"Justice knows how it must act", underlined Minister of Justice Phillipos Petsalnikos. "In generally speaking, and in this case specifically, as Minister of Justice, I would never comment on decisions of Greek Justice, especially ones that are still deve loping", he stressed.

"We have been reading about this issue for the past 15 years. Newspapers and magazines have run stories about it, but it never leads anywhere", stated former Minister of Justice Evaggelos Giannopoulos, and asked that Justice be let to do its duty freely.

"No comment, I don't think we should comment on issues Justice is dealing with", stated the Minister of National Defense, Giannos Papantoniou, while deputy Minister of Defense Lucas Apostolidis stated: "It would be best to let Justice alone to do its wor k. Justice does not need defenders, especially ones who try to play political-party games, and blur the political climate. Greece needs stability and the Greek people need to feel stability and security, so let all these "parapolitics" and innuendoes ceas e, because it is a disease for our political life".

Specifically, according to Minister of Culture Evaggelos Venizelos, the "Culture" entrepreneurial program incorporates the "restoration of monuments and the shaping of the area around Ancient Messinia", with a budget of 4,402,054 euro, and the constructi on of the Kalamata "Megaro" Dance Hall, with a budget of 8,808,761euro. Also, in cooperation with the District, the preservation and restoration of the Castles of Methoni, Pylos, and Old Navarino, are to be incorporated in the PEP, with a budget of 2,934, 702 euro.

A short while later, at 11:15am, another earthquake, this time its epicenter on Nafpaktos, of 4.2 R, took place. The focus depth of the earthquake was 12 km.

So far, no damages have been announced by the police.

As announced by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki's geophysics laboratory, the first vibration was recorded at 10.41 470 km south-southwest of Thessaloniki, west of Pylos. At 11.15 the second weaker vibration followed, originating from the sea region between Rio and Nafpakto.

As seismologist of APTh, Manolis Skordilis, stated to the MPA, these two weak earthquakes are not related with each other, while there are no indications that the areas above exhibit seismic activity.

"They are probably part of the area's standard seismic activity", he said characteristically.

The main demands are the end of the massive layoffs and the implementation of collective work contracts. Also, the strike will be held in support of the dignity of journalists calling for the respect of the principles of ethics aimed at the reliable, tim ely and free information.

The journalists warn that if the stance of the employers remains unchanged the struggle will intensify.

Mr. Papandreou stated after the meeting that a historical opportunity is being presented for the solution of the Cyprus problem maintaining that Turkey should display the will.

The statements made by the Cypriot government spokesman were at the same wavelength and Mr. Papapetrou issued an appeal to the Turkish Cypriot side to display the will for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Mr. Kokkalis met this morning at the offices of his Intracom company with Association of Greek Industries Executive Committee President Lefteris Antonakopoulos and the Association's Board of Directors President Odysseas Kiriakopoulos and did not make any

comment concerning the charges against him.

The decision is simple, clear and unanimous. All forms of electronic gambling will be banned, stated characteristically Mr. Skandalidis.

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas said that Mr. Simitis stated that the impression that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is firm in his positions with certain exceptions of lesser importance was confirmed.

Mr. Protopapas underlined that in the second round of the talks that will open on March 1 an effort will be made to confirm the framework set by the UN. Such a development will be a reminder for Rauf Denktash that the community talks take place under the

auspices of the UN.

Mr. Simitis and Mr. Clerides agreed that given the fact that there are no significant developments on the Cyprus problem the visit of Mr. Clerides to Athens will be postponed to take place at the end of March when the second round of talks will be comple ted.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos announced that the procedures in the liberalization of the natural gas market are being sped-up and at the same time, it is sought to secure fuel sufficiency through contracts with Russia, Turkey and Iran.

The Minister of Development announced the creation of an Electric Energy Stock Exchange and invited to a dialogue all private companies with an electricity production license aimed at establishing the framework of the operation of the specific Stock Exch ange.

The minister gave to publicity the draft law on the further liberalization of the liquid fuel market through which will be sought to combat impure and contraband fuel through the establishment of a special control body.

Of the stocks trading today, 108 recorded gains and 194 had losses, while the value of 71 stocks remained unchanged.

The government committee decided to restructure Olympic Airways and attract private capital estimated at 100-150 million Euro for the airline to be able to continue its unhindered operation.

Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis stated that there will be increased possibilities to attract private capital through a complete, modern, profitable and effective plan of operation aimed at securing a private majority, while the state will own 4 9% of the stocks.

Minister of Transportation Christos Verelis stated that the efforts made to sell Olympic Airways proved that the company has to be restructured first, pointing out that significant efforts have been made recently for the improvement of the state airline operation. He stated that the restructuring program provides for personnel reductions by 2.000 employees and at the same time, he assured that there will be no layoffs.