after which Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos said that the ministry has secured further funds from the redistribution. There is no fear for any funds of the 3rd CSF being lost, stated Minister of Finanace Nikos Christodoulakis. Greece can off er 2 billion euro for the programs of the 3rd CSF in the countryside, said deputy Minister of Finance Chr. Pachtas.

The opening of the consular offices had been announced last week by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou in Brussels, in the margin of the meeting for NATO member-state Foreign Ministers, where he had met with FYROM Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva.

Today, Mr. Loverdos will be received by the President of FYROM Boris Trajkovski, Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski, Vice President of the government Rudmila Sekerinska and Minister of Finance Stevce Jakimovski.

As was announced by the Thessaloniki General Police Direction, the first explosion was noted at 03:04 outside the local PASOK offices in Kallithea, where unknown parties placed three small gas canisters and set them alight. Almost at the same time came t he second explosion at the local PASOK offices in Faliro, where two small butane canisters were used.

Two minutes later, an explosive device that consisted of 2 gas canisters exploded outside the offices of OTE in Faliro, which is very close to local PASOK organization offices, while at 03:10 the unknown arsonists attacked a supermarket in the same way i n East Thessaloniki.

Although the damages from the explosion are limited the police appreciated that the four attacks were carried out based on a carefully organized plan.

Greek justice", underlined Mr. Papantoniou.

Thus comes the curtain call in the trial of the suspected members of the "17 November" terrorist organization, which ended with the ruling of the court yesterday. Tomorrow the DA is expected to propose sentences for those found guilty, while he will appe al against those found innocent.

Of the 19 suspects, four were found not guilty: Giannis Serifis, Anestis Papanastasiou, Aggeliki Sotiropoulou and Theologos Psaradelis, with the last two released from the Corydallos Penitentiary after several months of incarceration.

The court also recognized the sincere remorse of Patroklos Tselentis, Sotiris Condylis, Costas Telios and Thomas Serifis, who will receive shorter sentences. In contrast, serious sentences are expected for the rest, with punishment that will probably rea ch life imprisonment.

Alexandros Giotopoulos is the only defendant found guilty of instigating the crimes in all homicide cases and all 17N actions.

"The USA welcome the conviction of '17 November'", stated State Department Spokesperson Richard Boucher. When asked if the US will ask for the extradition of those accused of the murder of US citizens, Mr. Boucher referred the question to the Justice Dep artment.

He also stressed that Washington will have further comments when Greek justice has decided on the sentences. US Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller made no comment on the issue of extradition.

From December 11 to December 14, the capital of Hellenism abroad will once again welcome 800 participants from all over the world.

The convention will contribute to the renewal procedure of SAE and the securing of the greatest representation possible. Thus, for the first time, participants include representatives of Greeks in Albania and Istanbul, as the observers' rule is being abo lished, one of the innovations of this year's convention. Also, many new, distinguished organizations will also participate, which had been barred till recently due to the ecclesiastic problem in Australia's Greek abroad organizations, such as the communi ties of Sidney and Adelaide.

During the three day works there will be a review of the important work of the past two years and the definition of the goals for the following four years, since according to the executive order of the Constitution on SAE, promoted by the Foreign Ministr y, SAE World Conventions will be held every 4 years.

Special attention will be paid to the development of the SAE regions, where the main focus will be the meetings every two years. This essential "decentralization" will contribute to the better promotion of SAE in the basis of Hellenism abroad and the con solidation of Hellenism abroad organizations. Also, the Hellenism Networks are being institutionalized (Youth, Science, Business, Culture and Women); they are considered important in approaching Greeks abroad, which had been left our till this year.

It should be noted that expenses this year have been cut down drastically, so that the funds may be used in other SAE programs and activities. Also, the name of SAE will change, as the term living abroad does not cover all Hellenism abroad. The decision will be made at the Convention.

The major institutional changes in organized Hellenism in 140 countries abroad, will be raised for discussion at the convention. The draft for the "organization, functioning rights and responsibilities of SAE", has already been sent to Hellenism organiza tions abroad, so that they may make their own comments and observations.

A significant point is the securing of SAE's consulting and proposing role. The law will secure full cooperation on the side of public administration and the broader social welfare organizations for the achievement of SAE's goals. For example, SAE itself

will be able to form NGOs in various countries around the world, in order to carry out humanitarian activity and programs, as well as to have the flexibility to participate in various European programs.

Major efforts are being made for the financial independence of SAE, as participation in the National Fund of Greeks Abroad (ETO), which was adopted at the 4th SAE World Convention, was made mandatory. President of SAE has often pointed out that the ETO i s what will mark the future and character of SAE.

Participants in the meeting included International Relations and European Union Secretary for New Democracy, Professor Giannis Valinakis, and New Democracy Press Spokesperson Thodoris Roussopoulos. Immediately following the meeting, Mr. Karamanlis stated :

"With Mr. Vitorino we discussed the issue of the control and administration of the Union's exterior borders. It is a very important issue, which greatly concerns Greece. That is because Greece is the only European country that does not border with other EU countries. And of course it has very extended sea borders, thus leaving it greatly exposed to crimes of modern human trafficking, illegal immigration, with the well known negative results.

It has been a long time since we proposed - and we continue to insist on - the formation of a Joint European Coast Guard, a European Body of Border Guards, in order to deal with the problem.

It is obvious that the European Union will realize that there is an issue, and steps are being taken, significant steps. I want to stress that it is important for Piraeus to become the seat of the operational center for the protection of the Eastern Medi terranean sea borders. I think that that will be a very significant step forward".

Papandreou said, asked that mutual subscription not be put into effect automatically, but after the request of the member-state being attacked and the decision of the rest of the member-states.

In statements he made to ET-3 state television after the agreement was signed, Mr. Loverdos said that "a joint statement between Greece and FYROM was signed for the founding and functioning of offices for the consular, financial and trade interests in Bi tola and Thessaloniki. This answers a request of the business communities of Northern Greece and all people, for faster daily transactions".

The deputy Minister also pointed out that these offices must begin functioning before the 2004 Olympics.

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