Opposition parties call for referendum as Parliament to debate ratification

The heads of the three main opposition parties - PASOK, Synaspismos Left Coalition and the Communist Party (KKE) - yesterday submitted a joint proposal for a referendum on legislation for the ratification of the European Constitution ahead of a debate on the subject due to begin in Parliament today.

A demonstration against the adoption of the treaty, organized by KKE, is to begin at Kaningos Square at 7 p.m. today. The rally, to be followed by a march to Parliament, is likely to disrupt traffic in central Athens.

THE ACTING GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION:
We have adopted a clear position on the issue of the European Constitution ratification. The government does not believe that there will be a reason to hold a referendum after the expected ratification of the European Constitution by the Parliament. The above stated acting government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros when asked to comment on the demand to hold a referendum expressed by the three political parties of the opposition represented in Parliament.

Mr. Antonaros reminded that the previous governments had stated that there is no reason for a referendum and referred to the statement made by former Prime Minister Costas Simitis in 1998 according to which, Greece's firm policy is that issues concerning international treaties are ratified not through referendums but through procedures provided by Parliament. He concluded that such initiatives serve other purposes and there is no reason for the people to go to the polls for a third time in 14 months.