Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-03-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM vows to keep election pledges

[02] New government vows to curb joblessness, boost productivity

[03] Opposition raps new government's policy statement

[04] New PM gets 79 pct popularity rating in opinion poll

[05] Parliament speaker meets head of European house

[06] Trade union election shows slight shift in party political balance

[07] Democratic Social Movement may disband

[08] Communist Party of Greece wants to see new farm policy

[09] Thousands stage peace march to US embassy

[10] Archbishop Christodoulos expresses grief over bloodshed in Kosovo

[11] Government, Olympics organizers scrap plan for swimming pool roof

[12] Greek-Australians briefed on Athens 2004 Olympics

[13] Cyprus President to meet T/C leader on Monday

[01] PM vows to keep election pledges

Athens, 22/03/2004 (ANA)

The new prime minister thanked Greek voters for electing a new government and elaborated on the ruling New Democracy (ND) party's election pledge for "policy change".

"We are retaining everything positive that has been done and we are dashing forward with necessary improvements and adjustments", he stated.

Cyprus issue: In referring to the "exceptionally crucial months" that follow, Karamanlis stressed "all Greeks are standing by the Cypriot Hellenism" toward the accession of a reunited Cyprus to the EU.

"We support, with all of our strength, the efforts of the (Cyprus) President, the political leadership and the Cypriot Hellenism toward a viable and sustainable solution on the basis of the (United Nations Secretary General Kofi) Annan plan, in compliance with the decisions of the UN and the acquis communautaire", the prime minister said.

"The accession of a reunited Cyprus to the EU is our firm and unshakable objective, so that all the residents of the island (Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots alike) may enjoy the fruits of a new European reality, in conditions of security and stability", he added.

"The course of the Cyprus issue is based today on the agreement made in New York on February 13 at the initiative of the UN secretary-general, which was accepted by both sides and is, therefore, binding. The talks that began in Nicosia between the Greek-Cypriot and the Turkish-Cypriot sides based on that agreement, will continue in Switzerland next week", he went on.

"At any event", he stressed, "all Greeks are standing by the Cypriot Hellenism. We are close to them, we are with them".

In continuation, the prime minister referred to the European enlargement, emphasizing that the EU accession of Cyprus had been set into motion by an ND government in the past, however, recognizing the contribution made by subsequent governments.

Olympic Games

With regard to progress on Olympic preparations, Karamanlis affirmed that "there are still certain pending issues with construction projects, as well as with legal and financial arrangements".

He stressed that he was true to election pledges given by the ND to retain at their posts not only the officials, but also the persons holding the position of general secretaries at ministries.

"We proved that we mean everything that we say and that we in-deed serve the national consensus", he said.

"We are taking all necessary measures for organizing the Games in maximum security conditions and in spite of undoubted delays existing with the preparations, we can, with everyone's contribution, hold completely successful Games".

The policy statement will be put to a parliamentary vote on Monday in the form of a vote of confidence in the government.

Foreign and Defense policy: Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis opened his government’s foreign and defense policy statement by expressing grief for the March 11 terrorist attacks in Madrid and said that global efforts, initiatives and collaboration was required to tackle inter-national terrorism.

‘’The world has entered a new era’’, Karamanlis said, stressing that it was the duty of all free people to go against what he called the new ‘’scourge’’ of international terrorism.

‘’We opt for a strong participation, for a strong Europe. We believe in the federal evolution of the EU, which will be based on solidarity among its members, will promote their unity and safeguard their individual interests. We insist on a strong and reliable European Security and Defense policy and we back the idea of the ‘’defense eurozone’’, at the same time seeking an effective clause of solidarity and mutual assistance. We (Greeks) want to feel as secure as the rest of the European citizens; we want a Europe that is more democratic, more socially-oriented, more political’’, he stressed.

“Furthermore, we set as our strategic goal the participation of our country in the fundamental changes taking place in the Balkans. We define our policy in the light of the landscape to come, not on the landscape that is passing’’, he added.

Karamanlis said Greece sought cooperation with all neighboring countries and worked toward smoother relations with Turkey.

‘’We support the European prospect of Turkey. We want a really European Turkey free of territory claims or violations, with respect toward the international legal order and human rights. And, naturally, with a solution to the Cyprus problem’’, he stressed.

‘’We want arms reduction and investment in the social welfare State’’, he added.

The prime minister said his government was going to put into implementation a comprehensive Armed Forces reform program, including the gradual reduction of military duty to 6 months, the use of reserve forces comprising permanent residents across all border areas and the upgrade of the state defense industry.

He furthermore vowed to support the domestic defense industry toward participation in European and alliance programs.

‘’We are carrying out the defense programs with maximum participation of our domestic defense industry’’, he stressed.

Administration: In his policy statement on government administration Karamanlis stressed that the ''New Democracy government will be for all Greeks''.

''We are not talking about a New Democracy government, we are talking about a Greek democracy government'', he told parliament.

He said the new government also sought a change in policy, emphasizing once more that necessary improvements and adjustments would be made, while everything positive done in the past would be retained.

New policy - new prospect: The prime minister said that his government was moving forward with strategic focus on ''Greece of 2010'' based on three policy axes: investing in culture and education, an overhaul of the public sector and the implementation of a new economic policy ''guaranteeing the acceleration of growth, as well as a fair distribution of the wealth to all citizens''.

Culture and Education: Karamanlis said that his decision to personally head the culture ministry signaled the significance placed by the government on the Olympic Games and the cultural reserves of Greece.

He pledged a gradual increase of public spending to 5 percent, the creation of the schools and universities of the future and a new legal frame that will do away with the plethora of ''bureaucratic webs'' that ''frustrate and impede the course of creative minds.''

Overhaul of the public sector: He pledged a smaller but better and more effective state, focusing on citizen service and functioning without ''partisan banners'', adding that transparency and overall monitoring, the combat of bureaucracy and the organization of local governments were required to achieve that goal.

He announced the establishment of three public offices, i.e. the Health Service Ombudsman, the Municipality Ombudsman and an Independent Body for reviewing contracts, as well as an upgrade to the civil service exams system (ASEP).

Welfare State: Karamanlis referred to a ''truly welfare state'', and said his government's key priorities would be to combat high prices and reduce unemployment.

His also said the new government aimed at upgrading health services, restructuring the social insurance system, providing financial support to weak social groups, and also assist large families and working mothers.

[02] New government vows to curb joblessness, boost productivity

Athens, 22/03/2004 (ANA)

Outlining his policy platform for the government's four-year term in office, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis told parliament that joblessness should drop by three percentage points by spring 2008.

The government would try to attain growth topping 5.0 per cent; and, over the next eight years, align wages and pensions to the European Union average, said Karamanlis, whose New Democracy (ND) party won national elections on March 7.

In addition, a priority had been set on improving the quality of life for the public by raising the standard of social services and transportation, aided by new technology.

Drawing applause from ND deputies, the premier repeated his vow to begin a detailed review of state finances working with the EU in order to identify deviation from budgetary goals and eliminate abuse, including what he called the ''often provocative'' wages of public sector executives.

Furthermore, the government would replace the state's financial crimes squad, which currently belongs to the finance ministry; establish a protection mechanism for the public from arbitral treatment by tax authorities; and simplify requirements for state tenders.

Another election pledge for implementation was to ensure that compensation after natural disasters was delivered promptly, and interest given if payment was delayed, Karamanlis said.

''The basis is a stable macroeconomic policy that contains transparency, a revitalization of public finances, and a reduction in the public debt,'' he underlined.

''At the start of this new course, it is necessary to restore transparency to state accounts; halt an unbridled increase in state consumer spending; lower servicing expenditure on the public debt; cut defense spending; clamp down on tax evasion; and curb state wastefulness,'' the prime minister said.

Moves to attract investment included an effective privatization policy, liberalization of markets, a new development law, and investment in new technology.

Key to the plan was an overhaul of the taxation system by the autumn based on simplification, stability, reliability and lower tax brackets, Karamanlis said.

Among moves were a cut in corporate tax to 25 per cent for SA companies, and a reduction by half of advance taxes paid by newly created firms.

Finally, emphasis would be placed on boosting growth in the regions, including integrated policies for the islands, agriculture and tourism, the prime minister noted.

[03] Opposition raps new government's policy statement

Athens, 22/03/2004 (ANA)

''We have heard one more interesting election speech, generalized statements and announcements, references to pre-election commitments, good intentions, worthy precepts,'' Papandreou told parliament in response to the prime minister's policy speech a day earlier.

''But three basic questions have remained unanswered. How, when and how much. We are seeking the minimum requirement that a policy statement should meet. The means, the timescale and the cost of policies,'' he noted.

As examples, the main opposition leader cited that no statement had been made of how incomes would be increased; how and when unemployment would be reduced and at what cost; how growth would be boosted; and how foreign investors would be drawn to Greece.

Also absent were a basic direction for agricultural development, any mention of social insurance and the future of the national health system, and no definition of what Karamanlis called an overhaul for the workings of the state, Papandreou said.

Finally, references to the Cyprus issue were minor; no mention was made of a dispute with Turkey over the continental shelf between the two countries, or of immigration policy; no policy direction was given for the education sector; and no mention was made of combatting hunger as a weapon against terrorism, he claimed.

Papandreou also accused Karamanlis of failing to take any initiative in the wake of an outbreak of violence in Kosovo, such as sending a ministerial delegation to four Balkan capitals.

Communists: Two main parties are birds of a feather

The country's ruling New Democracy party and main opposition PASOK have opted for the same policies, the leader of the Communist Party of Greece, Aleka Papariga, told parliament.

''The Karamanlis government will do the same as PASOK governments, it will not overturn anything,'' Papariga said.

The government's economic policy aimed to increase wealth for big business; and a pledge to cut joblessness by three percentage points was unsubstantiated, unless part-time seasonal work was increased and output lowered in order to justify the figure.

Papariga also deplored a government decision to work with NATO for security of the Athens 2004 Olympics, claiming that the Alliance ''would be here to stay.''

Coalition sees no policy change since 1990: The head of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology, Nikos Constantopoulos, told parliament that his party saw no change in policy since 1990 under governments of both parties.

The social state had suffered steady erosion from government policy that had created inequality and recycled structural weaknesses and deficits, Constantopoulos said.

He also condemned the government's plan to employ NATO troops to assist in security for the Olympics; and said Greece should refuse to send troops to Iraq.

[04] New PM gets 79 pct popularity rating in opinion poll

Athens, 22/03/2004 (ANA)

In the survey commissioned by the Sunday Kathimerini news-paper, the leader of the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), George Papandreou, ranked second at 68 per cent.

Of respondents polled, 57 per cent were satisfied with the outcome of the elections, won by the New Democracy party led by Karamanlis, according to the poll conducted by VPRC.

Seventy three per cent of respondents said that they had gained a fairly favorable initial impression of the new government with PASOK scoring 40 per cent.

[05] Parliament speaker meets head of European house

Athens, 22/03/2004 (ANA)

It was the first time the two officials met since Psarouda-Benaki assumed her post last week.

[06] Trade union election shows slight shift in party political balance

Athens, 22/03/2004 (ANA)

The outcome of balloting for the five tendencies in the GSEE, which represents around 800,000 workers in the public and private sectors, was as follows: