"The Prime Minister's first and foremost goal is that the Marbles be back before the 2004 Olympics", stated Government Spokesperson and Minister of the Press Christos Protopapas, in response to ND's criticism.

"Greeks fully comprehend that the three months between the elections and Olympics - with the interjection of Euroelections - will not suffice for this venture to be completed", he added.

"But, unfortunately, ND is once again scorning our national goals, shrinking them to the level of party interests", he concluded.

ND's criticism was also characterized as a tragic political mistake, if not a strike at the effort for the return of the Parthenon Marbles by Minister of Culture Evaggelos Venizelos, in statements he made this morning to "Flash" radio. He also wondered i f ND would prefer Cyprus not be incorporated to the EU, since there is always the chance that PASOK will use that to its electoral advantage. He also mentioned that the Greek and British PM had also communicated on the Marbles issue in letters.

"The fact that the issue of the return of the Parthenon Marbles is being discussed by the Greek and British PM - and not for the first time today - is very important in this issue and should be greeted by all Greeks, without a "party reflex", said Minist er of Culture in statements yesterday.

"The formal Greek position on the return of the Marbles, as I have repeatedly expressed it in Greece and abroad, aims at the formation of an exhibition of the entire sculpture decorating the Acropolis, with the signature of both the Acropolis and the Bri tish Museum", said Mr. Venizelos.

"As I have repeatedly stressed to the British Media, the British Prime Minister is the one who can provide a solution, overcoming traditional resistance and promoting a modern perception of his country on international cultural cooperation", he noted.

He accused it of being negative towards local government, while he underlined that ND's position, as it is underlined in the party's government plan, is a transition to a powerful local government, with rights and adequate funds. A powerful local governm ent, free of dependencies.

His tests were completed and the results were positive and Mr. Tsochatzopoulos was taken to a hospital room. The Minister felt a sharp pain in his right leg yesterday and was taken to the hospital where doctors diagnosed a thrombosis.

The Minister is expected to be released from hospital early next week.

He made the statement responding to a relevant question by reporters and reiterated that everybody should be very careful, the press included, when dealing with the issue.

Of the stocks trading today, 197 recorded gains and 99 had losses, while the value of 88 stocks remained unchanged.

Mr. Hitiris stated that Mr. Rousopoulos says that the Marbles should not come to Greece because the government could take advantage of such a development during the pre-election period. Mr. Hitiris said that the return of the Marbles is not being used fo r the governing party to win the next elections but in order for Greece to have a success in an effort that lasts for years. The elections are used as a time limit because the Olympic Games will take place almost immediately afterwards, said Mr. Hitiris.

Mr. Kaklamanis stated characteristically that developments on the issue of Iraq vindicated the international public opinion, which used its infallible judgement and brought down the simplistic scenario that was used as an alibi for arbitrary actions.

On the Middle East problem, he said that it follows a dangerous course, while on Cyprus, he stressed that the country's EU accession creates great prospects for its development.

The three-day conference is organized in Rhodes by the International Institute for Democracy in cooperation with the Greek Parliament. During its proceedings will be examined issues such as foreign policy in Eastern Mediterranean after the war in Iraq, t he contribution of parliamentary diplomacy to the promotion of peace and security in the region and the EU enlargement and its effects on Eastern Mediterranean.

According to Thessaloniki's Aristotle University seismology station, the epicenter of the tremor was located at the sea region, about 100 kilometers south of Kalamata and 500 kilometers south of the city of Thessaloniki.

Seismologist Zafiria Roumelioti stated to MPA that strong earthquakes like the one recorded today are a usual phenomenon in the region.

The earthquake was felt in the city of Kalamata and there are no reports of damages.

Mr. Simitis went into detail concerning the issue of European Defense, stating that the European Constitution includes a series of provisions pertaining to the issue. Specifically, he said, the gradual creation of a system for joint defense and mutual as sistance in case of an attack by a third country, the formation of a system of a structured cooperation (which will be responsible for the organizing of more complex missions than those of a humanitarian character) and the creation of a European Equipment

Service (to deal with research and the defense industry) was foreseen.

Mr. Simitis did not foresee any changes in the Cyprus issue prior to the elections in the occupied territories in December, while he expected pressures on Turkey in 2004.

Meanwhile, there was no further meeting between Mr. Blair and Mr. Simitis regarding the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece and the Prime Minister did not provide an answer to related questions.

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