the latest developments in Cyprus.

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis made the above statements while briefing the Parliament on the negotiations in Lucerne today.

On the final text of the Annan Plan, he said that it is the product of compromise and as such it includes both positive and hard points for all sides, adding that it needs to be studied very carefully. He also said that the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish

Cypriots are going to make their choice in two separate referendums.

Mr. Karamanlis stated that the goal is the reunification of Cyprus for every Cypriot to be able to enjoy the benefits of the European Union.

He underlined the need for national unity and national strategy and added that the government and himself personally are ready to brief the political parties whenever is necessary. He said that information and dialogue are a precondition and the governme nt kept the President of the Republic, the political party leaders and former Prime Ministers Konstantinos Mitsotakis and Kostas Simitis updated on the developments.

Mr. Karamanlis repeated that the government will back the efforts of the Cypriot leadership for a viable and functional solution in Cyprus.

The Prime Minister insisted on the issue of the Geek-Turkish relations and reminded the meetings he had with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stressing that during those talks the sincere will to work for the improvement and the strengthenin g of bilateral relations was reiterated.

The Prime Minister also pointed out that he followed the binding framework of the February 13 agreement in New York and referred to the developments in Lucerne.

Mr. Papandreou also called for the activation of the National Council of Foreign Policy, the constitutionally established body, which has already operated in the past few months during the detailed discussion on the issue of the Annan Plan and the prospe cts for a solution in Cyprus.

The President of PASOK criticized the government and stated that he expected a more meaningful negotiation during the talks in Lucerne, adding that Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis contacted the political parties and briefed them on the developments af ter the completion of the negotiations. Mr. Papandreou also criticized the government for its positions, according to which the decisions are made by Cyprus and Greece backs them.

Mr. Papandreou stressed that Greece has a viewpoint and must tell the truth. He suggested calm and poise and underlined that all aspects of the Annan Plan need to be examined taking under consideration the common future of the Greek Cypriot and the Turki sh Cypriot people, as well as the negative consequences in the case problem is not solved.

He defended the policy followed by the Simitis government on the Cyprus issue and underlined that his party will express its view with determination without considering political cost.

Mrs. Papariga characterized as positive the fact that the procedure in Lucerne at least was not completed with the signatures of the Greek government and the Cypriot political parties under the Annan Plan text. She also stated that regardless of the outc ome of the referendums in Cyprus the Greek Communist Party will stand by the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots with all its powers.

Mrs. Papariga stated that the Communist Party will express its opinion clearly, adding that if a solution is unfair and risky it is not important if it will be a viable one. She stated that the Communist Party wants a fair and viable solution within a ba lanced framework taking under consideration the current conditions.

The Communist Party General Secretary stated that the Lucerne procedure was nothing new and pointed out that the Cyprus issue was buried years ago. He blamed both PASOK and New Democracy because they did not raise a critical voice when they were in gover nment or as the opposition.

Mrs. Papariga stressed that two events contributed to the de-internationalization of the Cyprus problem saying characteristically that in the G-8 meeting in 1999 it was decided that the Cyprus problem is a problem that concerns only two sides. This way, said Mrs. Papariga, the framework was created for a settlement like the Annan Plan, while today's developments were in essence launched in Helsinki in 1999.

Mr. Konstantopoulos expressed concern on the issue and stated that he will participate in the Political Party Leaders' Council meeting under the President of the Republic.

He said that the Coalition of the Radical Left Party had predicted that there were going to be pressures exerted on the Greek and the Greek Cypriot sides and stated that mistakes were made in New York because the benefits offered by the prospect of Cypru s' EU accession were overrated.

Mr. Konstantopoulos underlined that these are historic moments and added that today's developments will be considered taking under consideration that for the past 30 years there is a de facto partition of the island as a result of the invasion and occupa tion and the presence of the Turkish forces on the northern part of Cyprus.

Mr. Karamanlis responded positively to the request made by PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou to activate the National Council of Foreign Policy and stressed that this is self-evident given the fact that New Democracy had backed its activation.

Addressing the leader of opposition party of PASOK, he stated that he has not only the right but the obligation to criticize the government, however, when this happens during crucial negotiations and when the Prime Minister is abroad, like in Lucerne, it

does not help.

Responding to criticism that the government avoids to assume the political cost, he stated characteristically that if he had calculated political cost he would not be present in the negotiations.

He added that the government avoided making many statements in Lucerne and he made a statement at the end that reflected the real picture.

Mr. Karamanlis also reiterated that he regards as very important the Political Party Leaders' Council meeting chaired by the President of the Republic.

Of the stocks trading today, 147 had gains and 141 had losses, while the value of 108 stocks remained unchanged.

The constantly increasing cigarette consumption by the estimated 4 million smokers is reflected by the turnover increase recorded in the five Greek tobacco industries, which recorded an increase of 18% in 2002 reaching 437 million euros.

Regarding the identity of the traffic accident victims in Greece, 6 out of 10 are car drivers, while 1 out of 3 are pedestrians or bicyclists. Greece has the highest mortality rate in traffic accidents and most victims are young males aged 15-24.

For the record, a total of 160 billion euros are spent in the European Union to deal with the consequences of traffic accidents.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Giorgos Iakovou speaking to "Mega" television station denied the rumors and stressed that such allegations are completely unfounded.

According to the television station, a close associate of the Cypriot President has also denied the rumors.

The Greek government denied the rumors as well and government sources pointed out that there is no information or indication suggesting that President Papadopoulos has resigned.

PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou, who had a telephone communication earlier with President Papadopoulos, stated that he has no such information.

According to the news report, Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos had suggested to Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state Foreign Minister Serdar Denktash on March 30 to walk out of the talks in Lucerne together.

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