Prime Minister Costas Simitis stressed yesterday that the authorities would press ahead to stamp out terrorism. But he and other officials cautioned against heightened optimism, saying much work still had to be done.

“The Greek people demand that we weed out terrorism. This was and is a central aim and priority of our government policy,” Simitis said in his most extensive comments on the subject since this week’s breakthrough. “We have made important steps these days and continue with strategy and determination, because we want the blow against terrorism to wipe it out,” he said. “Much work still has to be done to eliminate the network, to gather the evidence and to arrest all those who are responsible. It is a time for deeds and not words. The Public Order Ministry and the Greek police continue their positive effort with international cooperation and always with faith in democratic principles, the Constitution and the law,” Simitis said.

He called on parties, citizens and news media to help the police in their work. Officials said that many people were calling numbers 170 and 1964 to provide anonymous tips.

US Ambassador Thomas Miller congratulated the government and the police, adding that the USA was ready to do anything it could to help root out November 17. But, he warned, “It will take a while.” Saying that this was “an extremely high priority for the Greek and US government,” Miller added, “It’s very important for the public to understand an investigation takes time.”

New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis pledged the conservatives’ support in the fight against terrorism.