Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-10-28

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek and British premiers discuss Cyprus issue, return of the

[02] Alleged 'N17' suspect Yiannis Serifis in temporary custody at

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[04] Weather Forecast: Cloud with possible light rain on Tuesday

[01] Greek and British premiers discuss Cyprus issue, return of the Parthenon Marbles

LONDON (ANA/L. Tsirigotakis) - Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday had a working luncheon with his British counterpart Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street where talks focused mainly on Cyprus' EU accession course and efforts for a settlement of the island republic's political problem, as well as the issue of the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

Simitis' visit to London was within the framework of the contacts he will have with European leaders in light of the assumption by Greece of the European Union presidency in the first half of 2003.

Other issues on the agenda of the talks at Downing Street included EU enlargement and illegal immigration.

Simitis brought to Blair'sattention the issue of the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece on the occasion of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. He handed to the British prime minister an official document by Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos containing proposals for a settlement of the issue for the return of the Parthenon Marbles.

The Greek prime minister clarified that he made this move because he believes that the issue of the Parthenon Marbles has matured, time is passing and furthermore the section of the new modern Acropolis Museum, built for the purpose of housing the Parthenon Marbles, will be ready next year.

Following his meeting with Blair, Simitis told reporters that ''we discussed with sincerity with the British prime minister all the issues concerning Greece, Great Britain and the European Union. Of course we focused our discussion on Cyprus' accession to the EU and the efforts being made for a settlement of the political problem of Cyprus, the lack of proposals on the part of the Turkish Cypriots for this issue to proceed and we examined what the following will be.''

[02] Alleged 'N17' suspect Yiannis Serifis in temporary custody at Korydallos prison

A public prosecutor and appelate court prosecutor on Sunday jointly agreed that Yiannis Serifis, on charges of involvement in a terrorist group and possession of a firearm, be held in temporary custody at Korydallos prison.

Yiannis Serifis, a well-known personality of the Greek non-parliamentary left, who was called by appelate court prosecutor Leonidas Zervobeakos to give a statement in connection with the ''November 17'' terrorist group, was led to Korydallos prison after giving a two-hour statement.

According to a statement by Serifis' lawyers, the decision for his temporary custody was based on the charge of involvement in the terrorist group while there was no evidence on the charge that he was in possession of a firearm.

Speaking to journalists prior to his appearance in court, Serifis, categorically denied any involvement with the ''N17'' terrorist group or in terrorism in general.

Hundreds of supporters of Serifis gathered outside the courthouse to express their solidarity with the 18th alleged member of the urban guerrilla group. The demonstrators, who threw stones at the entrance of the court's car park, were finally dispersed by riot police.

Serifis' name appeared in testimony given by jailed alleged members of ''N17'' Christodoulos Xiros, Savvas Xiros and Pavlos Serifis, one of his relatives.

[03] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank

U.S. dollar 0.984

Pound sterling 0.633

Danish kroner 7.491

Swedish kroner 9.201

Japanese yen 122.1

Swiss franc 1.478

Norwegian kroner 7.416

Cyprus pound 0.576

Canadian dollar 1.539

Australian dollar 1.771

[04] Weather Forecast: Cloud with possible light rain on Tuesday

Cloudy weather is forecast in eastern and southern Greece, with possible light rain, and fair weather in the rest of the country. Winds northerly, northeasterly moderate to strong, turning to very strong in the Aegean. In the north, temperatures will range from 5C to 15C; in the Ionian from 10C to 20C; and in the Aegean from 14C to 22C. Light cloud in Athens with temperatures between 12C and 18C. Same in Thessaloniki with temperatures between 8C and 15C.

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