Asked to comment on the US-EU relations, Mr. Valinakis stated that the US should listen more to the European positions adding that the EU is a voice of moderation and such a voice is good for the international scene.

Opposition party of PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou stated that after the polls are closed it will be seen if the people of the only superpower today will be guided by fear or by hope for a better future.

According to the Greek Air Force General Staff, the Turkish fighter jets came as close as 500 feet to the Greek helicopter at an altitude of 1,000 feet and harassed it.

Mr. Karamanlis is regarded as more fit to face corruption (45.2%) compared to PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou (17%), while 32% of those who responded to the questionnaire maintained that neither of them is capable to combat corruption.

Corruption is associated only with PASOK according to 24.7% of those asked, while 2.1% believe that it is associated with the government of New Democracy, 26.1% with both major political parties and 46.2% with the whole political system. Meanwhile, an 82 % believes that early elections will not help to face corruption.

Responding to the question who has greater power in the country, 48.3% replied the United States, 46.5% the television stations, 37.8% the Prime Minister, 33.7% the major businessmen, followed by the cabinet, the Church, the newspapers, the European Unio n, the Association of Greek Industries, public employees and the General Confederation of Labor Unions.

Mr. Rousopoulos also denied an Athens newspaper report on the likelihood to have the defense dogma revised.

In a statement issued by the Greek National Defense General Staff it is mentioned that no Turkish armed forces helicopter approached the rocky islets of Imia. It mentions, however, that it is a fact that at 15:20 yesterday an unidentified helicopter, pos sibly a Turkish Coastguard helicopter, flew over eastern Imia at an altitude of 300 feet. The flight over Greek territorial waters lasted 30 seconds and the helicopter appeared on the radar screens, while the flight was also confirmed by an observation po st, which gave a relevant description.

The Greek Armed Forces and the Ministry of National Defense proceeded to undertake all necessary action, the statement concludes.

Of the stocks trading today, 189 had gains and 90 had losses, while the value of 127 stocks remained unchanged.

According to the Greek American newspaper GreekNews, lawyer and businessman Kostas Alexakis is a Democratic candidate from Maryland who runs for a seat in the US House of Representatives.

Another Greek American US House of Representatives candidate is Harry Scolinos, who runs with the Republican Party in Pasadena, California.

Both are regarded as strong candidates and if elected will be colleagues with Greek American Michael Bilirakis from Florida, who runs for re-election in the US House of Representatives.

He said that the challenges faced by the Greek economy are the oversized public sector, the anachronistic public administration, the inadequate measures aimed at boosting entrepreneurship, education, the liberalization of the job market and the extravers ion of businesses.

The ETE Governor stated that the Greek attitude should change in its entirety underlining that we should stop blaming for our own mistakes either the state or the foreigners.

The last opinion polls have showed that the election of the new President in essence will depend on the outcome in 10 US states where the two rivals appear to be close, while it is unclear if the election campaign tours made in the past few days by both presidential candidates have affected the electorate and to what extent.

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