Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-01-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM meets with Synaspismos leader over alleged terror-related interrogations

[01] PM meets with Synaspismos leader over alleged terror-related interrogations

The issue first surfaced only weeks after the July 7 terrorist strikes in the London underground and following serious claims by a group of Pakistani workers in Athens. The latter assert that they were arrested and interrogated over several days, by both Greek-speaking and English-speaking agents, regarding their links and contacts in Britain. The issue continues to generate press coverage in both Greece and abroad, whereas the public order ministry has categorically denied any official involvement.

According to reports, Karamanlis told the Synaspismos leader that relevant law enforcement services and the responsible minister - Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis - deny any involvement by Greek authorities in the alleged incident.

Moreover, the Greek prime minister added that his institutional role mandates, "and this is something that I am doing", his support of an independent judicial investigation into the allegations, "adherence to democratic legality and the safeguarding of citizens' security".

Finally, Karamanlis told Alavanos that Voulgarakis, for whom he expressed his confidence, is developing a draft bill to modernise the legal framework under which Greece's National Intelligence Agency (EYP) operates, one that includes the concept of Parliamentary supervision.

Following his meeting with the prime minister, Alavanos merely noted that "we had 100 percent diametrically opposed opinions (on the issue) with the premier".

Moreover, the Synaspismos party leader called for a government probe into the allegations, beyond the current and ongoing judicial investigation; information on whether the current or previous Greek governments signed secrets protocols allowing the activity of foreign intelligence services in the country, and finally, that EYP be placed under Parliamentary supervision.

He also said the public order ministry bears responsibility in the case, while adding that he believes the foreign nationals' claims.

Caption: Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, left, meets with Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) President Alekos Alavanos on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, at his Maximos Mansion office in Athens. ANA / P. Saitas.

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