This procedure has been carried out in the past, and was deemed necessary after the withdrawal of Thessaloniki MP and former Minister Stelios Papathemelis and public statements made by other MPs that they would not be candidates again.

Mr. Papathemelis' withdrawal from the party in order to be an independent MP caused the reaction of Government Spokesperson Christos Protopapas, who said that "this statement was the unavoidable ending of his position so far. PASOK will continue with all

its people".

"We must indeed be honest as far as our ideological and political choices and preferences are concerned, and must feel comfortable with our political identity. This holds true for Mr. Papathemelis, even more so for PASOK", said Minister of Culture Evagge los Venizelos, who wished Mr. Papathemelis all the best on his path of independence.

Another PASOK Thessaloniki MP, Kyriakos Spiriounis, stated that "with Mr. Simitis leading, I will not be a PASOK MP", following Mr. Papathemelis' withdrawal. "Mr. Papathemelis could not remain indifferent to PASOK's derailment from its principles".

As stressed by sources in the government's financial staff, the Commission officials noted mistakes in the autumn report of the service in the fiscal deficit sector and the intend to move to the correction of the goal for 2004 to 2% of the GDP from the 2 .4% initially announced.

The mistake was located in the proceeds sector, which were indicated as decreased by 1.8% of the GDP in the forecasts of the spring report. This development had been foreseen by Minister of Finanace Nikos Christodoulakis in his statements to the Financia l Times, where the Commission mistake had been discovered, both in overestimating proceeds as well as in overestimating expenses.

It should be noted that the new forecast has some distance from those of the Greek government as well as those of other international organizations: In the OECD's annual report on member-states, which is expected to be published on November 27, will rais e the deficit for 2004 to 1.5% of the GDP, while in its September report the IMF estimated that it would be around 1.1%. The Greek government's estimate, which will be included in the budget, was about the same, setting the goal for the deficit to be arou nd 1.2%.

Mr. Rachiotis supported that the organization was fighting against capital and the Americans. "These people knew that the road ahead of them led to either victory, prison or death", he said characteristically.

"The activity of 17N was within limits accepted by Greek society. There was no bloodbath. The Greek people cannot feel that 17N's victims are part of it. People did not feel they had lost something of their own", supported Mr. Rachiotis.

As far as Alexandros Giotopoulos is concerned, he stressed that he was in no way connected to the terrorist organization and that he was led to the bench unfairly. He also called the court not to take into account any of Savvas Xeros' testimonies during his stay at the "Evaggelismos" hospital, as they were carried out illegally.

Mr. Simitis remembered that he was exiled in Germany at the time, and on the night of the Polytechnic School he felt relief and joy when he was informed of the students' uprising, because he realized that it was the first strike at the dictatorship. Of c ourse, he added, the continuation took long, it took very long, while dramatic developments interceded until the turn was made, but he felt, then, that the regime's reaction to the uprising was the last stage of the full dead end. He saw that things were about to change.

On his side, Mr. Stefanopoulos pointed out that student uprisings in the early morning of November 17, 1973, also took place in other universities, and he characteristically mentioned the University of Patra.

The President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, escorted by MPs from all parties, placed a wreath at the monument to the fighters of the Polytechnic School, and stated to the press: "The Greek Parliament honors the fighters and victims of all

the national, democratic and social struggles of our people for freedom, national independence, democracy, social justice, and the progress of our people. May their memory last forever".

The letter is dated today, and this procedure was found necessary in view of the meeting of PASOK's Central Committee, which will decide on the candidacies by Friday, 21/11.

In a statement it has issued, the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki expressed its deepest regret for the heinous attacks. It points out that the Greek Jews are an integral part of the Greek people and feel proud because the government of their country and

Archbishop Christodoulos categorically condemned this double terrorist act affecting the Jews around the world. They also expressed the wish that the same condemnation will be expressed every time anti-Jewish publications, statements, television shows or

books appear and every time Jewish monuments are being desecrated. They add that such acts cultivate the climate that breeds terrorist acts which hurt innocent people and destroy places of worship.

He pointed out that the decision of Mr. Papathemelis to breakaway from PASOK is his unquestionable right. However, he reminded that he was elected Parliament deputy with the governing Socialist Party of PASOK, and with Kostas Simitis as party leader and prime minister. Therefore, it is imperative for him to resign from his Parliament seat, added Mr. Protopapas.

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou made the comments on the occasion of the serious incidents that were recorded in the repeat municipal elections in Cheimarra yesterday. The statements were made within the framework of the discussion in the Minis ters Council in Brussels on the issue of Western Balkans.

Mr. Papandreou's statement has as follows: "Yesterday in Albania took place the repetition of municipal elections in certain areas, among them the Cheimarra region, in which there is a massive population of Greek origin. During the first round, as well as yesterday, serious problems took place during the elections that have been registered by the OSCE delegation and by American observers. The governments' behaviour and the behaviour of the Albanian authorities creates sce pticism regarding the real targets and proves that there is an important shortage in democratic standards in a country that wishes to approach the European Union. The European Committee that is heading the negotiation for the Stability and Connection Agre ement with Albania should register the events and should be rigorous during the evaluation. The Italian Presidency as well as the General Secretary of the Council Mr. Solana should send a clear message to the Albanian side. The European Union and Greece remain consistent regarding their policies to support the European prospect for Albania, however this policy is based on principles, criteria and requirements that need to be respected by Albania."

Of the stocks trading today, only 30 had gains and the overwhelming majority of 302 had losses, while the value of 57 stocks remained unchanged.

The former Health Minister will become Cardiology Clinic Director at Attikon Hospital.

Mr. Kremastinos had revealed his intentions with another letter on September 26.

Cypriot government spokesman Kypros Chrisostomidis stated that the Cypriot President and the delegation accompanying him will depart from Cyprus on November 25 and will return on November 27.

The formal reception by President Stephanopoulos will take place at the Presidential Building on the day of his arrival in the Greek capital followed by several meetings.

A formal dinner will be given in his honor later in the evening by the Greek President.

On November 26, the Cypriot President will meet with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

the US embassy.

Limited incidents were recorded in the march that was held in Athens. Police forces were attacked by a group of young stone-throwing protesters and used teargas to break up the demonstrators.

It is estimated that the march was one of the largest recorded in the past few years. The slogans dominating were in favor of peace and against the war in Iraq.

A total of 7,000 police officers, among them special police forces, guard embassy buildings, ministry buildings and banks, while police helicopters patrol the region.

Any attempt to oppress the democratic beliefs targets the essence of Democracy. These are attitudes and behaviors totally strange to the European democratic principles and procedures, stated Mr. Rousopoulos.

New Democracy is certain that international observers have recorded the phenomena and that the European Commission will reach the necessary conclusions. Mr. Rousopoulos called on the government to take the necessary actions and condemn the unacceptable i ncidents in Cheimarra.

According to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed grief for the victims, both Muslims and Jews. The Ecumenical Patriarch stated that the whole Turkey is in pain, adding that it was an assault on peace and the unity of Turke y.

The Armenian Patriarch in Turkey stressed that the attack raises the likelihood that certain parties wanted to deal a heavy blow on the infrastructure, culture and progress of Turkey.

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