GREEK OPPOSITION SLAM GOVT FOR MISHANDLED FIRES IN ATHEN
Greece's socialist opposition leader said the government had mishandled the fighting of fires that tore through Athens suburbs, destroyed thousands of hectares of forest and forced thousands to flee their homes.
Source: The Star Online
- "These fires must put an end to an inefficient state, which winks at lawlessness and illegality," socialist opposition leader George Papandreou said. "This fire was not inevitable, it could have been avoided had the lessons of 2007 been learned."
- Likely to face voters early next year, the conservative government said very strong winds had made it difficult to fight fires in east Attica where swathes of forest and more than 150 homes were destroyed.
- Media also criticised the government's handling of the fires, which have now been contained. "If what we experienced in Attica is the best this government can do, then it is obvious we must urgently replace it," the liberal daily Ethnos said in its main editorial.
- Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is clinging to a one-seat majority and the socialist opposition, which is ahead in opinion polls, has made clear it will force a snap poll in March when parliament votes for a new president.
FIRE THREAT CITY OF ATHEN SUBURB
Residents of an entire Athens suburb have been ordered from their homes as out-of-control wildfires blaze around the Greek capital.
- The 10,000 residents of Agios Stefanos, 23km (14 miles) north-east of Athens, were to leave the suburb immediately.
- Fires have been burning in a wide arc north-east of Athens, pushed by strong and unpredictable winds.
- The fires the worst since those in 2007 which killed about 70 people, are being called an environmental disaster.
- Italy, France and Cyprus are sending aircraft to help the hard-pressed Greek fire crews.
- Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has said the country is facing "a great ordeal" but has praised the emergency services for making "a superhuman effort".
- Dozens of homes have been torched and authorities have declared a state of emergency in the Athens area but no casualties have been reported.
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