Mr. Giannitsis' letter to the President of the European Commission was a continuation of his intervention at the Council of EU Foreign Ministers (February 16), where the issue of the Greek sailors being held was discussed extensively.

An intervention had already taken place by the community troika and Commissioner Chris Patten towards the Pakistani authorities on the issue of the sailors of the "Tasman Spirit", which had caused pollution after an accident outside the port of Karachi.

To that end, the Ministry's services are in constant contact with both prefectures and peripheries, as well as with EMY's central services, so that the mobilization has immediate results and there is a clear image of the state of the weather.

Of the stocks trading today, 111 had gains and 174 had losses, while the value of 105 stocks remained unchanged.

New Democracy.

Mr. Papandreou pledged that he will seek major post-election consensus but at the present phase it is necessary to highlight party differences and the effects of a change in power without guarantees for stability and an understanding for the needs of the

new era.

Referring to the phenomenon of corruption, the leader of PASOK underlined that the issue is not to freeze the market but to force it operate with transparency. Evaluating the characteristics of the governing party, he pointed out that there is no room fo r set attitudes in the period of 2004-2008.

Mr. Papandreou denied that he enjoys excessive promotion and support by strong mass media and presented his positions on the economy. He also stated about the change in his stance regarding the terms of the televised debate that it was an effort he made to lift the deadlock "discovered" through his moves even though there is no such a thing as a deadlock.

Mr. Karamanlis accused PASOK of resorting to ways of the past, addressing tens of people gathered at his party's central election office in Athens earlier today.

Mr. Karamanlis referred indirectly to governing Socialist Party of PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou message for political change, saying that simply speaking about the new is not enough to bring political change.

This is the central message of a multifaceted policy aimed at conquering the society of knowledge, outlined by governing Socialist Party of PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou in a speech he delivered at Evgenidion Institute in Athens today.

The goal of this policy, explained Mr. Papandreou, is for society as a whole to have access to information and Internet technologies, while individual dexterities will be promoted. Mr. Papandreou stressed that the goal is for 60% of the population to be able to exploit these technologies by the year 2008.

Mr. Papandreou described a new model of governance where non-governmental organizations will be backed through television promotion and tax reductions in order to contribute to the development of the society of citizens.

Public administration will turn to modern man-centered public agencies and by 2008 the contact between the citizens and administration will be made through Citizens' Service Centers for over 200 state agencies, said Mr. Papandreou.

"There are now sound hopes of reaching a solution on the Cyprus problem, although we have a difficult puzzle ahead of us", stated Mr. Giannitsis characteristically, while on his side, the US diplomat made mention of encouragement with which he left Cypru s this morning.

However, Mr. Giannitsis and Mr. Weston avoided commenting on the specifics of their discussions, as UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had asked all sides not to make statements during this sensitive period of the discussions.

Mr. Giannitsis stressed that there was a detailed discussion on all aspects of the Cyprus issue, but at the present "statements will not help". He did, however, stress the need for a solution, "which will be compatible with community acquis, a solution w hich will allow Cyprus to function effectively in the framework of the EU".

He also stressed that "we do not want a referendum for its own sake, we want the solution to be embraced by all of the Cypriot people, who will then respect it".

The Foreign Minister also noted that Greece and Turkey will soon sit at the negotiation table and discuss the issues of security and guarantees on the island. However, it remains to be seen what other pending issues will be left after March 21.

Mr. Giannitsis also expressed his hope that the solution will coincide with the expression of the US initiative for the establishment of security, peace and democracy in the Middle East and Cyprus can be the first tangible example in the region, as a suc cess such as this could set an important precedent to overcoming such problems.

On his side, Mr. Weston thanked the Greek Foreign Minister on their conclusive discussion, and mentioned that he left Cyprus this morning with a sense of encouragement, that everything is coming along positively.

In response to a journalist question on the outcome of the referendum, Mr. Weston pointed out that the decision the referendum leads to will be a decision of the Cypriot people, and nobody else. "The right to decide about its future belongs to the Cyprio t people", he stated.

Mr. Giannitsis stressed that the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides both want to reach a solution and are doing everything they can to be led to it. On the same issue, Mr. Weston stated that the US have showed the necessary political will to help in the dir ection of a just solution and that is what they will aim at in the future.

Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash characterized Mr. Weston's statements yesterday - that whichever side responds negatively to the referendum will bear an incredibly negative and heavy load as regards to the future of Cyprus - as "unacceptable pressur e and a threat" towards both communities. Yesterday, the Greek Cypriot side had also expressed its discomfort with Mr. Weston's statements, and President of the Cypriot Republic Tassos Papadopoulos was quoted saying, "I do not know what Mr. De Soto or Mr.

Weston say, and they are not going to point out to me how negotiations will be carried out".

Contacts on the Cyprus issue today are also being carried out off the island, with the talks between President of the Cypriot Republic, Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos, and leader of the Turkish Cypriots Mr. Rauf Denktash, as the main point of discussion in Athe ns today, during the meeting of Foreign Minister Mr. Tassos Giannitsis with Mr. Weston. The new leading duo of the Turkish Cypriots, "Prime Minister" of occupied Cyprus Mehment Ali Talat and so-called Foreign Minister Serdar Dentkash will travel to Ankara

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article