Dramatic developments in the Siemens case

[Ellinas]

The ongoing revelations on the Siemens scandal have caused turbulence in the political scene. PASOK has called the prime minister to ask for Mr Liapis’ resignation. At the same time, on Thursday Eleftherotypia newspaper and ALTER TV station released a hotel document that reports that the reservation of the room, where Mr Liapis had stayed, was made by Siemens.
Meanwhile, Culture Minister Michael Liapis intends to file a lawsuit against daily Eleftherotypia for its press reports regarding his trip to Germany. The paper, as well as ALTER private television, released a hotel document proving that it was Siemens that booked Liapis’ room. The Culture Minister assured anew that he himself organized his trip and paid for his expenses. Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos stressed that the Government has no copies of the travel documents and relies on the Minister’s word. In the meantime, Magistrate Nikos Zagorianos, who is to carry out the main body of the investigation, was given the brief on the Siemens scandal, which has not ceased upsetting in Greece’s political world.

New Assurances by Liapis

Rumours, documents and information keep fuelling the political row over the Siemens scandal.

Paper Eleftherotypia and ALTER private television released a letter by the Westin Leipzig Hotel in Germany. The letter read that Siemens booked a room for Michael Liapis from 16 to 17 June in 2005 and that the expenses were paid by two different credit cards.

The Culture Minister, on the other hand, after his phone contact with Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, assured the latter anew that he himself organized the trip to Germany and paid for his expenses and that everything else that may have taken place, it took place without him taking any notice.

Roussopoulos also underlined that he does not question Michael Liapis, for he has been present in the nation’s political life for more than 30 years. He then went on to claim that the Minister was not requested hand over his travel receipts.

Drilled whether the Government intends to take administrative actions against Siemens, Roussopoulos said that it is the Special Control Directorate that will search for tax violations and money laundering as soon as the investigation comes to an end.

As for whether Siemens will keep taking part in tenders, Roussopoulos argued that the Government does nothing more than defining the Parliament regulations.

Liapis is expected to lodge a lawsuit against paper Eleftherotypia , accusing it of character defamation and false accusations.

Asked whether Liapis will take legal actions against Siemens and the hotel, the Government spokesman said he has no knowledge on the matter.

Asked whether allowances could be made for those objecting Justice’s work, Roussopoulos said that they can make allowances for those who ignore its operation and those who wish to create other impressions.

Liapis' Receipts

Mr Liapis released evidence that proves he traveled with his son to Germany and Austria. He stayed there from 16-20 June 2005. The evidence comprises two Olympic Airlines tickets and three hotel receipts. The first one bears the name Liapis Michail and the second one his son’s name, Liapis Konstantinos. They concern flights from Athens to Berlin and from Frankfurt to Athens.

The tickets are accompanied by a receipt in the minister’s name, issued at an Athens travel agency.

Mr Liapis’ evidence also includes three hotel receipts, one issued on 16 June, costing 181.10 euros and a second one covering the period from 17-19 June, costing 709.5 euros.

The third receipt, issued on 20 June 2005 cost 704.10 euros. All three hotels had been paid by the minister’s credit card.

PASOK: "All Contracts Should Be Publicized"

At the same time, PASOK, through Maria Damanaki, called on Mr Michalis Liapis to publicize evidence about his trip to Germany and all the contracts that the Culture Ministry had signed with Siemens.

Ms Damanaki reported that the electronic equipment and the guiding system that should have been delivered by Siemens last April had not been delivered yet, adding that the company had already received 3.5 million euros, a sum that corresponds to 40% of the project.

In parallel, PASOK’s Parliamentary spokesman Christos Papoutsis called on the prime minister to make his decisions and shed light to the truth, adding that Justice and the government had been exposed.

In parallel, KKE (Communist Party of Greece) Secretary General Aleka Papariga wondered what had happened to the 100 million euros Siemens had donated to Greek political parties.

SYN (Coalition of the Left) reported that the government is making a desperate effort to whitewash the case.

Metron Analysis Poll

As per a Metron Analysis poll presented Thursday by Mega, 23.1% believe that the ND party can combat corruption effectively, 15.8% PASOK, while 43.3% believe neither.
Regarding voting intention the ND party is leading by 3.5 percentage points against PASOK. Specifically, the ND party leads with 30.5%, PASOK follows with 27%, KKE garners 7.7%, SYRIZA 12.6% and LAOS 4.7%. 38.5% consider Karamanlis as the most suitable person for the post of premiership, 20.8% believe Papandreou is better, while 21% prefer neither.

ERT