The extremist group "Revolutionary Struggle" claimed responsibility for the three explosions outside a police station in Kallithea, Athens on May 5 confirming that the attack was not linked with the Olympic Games. In a leaflet issued by the extremists it

is mentioned that the triple attack was in response to the Greek state's participation in Iraq and the new anti-terrorist law.

The certainty that Athens will be the safest place on the planet during the Olympic Games was expressed by Council of Greeks Abroad, SAE, vice-president and Oceania Region Coordinator Kostas Vertzagias in a letter to Australian Foreign Minister Alexander

Downer sent in protest to the travel warning issued by Canberra.

According to the letter, the bomb blasts were a response to the participation of the Greek state in the "antiterrorist" war and a warning for the imminent "humanitarian" involvement in Iraq by sending troops to the country.

Also, the group mentions that the attack in Kallithea was a response to the new "antiterrorist law" expected to be passed in Greece.

It is also mentioned that the global mercenary killers, state officials and wealthy western Olympic tourists who intend to attend the games are unwelcome.

The two Prime Ministers discussed the further EU enlargement with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia and Mr. Ahern thanked Mr. Karamanlis and the Greek government for their support to the Irish EU Presidency.

Greece and other 9 countries won their participation in the Eurovision song contest after competing with a total of 22 countries at Istanbul's Abdi Ipekci Stadium.

The other winners are Serbia-Montenegro, Malta, Holland, Albania, Ukraine, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, FYROM and Cyprus.

The 10 countries that won in yesterday's semi-final will compete for the Eurovision prize with other 14, which have already qualified for the final.

Mr. Voulgarakis stated, after the arrest of two London Times' journalists for trespassing on Athens' main Olympic Stadium, that given the high level of security in effect in view of the Olympic Games any irregular or illegal moves in the Olympic venues c ould lead to irreversible situations of a very high cost.

The Minister of Public Order also said that he briefed the British ambassador to Athens cautioning him that the Olympic venues are very strictly guarded.

For the record, just before midnight yesterday a London Times journalist and a photographer were arrested for trespassing on the main Olympic Stadium in Athens. Police released them after establishing their identity. They stated that they trespassed to t est the security measures in effect. A similar incident involved German journalists at the old Athens airport.

The team had completed its mission, had raised the Greek flag and was on its way down, when a piece of rock fell and hit the man killing him instantly.

A helicopter attempts to approach the region where the accident happened to pick up the body of the 30yearold but the approach is difficult due to adverse weather conditions.

During the holy liturgy at Athens' Cathedral today, the Patriarch of Georgia characterized the Archbishop as a great patron of Orthodoxy, pointing out that his visit reflects the strengthening of bilateral relations that exist between the two peoples sin ce ancient times.

Archbishop Christodoulos greeting the Patriarch of Georgia stressed that his presence in Greece highlights the common struggle and the obligation to work jointly to defend and promote the Holy Orthodoxy and the Orthodox Spirituality.

Of the stocks trading today, 169 had gains and 118 had losses, while the value of 96 stocks remained unchanged.

Once their personal identification was verified by the Police (passport and journalist id), they were released.

The two British newspaper representatives had earlier attempted to enter the Athens Olympic Sports Complex, through the Olympic Aquatics Centre entrance, but a member of a private security company prohibited them from doing so.

A similar incident took place yesterday at the Helliniko Olympic Complex, when three representatives from a German TV station were stopped and brought in for questioning at the Helliniko Police Station. Disregarding the relevant rules, they attempted to film the Canoe/Kayak sport areas. Once their personal identification was verified they, too were released.

On the occasion of the above incidents the ATHENS 2004 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games would like to state the following:

1. ATHENS 2004 absolutely respects the freedom of the Press and the work carried out by journalists. For this purpose, ATHENS 2004 organises venue tours for Mass Media representatives on an almost daily basis, where they are thoroughly updated on the pro gress of Olympic preparations. In addition, ATHENS 2004 has repeatedly informed all Mass Media in Greece and abroad about the accreditation procedure for entering and photographing Olympic Venues. The British newspaper and German TV station representative s in question never informed ATHENS 2004 or any of the State's agencies, nor did they request permission to enter the grounds of the Olympic Stadium.

2. It must be noted that in the sport venues, security measures are in effect (as was proven in the case in question and in other cases as well), but not on an Olympic level; this will be the case in July after the completion of the construction works, t he "lock down" and the "security sweep". Following the security sweep, only those possessing an Olympic accreditation or a ticket will be allowed to enter Olympic Venues.

3.It is obvious that similar behavior - which could be interpreted as guided by an intention to harm the image of the Athens Games and Greece, - goes against journalist ethics and does not contribute to the strengthening of the trust and security of this

great celebration of peace and sport.

Mr. Economou stated that the discreet implementation of security measures in view of the Olympic Games has begun in certain Olympic venues and such actions hide risks for serious accidents given the fact that police officers are under strict orders conce rning the guarding of these sites. He also stated that there is likelihood for dynamic reaction in case somebody attempts to enter the sites illegally.

Responding to relevant questions, he said that such behaviors aim at hurting the picture of the Olympic Games, are unethical and do not contribute to the overall effort. However, he said that based on this incident it is proven that the sites are being g uarded effectively even though the relevant security plan is yet not fully implemented and will be in effect next month.

Asked if there are any political motives hidden behind, he said that based on his experience as a journalist he cannot say that there were political motives, while regarding the statement issued by the extremist group "Revolutionary Struggle", which clai med responsibility for the triple bomb attack in Kallithea on May 5, he reiterated that it was an isolated incident that could happen anywhere in the world and is not linked with the Olympic Games.

The Greek authorities treat the security system that guarantees the full safety of the Olympic Games with the necessary seriousness, sense of responsibility and determination, concluded the government spokesman.