Liapis in fresh counter
Culture Minister Michalis Liapis yesterday responded angrily to rumors linking him to scandal-ridden Siemens, saying he was being made a scapegoat by «centers» seeking to mislead the public, as a new opinion poll revealed that six in 10 Greeks feel that neither New Democracy nor PASOK are serious about fighting corruption. Liapis has been the focus of a number of allegations after it was revealed that he took part in a junket to see the Greek soccer team play in Germany in 2005 that was organized by then Siemens Hellas managing director Michalis Christoforakos. The minister has since produced copies of receipts that he says prove he paid for the trip for himself. However, reports over the weekend continued to accuse Liapis of links with Siemens. «It was a private trip at my own expense. It has became a huge subject for some people but it is a huge hypocrisy as far as I’m concerned,» he said in a prepared statement. «Is this the issue of greatest concern to the Greek people?» Liapis raised some eyebrows by mentioning the alleged «mismanagement» of the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) – Liapis was formerly transport minister – and the deal to sell government shares in OTE telecom to Deutsche Telekom. The timing of these remarks seemed peculiar as neither issue had been the subject of discussion over the last few days. Liapis went on to claim that he was being intentionally targeted, without revealing who he thinks is behind the campaign. «They are trying to lead the people astray and create confusion so that they can cover up for those who are truly guilty,» he said. «They are trying to hurt me and the government. Is it possible these centers have other plans that would suit their designs better?» Liapis’s outburst came as a survey in Sunday’s Kathimerini suggested that 62 percent of Greeks feel that, contrary to what it pledges, the government is not determined to fight corruption. Also, 63 percent are not convinced by PASOK’s claims that it will battle graft. Six in 10 of some 1,000 people questioned also said that they believe New Democracy and PASOK have received bribes from Siemens. Seven in 10 said they do not trust the justice system to get to the bottom of the scandal and roughly the same proportion feel that political parties should not be allowed to accept donations from private interests.
