His name is Anestis Papanastasiou and he is a permanent resident of Thessaloniki for the past few years. According to information, he is a foreign bank employee and comes from Houmniko village in the prefecture of Serres.

Based on information, his fingerprints were discovered in a 17N hideout and he was in close cooperation with his cousin, two of the Xiros brothers and Dionisis Georgiadis.

The 40yearold man is expected to be transferred to Athens in the next few hours to be questioned by the police.

According to information, he is a psychiatrist around the age of 55.

According to the European Statistics Agency, Eurostat, the GDP of the Euro-zone members increased by 0.8% in the third trimester of 2002 compared to the same period in 2001. The growth rate was at 0.3% compared to the second trimester.

On the 12 Euro-zone member states list, Greece is followed by Spain (1.8%) and Austria (1.2%). Among the 15 EU members, Greece is followed by Finland (2.2%), Britain and Sweden (2.1%).

Mr. Simitis was briefed by all government ministers on issues falling under their responsibility with regard to the Greek EU Presidency. He also referred to the case of Kurdish PKK leader Abdulah Ocalan illegal entry in Greece, stating that the trial tha t will take place has a political and social interest and should move ahead for the truth to come out.

Mr. Simitis called on the government ministers to be ready to give answers on every issue, small or big. He also stated that the members of the government should tour the country to brief the citizens on the government work.

The Prime Minister also launched an attack on the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy accusing it of having no program.

Of the stocks trading today, 89 recorded gains and 218 had losses, while the value of 73 stocks remained unchanged.

He is a cousin of Nikos Papanastasiou, who is regarded as a leading 17N member with the code-name "Nikitas". Nikos Papanastasiou together with Alexandros Giotopoulos, who is regarded as the group's mastermind, are the only ones who reject any participati on in the terrorist group. No reference has been made on him in the testimonies taken so far by the arrested terrorist organization members. However, his fingerprint was discovered on two documents found in the group's Patmos Street hideout in Athens.

The wife of Anestis Papanastasiou was questioned by the police in Thessaloniki, while an investigation is underway in three houses.

According to information, another individual is expected to be arrested soon. Allegedly had some form of cooperation with the 17N, and participated in Revolutionary Popular Struggle (ELA) actions. There is conflicting information on whether there will be

any arrests of women terrorist group members, while there is information according to which, arrests of individuals linked to ELA, 1 May and Revolutionary Nuclei, are imminent.

The curtain will be raised for the Greek EU Presidency this evening with a concert performed by the European Union Youth Orchestra at the Megaron Music Hall followed by a formal reception given by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in honor of the European Co mmission.

Mr. Simitis will meet with Mr. Prodi tomorrow at 10am followed by a joint meeting of the Greek cabinet members with the members of the European Commission in which Mr. Simitis will present the priorities of the Greek EU Presidency. After the meeting, a j oint press conference will be given by Mr. Simitis and Mr. Prodi in Zappion Megaron Building.

A formal lunch will be given in honor of the European Commission and the Greek cabinet. The European Commission members will have separate meetings with cabinet members in the afternoon on issues falling under their responsibility.

However, the activities of the Greek EU Presidency have started since January 1 with a series of interviews of the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the deputy Foreign Minister with the domestic and foreign press. Also, a number of interventions h ave been undertaken on international issues like Sudan, North Korea and the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou had separate meetings with his colleagues in the government to coordinate the activities of the Greek EU Presidency. He also had a working meeting with Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis with an emphasis on the Thessaloniki Summit meeting and the "parallel events" that will take place in northern Greece during the Greek EU Presidency.

According to statements made by the two ministers, the Greek EU Presidency intends to facilitate the Society of the Citizens and the non-governmental organizations representatives, who will protest in Thessaloniki.

Mr. Papandreou stated that Thessaloniki will be a hospitable city for those who want to protest and present their views expressing the wish that they will respect this very open hospitality. However, no details were given on the exact place where the Sum mit meeting will be held in Chalkidiki. Announcements on the issue are expected to be made in the next few days.

"Turkey is a big European power since the 16th century and the Ottoman Empire played a role in the creation of the Europe of today", stated Mr. Simitis.

Regarding the political developments in Turkey, Mr. Simitis stated that after the November elections the country has entered a decision-making phase. He said that for the majority of the Turkish people it is clear that democratization and economic stabil ity are necessary elements for the country's reform. The Greek Prime Minister added that for those goals to be met there must be a clash between the country's political-military and economic regimes.

Mr. Simitis stated that the new government in Turkey has an interest in the implementation of the European "rules of the game" to avert the risk of being overthrown.

He said that the 2004 rendezvous with Ankara should not take place earlier because the political world in Turkey should have the time to realize that there is a need to implement the European standards.

Responding to the question if he is optimistic regarding a likely solution in Cyprus by February 28 (the UN deadline), the Greek Prime Minister underlined that all parties and especially, the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots, should make a big eff ort to take advantage of the existing momentum.

Regarding the likelihood for the European Union to reach a common position toward the crisis in Iraq, Mr. Simitis responded that this is absolutely feasible because at the moment four EU countries are members of the UN Security Council.

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