Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-07-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou to chair party meeting on Friday

[02] Greece hails release of Betancourt

[01] Papandreou to chair party meeting on Friday

According to Papandreou, "there had been a perversion of the course of justice and political life for which Mr. Karamanlis, the government and the leadership of Justice were exclusively responsible."

He also accused the government of abusing its position of power and of blatantly trampling on institutions in order to avoid the emergence of damning evidence against it.

"Rarely, in the 44 years since the restoration of democracy, have we had similar abuse of power, which also constitutes an undermining of democracy," he stressed.

Papandreou also addressed an appeal to the majority of the judicial body to "not succumb to pressures, because they have the people behind them.

Closing, PASOK's leader pledged to continue struggling incessantly so that justice would be served and for the country to be rid of the "forces of retrogression".

The government reacted strongly to the statements, with Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos saying in a stetement:

"Everybody realises already the reason why Mr. Papandreou loses, all the more, his coolheadedness. After succeeding in covering up the scandal - everybody remembers that he had sent aides of his to negotiate with Mr. (former PASOK member Theodporos) Tsoukatos before the latter starts to speak out in public - he opts now for abuse."

"What is he (Papandreou) afraid of by reacting so spasmodically? Why has he launched an attack against the judiaciary today (Wednesday), the day when a judge has undertaken the main investigation?" the spokesman questioned, before concluding: "For the umpteenth time the leader of the main opposition speaks of trampling on institutions (November 2005, December 2006, June 2007, July 2008). The repeated, and, henceforth, conscious policy of national division he follows is harmful to the country," the spokesman concluded.

[02] Greece hails release of Betancourt

"A harsh and inhuman capitivity lasting for six years had a favourable end. This both pleases and moves us. We hope, however, that more hostages who are remaining in this state will also be released," he said.

Replying to a question on European policy on terrorism, Koumoutsakos said that "the characteristics that European policy has on tackling terrorism are a correct combination of handling conditions in which terrorism finds ground and determination as to the immediate response and punishment of those involved in acts of terrorism."

PASOK leader

Main opposition PASOK party leader and Socialist International (SI) President George Papandreou on Thursday hailed the release of hostages kept by the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC).

"We learnt with great relief the news of the rescuing of 15 hostages of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces. Among them is Ingrid Betancourt, who suffered captivity for over six years," he said, adding that "we congratulate the Colombian Authorities for the success of the rescue operation."

Papandreou added that "our thoughts are with those who are still being held captive and with their families. We call on the FARC to release the rest of the hostages and to go ahead with a peace agreement."

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