Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-03-11

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] A NEW OPINION POLL GIVES A SMALL LEAD TO PASOK OVER NEW DEMOCRACY

[02] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS WAS SWORN-IN TODAY TO A SECOND TERM IN OFFICE

[03] SIMITIS: STEPHANOPOULOS IS A SYMBOL OF CONSENSUS

[04] THE GREEK AIR FORCE IS BEING REINFORCED WITH 50 F-16 JETS

[01] A NEW OPINION POLL GIVES A SMALL LEAD TO PASOK OVER NEW DEMOCRACY

A lead of 0.8% has the governing socialist party of PASOK over right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy, according to a new opinion poll conducted by the METRON ANALYSIS polling company. The opinion poll was conducted across the country including the islands of the Aegean and the Ionian Seas. The opinion poll was made on a sample of 1.606 people from February 22 to March 6 on behalf of the Athens television station ANT1.

To the question on which party they intend to vote, 34.8% responded in favor of PASOK and 34.0% in favor of New Democracy. The Communist Party got 4.7%, Coalition of the Left 4%, Democratic Social Movement 4.3%, the Liberals 0.4%, other parties 1.9% and 3.0% responded that they will cast a spoilt ballot paper.

Most popular politician is Mr. Simitis with 56.9% followed by Nikos Konstantopoulos of the Coalition of the Left with 54.4%, Kostas Karamanlis with 50.3%, Mr. Tsovolas of the Democratic Social Movement with 47.9%, Stephanos Manos from the Liberals with 30.9%, Antonis Samaras from the Political Spring 19.3% and Aleka Papariga from the Communist Party with 16.5%.

To the question Simitis or Karamanlis for the post of the prime minister 47.2% responded in favor of Mr. Simitis and 32.3% in favor of Mr. Karamanlis, while 12.9% rejected both of them and 1.9% responded in favor of other political leaders.

To the question who is interested more in the country 32.7% responded in favor of Mr. Simitis and 26.5% backed Mr. Karamanlis. Also, 52.6% responded that Mr. Simitis has more international prestige compared to 22.5% for Mr. Karamanlis. The politician with leadership abilities is Mr. Simitis with 49.8% followed by Mr. Karamanlis 26.7%. To the question, who is the politician of the future and not of the past 35.1% responded in favor of Mr. Simitis and 34.1% in favor of Mr. Karamanlis.

A 55.1% responded that the winner of the elections will be the party of PASOK, 26.2% New Democracy and 18% responded that they do not know which party will be the winner of the April 9 elections.

[02] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS WAS SWORN-IN TODAY TO A SECOND TERM IN OFFICE

President Kostis Stephanopoulos was sworn-in today to the a second five-year term in office in the presence of Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece, prime minister Kostas Simits, parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis and the parliament vice-presidents, who later signed the swearing-in protocols.

The president with the prime minister went to the parliament president's office where they had a short discussion and immediately afterwards they went to the monument of the unknown soldier where president Stephanopoulos laid a wreath.

The presidential decree, declaring the dissolution of parliament and the holding of parliamentary elections on April 9, will be issued on Tuesday.

[03] SIMITIS: STEPHANOPOULOS IS A SYMBOL OF CONSENSUS

Kostis Stephanopoulos is a symbol of consensus for the Greek political world, according to the statement made today by prime minister Kostas Simitis after the swearing-in ceremony of Mr. Stephanopoulos to the Greek presidency for a second term in office.

He said that the selection of Mr. Stephanopoulos to the post for a second five-year term is characterized by a maturity on behalf of the political system and most of all by a consensus which is an especially positive point for the Greek political life. Mr. Simitis stated that consensus must characterize the future as well and Mr. Stephanopoulos symbolizes this consensus.

Mr. Simitis also expressed his satisfaction because the governing socialist party was vindicated for its decision to back again Mr. Stephanopoulos to the post of the presidency.

[04] THE GREEK AIR FORCE IS BEING REINFORCED WITH 50 F-16 JETS

Greece and the United States signed a contract yesterday for the supply of the Greek Air Force with 50 F-16 fighter jets. The contract is the first of three that will be signed by the two countries and are aimed at reinforcing the Greek Air Force.

The 600 billion drachmas contract includes the fuselage of the jet, the weapons systems, the necessary land equipment and the self-protection system.

The Greek Air Force will be supplied with 34 one-seated F-16s and 16 two-seated F-16s, while a provision is included for 10 more aircraft if this is found necessary.

The F-16/BLOCK50 aircraft are of the most updated and effective aircraft equipped with a new increased capacity radar system, while it also has an automatic aim system on the pilot's helmet.

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