Politicians representing all political parties, resistance organizations, trade unions and many people laid wreaths or left a flower to the monument in memory of the victims of the student uprising in the Athens Polytechnic.

Minister of Public Order Giorgos Voulgarakis stated that a security plan has been drawn up and a total of 7,000 police officers are on duty to avert violent incidents during the march from the Athens Polytechnic School to the US embassy.

A total of 1,500 police officers will patrol the streets of Thessaloniki to help preserve order.

Mr. Parvanov's visit was delayed by one day because last Monday he was unable to visit Mount Athos and remained stuck with his entourage at the port town of Ouranoupolis given the fact that boats were not allowed to leave port due to bad weather.

Yesterday, as soon as weather improved, Mr. Parvanov arrived in Athos Peninsula by boat and visited the Holy Monastery of Zografou and the Mount Athos capital of Karies where he was formally received.

Because of the weather induced changes in the plans he was unable to visit the Holy Monastery of Hilandariou and yesterday afternoon he departed from Mount Athos to return to his country.

Police did not intervene because the incidents took place on university grounds.

Calm in Echinos has been restored but a police investigation is underway, while charges have been filed against actors and members of the television crew accused of desecration and insult targeting a place of worship.

The message refers to the course of the Greek Communist Party and its struggles, stressing that the efforts for the preparation of the 17th Party Congress to take place on February 9-12, 2005 will intensify.

Mr. Antonaros added that each citizen should contribute to the strengthening of democracy, human dignity and the broadening of social rights.

The acting government spokesman pointed out the need to collectively safeguard the message of the Polytechnic Uprising and avoid incidents, stressing that discreet security measures will be taken for the protection of private property.

He added that in spite of the voices heard in the country no pressures were exerted for the adoption of additional measures and no sanctions were imposed, while no problem was created regarding Greece's accession into the EMU.

Mr. Antonaros reiterated that the government goal is to reduce deficit below 3%.

Of the stocks trading today, 206 had gains and 81 had losses, while the value of 132 stocks remained unchanged.

Mr. Antonaros reiterated that the government's position, as well as the Greek state's position, is the total respect of the holiness of the places of worship regardless of religion.

Responding to relevant questions, he said that calm has been restored in the region and the Greek and Turkish mass media handled the incident responsibly.

According to information, Paris is interested in the solution of the FYROM name issue as soon as possible and backs a European stance in favor of a mutually acceptable name.

Mr. Moliviatis characterized bilateral relations as excellent and stated that the talks he had with Mr. Barnier were positive and constructive. They discussed issues concerning the December 17 European Council meeting, the situation in the Balkans and pa rticularly in FYROM, and the Middle East issue.

The Greek Foreign Minister has launched a diplomatic marathon on the Cyprus issue, Turkey's European course and the issue of the FYROM name in view of the EU Summit meeting.

Mr. Moliviatis stressed that the European Council will decide if it will accept a date for the opening of Turkey's EU accession negotiations. He said that Greece is in favor of Turkey's European prospect and underlined that it is up to Turkey to meet the

necessary obligations and criteria and comply with the principles and values of the European Union among which are the friendly relations an EU candidate state should have with its neighbors, in the specific case Greece and Cyprus.

The Ministers of Greece and Holland, currently holding the EU rotating Presidency, examined the text of conclusions on the final position of the "25" toward Turkey in December's Summit meeting, while they confirmed the very good level of bilateral relati ons.

Mr. Moliviatis will also visit Luxembourg, which will hold the rotating EU Presidency in the first half of 2005 taking over after Holland.

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