A total of 186 films will be screened in the festival that will last until November 28 and according to Film Festival Director Michel Dimopoulos, this is one of the richest programs ever prepared with great variety and innovation.

The foreign pictures competing in the festival are human-centered stories of "antiheroes" who try to survive under adverse conditions, while great names of the Greek and international cinema will be honored with presentations, retrospectives and special nights among them, Isabelle Huppert, who will be the formal guest and Greek screenwriter Iakovos Kampanelis, who has signed many firm scenarios.

Mr. Antonaros reiterated that it was an isolated incident without political dimensions.

He also pointed out that the request for information does not constitute an intervention in Greece's internal affairs.

Asked to comment on the continuous Greek airspace violations by Turkish fighter jets and what Greece intends to do in response to this stance adopted by Ankara, Mr. Antonaros refused to comment saying characteristically that a negotiation practice is in progress in view of the December 17 EU Summit meeting and therefore, he will not enter any discussion.

Finally, he reminded that the violations by the Turkish Air Force in the Aegean are limited compared to last year.

He commented that the letter strengthens the Greek negotiating position because the US side as well is in favor of a solution to the FYROM name issue through UN negotiations.

Asked to comment whether the Prime Minister was briefed during his visit to the United States last May by US President Bush on the US intentions concerning the possibility to recognize FYROM under the name "Republic of Macedonia", he responded negatively

saying that the government had no information on the issue.

To the question if the Prime Minister feels insulted because he was not briefed on the US intentions, Mr. Antonaros responded negatively.

On the statement by the Albanian President on a likely recognition of FYROM by Tirana under the name "Republic of Macedonia", Mr. Antonaros stated that the actions made by states are judged after they are made adding that he does not comment on intention s.

Responding to relevant questions, he reiterated that the government position is that the issue of the FYROM name must be resolved with a mutually acceptable name through the UN process.

Of the stocks trading today, 117 had gains and 177 had losses, while the value of 125 stocks remained unchanged.

Mr. Karamanlis spoke about a realistic plan of mild fiscal adjustment with a social sensitivity as well as about reforms without extremities and surprise moves.

He said that until now there was failure in Greece's economic goals, which occupied one of the last places in the EU while the competitiveness of the economy recorded a constant drop. The result, according to the Prime Minister, was the creation of a ser ious fiscal problem, public deficit increase and new hidden debts.

Referring to the government tactic, he underlined that the policies of factitious beautification are abandoned permanently, the fiscal problem is acknowledged and an effective reform plan is implemented in public finances.

Archbishop Christodoulos stressed that the use of the name "Macedonia" by FYROM is more than a simple and innocent cultural misappropriation, pointing out that the cultural aspect of the issue is a permanent cause of passion stirring while he also referr ed to the occupation by Greece's neighbors of part of the Greek Macedonia during both World Wars.

He also mentions that the history of southeastern Europe has been colored by the harboring of insatiable irredentism that often led to armed conflicts not limited to the area in question. Specifically on FYROM, he pointed out that irredentism appears at two levels, the Slav and the Albanian, and for this reason is regarded more explosive.

Therefore, mentioned the Archbishop, the Greeks believe that the recognition of the neighboring to Greece FYROM under the name "Macedonia" does not serve any Balkan state because it raises the temperature on tension and suspicion in the region, while it appears to vindicate all those who build their history with stolen material and rewards all those who keep the spark of disorder and permanent instability burning in a crucial region for Europe and in times of constant tension.

The Archbishop also reminded the support offered by Greece to FYROM since the first moment of the country's founding and the encouragement of bilateral cooperation.