic Games.

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