[01] UNITED STATES LAUNCH SECOND ATTACK ON IRAQ, 17 CRUISE MISSILES FIRED

[02] PREMIER TO PRESENT PROGRAM FOR FARMERS, PENSIONERS AND UNEMPLOYED

[03] BULGARIAN MINISTER OF TRADE TO VISIT THESSALONIKI'S INT'NAL TRADE FAIR

[04] THESSALONIKI MAYOR WILL VISIT GERMANY TO PROMOTE CULTURAL CAPITAL '97

[05] CYPRUS PAN-UNION FORUM TO BE HELD IN BRUSELLS

[06] IRAQ CONDEMNS TURKEY'S DOUBLE STANDARDS ON KURDISH ISSUE

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] UNITED STATES LAUNCH SECOND ATTACK ON IRAQ, 17 CRUISE MISSILES FIRED

The United States bombarded Iraq for a second consecutive day when they fired 17 cruise missiles late Tuesday night, 3 a.m. Greek time, targeting Iraqi air defense.

The cruise missiles were launched from three US warships and one submarine located in the Persian Gulf, against military targets in southern Iraq, following an order issued by the United States President Bill Clinton.

According to reports, the second attack was necessary since yesterday's raid did not have the desired level of demolition.

Meanwhile, questions were raised at the United Nations Security Council regarding the usefulness of the American attack against the Iraqi defense positions, mainly by France, Russia and China, although a decision was drawn to extend the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq. According to UN reports, the decision to further impose these sanctions was not a result of the Iraqi attacks against the Kurds in northern Iraq but rather because Iraqi President Saddam Hussein does not fully comply with the terms that have been imposed regarding the area's no-flight zones.

Given France's opposition to the air attacks, US Secretary of State Warren Christopher plans to visit Paris and Moscow, as France and Russia have been reluctant to condemn Iraq's incursion into Kurdish areas in northern Iraq.

White House spokesperson Mike McKerry stated that the second operation, dubbed "Quicktime", aimed at destroying a range of missiles of the Iraqi anti-aircraft forces which had been left unharmed during the first attack. Pentagon officials stated that the new raid was launched in order to protect U.S. pilots who plan to conduct reconnaissance flights in the expanded zones establihed by the U.S. They added that the U.S. are determined to continue the raids even without the support of their allies, if necessary.

Following the second attack, Hussein urged his air force pilots to hit back at any U.S. and allied planes that violate Iraq's air space and warned that he is not about to recognize any sanctions imposed by the UN.

U.S. republican presidential nominee Bob Dole has criticized President Clinton for indecisiveness and has emphasized that, if elected, he will "work for the aversion of Saddam Hussein."

Among european countries only Great Britain has declared her whole support to the operation, while Japan, who is the biggest importer of Iraqi oil, has issued an appeal to Hussein to withdraw from the Kurdish areas in the north. International crude oil prices rose sharply while oil prices rose by half a dollar after the second attack.

Oil prices in Greece have not been affected by the Persian Gulf episodes, according to government officials.

[02] PREMIER TO PRESENT PROGRAM FOR FARMERS, PENSIONERS AND UNEMPLOYED

Greek Prime Minister and PASOK President Kostas Simitis is set to present the policies his party is to follow for farmers, small-to-medium sized businessmen, pensioners and unemployed, during a press conference to be held this afternoon at the Zappeion Mansion.

During his speech yesterday at the PASOK National Council, Mr. Simitis defined the basic axes of his policy, being the construction of a new welfare state, the creation of job opportunities, the revitalization of the country's rural areas and the reinstatement of credibility in government.

Also yesterday, main opposition party leader, New Democracy's Miltiades Evert enumerated the seven priorities he is to adopt if he were elected Premier at the September 22 elections and developed his proposal of a new convergence program.

Minor opposition party Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras, will give his first pre-election campaign speech this evening at Ioannina.

Harilaos Florakis, honorary President of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), is touring rural areas in Trikala, while President of the Coalition of the Left and Progress party Nikos Konstantopoulos is touring Komotini and Xanthi.

President of the Democratic and Social Movement Dimitris Tsovolas will speak at an open rally in the island of Lesvos this evening.

[03] BULGARIAN MINISTER OF TRADE TO VISIT THESSALONIKI'S INT'NAL TRADE FAIR

Bulgarian Trade Minister Atanas Paparizov will be in Thessaloniki this weekend where he will attend the formal inauguration of the city's 671st International Trade Fair.

Mr. Paparizov will also meet with Minister of Development Vasso Papandreou and Minister of Macedonia- Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, with whom he will discuss issues of economic cooperation between Greece-Bulgaria.

Mr. Paparizov will be accompanied by a delegation from the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry.

[04] THESSALONIKI MAYOR WILL VISIT GERMANY TO PROMOTE CULTURAL CAPITAL '97

Thessaloniki Mayor Konstantinos Kosmopoulos will present the program of "Thessaloniki: Cultural Capital of Europe 1997" during his visit to Germany in November 21- 22.

A series of events, to be organized by the Foundation of Hellenic Culture, will take place on the sidelines of the program's presentation in Berlin and Cologne, while Greek-German organizations are expected to promote the festivities throughout the German media.

[05] CYPRUS PAN-UNION FORUM TO BE HELD IN BRUSELLS

The Cyprus Pan-Union Forum is expected to be held in Brusells, after the thrice-attempted meeting that has so far been averted by Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash.

Officials from the Greek-Cypriot union organizations SEK, PEO and PASYDY, are in continuous contact with the European Union and the International Association of European Unions which have undertaken the initiative for the Forum and its funding.

[06] IRAQ CONDEMNS TURKEY'S DOUBLE STANDARDS ON KURDISH ISSUE

An open letter to Ankara has been publsihed in the Iraqi newspaper "Al Jum Hurria" wherein Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller is criticised for her statements asking for the immediate withdrawal of Iraqi military units from northern Iraq.

The Iraqui publication accuses Turkey of employing double standards on the Kurdish issue and states "while you use violence against the Kurds who live in Turkey, claiming security reasons, you do not recognize our right to carry on with our anti-terrorist struggle."

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