Mr. Miller expressed the US government's appreciation for the help offered by Athens in the international struggle, stressing that to get results in the battle against terrorism "there must be arrests and prosecutions".

Mr. Miller praised the good level of bilateral relations, while he referred to Greek-American relations of the recent past.

Regarding the Olympics, he stressed that his county's role in them will only be supportive.

Mr. Miller mentioned the Cyprus issue developments, he characterized the direct discussions between Mr. Cleridis and Mr. Denktash as useful and positive, but he avoided making any predictions as to what the ending will be.

On Greek Turkish relations he stated that the atmosphere that has been created between the two countries is much healthier, and the creation of communication channels is very encouraging.

In presenting the government's policy on the media, the Prime Minister pointed out that it is based on the "transparency, legality and quality" triptych, and he added that all forms of media must regard their service with freedom and responsibility.

On the other hand, New Democracy continues to support the full nomination of stocks of the participating mass media, public works and provisions companies, and the incompatibility between them. This would forbid mass media owners or major stockholders fr om holding positions, which they could then promote through that form of media.

New Democracy spokesperson Th. Roussopoulos, commented on the accusations of the government spokesperson, that New Democracy refused to participate in the discussion on the media. Th. Roussopoulos admitted that Mr. Protopapas sent a relating letter - inv iting the President of New Democracy in the beginning of December, for a discussion on the Constitution Article regarding the "major stockholder" and the media. He stressed, however, that on the same day they had answered that "ND had disagreed with the C onstitution paragraph in question and the adopting of the unacceptable concept of the "major stockholder". We disagreed because we do not believe it secures transparency and it leaves institutional loop holes open. Thus, it is obvious that any discussions

on the preparation of such an executive law cannot meet ND's basic position on the institutional armament of the state, and the upgrading of the substance and quality of Democracy in Greece".

within the next ten days. These 15 works mainly concern:

Constructing public welfare institutions

The promotion of ecclesiastic monuments in 7 cities and 9 metropolises, as well as the restoration of 10 ecclesiastic monuments of the Byzantine Era. The development of modern information and telecommunication infrastructure in 3,000 central and peripheral administration units of the Greek Church.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Giannis Magriotis, Secretary General of Hellenism Abroad Dimitris Dollis and the SAE Presidency, will hold a press conference on February 18 at 12 noon, on the issues which they will have discussed, and the Council's sc hedule for 2002 and 2003.

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis clarified that the information gathered has not been evaluated as The Hague Tribunal has the specific authority.

Meanwhile, the members of the committee made up of PASOK, Communist Party and Coalition of the Left parliament deputies will visit the UN delegation offices in Athens tomorrow in view of their imminent visit to the former Yugoslav President who is hel d in The Hague prisons.

The trip is placed within the framework of the materialization of the Aegean Ministry action plan aimed at strengthening Greece's relations with the Greeks living in South Africa.

During his stay in Johannesburg, Mr. Sifounakis will have formal meetings with local administration representatives, the Christian Orthodox Church and Greek community associations.

Of the stocks trading today, 172 recorded gains and 107 had losses, while the value of 92 stocks remained unchanged.

During the meeting, Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis briefed the cabinet on the legal procedure concerning the so-called "royal property". After the meeting, Mr. Christodoulakis said that the former King seeks to win a European Court ruling whic h in effect will be against the Greek tax payers.

New Democracy press representative Theodoros Rousopoulos stated that no decision has been made yet and there is no reason to hurry. However, party officials maintain that the candidature of Ms. Bakoyianni should be regarded as certain.

The conference will be held in cooperation with leading European cardiology centers and with the participation of 57 speakers from Greece, Britain, France, the United States, Germany, Holland, Italy, Switzerland and Yugoslavia.

"It is important to show the world that the Balkans are not just a source of strife, that they can also be countries cooperating for peace, cooperating for a better future", stated Mrs. Damanaki, after her meeting with the Yugoslavian President.

She also stressed that she found that Yugoslavian's displayed great interest in the Athens Olympics.

The Greek delegation in Skopje and Pristina, cities visited yesterday by Mrs. Damanaki, got a positive answer. The "Distinguished Individuals' Declaration for the Olympic Truce" was signed by the President of FYROM, Boris Trajkofski and Ibraim Rugova.

Mr. Papantoniou was informed of the Balkan brigade's mission by the heads of staff. Beginning in September, a Greek brigadier will take over command.

The Minister expressed his satisfaction at the excellent training and the high readiness of the multinational Brigade, which is ready to take humanitarian action if the need arises.

"I believe we have should support them and that is exactly what I told the commander and the officers here, that they will have my full support in both material and other goods, so that they may be able to complete their difficult, and quite delicate mis sion", he noted.

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