The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 02-10-16

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

(16/10/2002 12:01:00 μμ)

[02] The Church does not intervene in Greek political life

In an interview with with NET 105.8, New Democracy party spokesman Theodoris Rousopoulos stated that the Archbishop&#8217;s meeting with the two candidates does not constitute an intervention of the Church to the country&#8217;s political life, wondering why his previous meeting with PASOK candidate Fofi Genimata was commented positively by the Press in contrast to yesterday&#8217;s meeting.

From her side, New Democracy party candidate Mary Tsanaki stated to NET 105.8 that her friendly and personal relationship with the Archbishop and her visit with Mr Vezyrianis to the Archbishopric were misinterpreted.

Commenting on the visit, Piraeus candidate prefect Giannis Michas described it as a move in the wrong time.

Archbishop Christodoulos referred to the press publications, which presented him as defending G. Karatzaferis, yesterday, during his speech before an audience of 100 people at the Petraki Convent. The publications presented Mr. Christodoulos as having said that G. Karatzaferis is not a Right wing extremist, and that those who voted for him are &#8220;good Christians&#8221; who were reacting against G. Tzannetakos for his war on the Church.

&#8220;The Church does not interfere with Greece's political life. Never, and especially not now, during an election period, and all those who seek to involve it have no respect for it. Nothing more&#8221;, stated Archbishop Christodoulos characteristically.

When asked if he expressed an opinion in favor of Mr. Karatzaferis, he answered that he made no such statement and pointed out that he only interprets what he says, and never the statements of another person.

Meanwhile, in view of the second round of the Municipal and Prefectural elections this Sunday, government spokesman Christos Protopapas and PASOK Secretary Costas Laliotis are trying to win votes from the Left wing. The New Democracy party will create a front against the government policy, while the Greek Communist party is insisting on blank and invalid ballots. The Synaspismos party will decide depending on the occasion, while the Democratic Socialist Movement will support candidates who come only from the Synaspismos and Greek Communist parties.

Finally, in an interview with NET, New Democracy party spokesman Theodoris Rousopoulos stated that his party doubled its forces from the first round of the Municipal and Prefectural elections, adding that on Sunday there would be a further rise of the number of its voters. He also added that these elections are politically motivated, calling all voters to send a message to the government. He also said that Mr Karatzaferis&#8217; votes came from voters that protested, since the New Democracy party combination had a rallying problem on this occasion.

(16/10/2002 12:03:00 μμ)

[03] A. Sotiropoulou prosecuted

The Public Prosecutor also started a prosecution against Nikos Papanastasiou for the murder of American captain George Tsandes, as well as for complicity in the robbery of the National Bank of Greece in Petralona where police officer Christos Matis lost his life.

Meanwhile, according to the results of the graph logical examination that was carried out, senior N17 member Alexandros Giotopoulos&#8217;s handwriting was identified with that found on documents found in the terrorist organisation&#8217;s hideouts.

(16/10/2002 12:05:00 μμ)

[04] Stephanopoulos leaves for Egypt

Mr Stephanopoulos will be accompanied by Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Culture Minister Evagelos Venizelos.

(16/10/2002 12:06:00 μμ)

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