In an announcement the EDYETh made, it pointed out among other things: "The Israeli government, with the tolerance and support of the US and the European Union, is escalating and generalizing its attack on the Palestinians, it is murdering civilians and young children, and is indiscriminately bombing a people that has been struggling for decades, for a free homeland. With every passing day the circle of blood broadens, adding new victims to the endless chain of death."

During their stay, they will visit the Foreign Ministry, the General Army Staff in Athens, the 3rd Army Corps in Thessaloniki and they will be briefed on diplomatic, military and financial issues.

The file on the support measures of the farmers has already been submitted to the relevant Competition Committee of the European Union, according to an announcement made by the Ministry of Agriculture.

In total, 155,219 damages statements have been filed from all over Greece, of which 135,491 concern damages to plant production and plant capital, and 15,245 concern livestock utilization.

The reduction of bureaucracy, the simplification of procedures related to business activities and the general facilitation of transactions between businessmen and civil services, are already the object of broad cooperation between Greece and Britain.

In the framework of this cooperation, a meeting organized by the Ministry of Development will take place tomorrow, in cooperation with the British Embassy to Greece and Small Business Service (DTI, Britain).

Minister of Development Akis Tsohatzopoulos, deputy Minister Alexandros Kalafatis and British Ambassador to Greece David Madden, are expected to participate in this meeting.

Mr. Piovanni presented his initial ideas on the Delos Opera to the Culture Minister. He is scheduled to perform the opera within the framework of the Cultural Olympiad.

After his meeting with Greek Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis, Mr. Eichel stated that there is no doubt that Mr. Papadimos is an excellent candidate and Germany sees his candidature in a positive way.

The invitation was issued on the occasion of the discussion the two Prime Ministers had in Tokyo on Japan's national poet Lefkadios Hern, who was born in Lefkada in 1850. His father was Irish and his mother was Greek. He died in the city of Sinzuku in Ja pan under the name Yakumo Koizumi

The marble bust of the poet is at the Park of Poets in Lefkada next to those of Valaoritis and Sikelianos. The twining of the city of Lefkada with that of Sinzuku took place in 1989.

The file with the measures that will be taken in support of the Greek farmers has already been forwarded to the responsible European Union Competition Committee.

Of the stocks trading today, 211 recorded gains and 98 had losses, while the value of 63 stocks remained unchanged.

banking market and shipbuilding.

In a joint press conference he gave with his Greek counterpart Nikos Christodoulakis, Mr. Eichel stressed that the two countries share the same position on at least two important issues concerning the taxation systems harmonization and the speeding-up of

structural reforms.

A special emphasis was given by the German Minister to the cooperation of German and Greek businesses for investments in the Balkans, stressing that the two countries together must help in the creation of stable democracies in the region.

From his side, Mr. Christodoulakis stated that the major issue for Europe is structural convergence aimed at the more effective liberalization of the markets and the linking together of the European networks. He also pointed out that the German companies

could find significant investment opportunities in Greece, while there is great potential for strategic alliances in sectors such as energy, tourism and telecommunications.

Mr. Hitiris stated that Greece remains firm to the position agreed between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, stressing that Greece believes that this position cannot be overturned.

He said that it is a meaningful position of a symbolic character, expressing the hope that by 2008 the Cyprus issue will be resolved and therefore, Cyprus will be able to participate in the event as a whole.

Mr. Simitis is returning to Greece, satisfied with the results of his trip, after having signed agreements on the financial and cultural level, while he had contacts with Japanese businessmen.

Prime Minister Simitis, his wife Daphne and the other members of the Greek delegation accompanying him, were present today at a luncheon held in their honor at the Prefecture Mansion of Kyoto, by the Governor of that historic, Teiichi Aramaki.

Meanwhile, in a press conference in Tokyo, he appeared to be greatly impressed by Japanese achievements and stated that he was sure of the feelings of the Japanese towards the Greeks.

The Prime Minister also characterized his discussions with the Japanese leadership as friendly and positive.

In the relevant announcement, it is mentioned that the procedure started because there were suspicions of possible excessive implementation of previous Commission decisions, made in 1994 and 1998, which gave the Greek State the green light to financially

support Olympic Airways.

to Johns Hopkins University in Washington on the situation in the Balkans.

Ms. Peropoulou mentions that according to the Skopje newspaper "Outrinski Besnik", Mr. Holbrooke urged Greece to recognize FYROM with its so-called constitutional name.

According to the newspaper, Mr. Holbrooke called on Greece to adjust to the new situation and recognize FYROM with its constitutional name "Macedonia", while responding to a question made by members of the audience, he stated that the citizens of FYROM s hould be called simply "Macedonians".

On behalf of the Pan-Macedonian Association of America, which has an active presence of 56 years in the US, Ms. Peropoulou expressed the strong concern of the Greeks regarding the US mass media propaganda on the true identity of the Slavs living in FYROM

who want to be called Macedonians.

Ms. Peropoulou points out that the issue of the name is not just political for the Greeks, as it is for the international community. She said that for the Greeks it is cultural, historical and national and has to do with their national identity, which is

non-negotiable, and their past that cannot be copied.

Ms. Peropoulou cites statements made by FYROM officials who maintain that the people living in the country are of Slav origin and are not Macedonians. She also calls on Mr. Holbrooke to retract his statements and use the name FYROM whenever he wants to r efer to the specific country.

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