a leading role in Greece, and fully identifies with EKO's development".

The law's philosophy is accepted by all of PASOK, he said to Flash radio, and to the question on whether there may be disagreements from MPs in the governing party, such that would lead to early elections, he responded that there will be no early electio ns.

"Look at Giotopoulos. Is this caricature of a leader is the only leader in an organization with this activity and so many successes? Who will believe you?", supported Mr. Georgiou, who did not rule out the possibility of more 17N members being free.

Alexandros Giotopoulos once again claimed to be innocent, while the sister of one of the police officers attacked by 17N verbally abused him: "You should be too ashamed to smile. You have sent so many people to the grave and even more to wheelchairs". Al exandros Giotopoulos responded that he was being accused with no evidence.

Meanwhile, Efstathios Potamitis, prosecution attorney for the family of 17N victim Nikos Momferatos, characterized the Momferatos killing an underhanded action.

the Maximos Mansion. "We are negative towards any effort for a solution outside the framework of the UN", said Mr. Simitis to the press, while repeating that the goal is a viable, fair and functional solution. Nicosia and Athens look to the recommencing of negotiation procedures in the UN framework. The General Assembly of the UN will be held within September and the President of the Cypriot Republic will travel to New York where he will hold discussions with Secretary General of the UN, Mr. Kofi Annan.

the Maximos Mansion.

. "We are negative towards any effort for a solution outside the framework of the UN", said Mr. Simitis to the press, while repeating that the goal is a viable, fair and functional solution based on the principles of the UN and community acquis, since Cy prus is now a member of the EU.

Nicosia and Athens look to the recommencing of negotiation procedures in the UN framework. The General Assembly of the UN will be held within September and the President of the Cypriot Republic will travel to New York where he will hold discussions with Secretary General of the UN, Mr. Kofi Annan.

Greece and Cyprus are ready to recommence discussions, said Mr. Simitis. Rauf Denktash's refusal to compromise continues, and Ankara still fully backs him, he observed. He expressed his appreciation that the vote to be held in the occupied territories on

December 10, will clear up much of the scenery as regards to further developments.

Regarding Cyprus' accessional course, the Greek Prime Minister pointed out that there has been harmonization with communal acquis, everything is coming along steadily, and it Cyprus can act as a member of the EU from May 1st 2004.

The Greek and Cypriot governments have common views regarding the peacemaking procedure and the accessional course, stressed Mr. Simitis, and he expressed his joy at the fact that Mr. Papadopoulos accepted the invitation of President of the Greek Republi c Costis Stefanopoulos, and will thus formally visit Greece in the Autumn.

The President of the Cypriot Republic thanked the Greek government and Prime Minister Costas Simitis personally, for their interest, and noted that he is expecting a positive response from other factors involved in the resolving of the Cyprus issue.

Meanwhile, his reassurance that the Greek Parliament will continue to stand beside Cyprus, as it has always done, aiming at reuniting the island, to rid it of the occupation forces and succeed in the peaceful coexistence of the entire Cypriot people, was

given to President Papadopoulos, by the President of the Greek Parliament, Apostolos Kaklamanis.

Nigerian Sam Tsekuas addressed an audience made up of the young students of Thessaloniki's 81st Elementary School. He came to love Greece, like his own country, when he was a student at Thessaloniki's Aristotle University Dental School and today he is an

ambassador of Hellenism undertaking to spread the Greek history and civilization around the world.

He serves Greece for over a decade through initiatives aimed at its promotion, while he is the owner of a Greek bookstore at the heart of Astoria, New York home to thousands of Greek-Americans.

Sam Tsekuas came to Greece to receive the title of the "ambassador of Hellenism", a distinction awarded each year by Athens' Prefecture to philhellenes around the world.

Of the stocks trading today, the majority of 284 recorded losses and 43 had gains, while the value of 56 stocks remained unchanged.

He added that Greece is interested in the permanent solution of the problem concerning FYROM's name and in sharing peaceful and good neighborly relations with the country. This, however, does not mean that we are going to compromise, added Mr. Protopapas .

Responding to the question concerning the 1991 Political Council decision, the government spokesman stated that national interest goes with the shaping of a mutually acceptable solution.

The agreement provides for assistance to Moldavia in the sectors of organization, training and modernization of the country's armed forces to be able to approach the NATO standards and finally, become a member of the alliance.

Mr. Papantoniou also expressed Greece's support to the prospect of Moldavia's accession into the EU, saying that Greece backs this move because it believes in a united Europe in the sectors of economy, policy and defense.

On his part, the Moldavian Defense Minister thanked his Greek counterpart for the warm reception and stressed that his country's strategic goal is the EU accession.

On the military sector, he pointed out that the goal is the restructuring and modernization of the Moldavian armed forces.

After the meeting Mr. Karamanlis had in Athens with Mr. Papadopoulos, he stated that they had an in depth discussion on the course of the Cyprus problem in view of the likely developments in the occupied northern Cyprus.

Mr. Karamanlis stated that Cyprus is in its natural environment inside the EU. He said that this means a change in attitude and that a new page has been turned, pointing out that the Annan Plan, adjusted to the new reality, can lead to a new era that, ho pefully, will concern everyone.

Mr. Karamanlis stressed that the 21st century Europe cannot tolerate the foreign occupation of part of its territory and, of course, the people in Cyprus should share the same feeling of safety with the rest European citizens.