The Prime Minister pointed out that the new year has found our country's international position strengthened, a development, as he said, established during his trip to Washington.

At the same time, he set the EU enlargement and Cyprus' incorporation as his priorities, saying that Greece has the political will, as well as the institutional potential to promote it, while he pointed out that any positive developments in the Cyprus is sue, will contribute to the atmosphere of trust between Greece and Turkey.

The incident took place at 5pm, when a group of 5 border guards had set up an ambush in the Drymades region of Ioannina, for the location of Albanian illegal immigrants and drug smugglers.

The officers saw two individuals and called them to surrender, but they opened fire with AK-47 assault rifles. This resulted in the wounding of the 30-year-old in the right knee. The two Albanians managed to escape, but were forced to leave two sacks con taining 300 pounds of cannabis at the scene.

Bush Jr. Also, Greece's position on international terrorism was discussed.

On Monday, Mr. Papandreou will inform the Presidents of DIKKI, Dimitris Tsovolas, and Politiki Anixi, Antonis Samaras.

This appreciation may in fact have be true for many foreign investment firms, since at yesterday's session of the ASE, the stocks of both banks noted important gains and a large bulk of sales, as well as many buys from abroad took place.

In the meantime, certain foreign analysts propose an Alpha Bank shares for a quick profit, since the scenarios of another deal are expected to boost the stock's price, which is undervalued anyway.

It should be noted that in last July, the scenarios of an alliance with the French BNP resulted in profits of 18% for Alpha stocks, according to analysts.

However, Alpha Bank's head economist, G. Provopoulos, stated that the rumors of a discussions with other banks at this point in time are false. "At this time we have no "parallel negotiations" with anyone", he stated.

On Sunday morning an event-discussion will take place on: "The Left today: Problems and prospects", which is organized by the Renewing Consolidation of the Coalition. Among the speakers will be Mihalis Papagiannakis and Petros Kounalakis.

Many businesses, based on this announcement, have already pulled down the rolls, while there are also many in danger of having to suspend their work. Under these circumstances, the need to give motives in order for the employees not to be fired, with sup port subsidies, is immediate.

The Greek Tourist Agencies, having exhausted all their patience, appeal to the government to realize the true dimensions of the field's problem, as well as the consequences any inactivity may have, and to take measures immediately.

Meanwhile, a video found in Afghanistan, with incriminating evidence for al-Qaeda, was given to publicity by the US authorities late yesterday evening. Members of al-Qaeda appear on the video and admit that they were trained to attack foreign leaders, in

a camp of the specific terrorist organization in Afghanistan.

Mr. Simitis stressed that the course will be forward to safeguard not only the country's present but its future as well.

He referred to the results of his visit to the United States while on the local elections he said that they are a political showdown and PASOK is opening up to society aiming at the mobilization of the majority of the Greek people to support a policy of modernization.

Mr. Simitis attacked the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy accusing it of lies, mud slinging and hypocrisy.

Mr. Papandreou stated that a Greek-Turkish dialogue is underway for the past two years, stressing that Greece's positions are publicized, while he also underlined that all political parties, the parliament and the Greek people have been briefed on them.

Meanwhile, Turkish aircraft have violated again the Greek airspace. Yesterday, 25 Turkish fighter jets violated the Greek airspace at the northern and southeastern Aegean.

Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou pointed out that Turkey systematically disputes the Greek sovereign rights in the Aegean and underlined that the Greek positions are clear and firm, adding that the Greek armed forces are in a state of readiness.

The two banks have expressed their intention to merge and soon they will reach a decision, said Mr. Christodoulakis, adding that there are no dead ends in the free market.

ETE and Alpha Bank governors, Theodoros Karatzas and Yiannis Kostopoulos, met at noon today at the ETE offices, followed by the meeting of the ETE Board of Directors which, according to information, will authorize Mr. Karatzas to handle the issue of the

merger taking under consideration the bank's interests.

In the meeting of the Prime Minister with the Minister of Finance were discussed issues that concern the country's overall economic policy. Mr. Christodoulakis stressed that 2002 will be a year during which the adoption of the Euro will coincide with the

true convergence of the Greek economy.

Referring to inflation, he pointed out that the inflationary pressures will continue mainly as a result of the extreme weather conditions, the price hikes in fresh fruits and vegetables and the increased fuel prices compared to last year. However, he sta ted that the average inflation in 2002 will be much lower compared to last year.

Referring to the structural changes, Mr. Christodoulakis stated that they will be accelerated in 2002, adding that the major reforms on the social security system and taxation will move ahead.

Mr. Koutsikos also stated that the Greek banks were the only ones to back Turkey in its economic crisis. He said characteristically that when the foreign banks were closing their branches in Turkey, the National Bank of Greece funded the Turkish banks wi th the sum of US$500 million.

The year 2000 was the best concerning the trade balance between Greece and Turkey as the volume of the trade transactions between the two countries approached the US$1 billion mark recording an increase of 300% compared to 1999. Mr. Koutsikos stressed th at the goal set is for the trade transactions volume to reach US$3 billion in the following years.

Of the stocks trading today, 103 recorded gains and 209 had losses, while the value of 48 stocks remained unchanged.

Mr. Protopapas stated that the Greek policy is firm on major issues and the initiatives undertaken will lead to a solution of the Cyprus problem and other major national issues.

The mayors call for the immediate legislative intervention of the European Union concerning the economic refugees issue and the financial support for their temporary accommodation.

The meeting attended the mayor of Patras Evangelos Floratos, Igumenitsa Andreas Dais and Ankona, Italy Fabius Turani.

Limnos which is regarded by Ankara as demilitarized region.

Mr. Papantoniou stated that Greece's positions are firm and the Greek armed forces are in a state of readiness. He said that this message must be sent to every direction and should be the basis for the right policy of rapprochement and cooperation with T urkey, reiterating that the Greek sovereign rights must be totally respected.