The statue of Korais, a copy of the statue outside Athens University, was placed in the city's central neighborhood, Antigone, formed in the 80s with the initiative of the present Mayor.

He noted that the University of Montpelier is one of the greatest in France, from which Adamantios Korais graduated in 1788 with a PhD in medicine.

Mr. Stefanopoulos was received at the City Hall, where he was proclaimed an honorary citizen of Montpelier, and George Fres awarded him with the city medals.

At his meeting with Mr. Scandalidis, the President of SAE raised the issue of promoting procedures to apply the article of the Constitution that foresees voting by mail for Greek citizens, living abroad permanently. The Minister expressed his personal in terest in the issue, which should be immediately promoted after the national elections, so that it can be put into effect in 2008, while they also discussed the models followed by other countries of the EU on the issue. It should be noted that Greece is t he only member of the EU that has not applied vote by mail.

Mr. Athens also expressed an intense interest in issues of Greeks abroad returning to Greece. Within two weeks SAE will submit a new report with its own proposals to the Minister, which will possibly be discussed anew in November.

Mr. Scandalidis congratulated the SAE President on the programs being carried out, and especially the Medical Program in countries of the Black Sea and Albania.

During his meeting with the Minister of Transportation, they discussed the problem created for Greeks living in Australia, by the interruption of Olympic Airways flights to Australia. As Mr. Verelis said, the problem has the Ministry deeply concerned, wh ile it is negotiating with Gulf Air, so that a solution can be found for the transportation of Greeks living abroad from and to Australia.

Regarding the problem of not recognizing drivers' licenses of Greeks from South Africa, Mr. Verelis said that that problem would be solved within ten days with the announcement of a related decision.

Mr. Athens thanked the Minister of Transportation for his decision to place the "Greek Diaspora" magazine of the Macedonian Press Agency in all Olympic Airways flights, as it includes a special SAE section.

The Minister of Agriculture Giorgos Drys stated that the agriculturalists and veterinarians have not officially called a strike, and that is why there is not security personnel staff. Deputy Minister of Development Kimon Koulouris mentioned: "The extende d strike of the veterinarians can only be excessive. No one should be allowed to use consumers as victims and hostages".

Meanwhile, the strike has caused shortages and price increases in food market of Northern Greece. The continuing strike has caused all slaughterhouses in the country to cease functioning, while all imports and exports of animal and vegetable goods have f rozen. The lack in food has caused prices to rise, while the main force of the blow was taken by farmers and fruit, vegetable, meat and poultry exporters, who made mention of immense damages, and fiscal clauses they will be forced to pay to companies abro ad since their products did not get there on time.

Butcher shops and grocery stores in Thessaloniki are unable to secure produce and warned that if the mobilizations continue, they will be forced to close their shops.

The strike will continue until Friday, while a protest has been organized outside the Ministry of Culture on Friday.

Mr.Simitis visited the center in view of the Day of the Elderly and presented the government's actions in favor of the elderly, which have been part of his policy so far, as well as the program for the next four years (2004-2008).

The elderly must not be marginalized by society, said the Prime Minister. He mentioned the "Help at Home" program, which he noted is being applied to a satisfactory degree and is being extended. The Units will increase from 800 at the present to 1100 by the end of the year.

The Prime Minister was warmly received by hundreds of elderly people at the center. He talked with them and listened to their requests.

The organization left a declaration in a garbage can near the Eleftherotypia newspaper offices. The note, among other things, mentioned how the attacks were in support of the 7 youths that have been imprisoned for the events that took place during the pr otests against the Summit Meeting that took place in Thessaloniki in June, while they also expressed their solidarity to the defendants in the "17 November" and "ELA" trials.

The explosions were noted outside the homes of New Democracy MP Giorgos Voulgarakis, professor Giorgos Veltsos, as well as the offices of local New Democracy and PASOK organizations.

A few hours later, an incendiary device exploded outside the house of journalist Anna Panagiotarea.

A total of 12.4 million people are unemployed, while based on a report by Dow Jones Newswires, economic analysts were expecting unemployment to reach 8.9%.

According to Eurostat, the highest percentage (11.4%) was recorded in Spain and the lowest (3.8%) in Luxembourg. It is pointed out that based on the revised figures of the European Statistics Agency, unemployment in the Euro-zone was at 8.8% in June and July.

Mr. Protopapas stated that a similar letter has been sent to the rest European governments by the US Ambassadors in Europe. On the Greek position regarding the contents of the letter, Mr. Protopapas said that Greece has a clear policy on European securit y issues in accordance with relevant EU decisions.

Mr. Protopapas pointed out that there is a difference between combating terrorism and the activities of certain brainless and foolish individuals who want to state their presence through attacks with improvised explosive devices.

Mr. Protopapas reiterated that the police authorities are doing their job and proceed with all necessary investigations that will lead to the arrest of those responsible. He also pointed out that right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy Parliame nt deputy Giorgos Voulgarakis, whose house was attacked, will continue to be guarded.

Of the stocks trading today, 220 recorded losses and 90 had gains, while the value of 73 stocks remained unchanged.

the government Vice-President.

In the talks will be examined bilateral political and economic relations, the further development of cooperation in the tourist sector and the preparations for the visit of the Croatian President to Athens next month as well as Croatia's EU accession pro spects.

The above were concluded within the framework of the 21st meeting of the Cultural, Educational and Social Affairs Committee of the Organization's Parliamentary Assembly launched in Thessaloniki today.

The Parliament deputies representing the 11 BSEC countries discussed the dimensions of the phenomenon and adopted a plan of recommendations and proposals aimed at dealing with the problem. The plan will be presented for approval to the State Parliaments of the organization's member states and the responsible committee in the Euro-Parliament.