The heating oil price is higher than 46 cents per litre in spite of the fact that starting today it will be sold with a reduced consumer tax. According to market specialists, the price of heating oil could, in certain cases, be higher than 50 cents per l itre.

Those prices compared to last year's are increased by at least 40% because of the oil price hikes recorded in international markets reaching 55 US dollars a barrel.

The commitment that self-restraint will be sought to avoid placing an excessive burden on consumers was undertaken by market representatives in response to the continuous calls by the Ministry of Development.

According to Athens radio station "Flash", the two prosecutors also proposed the indictment of KAT Hospital doctors and the two eyewitnesses of the alleged motorcycle accident of August 13.

The findings of the two prosecutors have been submitted to prosecutor Papangelopoulos who will decide whether indictments will be launched.

Greece's election was almost unanimous given the fact that it received 187 votes out of 189.

Greek Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis stated that this happened for the first time in the past 52 years and is a special honor for the country.

The Greek Foreign Minister's statement has as follows: "Today, the United Nations General Assembly elected - almost unanimously - Greece as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for 2005-2006. This is the first time this has happened in 52 years, and is a particular honor for our country. It confirms the stature and credibility that Greece enjoys in the international community. Our endeavor to be elected was initiated by the previous government and was brought to completion by the current one. It is in the interest of our country for its foreign policy to be implemented with consensus and consistency. During our two-year term in the Security Council, we will be guided by the basic principles of our foreign policy: dedication to peace, respect for international law, democracy and human rights, and the strengthening of international cooperation among all

the peoples of the world. The major issues on the Security Council agenda concern, inter alia, timely handling of and response to crises, the confronting of international terrorism, and the strengthening of stability and peace throughout the world. Within this framework, in close cooperation with the other members of the Security Council, and with respect for international justice and legality, we will focus our attention and efforts on unstable regions, as well as on our wider region, our country's

interest in which is self-evident. We are committed to contributing with all our powers to further strengthening the role of the UN as the guardian of international law and peaceful coexistence and cooperation amongst peoples."

insinuations made by former Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis.

Mr. Rousopoulos stated that no discussion has been made on the issue and no consultations have taken place like the one mentioned by the press.

He stressed that the problem of corruption is not a problem concerning certain individuals but rather it is a matter of institutional interventions, which have already gotten underway by the government of New Democracy.

Responding to a question on the insinuations made by a press report on the wife of a government minister who works for a major businessman, Mr. Rousopoulos wondered whether everybody's job will be penalized.

Of the stocks trading today, 91 had gains and 190 had losses, while the value of 123 stocks remained unchanged.

Minister of Education Marietta Giannakou and Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stilianidis accompany the Greek President.

Mr. Stephanopoulos will have private talks with his counterpart today and afterwards, he will meet with Greek and Albanian embassies officials. The two Presidents will give a press conference after the meeting.

Mr. Stephanopoulos will meet with the presiding board of the Greek minority political party Human Rights Union and afterwards, with the Omonia Presiding Board.

He will visit the Archbishopric of Tirana where he will meet with Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana, Durres and All Albania.

Later in the evening, the Albanian President will give a formal dinner in honor of his Greek counterpart.

Mr. Stephanopoulos stated that he believes that such an issue does not exist and pointed out that there is no reason to stir up the climate of suspiciousness that existed in the past.

He cited the friendship and cooperation treaty signed by Greece and Albania in 1996 which, in essence, leaves in the past the issue in question. He also pointed out that if such an issue, which was raised back in 1944, is stirred up then the claims raise d by Greece back then will also have to be considered and that, he said, cannot be done.

Mr. Stephanopoulos and Mr. Moisiu expressed the wish that bilateral relations will improve further and problems will be overcome, while the Greek President expressed Greece's support to the prospect of Albania's EU and NATO membership. However, he called

on the neighboring country to contribute to the improvement of the human rights situation and face the challenges of the times.

On the occasion of the violent incidents in football games, the two Presidents issued an appeal according to which, the climate of suspiciousness between the two peoples should be limited, while Mr. Stephanopoulos called on the journalists to contribute to this effort and serve the mutual interest of the two countries.

The day after tomorrow, President Stephanopoulos will visit regions of the Greek minority in Albania.

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