Based on the existing evidence, the explosions are not linked to the Olympic preparations, said government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos, who also referred to the cooperation of the Greek authorities with the United States, NATO and the European Union s tating that they have planned a security system that guarantees the safety of the Olympic Games.

The International Olympic Committee spokesperson also stated that the explosions were not linked to the Olympic Games preparations.

The region had been evacuated after an anonymous telephone call to an Athens newspaper.

So far, nobody has claimed responsibility, while the news has traveled around the world through the extensive coverage given by the international mass media.

Mr. Karamanlis also stated that his government will continue with the materialization of the positive measures for the social and economic integration of the Albanian economic immigrants living in Greece.

The Albanian Prime Minister speaking to reporters expressed satisfaction for Greece's support to the efforts of his country to have the procedures for Albania's Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU launched in early 2005 and also set a cle ar timetable for Albania's NATO membership in the alliance's Summit meeting to be held in Istanbul in June.

Mr. Nano stated that the fact that two of its neighboring countries, Greece and Italy, are members of the European Union is a guarantee for Albania.

Addressing the Albanians living in Greece, Mr. Nano briefed them on the commitment undertaken by Mr. Karamanlis regarding the adoption of measures aimed at legalizing their stay and stated that the Greek minority in Albania will participate in all the ph ases of the EU accession procedure.

The investigation continues and according to the Ministry of Public Order, police authorities are prepared to face any similar incident.

The three explosions that were recorded in the early morning hours caused material damage and no organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Ministry of Public Order points out that it is an isolated incident and there is no indication, whatsoever, linking it to the Olympic Games.

According to information, two of the officers were killed and three were injured.

On his part, Mr. Papandreou stated that it appears that the government is changing its stance and expressed the hope for a solution to the problem between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Greece.

Mr. Papandreou also referred to the visit of the Turkish Prime Minister to Greece, stressing that PASOK is in favor of the Greek-Turkish friendship and Turkey's European course. He also added that PASOK has made great efforts to free the Ecumenical Patri archate from the restrictions imposed by various laws, which had been imposed historically.

Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Parliament President Mrs. Anna Psarouda-Benaki and PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou.

Mr. Erdogan will be in Athens on Thursday and Friday and on Saturday morning will be in the city of Komotini in Thrace, northeastern Greece. There, Mr. Erdogan will be welcomed by Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Nikos Tsiartsionis and Deputy Foreign Ministe r Evripidis Stilianidis.

The visit to Komotini has been characterized as "private" by both governments but PASOK has expressed objections on the visit's character. PASOK has called on the government to announce with whom Mr. Erdogan will meet in Komotini and criticized the gover nment for its policy toward Turkey.

On its part, the government has made it clear that it has no reason to reject a private visit to Thrace by Mr. Erdogan, while Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Mr. Koumoutsakos stated that there is not an issue of a visit by Mr. Karamanlis to the islands of Imvros and Tenedos.

In Komotini, Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Mr. Tsiartsionis will give a formal lunch in honor of Mr. Erdogan who will have meetings with representatives of the Muslim minority in the Turkish Consulate.

Meanwhile, consultations are underway in the Foreign Ministry to avert any provocation during Mr. Erdogan's visit to Thrace.

The Prime Minister of Turkey will depart on Saturday afternoon by car and will enter his country via the border crossing of Kipi in the prefecture of Evros, northeastern Greece.

Mr. Rousopoulos pointed out that the issue was not on the agenda of bilateral relations and added that in pursuance of article 17 of the 1996 Friendship Treaty it was decided that consultations at agencies' level be launched to examine the course of the specific Treaty.

Of the stocks trading today, 46 had gains and 261 had losses, while the value of 76 stocks remained unchanged.

Regarding the Olympic Games, he pointed out that the Greek authorities in cooperation with the relevant European, US and NATO authorities have designed a security system which guarantees the safety of the Athens Olympic Games.

"Today's incident is dealt with all seriousness and proper attention from the law enforcement authorities of the country. Investigations are currently underway. Up to now, after evaluating carefully all data becomes clear that this incident originates in to domestic extremist groups, without any special capabilities and perspective. Isolated actions like this one are not related to the Olympic Games and certainly, they are not capable, in any way, to affect their taking place here in Athens in a secure en vironment".

Mr. Papandreou stated that he wanted to confirm for one more time that the Greek authorities take all necessary measures to guarantee security during the Olympics. He said that not only the Olympic Games will be secure but Greece is among the safest coun tries in the region, the EU and the world.

He said that this game has been played many times by the same mechanisms and the same circles, which want to exert pressures on the country, adding that once again their efforts will fail.

The tragic accident happened when an armored personnel carrier veered off course and crashed on a construction, which collapsed. The officers were attending a training class when the accident happened and they were buried under the rubble.

According to information, the engine of the armored vehicle stopped working and its driver was unable to control it.