On vote intention, ND concentrated 38.4% to PASOK's 30.4%. They were followed by KKE with 5.7%, the Coalition of the Left with 3.7%, LA.O.S with 2.2% and DIKKI with 2%.

In the company's previous poll held in March, the difference between ND and PASOK was at 6.5%.

To the question of who would win the elections were they to be held tomorrow, ND concentrated 62.5% and PASOK concentrated 21.9%.

Costas Simitis is still ahead as most suitable for the position of Prime Minister with 37.5% in contrast to Costas Karamanlis' 35.7%.

Regarding the date of the elections, 57.7% believe that elections should be held at the end of the 4-year term, while 35.1% want to vote now.

The Ministry decided to give no extension and the last day for submission of the required paperwork for residency in Greece was June 30.

Mr. Papandreou stressed that there are no spare members and that PASOK must escape the rationale of individual confrontation and concentrate on dealing with, dialogue on, and the discussion of real problems citizens face. "This is what people want, they want to see PASOK dealing with, bending over the everyday problems of the citizens and, all together, we must seriously deal with our reconnection with the society of the citizens, the society of problems, to bend over those problems", he said characteris tically. Furthermore, he noted that that the governing party has added to its recent history a very positive Presidency and he stated that very important work is taking place in all sectors.

Regarding Costas Laliotis, he pointed out that he is part of PASOK's history as well as of the struggles in its future.

Concerning the initiatives taken by the Prime Minister, Mr. Papandreou noted that every initiative carries with it a certain risk and everyone has a responsibility and stands before the Greek people and history. When asked if he knows about Costas Simiti s' initiatives, he said that he has regular meetings with the Prime Minister but that does not necessarily mean that he reveals all his thoughts to him: "We have had some discussions but not about details", he said characteristically.

Michalis Chrysochoidis is expected to be the only candidate for the position of Secretary of PASOK's Central Committee, and will therefore be running against blank and null votes.

As far as the European Commission is concerned, Mr. Lamy pointed out the obligation undertaken by Turkey to peacefully resolve any differences it may have with Greece, in the framework its EU candidacy, and he underlined that the Commission is carefully observing the situation, on which it is reserved in expressing a clear appreciation in its reports for 2003 and 2004, concerning the general progress of Turkey regarding its commitments.

On the side of the Council of Ministers, Presiding Foreign Minister of Italy, Mr. Fratini, appreciated that these incidents contradict the general improvement in Greek-Turkish relations after 1999, and that Turkey should make every effort possible in ord er to resolve these differences peacefully, in accordance with the Helsinki findings, based on which the European Council will assess the situation in the region and its consequences on Turkey's accessional progress before the end of 2004.

In that framework, the Prime Minister announced the candidacy of Michalis Chrysochoidis for the position of Secretary of the Central Committee. He appreciated that Mr. Chrysochoidis will respond to his new mission and will mobilize all the powers of PASO K so that he sends the message of hard work. Regarding Costas Laliotis he said that it was his own decision not to participate in the government, and stressed that he has always had a friendly relationship with him and appreciated that this relationship w ill continue in the future.

He attributed the scandal-mongering and the para-politics that have developed lately to an attack on PASOK due to the good impression created by its work, as he said, and to the inability of the opposition parties to make their voices heard. Giving PASOK 's mark he stressed that no background direction is allowed and he underlined that the government is not afraid and will not accept dependence and guidance.

Mr. Simitis launched a harsh attack against New Democracy and accused it of public cynicism and exploiting issues concerning the morals of the political world in order to hurt the government. He made mention of a party directed by families, with individu als that were tried and disapproved by the Greek people during the 1990-1993 period, to which he attributed the country's dead ends. However, he made it clear that the government will not stand for shady dealings, corruption and scorning of political mora lity.

Mr. Simitis made insinuations against certain individuals within PASOK, expressing his sorrow, because, as he said, they were quick and easy in ascertaining that the Greek Presidency failed. However, he stressed that the Presidency was recorded as especi ally successful and made it clear that foreign policy has nothing to do with matters for interior consumption and populism.

As far as changes of individuals within PASOK are concerned, he noted that renewal is necessary and that the time has come for courageous decisions to be made with no hesitation, as citizens get used to seeing the same people. In that framework he appeal ed for the consolidation, cooperation, unity and hard work of each one from his position in order to achieve the goal of a new victory for PASOK in the elections.

Designating PASOK's four basic orientations on the immediate future, he stressed that they are the promotion of the government's work to the citizens, the party's program, strengthening the officials in the party and arranging the party's forces in guidi ng this struggle.

At that point he announced that in September the PASOK charter on Greece's real social cohesion with EU countries, mainly on the social level, will be presented. This charter's goal is to increase income and decrease living costs. At the same time he str essed that 2004 will be a decisive time for Greek national issues and especially on resolving of the Cyprus issue and the continental reef issue.

Costas Laliotis referred to unity, consolidation and PASOK's prospects so in holding a winning battle in the elections of Spring 2004, which will open a new historic cycle.

He stated that he will remain a parliament deputy until the 2004 elections but he will not run in the next parliamentary elections.

Mr. Laliotis stated that he will not be the one to ignite conflicts and create dead ends within PASOK and expressed the hope that his resignation will be the cause for fair wind to blow for PASOK on its way to a new victory. He also stressed that he will

be always present in the frontline because he wants to serve values and not posts.

He made a detailed assessment of his presence in the party and the government, pointing out that during his personal course he had always tried to offer a new faith and self-confidence concerning PASOK's capability for victory.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis' close associates stated that a government reshuffle is expected to take place on Monday. However, such announcements are likely to be made earlier as a result of Mr. Chrisochoidis' resignation from Minister of Pu blic Order after his election to the post of PASOK's Central Committee Secretary.

A total of 177 Central Committee members cast their ballots, among them, 50 blank and 9 spoilt. Kostas Laliotis did not vote because he had resigned earlier from the Central Committee.

Of the stocks trading today, 134 recorded gains and 187 had losses, while the value of 55 stocks remained unchanged.

The above were mentioned by European Commissioner Michel Barnier, responsible for regional policy issues, responding to a question filed by Greek right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy Euro-deputies Yiannis Marinos and Stavros Xarhakos.

He made special references to his predecessors Akis Tsochatzopoulos, Kostas Skandalidis and Kostas Laliotis and thanked the members of the Central Committee for their trust in him, pledging to work tirelessly to meet the expectations expressed by PASOK.

Mr. Chrisochoidis made extensive references to the work of the governments of PASOK and spoke about the contribution of Andreas Papandreou and Kostas Simitis, both to the party of PASOK and Greece.

Referring to the presence of the right in Greece, he said that it wants people to forget and at that point, he stressed that PASOK's role is to face this threat.

Panos Koukoulopoulos got most of the votes (111), while Giorgos Daskalakis got 43 votes and was left outside the Executive Bureau. The new Executive Bureau is made up of Apostolos Kaklamanis, Chrisa Arapoglou, Kostas Gitonas, Fofi Genimata, Dimitris Than os, Yiannis Koutsoukos, Milena Apostolaki, Antonis Kotsakas, Tonia Antoniou and Giorgos Panagiotakopoulos.

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