Cretan Brotherhood of Macedonia President and Organizing Committee General Secretary Nikos Papadakis stated that the conference is an important moment in the Cretan dialogue. It is the first time the Cretans living abroad and the local residents meet to discuss the development of Crete as well as, issues of education, history, culture, and social problems.

Mr. Papadakis stated that over 150 organizations of Cretans from Greece and abroad will be represented in the conference. He also stressed the participation of the young Cretans and the live broadcast of the conference by MPA (www.mpa.gr) offering the op portunity to the Cretans anywhere in the world to watch the proceedings.

Orthodox Academy of Crete General Director Mr. Papaderos stressed that the academy will work for the holy cause of the conference.

Conference Treasurer Yiannis Papadakis referred to the support offered to the conference by the Greek government, local administration and private companies.

The conference will take place at the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolibari, Chania on August 20-24 and it will be formally opened by Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis.

caused the reaction of the Municipality of Florina.

In a statement issued by the Municipality it is mentioned that it is unaware of the issue and no request was ever made for the city's main square to be used to hold any event. Therefore, the Municipality of Florina regards the issue as non existent and t he newspaper report as groundless and untrue.

According to the conclusions of the report, Greece is less likely to become a terrorist target than the United States or Britain. The United States is at the fourth place on the list of countries with a high risk of a terrorist attack, while Britain is at the tenth place.

The 2003-2004 International Terrorism List includes 186 countries at risk of a terrorist hit in the next 12 months and serves as a "guide" for companies and investors around the world.

Colombia, Israel and Pakistan are at the top of the list, while the high place of Britain is attributed to the close cooperation between London and Washington. The report stresses that if the Twin Towers were a symbolic target in the United States, a sim ilar target in Britain is its Parliament.

The body of Helmut Hausler was taken to the Health Center of Kassandra and then to Thessaloniki's Aristotle University for an autopsy.

An investigation is underway by the Moudania Coast Guard in Chalkidiki.

Of the stocks trading today, 105 recorded gains and 218 had losses, while the value of 56 stocks remained unchanged.