The supreme leading body of PASOK supported the way the government is handling the Cyprus issue, since the submission of the Annan proposal. "The Annan plan is the starting point of negotiations", repeated Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, during his speech , stressing that "refusing discussion would put Greece in a disadvantageous position". At the same time, the Prime Minister pointed out the danger of a possible failure of discussions, which would mean accepting the dichotomy.

In the discussion that followed, it was underlined that developments in Cyprus will depend on the position of the Turkish Cypriot side and Ankara, while the Prime Minister said that negotiations must concern issues related to the efficiency and viability

of the solution, dealing with problems in governing the state and the future life of the island's residents.

The Annan proposals, stressed Mr. Simitis, must be explored in the light of Cyprus accession to the EU, a development which will provide a bridge for differences, will limit the dependence of the Turkish Cypriots on Turkey and will strengthen the common interests of the two communities.

In response to those against holding negotiation now, who claim that the Greek side should not be in a hurry and that the Cyprus solution will arrive at some point, he stated that this is not a certainty, and noted that in the years that have passed, Tur key has settled the island, and nothing rules out the possibility that they will continue to their effort to overturn present demographic standards.

The Prime Minister pointed out the danger of leading Cyprus to a dichotomy if the international community finds the solution efforts futile and legally recognizes the Denktash pseudostate.

We will make our decisions, after weighing the overall result of the negotiations, which must deal with what is of the essence, stressed Mr. Simitis, underlining that the last word falls to the Greek Cypriot side, the Cypriot leadership, and pointed out that national unity, caution and sobriety are necessary. Papandreou meetings abroad

Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou met with his British counterpart Jack Straw in London yesterday, in the margin of the conference held in the British capital on dealing with organized crime.

Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Straw discussed the Balkans and the Greek Presidency of the EU, during which a Summit Meeting between Balkan countries and EU leaders will be set.

Concerning the Cyprus issue, the Foreign Minister stressed that time is running out and that the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot side must give concrete evidence of their good intentions in making the most of the chance presented at Copenhagen, and underline d the important role the EU has to play in finding a solution.

Mr. Papandreou also stated that he had the chance to point out the positions of the Greek government concerning the Helsinki decisions to Mr. Straw, underlining that he frequently contacts his British counterpart due to the Cyprus issue, and in view of t he Greek Presidency.

Mr. Papandreou is in Washington, where he will have meetings with National Security Consultant Contoleezza Rice today, and a meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell tomorrow.

These documents are part of the case brief, and present Alexandros Giotopoulos recording the questions in public discussions on the issue. Questions concerning environmental consequences due to the construction of the airport, flight security, antennae, etc. The reason, however, for keeping these notes, and the possibility of an attack being planned against the airport or its facilities has not been clarified. Giotopoulos' attorney refuted the existence of such manuscripts, supporting that his client was

never present at any such discussion.

Meanwhile, Giannis Serifis' attorneys are expected to submit an appeal for his release today, supporting that there are no reasons for their client's temporary imprisonment. His attorney's point out that there are many witnesses insisting that the accuse d was never involved in terrorist activity.

The Minister of Development underlined that in order for the measure to be successful, the European Commission will process a proposal-report informing EU member-states on the difficulties of liberalizing the electricity and natural gas market, until 200 6.

He also added that Greece will be called to materialize this decision in view of the its Presidency of the EU.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos underlined that the Energy Ministers of the EU decided that by July 1, 2007, there must be legal discrimination between the transfer and distribution of electricity.

The research of Ekaterini Georgoudaki, Professor Emeritus in the Department of English Language and Literature at AUTh, approached this special poetic material, which is still relatively unknown in Greece as well as in the countries where the poets lived

or are living, with sensitivity. Focusing her research around two main thematic units, the experience of immigration and assimilation by the host country on the one hand, and a consciousness of Greek descent and cultural roots on the other, the author tr ies to make a sketch of the characteristics disposed by the post war generation of immigrants, through the eyes of the poets, and to point out all the factors - financial, social, political and cultural - that significantly contributed to the formation of

this special chapter of Greek poetry.

much better within the framework of the European Union, which provides significant rights and obligations for all Cypriots as well as for further goals.

Also, SAE took into account that:

The situation in Cyprus is unacceptable and its reunification is still the desired goal,

Any solution must respect UN resolutions and guarantee the safety of all Cypriots

Cyprus is one of the strongest candidates for accession, as regards to free market, human rights, democracy and the justice state

It guarantees the same indivisible values for human dignity (equal treatment), freedom (right to security, marriage and family), equality (right to security, culture, religion and language), solidarity (protection of workers' rights and social security),

civil rights (to elect and be elected), and justice (right to a fair trial).

Being a member state guarantees all Cypriots Republic citizens important legal, political, and human rights

Being a member of the EU will bear important benefits to all Cypriots (new financial opportunities, access to new markets, greater freedom for commercial transactions and services, etc.)

The US and the EU committed themselves to continuous cooperation and support of the efforts of the UN Security Council Secretary General to resolve the Cyprus issue taking all UN Security Council resolutions and international treaties into account

The Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot leadership began direct dialogues on January 16, 2002

The resolving of the Cyprus issue coincides with the values consecrated in the US Constitution, guaranteeing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

The US Senate expressed the same opinion through a resolution of its own

The President of SAE, representing 7 million Greeks worldwide, has supported this resolution

The participants of the 5th N&S America SAE Regional Conference unanimously voted that in SAE's opinion:

The present situation in Cyprus must end and the people of Cyprus must be reunited in a Federal Cyprus with two zones and two communities, fully observing UN Security Council resolutions and international treaties

Direct and intensive negotiations between the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot leadership, which began in January 2002, and continue on a regular basis, are especially welcome and encouraged, until a complete solution is achieved

Although a successful resolving of the Cyprus issue would greatly facilitate Cyprus' EU accession, if no solution is reached, Cyprus' accession could function as a catalyst for a solution being found, without it having to be a requirement for accession

The accession of the Cypriot Republic to the EU must be dynamically supported

All Cypriots must be encouraged to fervently support the efforts of the Cypriot Republic for accession

The various authorities and services of the US government should promote new initiatives which will help promote and achieve the reunification, reconciliation, stability and prosperity of Cyprus, as high priority issues, in order to support the efforts o f the UN and facilitate the resolving of the issue.

The main issues under discussion will be the strengthening of cooperation between the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament and the role of the Black Sea Bank in the cooperation in the wider region.

Furthermore, will be discussed the role of the new technologies, the social rehabilitation of the unemployed and the parliamentary prospect for the wider Europe. The plenary session proceedings will be opened by Greek Parliament President and head of BSE C Parliamentary Assembly Mr. Apostolos Kaklamanis.

In the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly will participate delegations from 11 countries. Specifically, Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldavia, Ukraine, Romania, Russia and Turkey.

The improvement of the EasyJet economic figures is attributed by the company's management to the increase in the number of its passengers, while the takeover of the Go Fly Ltd moves ahead with greater speed than expected.

Meanwhile, Sir Colin Chandler became Chairman of the airline today after the resignation of its Chairman and founder Mr. Stelios Haji-Ioannou.

For the record, the company's management had announced in October that it will proceed with the purchase of 120 Airbus passenger planes.

The general index dropped to -0.32% at 1.866,78 points, while the volume of transactions was at 82.4 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 146 recorded gains and 160 had losses, while the value of 69 stocks remained unchanged.

supplies decided are within the framework of the existing legislation.

He also pointed out that the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy was unable to substantiate its views and articulate a responsible political word concerning the Governmental Council on Foreign Affairs and Defense decisions.

He added that Turkey has to give a clear response to the UN Secretary General and the whole international community on whether it accepts the negotiations based on the Annan Plan.

He characterized the Turkish Foreign Minister's statements made in a telephone communication he had with his Greek counterpart as positive and optimistic for the launch of negotiations adding, however, that they were not statements of approval.

Commenting on the statement made yesterday by the Prime Minister, according to which Cyprus will be a member of the EU in 2004, Mr. Protopapas stated that it was a positive view by the Prime Minister. This view was based on the fact that nobody has a mor al or political right to question Cyprus' EU accession after the Brussels Summit.

Mr. Christodoulakis stated that to a certain degree the development of inflation can be explained because Greece has a very high growth rate and other countries, like Ireland and Holland, with a similar growth rate also have a higher inflation.

On the priorities of the Greek EU Presidency, the Finance Minister stressed that they will include small-medium sized businesses, the protection of the environment and the establishment of development conditions with more job positions.

Public Order Michalis Chrysochoidis, who represented Greece with Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou, made mention of an "imported" problem which is serious for Greece, and noted that it will be one of the Greek Presidency's priorities. Work Group

In statements after the completion of the works, Mr. Chrysochoidis announced the formation of an ad hoc work group with the participation of services from all implicated countries - a Greek initiative that brought on very positive comments from the Forei gn Office. A meeting of EU Ministers of Justice during the Greek Presidency was also announced, a meeting which will deal exclusively with efforts to eradicate organized crime in the Balkans.

According to the Turkish news agency, Mr. Papandreou asked for information on the meeting Mr. Yakis had with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Based on Anadolu, Mr. Papandreou will visit Turkey on December 4.

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