[01] THE PRIME MINISTER'S STATE OF HEALTH HAS DETERIORATED

[02] STATEMENTS BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN GREECE

[03] THE CREATION OF A NEW POLITICAL PARTY WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THESSALONIKI THIS AFTERNOON BY A FORMER PASOK MEMBER

[04] THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF GREECE AND CYPRUS WILL MEET IN ATHENS TOMORROW

[05] STATEMENTS ON THE CYPRUS PROBLEM BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

[06] EXHIBITION ON ALEXANDER THE GREAT OPENED IN ROME YESTERDAY

[07] 41 KILOS OF HEROIN WERE CONFISCATED BY GREEK CUSTOMS OFFICERS IN THE GREEK-TURKISH BORDERS

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] THE PRIME MINISTER'S STATE OF HEALTH HAS DETERIORATED

Prime Minister Papandreou's health has deteriorated, according to the latest medical bulletin issued at 2pm today by the Onasion Cardiology Center.

The medical bulletin mentions that in the past 12 hours the Prime Minister's condition has worsened. The respiratory function is constantly supported by respirator and the renal function by artificial kidney. Also, is mentioned that even though there is no lab test confirmation there are clinical suspicions of an infection, while the treatment with antibiotics continues.

Certain attendant doctors express well-founded fears that the Prime Minister is on the verge of a new lung infection which will be very difficult to be treated with the antibiotics that are being administered. Also, the fact that the Prime Minister has no fever has alarmed the doctors because this constitutes an indication that the patient's immune system has weakened.

[02] STATEMENTS BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN GREECE

The government handles with the proper seriousness and consistency the current situation in Greece, while everyone in the governing party of PASOK and in the government are aware of their responsibilities.

The above were stated by greek government spokesman Tilemachos Hitiris responding, as he pointed out, to the nervousness observed in different sides regarding the course of the government, the Prime Minister, his replacement, etc.

Mr.Hitiris added that all the party and government members are watching with respect the course of the Prime Minister's health and are on his side in this big fight he is giving for his life.

He also stressed that there is no need for nervousness and added that the state budget is now being discussed in Parliament and the voting will take place next Friday.

Responding to a question by a reporter mr.Hitiris stated that the Prime Minister expressed no intention to resign.

[03] THE CREATION OF A NEW POLITICAL PARTY WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THESSALONIKI THIS AFTERNOON BY A FORMER PASOK MEMBER

The beginning of a new and totally different course for the greek people was declared by former PASOK member mr.Dimitris Tsovolas in statements he made after he arrived at Thessaloniki's airport at noon today, while later this afternoon is expected to formally announce the creation of a new political party.

Mr.Tsovolas, former Finance Minister, said that Thessaloniki was selected for the announcement of the creation of the new political party in order to be underlined the role the new party wants to give to the city and northern Greece in general within the framework of the new situation that has been formed in the Balkans.

Mr.Tsovolas also wished quick recovery to the Prime Minister underlining that he respects mr.Papandreou as he always had with deeds and not with words, stressing that the political developments never stop and that Greece, just like the nation and the economy, must function.

Greek government spokesman Tilemachos Hitiris stressed that the government from the first moment characterized as a mistake mr.Tsovolas' decision to leave PASOK and further more his intention to form a new political party.

[04] THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF GREECE AND CYPRUS WILL MEET IN ATHENS TOMORROW

The policy that must be followed for the solution of the Cyprus problem in view of the new american initiative will be discussed tomorrow in Athens by the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Cyprus, mr.Karolos Papoulias and mr.Alekos Michailidis.

Both the greek and cypriot side want an overall settlement of the problem and not just the handling of certain aspects of the issue.

Diplomatic circles speculate that in order to have positive results, the United States should use their political influence on Turkey which continues to maintain an intransigent position.

The form of the new round of negotiations has not been set yet but direct talks are posible between Cypriot President Glafkos Kliridis and turkish-cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

The whole initiative is being prepared by the envoy of the US President to Cyprus, Richard Beattie and by US State Department's special coordinator James Williams who are expected to arrive in Nicosia in mid January.

[05] STATEMENTS ON THE CYPRUS PROBLEM BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN

Greek government spokesman Tilemachos Hitiris stated that the good intentions of the US government and mr.Halbrook concerning the solution of the Cyprus problem have been mentioned and in the past but at the moment there is nothing concrete regarding the so- called Halbrook initiative for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

The above were stated by mr.Hitiris responding to questions made by reporters, while to the question on whether an initiative by mr.Halbrook would have been welcomed, mr.Hitiris responded that this will depend on its content.

Mr.Hitiris reminded that the Cyprus problem, inspite of all that have been said in the past 20 years, remains stagnant and reiterated that the Cyprus problem is for Greece a national issue of first priority and also a problem of invasion and occupation.

The greek government spokesman responding to a question on turkish Prime Minister Ciller's statement concerning the annexation of the turkish occupied northern part of Cyprus stated that indeed mrs.Ciller allegedly mentioned the word annexation during an after midnight pre-election television programme in which had participated and mr.Mesut Yilmaz, leader of ANAP party.

Mr.Hitiris mentioned that the translation of the statement does not clarify whether mrs.Ciller by using the word annexation meant an economic cooperation with the occupied part of Cyprus or annexation of territories. Mr.Hitiris added that in any case Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Michailidis reacted by sending a letter to the leaders of the 15 EU member-states.

[06] EXHIBITION ON ALEXANDER THE GREAT OPENED IN ROME YESTERDAY

"Alexander the Great conquers Rome", the headline used by the largest italian newspaper "La Republica", underlines the significance of the double exhibition "Macedons, the greeks of the North" and "Alexander the Great, History and Myth" that was formally opened last night at the Palazzo Ruspoli by greek Culture Minister Thanos Mikroutsikos. The exhibition will last 5 months and based on the reception it had by the italian press and the public is expected to be a big success.

The two exhibitions have been organized by the greek Ministry of Culture and by the italian Memmo Foundation.

The first exhibition, under the title "Macedons, the greeks of the North" was organized by the greek Ministry of Culture and continues its very sucessful tour to european capitals that began years ago. In the exhibition are included 420 archaeological findings that were recently discovered in northern Greece and have already been exhibited in Thessaloniki's Archeological Museum.

The second exhibition under the title "Alexander the Great, History and Myth" is held after an initiative by the italian Memmo Foundation and for the first time are exhibited 144 archeological findings that belong to 40 museums, private collections and libraries from all over the world.

[07] 41 KILOS OF HEROIN WERE CONFISCATED BY GREEK CUSTOMS OFFICERS IN THE GREEK-TURKISH BORDERS

The greek customs authorities in the Customs Office of Kippi at the greek-turkish borders discovered 41 kilos of heroin hidden in the car of a couple.

Twenty-two yearold Mehmet Hundi from Turkey and his 21 yearold french girlfriend Karine Loytier Laurent, both living and working in France, said to police after their arrest that they were not aware of the heroin that was hidden in their car.

According to the customs officers, the heroin had been bought in Constantinople and it was going to be distributed in France and Holland while according to evidence, the couple belongs to an international drug- trafficking network.