Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou addressed his party's Political Council Thursday and outlined four proposals aimed at tackling corruption, including the confiscation of property not declared in the means and assets statements submitted by politicians.

   In reference to the ongoing Siemens investigation, and the damaging testimony linked to PASOK that has emerged from this, Papandreou stressed that the party wanted a full and thorough investigation into what had happened.

   "I am the first that wants to know if someone has neglected his duty or who has become involved in cases of scandal in the past," he stressed, adding that PASOK had made clear and specific proposals on this issue while ruling New Democracy preferred to remain silent.

   He also underlined that there were several other scandals that remained "open", such as the Vatopedi monastery land swaps affair, the structured bonds sold to social insurance funds, the subsidised ferry lines and others.

   Papandreou underlined that PASOK's stance on issues of corruption was consistent and called for "transparency at any cost and with no exceptions," alleging that an attempt is being made to hold the entire political world hostage.

   His four proposals included holding an extraordinary plenary session in Parliament to set up a parliamentary investigation committee on the Siemens case; exerting pressure on the German company to present all evidence that concerns Greece; adoption of a special regulation providing preferential treatment for those who present tangible evidence against corrupt politicians and confiscation of undeclared property assets. 

   He noted that the four measures would require an act of legislation and asked for the backing of the other opposition parties for the immediate measures he had proposed.

   PASOK's leader repeated his party's call for immediate elections, saying that ND "cannot handle the fate of the nation", and adding that PASOK intends to submit a policy platform at the Thessaloniki International Fair that will be the result of broader discussion.`

   "PASOK's goal is victory in the elections, a majority government but also to create broader social consensus," he added.

   Papandreou was particularly critical of the government's handling of economic affairs, stressing that Greece was in dire economic straits and lacked a plan for dealing with the crisis.

   "We have never seen the country in a worse economic state," he underlined, saying that the measures taken by the government were "measures of desperation, that do not address the long-term problems but instead strike at middle and low incomes," while warning of another wave of similar measures in October.

   Papandreou went on to brief the Political Council on his recent tour of the Balkans and announced that the Socialist International will put together a special team on green development, while the SI's will present its proposals to the United Nations in September and at the World Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen at the end of 2009.

   CAPTION: ANA-MPA file photograph of main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou.