Speaking to New Hellenic Television (NET), he pointed out the serious dangers of Turkey's involvement in north Iraq, and stressed that such an action is against UN resolution 1441. "The war may have many adjacent issues that will cause a lot of problems ", said Mr. Protopapas, and he called Turkey to agree with the EU until the best possible solution is found and there is proper funding to deal with the refugee problem.

The Minister of the Press made mention of a sad war in which, as he noted, each side has its own story and he stressed that this war has certain interests in mind and could have been avoided.

Another point of concern for the gurus of the European banking market, as was mentioned in a "Kathimerini" newspaper publication, is that the European economy looks like an unfortified city. The lack in competitiveness and productivity European economies

are faced with, is very difficult to cover. The Greek experience is similar, since there has been a continuous drop in its exports over the past two years, as well as a potential substitution of domestic products with European products, which are cheaper

and of greater quality. This leads to the undermining of competitiveness, meaning the disappearance of several productive units of the economy, with mathematic accuracy, and a significant increase in unemployment, which cannot be dealt with through beaut ifying economic figures.

These structural problems are intensifying due to the latent crisis, with the course of Greek tourism as a characteristic example.

A large number of Greece's hotel businesses are in a very unfavorable financial situation due to the military conflict in Iraq and the pre-war uncertainty, which lasted very long.

Meanwhile, the Greek Rescue Team intends to set up at least two mobile medical units, in order to offer medical support to the refugees being transferred from Iraq. It will also offer support equipment-wise to the Christian Hospital north of Amman.

The Greek Rescue Team will enter Iraq as soon as security conditions and need recordings allow for it to do so. When military operations are over and the prohibition of entrance of medical units is lifted, the units will operate on Iraqi soil.

The plan in question was proposed and submitted as a form of humanitarian program to be funded by the Greek Foreign Ministry.

At the same time, the Greek Directors' Union has proposed a boycott of American films by Greek audiences, for as long as the war in Iraq lasts.

The announcement also mentioned: "Greek directors, Greek creators, are a living spiritual part of our society, which very rarely occupy the press, and even more rarely appear in television "windows" speaking, and publicly expressing themselves. Because w e have a minimal personal choice: To refuse to financially support those who we consider responsible for this unjust war".

"We ask Greek audiences to boycott US films for as long as the war lasts. And this action is not an ideological confrontation. It is an ethical position of Greek creators at this difficult time of war".

Officer Constantinos Milionis served at the special forces' building in Kesariani during that period and recognized Savvas Xeros and Aggeliki Sotiropoulou as the couple that observed the parking area for the buses the week before the explosion.

Officer Milionis' testimony caused the reaction of Aggeliki Sotiropoulou who called him a "liar and a wretch".

The President of the court Michalis Margaritis pointed out that neither of the two defendants is facing charges regarding the specific terrorist action.

Meanwhile, suspect member Savvas Xeros expressed his wish not to attend the trial, characterizing it as a parody and complaining about the holding conditions of the 19 defendants in the case.

The parade had a strong antiwar undercurrent, with the students wearing "no-bomb" stickers on their uniforms and the slogan "stop the war". Also, students of one school held a banner reading "PEACE".

There was tension at the end of the student parade between the police and a group of university students. The university students were allowed to protest against the war after the parade had ended and the officials had left, and the situation stabilized.

At the same time, antiwar rallies are being organized throughout the country once again. Dozens of students, teachers and parents organized a rally in the 18th High School of Thessaloniki, in Toumba. They asked that the base in Souda be closed down and t hat Greece does not get involved in the war. A protest march in the streets of Toumba followed.

Further rallies have also been organized in Crete for next Sunday by the KKE committee of Crete, while in the framework of the protests, the Greek Social Forum has planned a two day surrounding of the Souda base on April 5 and 6.

Meanwhile the Holy Archdiocese of Crete has ordered that the bells of all churches sound a mourning toll daily at 12 noon until military operations are ended.

Without this war actually touching upon us, it concerns and affects us. Greece is a member of the UN and the European Union, two international organizations whose mission is, for the first, to preserve peace and defend international law, and for the seco nd is to support its humanistic principals."

The President continued that Greece has taken a clear position, both as a member state of these organizations and as a People.

"The criterion of our words and deeds is the country's best interest and our devotion to global values and principles. March 25 reminds us of the constant need to serve our national interests and our national goals indicate the framework of our actions.

I wish for this war to end as soon and with as few human casualties as possible. The Greek People, with a sense of patriotic duty and full knowledge of the international circumstances, will continue to support the principles of international legality.

The same thoughts force us to work for the future of the European Union and the reinforcement of its international role. We must make every effort possible to reinstate the harmonious cooperation between its member states. Let us hope that the crisis we are going through will strengthen its cohesion in the end.

Let the decision of the fighters of 1821 to sacrifice everything for freedom and the heroism they displayed, lead our actions, and as they liberated our country from the slavery it had been submitted to, thus will we fight to preserve our independence an d defend our Homeland".

There was information until this morning that the meeting was to be cancelled due to the war in Iraq, but this afternoon related Ministries stated that the meeting will be held as planned.