During the discussion, it was stressed that attempts to resolve the Cyprus issue are reaching an important phase, especially in view of the time that is left until the accession procedures are complete.

Mr. Giannitsis and Lord Honey underlined the importance of the decisions made at the Conference in Helsinki in relation to the accession progress of Cyprus.

As far as Cyprus' accession to the EU is concerned, the importance of its beneficial results to the whole of the Cypriot people was stressed.

Lord Honey informed Mr. Giannitsis that during his upcoming visit to Ankara, he will make the positions of the British Government on the accession of Cyprus to the EU clear.

Specifically, international developments concerning airline companies and related issues being examined by the European Union, were discussed.

"The auction for Olympic Airways is in progress, and of course no statements can be made on the subject", stated Mr. Christodoulakis after the meeting.

The government, as he stressed, will move to announcements as soon as the sale procedure is complete.

"The Ministry neither understands, nor will it stand for such behavior from police officers, which oppose the mission of the Greek Police Force and the laws it enforces", he underlined in a statement he made.

The two police officers, Georgios Berdos and Dimitrios Goutselis, beat the two Albanians working in the olive fields of Agios Konstantinos in Fthiotida, because they objected to the two policemen hunting and firing their weapons near to them. The two Alb anians have filed complaints against the two officers. The officers have also filed complaints against the Albanians for insulting and threatening them.

These were the statements made by Mr. Papandreou in Parliament last night, answering the related question of former Minister of Foreign Affairs and PASOK MP, Giannis Kapsis.

He also pointed out that the idea of holding the European Football Championship jointly with Turkey, was not his idea, but the idea of the two countries' Football Federations.

The 14 foreigners were arrested on November 8 at the Air Force Base of Kalamata, and were temporarily put in the Nayplio and Korydallos prisons.

After the supplementary statements are given, the District Attorney and the Examiner will decide if the accused will go free or if they will be held until their trial date.

Mr. Chrysochoidis supported among other things that "terrorist activity is paid for by Democracy. If we take harsh measures, it is Democracy that will suffer. We need measures that will not "rape" Democracy".

MP of New Democracy Dora Bakogianni, speaking at the same event, appreciated that there will be not security problem at the 2004 Athens Olympics. "Terrorists are cowards and never strike guarded targets", noted Mrs. Bakogianni.

Mr. Tsovolas characterized the statements of the Washington Post as unacceptable, noted that Greece is one of the safest countries in the world, and observed that such publications serve expediencies and great financial interests.

Mr. Stefanopoulos met with the President of the "Athens 2004" Organizational Committee, Gianna Aggelopoulou.

Mr. Apostolidis, speaking in the Special Forces Training Center at Megalo Pefko, near Athens, stated that the participation of Greek armed forces in humanitarian operations in Afghanistan was never ruled out. He added that Greece is ready and on the fron t line taking under consideration its interests within the framework of its obligations toward NATO and the UN. He said that Greece was present in the Balkans and will be present again whenever duty calls.

Mr. Trajkovski arrived in Thessaloniki on a private plane and then he boarded an Olympic Airways passenger plane to Brussels via Athens. His nine-member entourage had arrived earlier in Thessaloniki by car.

Mr. Hitiris said that the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens will be a success, stressing that Greece is a safe country and invited the article writer to visit Greece and witness for himself the Greek reality today. He also referred to the statements that were

made on security in Greece by US officials and US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Mr. Hitiris assured that it has been made clear who is the host of the 2004 Olympic Games, stressing that Greece is their host in cooperation with the International Olympic Committee.

The conference proceedings opened in Thessaloniki this morning aimed at the creation of a Network of Greek origin Elected European Local Administration Officials.

In his speech, Mr. Magriotis stressed that Greece is at the front line of international initiatives for the management of crises and problems such as, terrorism. He also stressed that Greece has become stronger in the diplomatic, political and economic s cene with its accession into the Euro-zone.

Mr. Protopapas added that according to a Governmental Council on Foreign Affairs and Defense decision a humanitarian aid intervention will take place after the end of the war.

The government spokesman stated that two or three C-130 transport planes will be sent to Afghanistan for the transport of the humanitarian aid.

Of the stocks trading today, 249 recorded gains and 79 had losses, while the value of 28 stocks remained unchanged.

Mr. Protopapas stated that the striking doctors should make the necessary moves and take the steps that are needed for a solution to be found and their strike action to end.

The IKA doctors are on a five-day strike starting today and among their main demands are the permanent employment of about 5.000 doctors who are under a limited time work contract, the upgrading of the medical aid offered to the 5.5 million people covere d by the social security system, the promotion system, and the benefits they receive.

Mr. Simitis stated that the immediate reaction to terrorism was and is a one-way street, stressing that it is not a war between East and West, rich and poor, Muslims and Christians.

He said that Greece supports its partners in the EU and NATO as dictated by the values of democracy and freedom for which Greece has always fought.

Mr. Simitis also stated that the efforts against terrorism should not overshadow the efforts for the solution of other crucial regional issues such as, the Cyprus problem, the Palestinian issue and the reconstruction of the Balkans.

Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Konstantopoulos accused the Prime Minister of taking the role of the apologist on behalf of President Bush and the United States on the war in Afghanistan and stressed that the government is characterized by a dangerous

and impressive sense of complacency.

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis criticized the government for its foreign policy moves, while he said that in the war against terrorism and the war in Afghanistan the government adopted basic axes of his party's

program.

Communist Party general secretary Aleka Papariga criticized strongly the government's foreign policy, while she also attacked New Democracy accusing it of backing the anti-democratic laws and trying systematically to take advantage of the popular discont ent.

Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou maintained that the international community could not be apathetic and not give a response to a country like Afghanistan that became an accessory of terrorist organizations exporting fanaticism and violence.

Addressing the Euro MPs, among whom the head of PASOK's Euro MPs, Giorgos Katiforis, Mr. Ozilchan said that the Association of Turkish Industrialists "considers the political support of the Turkish government to Raul Denktash's refusal to compromise wron g", while he stated that "the Turkish side must not be an obstacle in finding a commonly acceptable solution for the Cyprus issue".

A short while later, during the meeting of the Joint Committee with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Katiforis asked Mr. Cem to comment on Mr. Ozilchan's opinion, and to inform the members of the Joint Committee whether there were other parts

of Turkish society that have the same point of view as the President of Turkish Industrialists.

Mr. Cem said he disagrees with Mr. Ozilchan, while he believes that a small part of Turkish society shares Mr. Ozilchan's opinion.

According to initial information, a team of Greek police officers had arrived in Romania 10 days ago as there was information according to which, Pasaris had managed to leave Greece and was in Romania sheltered by his Romanian associates.

Pasaris is in the hands of the Romanian police and he is expected to be extradited to Greece soon.

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