Today, Thessaloniki high school and university students that are still staying out of class, are expected to star in today's antiwar protests with their slogans against the US, the British and NATO. Their demands are that Greece disengages from the war b y ending any direct or indirect facilitations to US and British military forces.

Aristotle University will remain closed from 12 noon to 15:00, buses will stop running after 21:00, while commercial stores will also be closed from 12 noon to 15:00, after a decision of the National Confederation of Greek Trade, in protest to the war.

At 12 noon, students, workers and professionals will join their voices at the antiwar-strike rally at the statue of Venizelos. They will then march to the US Consulate and the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace. Participants in the protest include the Workers'

Center of Thessaloniki, the Panhellenic Workers' Front, the Union of Civil Servants' Organizations, university student clubs, "Action: Thessaloniki 2003", the Greek Social forum, Initiative Action Thessaloniki 2003, and the Committee for International Di sarmament and Peace. Finally, the Workers' Center of Thessaloniki has declared a 24-hour strike for today.

A three-hour walkout has been declared in all printed and electronic media, which will also commence at 12 noon, by the Panhellenic Federation of Editors' Unions. The walkout is being held in protest to the war in Iraq, so that journalists have a chance to participate in the antiwar rallies. Journalists covering the war and the protest events are exempt from the walkout.

Specifically, activity at the Souda base has been especially increased, where the US flying tankers for in-flight refueling of bombers coming through Greek FIR towards Iraq, are stationed. The Navy is patrolling the sea off the naval base, while an air d efense system consisting of Patriot missiles, one radar, a control system and four launchers is being transferred to Crete after a Defense Ministry decision.

He stated characteristically that "we realize that Europe is not what the citizen wants it to be but we will try to keep open the prospect for the strengthening of its role".

The protesters threw red paint, rocks, eggs and bottles against the police officers deployed in front of the consulate's entrance.

Strong security forces took up positions opposite to the protesters and the march was interrupted.

They also reached a common position on the economic implications of the war in Iraq.

Their statement has as follows: "We, the EU Ministers of Economy and Finance, the President of the ECB and the Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs reviewed the global economic situation. We will monitor economic developments and financial markets closely and stand ready to co-operate and act as necessary. The Stability and Growth Pact provides a robust and flexible framework within which any additional strains on public finances will be addressed. The ECB also stands ready to act if necessary. We will meet again and review the situation in two weeks' time".

Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority of 317 recorded gains and only 27 had losses, while the value of 39 stocks remained unchanged.

Incidents were recorded during the peace march as well. Police clashed with a group of hooded protesters. An individual was slightly injured and was taken to a nearby hospital. Unidentified individuals set a garbage bin on fire, while another group of pr otesters with their faces covered attacked a state-run television station ERT auxiliary studio in the center of Athens.

The EU hopes that these declarations will lead to a sustained cessation of hostilities and peace talks.

The EU extends its appreciation of the work of the Acholi religious and traditional leaders in helping to create the conditions for a ceasefire.

The EU calls on all parties to seize this opportunity to make progress through dialogue and help bring an end to this 16-year conflict.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Associated Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this declaration.

The Undersecretary of Press stated that the European Union should preserve its unity and prospects and have a single and strong voice strengthening its political entity and its capability to intervene in international developments.

Mr. Hitiris stated that Europe must overcome its weaknesses in a decisive way in order to play its role in the near future which is important both for itself and the international situation.

The German Consul General stated that the decision to resort to weapons was a mistake.

The Russian Consul General underlined that hostilities violate the international law principles and pointed out that the UN was the first victim of the war. He said that the United States should not act based on the principle that the stronger has always

right because based on this logic no country can feel safe. He also said that the unilateral decision by the US to use force leads to the division of the international community with negative consequences on security and economy.

The French Consul General pointed out that his country did everything it could to avert this war both at a UN Security Council and an EU level. He said that France and the rest UN Security Council members had evidence coming from the UN weapons inspector s showing that the Iraqi authorities had begun cooperating.

Regarding the EU, he said that it has suffered an "earthquake" but the European structure is built on strong foundations.

The German Consul General agreed, stressing that the European Union is strong enough to overcome this crisis and continue its work adopting a common line and voice.

The French diplomat referred to the humanitarian aid to be offered by the EU to Iraq after the end of the war, pointing out that the EU will play an important role in this field.

The Prime Minister and the President of the European Council Costas Simitis underlined that the member-state leaders realized it would be futile to try and come to a common agreement on Iraq, and thus decided to turn to the future.

"The EU had to give a message, that in view of this difficult situation it is continuing its efforts, still overcoming differences, it is still looking for a path of cooperation and solidarity, that we are present and will continue to be present", stated

Mr. Simitis.

The joint statement read by the Prime Minister is as follows:

"With the beginning of the military conflict, we are faced with a new situation. Our hope is that the conflict will end with the minimum loss of human life and suffering. Our common challenges are: As regards Iraq: - The EU is committed to the territorial integrity, the sovereignty, the political stability and the full and effective disarmament of Iraq in all its territory, as well as to the respect for the rights of the Iraqi people, including all persons belonging

to minorities. - We believe that the UN must continue to play a central role during and after the current crisis. The UN system has a unique capacity and practical experience in coordinating assistance in post-conflict States. The Security Council should give the United

Nations a strong mandate for this mission. - We urgently need to address the major humanitarian needs that will arise from the conflict. The EU is committed to be actively involved in this field, in accordance with established principles. We support the UN Secretary General's proposal that the hum anitarian needs of the Iraqi people can continue to be met through the "Oil for Food" programme. - We want to effectively contribute to the conditions allowing all Iraqis to live in freedom, dignity and prosperity under a representative government that will be at peace with its neighbours and an active member of the international community. The Counc il invites the Commission and the High Representative to explore the means by which the EU might help the Iraqi people to achieve these objectives. On the regional front: - We express solidarity with and stand ready to assist those countries that are faced with problems and risks as a result of the conflict, including possible refugee flows. The EU will actively engage in supporting regional stability. - We call on all countries of the region to refrain from actions that could lead to further instability. - The countries of the region have also a particular responsibility to prevent acts terrorism. - We will continue to work actively towards the reinvigoration of the Middle East Peace Process through the immediate publication and implementation of the roadmap as endorsed by the Quartet. - We will deepen our dialogue and cooperation in all fields with the Arab and the Islamic worlds. We hope that it will soon be possible to use the considerable opportunities offered by the Barcelona Process to good account. In the international field: - We reiterate our commitment to the fundamental role of the United Nations in the international system and to the primary responsibility of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and stability. - We are determined to strengthen the capacity of the European Union in the context of the CFSP and the ESDP. - We remain convinced that we need to strengthen the transatlantic partnership, which remains a fundamental strategic priority for the European Union; to this effect, a sustained dialogue on the new regional and global challenges is necessary. - We will continue to contribute to the further strengthening of the international coalition against terrorism. - We will also intensify work for a comprehensive, coherent and effective multilateral policy of the international community to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The above objectives are interrelated and complementary. They should be pursued in parallel, through coordinated action of all main international players. In this spirit, the restoration of the unity of the international community is an absolute imperativ e."

The two Foreign Ministers discussed the crisis in Iraq.

The taskforce will be made up of a small number of high-level experts and should be in a position to reflect the views of all the social partners.

The Spring European Council has nominated former Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok as President of the European Employment Taskforce.

In the bombardment of Baghdad participate B52 bombers.

Saddam Hussein's palaces and big government buildings have been hit by the bombs of the US and British aircraft and the southwestern part of Baghdad received the heaviest blow.

The operation has the code-name "Big Blast", according to a British military source. The US television network CNN mentioned that an estimated 3.000 Tomahawk missiles will hit Baghdad in the next two days.

The US Pentagon announced that today is the "A-Day", the beginning of large scale attack on Iraq.

Mr. Simitis, who is presiding over the European Union's summit in Brussels, reiterated the existence of disagreement in the EU concerning the crisis in Iraq, stressing, however, that since the war has started it is the duty of the EU to look to the futur e.

Speaking to the press at the end of the second day of the summit, Mr. Simitis said that the first and foremost role of the EU is the maintenance of the territorial integrity of Iraq after the end of the military conflict and noted that Turkey also agre es with this priority, according to statements Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul made in Brussels today.

The second basic priority of the EU, he said, is the confrontation of humanitarian needs that will arise, especially if there are waves of refugees.

The third priority, he said, is the maintenance of balance in the wider region.

The Prime Minister also underlined the central role the United Nations should play from now on, while stressing the importance of inter-Atlantic relations, the continuation of dialogue between the U.S. and Europe and the development of peace process in

the Middle East.

In light of the Iraq issue, Mr. Simitis noted once again the necessity for the strengthening of the EU common foreign policy and the policy of security and defence, which, he said, is still under formulation and has not taken its final form.

Speaking on this issue, Mr. Simitis insinuated that Greece stands for the strengthening of cooperation on defence issues of all those member-states that wish this, noting that the same is already happening, especially concerning the Economic and Moneta ry Union and the single currency.

Finally, the Prime Minister stressed that, concerning the Iraq issue, all the representatives of the candidate member-states stated their full agreement on the decisions taken by the EU.

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