Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-09-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou unveils reconstruction plan

[01] Papandreou unveils reconstruction plan

"Now is the time of truth," Papandreou said, terming the period crucial for the country, and adding that national unanimity is necessary to deal with the situation.

Papandreou termed the plan one of "national revival", and stressed that the country's course can change through this crisis, with the post-war development model changing and the period following the restoration of democracy (1974) ending.

Papandreou said that, as prime minister, he himself will assume the responsibility of implementing the reconstruction programme. He also said that he intends to visit the President of the Republic immediately after the elections and request a meeting between political party leaders for a joint decision on the reconstruction framework.

Moreover, he intends to create an interparty committee that will monitor the implementation of the reconstruction plan on a daily basis.

He will also create an informal experts council of Greek researchers and overseas Greeks in which, among others, those who had served as European Union Commissioners and had held important positions in international organisations, will participate.

Papandreou presented the development model for Olympia which, as he said, will also be used in other cases.

According to PASOK's plan, Olympia will be turned into a university and sports centre, focusing on athletics, the holding of the Olympic Games and the Olympic truce initiative.

Referring to the functioning of the state's services during the wildfires, Papandreou placed great responsibility on the government and promised its radical change.

"We shall burn incompetence, the lack of coordination, the lackadaisical approach, the lack of respect for the citizen," Papandreou stressed.

Caption: ANA-MPA caption of Papandreou.

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