A 5.7 R earthquake was recorded last night 22.10 according to the Thessaloniki Seismological Institute, with its epicenter in the Saros Gulf, north of the Dardanells. According to the Associated Press it was a 5.3 R earthquake. Only limited damage has be en recorded so far. According to the Seismological Institute the quake is not connected to the Anatolia rift, but to a rift in the specific gulf.

They are the Ministers of Public Order Giorgos Floridis, Merchant Marine Giorgos Paschalidis, Macedonia-Thrace Haris Kastanidis, State Alexandros Akrivakis, and deputy Ministers of the Interior Nikos Bistis, Development Kimon Koulouris, Finance Nikos Far makis, Defense Theodoros Kotsonis, Health and Welfare Vassilis Kontogiannopoulos and Education Giorgos Thomas.

Meanwhile, the meeting of the new Cabinet began at 12 noon presided over by the Prime Minister, where Mr. Simitis will give the directions for the government's way of functioning and the acceleration of its work.

The new Minister of Public Order stressed that "the greatest expectation is for one to respond to this great responsibility, because I am succeeding a worthy man and a successful Minister".

Important work has been done at this Ministry said G. Anomeritis during the ceremony for the turning over of the Ministry of the Merchant Marine to G. Paschalidis. The ceremony for the turning over of the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace to Ch. Kastanidis w ill held tomorrow.

members of the Cabinet at its first meeting today after the reshuffling, by Prime Minister Costas Simitis. Mr. Simitis stressed that he does not like frequent changes, as he is interested in the future, however he underlined that if he discerns that a ch ange is necessary in the government's formation, he will carry out that change with no hesitation to get things going.

The Prime Minister welcomed the new members of the Cabinet, whom he wished a week of quick adjustment and effectiveness, while he announced that within this week the Cabinet will meet again in order to make the necessary decisions for the quick promotion

of the government's work. He also repeated that there are 9 months left till the elections, which he specified, once again, will be held in Spring 2004.

It should be noted the governmental committee will meet tomorrow and the Executive Office on Wednesday. The next meeting of the Cabinet is placed on Thursday, while on Friday the ministerial committee on the Olympic works is expected to meet, presided ov er by the Prime Minister.

Speaking specifically about the orientation of the government in the time period until the elections, the Prime Minister, addressing the members of the Cabinet, stressed that they must care for the citizen and fight the negative phenomena concerning thei r services. Specifically, he raised the example of serving immigrants and the phenomenon of certain citizens being misled by banks sending them credit cards and charging them without their being clients.

Mr. Simitis also said that he constantly oversees the application and materialization of the government program so that its progress can be ascertained and weaknesses in its application can be pointed out. In this framework he underlined that he will hav e constant contact with all the members of the Cabinet in order to accelerate its pace and make the results visible to the Greek people.

After the meeting of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister had a private meeting with Minister of the Interior Costas Scnadalidis, with whom, according to information, he discussed changes in the political system, and specifically in the electoral law.