mass media to condemn this action publicly. This year is the 60th anniversary of the dislodging and elimination of 50,000 Jews in nazi crematories.

According to information, the 64-year-old is referred to in Stasi files with the codename "Andrew", and has already been taken to the building of the General Police Direction of Attica (GADA), where he is being questioned. Nevertheless, in statements yes terday, Mr. Tsigaridis supported that he has nothing to do with ELA.

Another suspect is expected at GADA within the next few hours, with the codename "Nicholas".

Arrests in the ELA case are also expected in Thessaloniki within the next few days. According to information published in today's "Aggelioforos", the names of three members of the organization from Thessaloniki were made known from Stasi files, and signi ficant incriminating evidence has been concentrated against them. Information mentioned that the suspects are a married couple and one more person, Thessaloniki residents who were active in the terrorist organization until 1995, when it was disbanded.

It should be noted that ELA carried out its first terrorist strike in Thessaloniki in 1977 and had taken responsibility for more than 10 attacks on IRS offices, police directions, the court house and other targets by 1990.

Meanwhile, the three first suspects to be arrested in connection to ELA, Irene Athanasaki, Aggelatos Kanas and Kostas Agapiou, will begin testifying successively tomorrow from 9am to 2pm. All three face criminal charges of accession to and participating in a terrorist organization.

Metropolite Chrysostomos pointed out that all Metropolites and Patriarchs have fallen victims to blackmail and called them to testify so that their position is not deemed suspicious. He also referred to Archbishop Christodoulos, noting that on his trip t o Russia he was accompanied by Grigoris Michalopoulos. Concerning Dionysis Makris, he stated that Mr. Makris had asked him for 3 million drachmas (app. 8800 euro) for a paper he was about to publish, while about Zisimos Tsoukalas he said that in 1994 he h ad been caught with marked bank notes on a similar case. In fact, he mentioned that the Archbishop's office hired Giorgos Vassiliou, a partner of Michalopoulos and Makris.

In reference to his statement to the DA, the Zachynthos Metropolite noted that the four hours his testimony lasted were not enough to describe the dismal picture of the Church in Greece. At the same time he made it clear that these facts do not mean that

the priests are guilty, and asked for a cleansing in the journalistic sector.

Ecclesiastic editor Dionysis Makris responded to the Metropolite's comments, with statements to NET television. Mr. Makris attributed the accusations to criticism against the Metropolite in a magazine, concerning statements he made on premarital relation s as well as how he acted in the hierarchy. He characteristically stated that the Metropolite in question has confused criticism with blackmail, he made it clear that he never asked for money and noted that everything said was slanderous and completely fa lse. He also stated that he had meetings with the Metropolite when he was a representative of the Archbishopric, in the framework of his cooperation with journalists. Mr. Makris also stated that he was surprised to find his name involved in the blackmail case and mentioned that as soon as he sees the specific evidence there will be reactions through his attorney.

Results in the case are expected at the end of the week, while DA D. Papaggelopoulos is evaluating the evidence in the testimonies and is prepared to call specific Metropolites who seem to have been blackmailed.

Syria, Jordan and Lebanon favor a political solution to the crisis in Iraq and decided to form a committee of envoys that will attempt to visit Baghdad in an effort to persuade Saddam Hussein to comply with the UN resolutions.

After his visit to New York, Mr. Papandreou is likely to visit Egypt. Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia is expected to visit Athens within the next few days. The contacts are placed within the framework of the consultations between Middle E ast leaders and the European Union aimed at easing the tension with Iraq.

The European Commissioner met in Athens today with Greek Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and discussed issues concerning the course of the European economy.

Mr. Karamanlis will meet with EPP President Wilfred Martens, European Commissioner Pedro Solbes, responsible for Economic and Monetary Affairs and New Democracy Euro-deputies.

Meanwhile, press information mentions that Mrs. Angelopoulou expressed discontent during yesterday's ministerial committee meeting concerning the committee decision for cost and budget coordination in the Olympic Games preparations.

The meeting of the Prime Minister with Mrs. Angelopoulou will take place tomorrow.

Greek fighter jets rushed on the scene and intercepted the Turkish aircraft. For the record, the Greek airspace violations by Turkish aircraft have increased notably during the past few weeks.

Of the stocks trading today, 72 recorded gains and 241 had losses, while the value of 65 stocks remained unchanged.

Mr. Simitis had the opportunity to point out to his counterparts from Britain, Portugal and Italy that their stance concerning the declaration of the "8" did not contribute to the good picture of the European Union and had a negative effect on the common

EU stance which is necessary in crucial issues, like Iraq.

The government spokesman reminded the contacts the Prime Minister's diplomatic adviser Mr. Sotiropoulos had last Friday with his European counterparts concerning the declaration of the "8". They had expressed to him the position according to which, they support the EU General Affairs Council decision and had no intention to cause problems to the EU image by expressing solidarity to the United States.

Mrs. Aksit is expected in Athens this evening and tomorrow the two ministers will sign a protocol of cooperation and make statements to the press.

Following his meeting with his Jordanian counterpart in Amman, the second stop of his Middle Eastern tour, Mr. Papandreou called Saddam Hussein to fully cooperate with the international community and comply with the Security Council resolution.

"If the Iraqi leader complies, then we can talk about a diplomatic success", stressed Mr. Papandreou, who made mention of a plan to respond to the consequences of a war but insisted that "for the time being diplomatic efforts are our priority".

Meanwhile, the Americans would welcome a change in Saddam's position and his compliance to UN resolutions, although such a possibility is not considered likely, appreciated Mr. Papandreou after a telephone communication with US Secretary of State Collin Powel, whom he informed on his tour of the Middle East as President of the European Council.

During his contacts, the Foreign Minister has also discussed the Middle Eastern issue - as well as the possible connection of the issue to the crisis in Iraq - and he stated that a dialogue on the application on the "road map", which will lead to two ind ependent peaceful states by 2005, must begin.

Mr. Papandreou said that that the Arab world must be mobilised in order to convey that message to Iraq. "There was a sense of resignation, but we have to stress the need to be active and take initiatives", he said.

The European Council President and the Lebanese officials (Lebanon currently holds the Arab League Presidency) referred to the likelihood of cooperation between the EU and the Arab world. Mr. Papandreou said on the Iraqi issue that "we will see after Feb ruary 15th, when the ministerial meeting of the Arab League will take place, the ways of coordinating our efforts".

Moreover, he pointed out that the EU is discussing the possibility of backing the Arab envoys whose visit to Iraq is being considered.

Mr. Papandreou expressed the EU's commitment to promote the peace process in the Middle East and stressed the need for an open dialogue amongst the Arab world and the European Union, in order to enhance political and economic cooperation. "Europe is here

for the Arab world", the Greek Foreign Minister characteristically said.

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