In the opposition party of PASOK they interpret the 34.3% and the 8 seats it will have in the Euro-parliament as a call for a renewal of the party, while in the party Coalition of the Left they cannot hide their disappointment with the results as the par ty received 4.15% of the vote and 1 seat.

The Communist Party is satisfied with the result as it received 9.45% and 3 seats. Satisfaction dominates in the party of LAOS as well, given the fact that it received 4.11% of the vote allowing it to be represented in the European Parliament with one Eu ro-deputy.

Mr. Karamanlis addressing the Greek people yesterday thanked them for their confidence in the government expressed through their vote, and pledged that he and his government will continue their work with greater determination.

The Prime Minister stressed that the government already meets the commitments it has undertaken and admitted that his government still has a lot of work to do.

The number of women Euro-deputies has increased. In the previous Euro-elections, 4 of the 25 Greek Euro-deputies were women, while based on yesterday's results 7 of the 24 Euro-deputies are women.

The New Democracy re-elected Euro-deputies are Antonis Trakatellis, Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos, Kostis Hatzidakis, and Rodi Kratsa, while elected for the first time are Ioannis Varvitsiotis, Antonis Samaras, Yiannis Glavakis, Maria Kassiotou-Panagiotopoulou , Giorgos Papastamkos, Nikos Vakalis, Manolis Mavromatis.

PASOK's Euro-deputies are Mary Matsouka, Stavros Lambrinidis, Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou, Stavros Arnaoutakis, Katerina Batzeli, Panos Beglitis, Evangelia Tzampazi, and Nikos Sifounakis.

The Euro-deputies of the Communist Party are Thanasis Pafilis, Giorgos Toussas and Diamanto Manolakou.

The Coalition of the Left Euro-deputy is Dimitris Papadimoulis and the LAOS Euro-deputy is Giorgos Karatzaferis.

Only 6,194,422 of the 9,807,067 registered voters exercised their right to vote. Based on the results, 6,035,483 ballots were valid and 74,607 (1.2%) were spoilt. The blank ballots were 84,332 (1.4%) and the abstention rate was at 36.84%.

Another fact that marked the 2004 Euro-elections was the low voter participation, reaching just 44.2%, with abstention at 55.8%, the lowest since 1979.

The lowest participation rate was recorded in Slovakia, one of the new EU member-states, where only 16.6% of the electorate exercised their right to vote.

On the proposition made by LAOS President Giorgos Karatzaferis for a joint meeting of all the Greek Euro-deputies presided over by Hellenic Republic President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Mr. Rousopoulos stated that if the President decides to call such a meet ing New Democracy will be present.

Mr. Rousopoulos also stated that there is no issue of cooperation between New Democracy and LAOS.

Mr. Konstantopoulos clarified that his decision has nothing to do with information according to which, he will be a candidate for the Hellenic Republic Presidency and stated that he will remain an active party member. He also said that the messages sent have been received and evaluated. The Coalition of the Left has consolidated its position but it needs to further clarify its strategy, he stated characteristically.

The Political Secretariat has assessed the Euro-elections' result and decided on its further moves. The party Central Committee will meet in about two weeks to decide on the party congress date.

his successor.

PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou commenting on information according to which, former Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is one of the contenders for the European Commission Presidency, stated that PASOK has members with abilities recognized in Europe

and if Mr. Simitis wants the position PASOK will support him.

Minister of Education Mrs. Marietta Giannakou stated to "Sky" that if Mr. Simitis had asked for the support of New Democracy on time he would have put the party to a hard place but he would have received its support. However, said Mrs. Giannakou, he neve r raised such an issue. She also pointed out that the majority in the European Parliament belongs to the center-right and therefore, the European Commission leadership will also come from the same political area.

Of the stocks trading today, only 60 had gains and 229 had losses, while the value of 97 stocks remained unchanged.

The Democratic Alarm got 28.23% of the vote, AKEL 27.89%, DHKO 17.09%, the Coalition for Europe 10.80% and EDEK 10.79%.

Based on the final results, the Democratic Alarm party and AKEL will be represented with 2 Euro-deputies, while DHKO and the Coalition for Europe each elect one Euro-deputy.

After the meeting, Metropolite Chrisostomos of Eleftheroupolis spoke about the love with which the Ecumenical Patriarch embraces the new Metropolites.

The meeting was held at the initiative of the Metropolites of the so-called New Countries a few days before their enthronements that will take place consecutively on June 18, 19 and 20.

Pele could not hold back his tears as he raised the Olympic Torch in Rio's Maracana Stadium. As Pele himself explained, his emotion was the result of his sorrow for not having been able to participate in any Olympic Games event, as he turned pro at the a ge of 16. However, he would like to come to Athens in August and hopes to make it.

At the official welcome ceremony for the Flame, the Brazilian football legend emerged in front of the spectators out of a "bouquet" of some 1,000 children forming the Olympic rings, at the center of Maracana Stadium. Early in the morning of what was for Rio a wintry Sunday, Pele, wearing the ATHENS 2004 Torchbearer uniform, opened the procession of the Olympic Flame through the streets and beaches of Rio.

The Greek delegation arrived in the city at dawn, and the Brazilians welcomed it with honors reserved for Heads of State. As soon as "Zeus", the plane carrying the Olympic Flame, entered Brazil's airspace, it was met by three Air Force fighters, which ac ted as its escorts. The plane landed at a military base rather than in Rio's civilian airport, and a little later the welcome ceremony began in the vast and impressive Maracana Stadium. The Olympic Flame was brought to the stadium in an army helicopter, c arried by ATHENS 2004 Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Marton Simitsek, and by Theodoros Angelopoulos, who represented the ATHENS 2004 President. After the playing of national anthems, Brazilian Olympic Committee President, Carlos Nuzman, h anded the lit Torch to Pele. "Our cooperation with Athens is ongoing and productive. We are standing by you, and I express my certainty that Athens will hold one of the best Olympic events of all times", said Mr. Carlos Nuzman. Later, in his official spee ch Mr. Simitsek stressed, "Brazil is a great country, has infrastructures and possibilities and therefore, has the right to bid for and undertake the Olympic Games".

The progress of the Olympic Flame through the streets of Rio was full of Brazilian colors and customs. A big percussion band was leading the procession, which crossed the city's central locations, while a brightly colored crowd participated in the variou s events. This Torch Relay took place to the sound of samba, and, when the Flame crossed the "Sambadrome", the carnival's parade grounds, two Samba Schools presented dances prepared especially for the occasion. The arrival of the Olympic Flame was run as a top news item in news broadcasts, while Brazil's national sports channel adapted its logo (which depicts a torch) and broadcast extensive detailed coverage of the Torch Relay. Airplanes flew in show formations over the city, while several Brazilians cho se to appear dressed as ancient Greeks. The multicolored procession ended at a massive pop concert with thousands of people. Ronaldo, the Real Madrid famous football player, entered the concert area carrying the Torch to the frantic cheering of the specta tors.

Other famous sports names selected to hold the Olympic Torch at Rio's central locations were football superstar Zico, coach Mario Zagallo, and Oscar Schmidt, the Brazilian basketball legend.

Based on the newspaper report, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Protection Nikolaos Angelopoulos has sent a letter to his Australian counterpart requesting the resumption of dialogue within the month of June. Greek ambassador to Australia Mr. Fot is Xidas has confirmed the information.

Even though it is a pre-election period in Australia it is believed that the Howard government will respond positively to Athens' invitation given the fact that a promise by the Australian Prime Minister to the Greek-Australians is still pending accordin g to which, he intended to give to them an agreement on the issue as gift on the occasion of the Olympic Games.

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