Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-06-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK leader makes statement on corruption

[02] Papoulias on refugees

[01] PASOK leader makes statement on corruption

Making his statement, Papandreou spoke many times in the first person, showing that he takes the decisions and that he is their guarantor, stressing that he will tolerate no such phenomenon.

The PASOK leader went on to say that he is "proving this on a daily basis" and pointed out that he "will not cease to struggle for a policy having no guardian that will take the country out of the state of being held hostage by economic and political interests that wish to trap the will of the people, sidestep it and subdue the dignity and the morale of the Greek citizen."

Papandreou said that in these efforts he replies that everything must come to light, adding that PASOK has nothing at all to fear.

He also addressed Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and the government, accusing it of "being afraid and of not daring to bring to light all the issues, such as the Siemens scandal, the phonetappings, the bonds, the cartels, the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE), etc."

Papandreou also accused the government of "showing unacceptable unwillingness and weakness" and of "not having the slightest intention of proceeding with the clarification of issues concerning the embezzlement of public funds."

He further demanded the immediate acceptance of his proposal for the creation of a Factfinding Committee for the Siemens case, as well as the acceptance of his proposals on combatting corruption.

Papandreou stressed that this was an issue of democracy and appealing, as he said, to every Greek citizen he stressed that "I need you in this struggle and for a new beginning," adding that "we shall win this struggle together."

Earlier in the day, PASOK spokesman George Papaconstantinou announced that the party will suspend any of its members who have "serious implication" in the Siemens affair.

"Contrary to the tactic of cover-up followed by New Democracy, PASOK will suspend party membership for all those who have serioux implication in the Siemens case," he said.

Papaconstantinou clarified that the suspension does not pre-judge the outcome of the ongoing judicial investigation process.

He said that among the proposals put forward by party leader George Papandreou on combatting corruption, in addition to the package of specific measures proposed, also included a public invitation to the prime minister and a call for a meeting of the political party leaders with the President of the Republic.

Papaconstantinou further recalled that PASOK and Papandreou have repeatedly called for the establishment of a parliamentary fact-finding commission on the Siemens affair.

Gov't spokesman

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, replying to Papandreou on Thursday evening, said that PASOK is "in an unprecedented deadlock".

"At a time when the unimpeded functioning of Justice is bearing fruit (regarding the Siemens affair), Mr. Papandreou is aiming at disseminating responsibilities with his statement. He is making the waters murky due to the unprecedented party deadlock in which he has found himself due to the stunning revelations concerning members of PASOK," Roussopoulos said.

[02] Papoulias on refugees

"World Refugee Day gives us an opportunity to remember our own refugees, to take an interest in these people - the millions of refugees and displaced persons around the world - who show exceptional courage and fortitude. To consider our responsibilities and obligations. To dream with them of a better and more dignified life".

Perhaps no other word distillated the essence of human tragedy as much as the world refugee, the president noted.

"By definition, the refugee lives a life without identity. The central point in the story told by every refugee is always the same: 'To be born in one place. To grow old in another. To feel a like a stranger in both'.

During the past year, millions of people were forced to abandon their homes and their countries due to a whole range of disasters, ranging from civil conflict and war to natural disasters, Papoulias said.

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