home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- WORLD, Page 57World NotesGREECEVerdict on The Trial
-
-
- On the eve of Parliament's climactic vote last week, former
- Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou made a rare appearance on the
- podium. But instead of defending himself against corruption
- charges stemming from a $210 million bank-embezzlement scandal,
- he went on the offensive, charging that his accusers were
- motivated by "mudslinging" and acted out of "political
- self-interest." The strategy failed to prevent an indictment.
- By a largely partisan vote of 166 to 121, the legislators
- ordered Papandreou, 70, to stand trial later this year before
- a special court on three felony charges -- taking bribes,
- accepting the proceeds of a crime, and breach of faith.
-
- Ousted from office last June in an election dominated by
- corruption charges, Papandreou still heads Greece's Socialist
- Party. Following last week's decision on Papandreou, the
- coalition government of the conservative New Democracy Party and
- the Alliance of the Left decided to dissolve Parliament this
- week and hold new elections on Nov. 5. Papandreou has vowed to
- seek re-election to his seat.
-
-