The Council of Court of Appeals Judges decided the release of the Russian tycoon under conditions and set bail at 100.000 euros, while he is not allowed to leave the country.

He is expected to be released from Koridallos Prison within the following hours.

It will be a public welfare foundation and according to the former King, a priority will be given to the financial support of people hit by natural disasters and to the efforts against unemployment.

The board of directors is made up of members of the former royal family as well as, actress Irene Pappa, Spyros Metaxas, Prince Hassan of Jordan, Nobel Peace Prize laureate former President of South Africa Frederick de Clerk, and former President of Irel and Mary Robinson.

The foundation will be based in Liechtenstein and its initial capital will be the compensation received by the former royal family for the so-called, royal property namely, 12 million euros.

Former King Konstantinos, responding to a relevant question by a reporter, said that he does not intend to enter politics, while he expressed the belief that the Athens 2004 Olympic Games will be the best Olympic Games ever held.

In a written statement Irene Pappa underlined that her relationship with Konstantinos was always friendly and never political, adding that if her presence in the "Anna Maria" Foundation is annoying for the country she is willing to resign immediately.

He stated in court that in the meetings of the 17N members he had met an individual under the code-name "Stelios" and did not identify him as Kostas Karatsolis, who allegedly had this code-name.

He also insisted that the presence of alleged 17N mastermind Alexandros Giotopoulos in those meetings, that took place twice a year, could not be accidental.

He also clarified that the individual, who brought him into contact with Dimitris Koufodinas together with defendant Christodoulos Xiros was Kostas Avramidis. Avramidis was arrested last May accused of being a 17N member but was released after he testifi ed before the examining judge.

The issues discussed during the visit will concern matters of mutual military interest, while the Greek military official will also have contacts with the country's political leadership.

Initially, a total of 600 tons will be removed followed by another 450 tons. The chemical wastes will arrive in Germany by sea.

The cost for the removal of over one thousand tons of chemical wastes, which were abandoned in the region for years posing a big threat for the health of the people living in the area, is estimated at 1.173.880 euros.

The press conference was given to present the actions of the non governmental organizations that are being financed by the Foreign Ministry for this purpose.

Mr. Loverdos pointed out, among others, that the Foreign Ministry in 2003 has financed with 1.1 million euros the non governmental organizations that deal with the phenomenon of human trafficking, as well as special foundations. Also, it has appointed an

official in charge of the actions undertaken against human trafficking and backs information campaigns on the issue. At the same time, it organizes meetings with the ambassadors of the countries from which the victims of human trafficking come.

Mr. Kaklamanis stated that the discussion was mutually useful and concerned the problems of the region, the need for the solution of the Cyprus issue through talks based on the Annan Plan negotiations, and the restoration of peace in the Middle East with

the implementation of the so-called road map.

Mr. Silver arrived in Athens from Cyprus and stressed that the Annan Plan is the only one that can lead to a viable solution and the US and EU will continue the pressures toward this direction.

According to the amendment, the new company will be named Olympic Airlines and its field will be exclusively air transportation and not ground services that will be undertaken by the old Olympic Airways.

Based on the statement issued by the Ministry of Transportation, Olympic Airlines will employ 1.850 people on the basis of new work regulations and contracts.

According to official figures given to publicity by the Greek Tourist Organization, EOT, today, Greece has evolved into a tempting tourist destination for British, French, Italian and German tourists.

A report by the University of Southampton, shows that Greece occupies the second place in the preferences of the British public after Spain (the Canary Islands).

Based on the opinion of tour operators and specialized press published in France in June, Greece is among the top holiday destinations after Spain and Italy.

According to figures published on specialized press as well as, based on opinion polls conducted by research institutes, Greece occupies the top place as the favorite destination for Italian tourists in August and the second place in July.

A research by Zeit and market institute Innofact A.G. shows that the Germans put Greece together with Italy at the top of the list with the 60 most favorite holiday destinations.

Mr. Christodoulakis stated that the National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank and Emporiki Bank, have been appointed to search for investors and they have already launched contacts with interested parties.

Mr. Christodoulakis stated that the national airline enters a new phase without the accumulated problems of the past.

Of the stocks trading today, 48 recorded gains and 288 had losses, while the value of 45 stocks remained unchanged.

In a letter to Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, Greek-Australian community in Melbourne President Giorgos Fountas expressed the deep disappointment of the Greek-Australians and the strong protest against the unprecedented and misleading for the Austral ian public travel advice.

Mr. Fountas stated that the purpose of this vague travel advice cannot be understood as it refers to problems that are not proven by specific evidence or cases.

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