At the same time, the satisfaction of the US on Greece's successes in the terrorism sector was expressed by US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller, who participated in the meetings between Minister of Public Order, Michalis Chrysochoidis, with US official s.

As he said, supreme US officials congratulated the Greek Minister during his stay in the country.

Meanwhile in Greece, terrorist suspect Christodoulos Xeros denied any participation in "November 17", in his testimony memorandum to Special Examiner Leonidas Zervobeakos.

Christodoulos Xeros, who is facing additional charges for participation in "November 17", supported that his preliminary examination confessions were pressured out of him.

He also stated that Giannis Serifis, the latest suspect arrested in relation to the N17 case, has nothing to do with the organization and supported that he knew him through mass struggles.

Mr. Zervobeakos called alleged leader of N17, Alexandros Giotopoulos, to face additional charges on Wednesday. Iraklis Kostaris and Kostas Karatsolis will also testify tomorrow, while Savvas Xeros will do so on Thursday.

As Mr. Simitis mentioned, all issues concerning bilateral relations and the EU were discussed sincerely.

The first topic on the day's agenda was Cyprus' accession to the EU, and resolving the political problem there. Mr. Simitis pointed out that the Turkish Cypriots show a lack of proposals in finding ways out of the dead end.

The two Prime Ministers also discussed the Greek Presidency of the EU, mainly concentrating on completing the enlargement. According to a decision made at the Brussels Summit Meeting, the Act for the accession of 10 new member-states will take place on A pril 16 in Athens.

Concerning dealing with illegal immigration and political asylum, Mr. Simitis underlined that ways were found for the views of the two countries to coincide.

On his side, Mr. Blair raised the issue of the British nationals who were tried for espionage while photographing a military airfield. Mr. Simitis pointed out that justice is independent and expressed his hopes that the issue turns out well.

In the letter sent by the Initiative, according an "Eleftherotypia" newspaper publication, it was stressed that the Greek authorities have submitted lists with names of participants in the Genova mobilizations to the Italian authorities.

The Initiative characterized "turning over lists the names of fighters of the movement against globalization" by the Greek government as unacceptable.

Finally, the Greek government is asked to intervene in order "to stop the political persecution of European causes by closing borders and libel campaigns".

Infantry and mechanized divisions of the armed forces marched in flawless formations, accompanied by the highly impressive high technology weapons systems ("Leonidas" and "Leopard" armored vehicles, "Patriot" anti-aircraft missile systems, ets.), as well

as fighter aircraft and "Apache" helicopters, that flew over the parade area.

From the officials' stands, the parade was observed by Metropolite of Thessaloniki Panteleimon II, Minister of National Defense Giannos Papantoniou, former President of the Republic Christos Sartzetakis, President of New Democracy Kostas Karamanlis, Vice

President of the Parliament Panagiotis Sgouridis, who represented the President of Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, Ministers of Development and Culture Akis Tsochatzopoulos and Evaggeles Venizelos, the leadership of the Armed Forces and the Security Bod ies, the Prefect of Thessaloniki Kostas Papadopoulos and Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, as well as MPs, consules, etc.

MPs protests PASOK and ND MPs expressed their protests concerning the seats assigned to them by those in charge of protocol. They stated it had happened in previous years and was repeated despite their complaints. Thus, this time, they chose to protest by leaving thei r seats and observing the parade standing up.

Mr. Stefanopoulos will be accompanied by Deputy Foreign Ministers Giannis Magriotis and Andreas Loverdos for the duration of his visit (November 2).

Among other meetings, the President of the Republic will have discussions with his South African counterpart on bilateral issues, while he will meet with Greeks living in South Africa.

in prison accused of terrorist acts.

Meanwhile, prosecutor Leonidas Zervobeakos met in Koridallos Prison in Athens today with accused terrorists Pavlos Serifis, Kostas Karatsolis and Ilias Kostaris.

Mr. Manousakis, author of the book "Chemical and Biological Weapons", in statements to MPA stressed that the use of BZ is the most likely based on the symptoms observed on the individuals on whom it was used.

He stated that this gas is not lethal. It causes loss of memory, while it paralyzes the central and circumferential nervous system temporarily incapacitating the individual on which it is used, while it does not cause any permanent damage.

In case it was a nerve gas, like Sarin, as it was initially mentioned, there would be no survivors, stated the professor, adding that the substance used was a psycho-somatic one.

Referring to the history of chemical weapons, he said that the international treaties signed, starting with the Treaty of Geneva in 1925, ban the use of any chemical weapon.

Meanwhile, the US embassy in Moscow announced that it has identified the gas used on Saturday by the Russian security forces that raided the Moscow theater where armed Chechen rebels were holding over 800 people hostages, according to BBC.

It was a sleeping gas and not a nerve gas as it was initially thought and specifically, it was an opiate that paralyzes the senses. The substance killed over 113 people and only four of the dead hostages had bullet wounds, according to the Moscow prosecu tor.

Mr. Christodoulakis admitted that there will be readjustments in the balance-sheet and the government predictions concerning growth rate.

Referring to the international situation, he said that two extremes should be avoided. First, the view that the Greek economy is not affected in any way by the international slowdown and second, that the country's economy will be unable to avoid being sw ept away by the international conjuncture of events.

Mr. Venizelos stated characteristically that he is deeply satisfied with Prime Minister Simitis' initiative to personally deliver to his British counterpart a note issued by the Culture Ministry with the Greek position on the return of the Parthenon Marb les as it has been formed since 1997.

He pointed out that this initiative gives a boost to the issue and it is an excellent prelude for the great presentation organized by the British Committee for the Return of the Parthenon Marbles to take place in London on November 12. The main issue of the presentation will be the New Museum at the Acropolis and the Greek position on the Parthenon Marbles within the framework of the Olympic Games preparations and the Cultural Olympiad.

The Culture Minister characterized as very important the outcome of a recent opinion poll conducted by the polling company Mori according to which, the overwhelming majority of the British people are in favor of the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Gre ece.

For the record, the issue of the return of the Parthenon Marbles is being discussed between Greece and Britain under the auspices of UNESCO and at Culture Ministries' level as well as between the British Museum and the New Museum of the Acropolis Organiz ation.

The general index rose to +0.70% at 1.773,69 points, while the volume of transactions was at 55.3 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 162 recorded gains, compared to 126 that had losses, while the value of 87 stocks remained unchanged.

He stated that a special attention is given to the efforts aimed at boosting the production of new agricultural products, the development of agricultural production and the strengthening of its competitiveness. Also, an equal attention is given to the ne w forms of action such as, environmentally friendly crops, organic products or the development of agro-tourism, while a special clause is included to guarantee that a special care will be given to small and medium sized crops.

Within the next few hours, Mr. Solana will know Ankara's reactions, while he will be promoting the EU decision for discussion with NATO. The goal is for the pending matter to be resolved by November 21, the day NATO's works commence in Prague.

It is possible that despite the optimism of Mr. Solana and the Greek government, that "underground" negotiations may provide a positive answer from Turkey on the Euroarmy, in exchange for a date on which its accession course will begin or some aspect of a political solution to the Cyprus issue.

The essence of the matter is that Prime Minister Simitis gave his consent to the new text of the 15, which includes that "NATO administration of military crises will not undertake any action against the EU or any of its members", as well as that "no acti on violating the UN's Chart will be taken", in paragraph 2.

At the same time however, article 12 still includes Turkish demands on excepting Cyprus or the "gray zones", calling on "territorial proximity or national security" in case of Euroarmy operations.

The market basket (including soft drinks, cigarettes, a newspaper, apples, potatoes, tomatoes, cinema tickets, bus tickets, etc.) reaches enormous prices in Norway at 43.71 euro, while in Greece, it is just 20 euro.

Based on this survey, Greece is the third cheapest country in Europe, following Spain and Portugal.

It should be noted that a pack of cigarettes in the UK costs 7.68 euro, while in Greece it costs 2.5 euro, while a bus ticket in Belgium costs 1.40 euro, while in Greece it costs 0.45 euro.

Even in the fast food sector, Greece is 14.6% below the average price of a set meal at fast food restaurants.

The European Commissioner, responsible for Employment and Social Affairs, referred to the efforts made by Romania regarding the implementation of the European legislation in the sector of labor, adding that reforms should be made in the public administra tion system.

From her side, Mrs. Puwak stressed that efforts are being made toward this direction.

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