Citizens are arriving at hospitals in great numbers with the slightest symptoms of the flu, while the number of hospitals on emergency call has been increased. The Prefect of Drama, Kostas Emiridis, decided that all school facilities in the Drama Prefect ure are to be sterilized, although he stressed that there is no need to be worried.

In any case, Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos made mention of a remission of the epidemic, and refuted the rumors that the World Health Organization has warned of an upcoming flu this autumn.

In the meanwhile the biological samples taken from the 7 patients have been sent to labs to be analyzed, while a case in Thessaloniki is being investigated so as to find if it is connected to virus. In fact, KEEL specialists continue their observation of

cases all over Greece, while a recording of all myocarditis cases on special forms sent to all hospitals started yesterday.

The virus has had side effects on Greece's tourism, since due to the virus, many group trips to Greece were cancelled along with the 5-day school trips from Cyprus, with detrimental consequences to Greek hotel owners.

In fact the Hotel Owners' Union of the Heracleon Prefecture has filed a lawsuit against all responsible parties on the effects the virus has had on tourism.

The President of the Hotel Owners' Union of Chalkidiki, Makis Athanasopoulos, supported that the situation must be handled delicately so that the virus does not cause Greek tourism problems.

Morris Drion mentioned the decisive contribution of the Former President of the Republic to the construction of a new Greece.

Mikis Theodorakis stressed that the dictatorship was what brought down the wall separating Greeks and brought the left and the right closer, while he criticized Konstantinos Karamanlis' political adversaries because, as he said, they refused to communica te in order to achieve national goals for electoral reasons.

"In other words, we were left behind history for more than 20 years, just because certain individuals weren't aware of the major and deep historical changes. This lack of communication caused great damage to Greece in the crucial post-political changeove r era, communication that Konstantinos Karamanlis searched for so steadfastly. We lost valuable time and unique opportunities", he mentioned.

Mikis Theodorakis praised Konstantinos Karamanlis' political foresight, which, as he said, has been recorded in history with Greece's accession to the EU.

In the old Parliament building, during the presentation of Evaggelos Maheras' book, "Because he did not conform to the recommendations", from one of the composer's songs, Mikis Theodorakis did not hide his pessimism concerning the rise of fascism.

"And here is Lepen to remind us once more that fascism is not dead yet. I can see humanity shiver once more, all the democrats, and the right wing, and the center, and the socialists shiver, and I want to see the powers that will be able to stand up to i t if that day ever comes, to confront the beast called fascism", he stressed.

During his speech he repeatedly set the question of who will stop fascism and he wondered how it is possible for us to talk about socialism, about rights, in an era when the survival of the fittest is the law ruling the market, when society and citizens are unprotected.

"The Soviet Union collapsed. All America thinks about is how to wage war. Blair is Bush's butler and the rest of Europe holds its peace", he mentioned characteristically, explaining the reason for which one out of five French citizens voted for the Head of the far right, Jean-Marie Lepen.

"80% of his voters are farmers, workers, everyday people who suddenly felt unprotected against the wind of globalization", he noted.

Mr. Theodorakis characterized Mr. Maheras book as timely, stressing that it is one of the books of glory and tears speaking of different times.

The European Social Forum, which will take place in Italy in the beginning of November, is a step of progress, after the success of the Genoa and Porto Alegre Social Forums.

During the meeting the principle framework of Porto Alegre, "resistance to neoliberalism and war", was adopted.

The initiative is open to all who agree with its platform, while the next meeting was set for tomorrow at 6pm in the offices of ESIEA.

The Macedonian Press Agency, in cooperation with the Ecumenical Patriarchy and with the kind sponsorship of the "Themeliodomi" Group, will also transmit Holy Mass and other services of the Ecumenical Patriarchy and His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, liv e via the Internet.

Loverdos in Thessaloniki. The text of the specific agreement provides for economic assistance of 180 million Euro for infrastructure, energy and democratic institutions projects.

A similar agreement will be initialed with Albania by the end of June providing for an economic assistance of 50 million Euro. The signing will take place probably during the visit of Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou to the neighboring country.

The Greek reconstruction plan for the Balkans provides for economic assistance of millions of Euro. Specifically, Albania will receive 50 million Euro, Bulgaria 54 million Euro, Yugoslavia 180 million Euro, Kosovo 73 million Euro, FYROM 75 million Euro, Romania 70 million Euro and Bosnia-Herzegovina 30 million Euro.

Also, the OECD predicted that the Greek economy will accelerate its growth rate in 2003 to reach 4.2%.

In 2002, inflation will be at 3.4% and in 2003 it is expected to drop to 2.9%. The international organization also calls on the Greek government to accelerate the social security system reforms.

Of the stocks trading today, 212 had gains and 102 had losses, while the value of 59 stocks remained unchanged.

Mr. Simitis stated that the number of unemployed in 2001 dropped considerably compared to the previous year and at the same time, the quality of the workforce has improved. He reiterated that the solution of the unemployment problem is one of the main go als of the government policy summed up in five main axes. Namely, these five points are, active policy on employment, modernization of the work market structures, vocational training policy improvement, social infrastructures network and mobilization of t he forces of society.

The Prime Minister stated that in 2001 more than 91.000 young unemployed found jobs and there is optimism that the goal set by the government in the beginning of its four-year term for the creation of 300.000 new job positions will be met.

Mr. Simitis stated that the positive developments recorded in 2001 were the result of a new approach adopted by the government. He added that it is a proof that the model followed, which is based on the European social model of the parallel and simultane ous promotion of development, employment and social cohesion, is effective.

Mr. Cem stated that they support all peace initiatives and believe that terrorism has no excuse, a fact which was stressed in the talks they had with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Mr. Cem also referred to the implementation of the UN decisions cal ling for freedom of movement for Mr. Arafat and the adoption of a decisive stance against terrorism. The Turkish Foreign Minister stated that in the talks with the two sides in the Middle East they examined the likelihood to deploy an international force,

either a peacekeeping force or a team of observers, which will also deal with terrorism.

Views were exchanged on the situation in Ramallah and Bethlehem and Mr. Cem stated that the Church of the Nativity can become a place of a terrible tragedy, adding that the two sides must make certain moves forward.

After the talks with Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Cem, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon allowed Palestinian negotiator Mr. Erekat to go to Tel Aviv escorted by Israeli soldiers for further talks on the Church of the Nativity issue with the Foreign Ministers

of Greece and Turkey.

Responding to a relevant question, Mr. Papandreou stressed that there is a need to implement the UN decisions, including troop withdrawal. The Greek Foreign Minister thanked his Turkish counterpart for the cooperation, underlining that the outline of the

final solution for the solution of the Palestinian problem is clear.

Later, the two Foreign Ministers will meet in Tel Aviv with their Israeli counterpart Simon Peres.

Also, talks will be held with the Russian Federation Ministers of Justice and Interior on the problem of organized crime.

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