a group of the Greek Rescue Team is on full standby. We are vigilant, stated Government Spokesperson Christos Protopapas yesterday. The students of the Zografou school and the employees of the Greek Consulate are safe.

The fact that Greece's neighboring country has been in the crosshairs of the terrorist organizations since last Saturday, with consecutive bloody bomb attacks, has caused intense concern in the Greek authorities based on the rumors of the past few days a nd the fears expressed regarding a possible attack on Greece, in view of the upcoming Athens Olympics.

What greatly concerns the authorities is that the Olympics, the greatest sports event of the world, will, unfortunately for Greece, be held during a period of international insecurity and an unprecedented increase in international terrorism, and thus the y know that the security measures must be extreme.

However, it is greatly comforting that no intelligence agency, Greek or foreign, has received any information or indication that Greece is among the "interest centers" of the international terrorist organizations.

In the framework of the increased security measures, the heads of the Athens tube put the detection device for explosives and chemicals into its pilot use. According to the statements of "Attico Metro" Security and Control Function Director Dimosthenis G iannisopoulos, the company will procure another 19 such detectors for all the stations.

Meanwhile, the number of policemen guarding the tube has doubled, even at night when it remains closed.

He called all progressive citizens to consolidate, regardless of what parties they come from, and was very critical of New Democracy, underlining that the Opposition avoids making commitments. "The Greek people knows - even objective ND voters know - tha t this New Democracy especially cannot govern Greece", he mentioned characteristically.

the "I. Vellidis" conference center in the Thessaloniki International Fair.

"The government has gone over every limit", said Mr. Karamanlis, and he added: "We call it, even at this final our at which it is leaving, to respect the basic principles of democracy. We will not accept discrimination and separation against Greeks."

The embassy announcement mentioned that the "Wiesental Center' is a private organization and does not represent the Israeli government. It also stressed that the Israeli government had nothing to do with the alleged "travel direction", and underlined tha t Greece is a country with which it retains excellent friendly relations.

Of the stocks trading today, 178 had gains and 105 recorded losses, while the value of 100 stocks remained unchanged.

He also said that their social contribution is essential when dealing with natural disasters and other problems faced by society. He added that the Greek people have unlimited love and trust toward the armed forces and are proud of them.

Responding to the question if the Greek Defense Ministry fears that a terrorist attack could target Greece during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Mr. Papantoniou responded that there is no special indication that this is likely.

In any case, stated Mr. Papantoniou, the Defense Ministry and the Ministry of Public Order are ready for any eventuality. He added that there should be no doubt that Greece is ready to host the safest Olympic Games ever.

Mr. Karamanlis stated, among others, that terrorism must disappear from the face of the earth and no army of hatred can give answers even to one of the challenges faced by the people in this new century.