The Greek government hopes for a statement by President Bush on the issue of the security of the Olympic Games in Athens, while among the issues to be discussed will be bilateral relations, the Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue, Turkey's European

prospect, terrorism and developments in the Balkans and the Middle East.

After the meeting, a formal dinner will be given at the White House and afterwards, Mr. Karamanlis will make a statement to reporters.

The Greek Prime Minister will meet with US Vice-President Dick Cheney and in the afternoon, local time, will give a press conference on the conclusions of the visit. Mr. Karamanlis will return to Athens tomorrow.

According to the statement, the Greek government and its partners in the EU condemns the attack launched today against civilian population in the region of Rafah at the Gaza Strip.

Reactions of such a form cannot be justified by the understandable need to deal with terrorist acts and do not contribute to the efforts aimed at achieving the much desired peace in the Middle East.

At the same time, the Supreme Court has proceeded with the appointment of 20 supervisors at the Greek embassies and consulates in nine European countries namely, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Sweden, Cyprus and Poland.

The mainly elementary school students delivered the letters and both the British ambassador and the British Consul General pledged to bring the messages to the British Prime Minister.

A fourth grade student wrote in his letter, "Lord Elgin stole the marbles to decorate his house and destroyed one of the most beautiful monuments. I am certain that Britain has its own civilization and does not need to keep the Parthenon Marbles away fro m Greece."

A fifth grade student wrote, "Can you imagine the Eiffel Tower in America, the Big Ben in Greece and the Statue of Liberty in Italy? The Parthenon Marbles have no place in Britain."

The Association of Private School Founders undertook the initiative less than 3 months ago aimed at informing the elementary school children on the Olympic Games and the Parthenon Marbles. The student participation was overwhelming and today they deliver ed their letters hoping that the Parthenon Marbles will return to Greece.

The specific initiative also includes painting exhibitions, as well as trips to London for the students to see the Parthenon Marbles in the British Museum where they are being kept.

Briefing the Parliamentary Finance Committee and referring to the Stability Pact, Mr. Garganas stressed that Greece's position has not changed and characterized as exaggerations the statements made by the opposition according to which the Greek economy i s under EU supervision.

The fact that deficit exceeded the 3% mark is not the end of the world, he stressed and observed that since the year 2000 fiscal policies were not implemented in a strict manner resulting to inflationary pressures.

Specifically on inflation, he said that growth rate will be accelerated by half to one percentage point until the Olympic Games with a gradual de-escalation by the end of the year.

Of the stocks trading today, just 71 had gains and 225 had losses, while the value of 87 stocks remained unchanged.

Among the issues to be raised in the talks will be the safety of the Olympic Games and the Greek-Turkish relations, as well as the Cyprus issue on which UN Secretary General Kofi Annan does not rule out a new initiative if he receives a relevant mandate by the UN Security Council.

Speaking in the US-Greece Business Council yesterday, Mr. Karamanlis presented the conditions created in Greece favoring the development of business activities.

Mr. Karamanlis stated that the goal of the government is to secure capital corresponding to 1.0%-1.5% of the GDP annually (1.5-2 billion euros a year) to finance investments that will improve the productivity of the economy.

Yesterday evening, Mr. Karamanlis, his wife Natasha and the officials accompanying him in his first formal visit to the United States, including State Minister Thodoris Rousopoulos and Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis, attended a formal reception given

in their honor by Greek ambassador to the United States Giorgos Savaidis at the Greek embassy in Washington.

The Prime Minister will meet today with US President George Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney at the White House and he will also attend a formal luncheon that will be given in his honor at the White House.

After the contacts at the White House, Mr. Karamanlis will visit the US Congress to meet with the Chairmen of the International Relations House and Senate Committees as well as with leading members of the two legislative bodies.

Among the issues to be discussed in Washington are, bilateral relations, the Athens Olympic Games, terrorism, the Cyprus issue and international and regional problems.

After welcoming the Greek Prime Minister to the United States and wishing him for his name day tomorrow, the US President stated that he will not be able to attend the Olympic Games in Athens but his father and former US President will lead the US missio n to Greece.

President Bush also thanked Mr. Karamanlis for the cooperation of the Greek government aimed at hosting successful Olympic Games.

The US President said that everybody will want to travel to this beautiful country in a safe environment, adding that Greece has made significant progress and has an intention to host the best possible Olympic Games. He also congratulated the Greek Prime

Minister for his successes.

On his part, Prime Minister Karamanlis thanked the US President for the hospitality and stressed that Greece will do everything humanly possible for the Olympic Games to be successful.

Based on information, the two leaders agreed that both Athens and Washington will continue to work for the final solution of the Cyprus problem.

President Bush expressed satisfaction for the responsible stance of Greece both in Lucerne and in the referendums in Cyprus. Both sides continue to support a solution in Cyprus based on the Annan Plan.

Mr. Bush allegedly expressed bitterness over the referendum result in the Cypriot Republic but the efforts for a solution will not stop.

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