In his reply, Kostas Simitis praised Mr. Stathopoulos' offer and work at the Ministry of Justice.

The readjustment of the price of marriage stamps from drs to Euro, also occupied the SHS.

The members of the Synod agreed to be briefed by the Ministry of Economics, and then make their decision on how much they should increase the price of the stamp, which is expected to be doubled.

When asked about the reshuffling, Secretary General of New Democracy's Parliamentary Group Dimitris Sioufas stated that: "Today, the Prime Minister showed us, in action, what he meant when he asked for a strong mandate". "After 19 months of a complete ab sence of government, he can no longer claim that he lacks legalization for necessary actions, nor that he is forced to maintain a situation that is not to the benefit of the country by others", he underlined.

The President of the Coalition of the Left, Nikos Konstantopoulos, commented that "continuing government policy is the essence, the changes in roles and faces are just communications' 'wrappings'". He added, "the Prime Minister is calculating using party

interrelations the as his criteria. He will do well to change government policy".

The reshuffling does not respond to the needs of Greek society, according to Dimitris Avramopoulos, President of the Free Citizens Movement (KEP). As he stressed, the point of a reshuffling is not the shifting of "first class" staff members from one mini stry to another, but the elevation of worthy individuals, especially from the periphery, who will bring new ideas into the government's policies. This reshuffling "merely keeps the balances inside the party".

On the other hand, the Federation of Industries of Northern Greece(SBBE) expressed its satisfaction on the strengthened presence of MPs from the periphery in the new government, and its willingness to cooperate with the new ministers to achieve common go als.

The aim of the code is to protect both the viewers and those advertised, from insults to their personality and dignity.

Mr. Reppas greeted the initiative of the advertisers, those advertised and the electronic media to move to an agreement of commitment and self-control, as foreseen by law 2863 which was voted a year ago.

The Greek delegation, in which participants include Director of Balkan Affairs Alexandros Mallias, will be received by the Yugoslavian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Goran Svilanovits.

Mr. Papandreou stated that he agrees with the essence of New Democracy's proposal, but not with each separate issue. In order to avoid confusion through some unclear factors, the proposal was rejected.

Two ministers Akis Tsochatzopoulos (Minister of Development) and Evangelos Venizelos (Culture Minister) and three undersecretaries (Yiannis Magriotis, Nikos Gesoulis, Spiros Vougias) come from Thessaloniki.

Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrisochoidis is from the prefecture of Imathia, Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos from the prefecture of Kastoria, Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis from Pella, undersecretary of Labor Lefteris Tziol as from Grevena, undersecretary of National Defense Lazaros Lotidis from Kozani, undersecretary of Economy Christos Pachtas from Chalkidiki, undersecretary of economy Apostolos Fotiadis from Evros, undersecretary of Economy Gioros Floridis from Kilkis and

undersecretary of Environment, Public Works and Land Planning Yiannis Tsaklidis is from Kavala.

The clocks will turn backwards one hour at 4am on Sunday to show 3am.

will be made will be characterized by a sense of cooperation, while an emphasis will be given to the better approach of the market people and the representatives of production sectors.

Ms. Vaso Papandreou referred to her work in the Ministry of Interior, while handing over the post to her successor Kostas Skandalidis. She pointed out that many reforms have been made in the area of public administration which is a sector that has to be in a constant reform.

Taking over, Mr. Skandalidis stated that he is very pleased and moved to return to the Ministry of Interior after 7 years, stressing that reforms in the sector of local administration should continue.

In a very emotional atmosphere and with tears in his eyes, Dimitris Reppas handed over the Ministry of Press and Mass Media to Christos Protopappas. Mr. Reppas thanked for their cooperation the journalists assigned to the press room characterizing it as a "workshop of democracy".

Mr. Protopappas stated that he takes over a very big responsibility and pledged that he will live up to this responsibility with the help of the journalists. Referring to Mr. Reppas he stated that he is his model and pointed out that he has won the love of the political world.

Kostas Laliotis, who is the new PASOK Central Committee secretary, handed over the Ministry of Environment, Public Works and Land Planning to his successor Vaso Papandreou after being for 8 years in that post and expressed the belief that Ms. Papandreou will continue the work done in the best possible way. From her side, she stated that she is very moved by the fact that she replaces Mr. Laliotis with whom she shares a common political course of 27 years.

Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Magriotis, responsible for Greeks living abroad, in statements he made to MPA on the occasion of his new duties stressed that he is very pleased and satisfied with the fact that he returns to familiar and friend ly surroundings. He said that in an era characterized by globalization and the international crisis, the Greek communities abroad have a very important role to play.

Mr. Christodoulakis referred to the great role Mr. Papantoniou played in the course of the Greek economy and especially, in Greece's EMU membership. He said that a special emphasis will be given to the growth and competitiveness of the Greek economy, the

promotion and smooth operation of money markets and the social security issue.

Of the stocks trading today, 82 recorded gains and 242 had losses, while 53 remained unchanged.

The exhibition will open on October 27 and will present the development of printed cartography in Greece from the times of the first maps until the 19th century. The work of famous cartographers like, Mercator, Ortelius, Coronelli, Blaeu, D' Anville and Rigas Fereos, will also be presented.

Mr. Karamanlis pointed out in his speech that New Democracy's obligation is to exercise constructive criticism on the government and express its own proposals. He also presented seven New Democracy goals-proposals for the parliamentary period 2001-2002.

Specifically, on economy, New Democracy's goals are development, employment and social cohesion which will be achieved among others through the promotion of structural changes, liberalization of markets, clarity in transactions, and the protection of wor kers' rights. Also, ND suggests cutting public spending, the adoption of a new agricultural and regional policy, as well as, an aggressive tourist policy, open management of the 3rd Community Framework of Support funds and guarantees for the protection of

the tax-payers' money.

On people and society, the goal is to create a society characterized by solidarity giving a special emphasis to the eradication of inequalities, poverty and unemployment.

The goal of New Democracy is to create a new state by implementing reforms and deep changes based on the principles of transparency, meritocracy, respect for the citizen and a strong local administration.

Regarding the 2004 Olympic Games, the goal is to be a success, while the challenges ahead are Olympic Truce, peace, the cooperation among the peoples and security.

The goals concerning the issue of the social security system reform are viability and social justice that will be achieved through reforms and deep changes. New Democracy backs the three-way funding of the social security system (namely, by the state, th e employees and the employers), wants no change in the pension age limits, no pension cuts, and proposes more benefits for mothers.

On education, the goal is equal opportunities for all achieved through real reform and national dialogue. Also, more funds are needed for education and better use of new technologies, while an emphasis is given to infrastructure.

On Greece's place in Europe, New Democracy believes that Greece should undertake initiatives within a strong Europe. Europe should hold a leading role in international developments. It should achieve real economic and political unification, protect its b orders and include Cyprus in the first EU enlargement wave. ND adds that Greece should become Europe's bridge to western Balkans and eastern Mediterranean.

Police removed the letter and already lab tests are being made to determine what was the suspicious powder found in the envelope.

According to the newspaper, a similar letter was found in the villa of a US diplomat in Tirana but lab tests proved that the powder in it was just flour.

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