Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-04-13

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE VISIT MOUNT ATHOS FOR THE HOLY DAYS OF EASTER

[02] 800.000 GREEKS HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET

[03] A GROUP OF DOCTORS WILL DECIDE TODAY ON MILOSEVIC'S RETURN TO PRISON

[04] THE ETHNIC GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA BOYCOTTS THE POPULATION CENSUS

[05] PAPANDREOU PROPOSED AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE BALKANS

[06] THE MESSAGE OF THE SAE PRESIDENT ON THE HOLY DAYS OF EASTER

[01] THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE VISIT MOUNT ATHOS FOR THE HOLY DAYS OF EASTER

Thousands of pilgrims will celebrate the Resurrection of Christ and Easter in the monastic community of Mount Athos in Chalkidiki, northern Greece.

According to the available figures, the number of people, who will celebrate Easter there this year, is larger than any other time.

The monasteries of Mount Athos have been visited by thousands of Greeks in the past five days, while there are many visitors from Russia, Serbia and Germany even Argentina.

[02] 800.000 GREEKS HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET

The Internet has an appeal mainly to a public aged 25-44. The majority of them live in Athens, have high education and medium to high income, while they have access to the Internet both from their homes and work place.

The above are the results of a research conducted by the Athens Economic University Eltrun scientific group and based on them about 800.000 Greeks namely, 8% of the population have access to the Internet.

The number is small compared to the rest European countries but according to specialists, there has been notable increase compared to 1996 when the Internet users were just 1% of the population.

[03] A GROUP OF DOCTORS WILL DECIDE TODAY ON MILOSEVIC'S RETURN TO PRISON

A group of doctors will examine today the jailed former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic to decide if he will remain in hospital because of his heart problem, according to a statement issued by his attorney.

Mr. Milosevic was taken to hospital on Wednesday after a small heart attack he suffered in the prison where he was held and according to the Serb justice minister, there is no cause for concern and the former Yugoslav president will soon return to his prison cell.

[04] THE ETHNIC GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA BOYCOTTS THE POPULATION CENSUS

The ethnic Greek minority in Albania announced that it will boycott the population census underway in the country since April 1 because the questionnaire does not include questions concerning their origin and religion.

The Albanian government from its side called for the participation of the Greek minority in the population census procedure and pledged that in the next polls there will be more detailed questions.

[05] PAPANDREOU PROPOSED AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE BALKANS

The inviolability of the borders, the territorial integrity, the strengthening of multi-ethnic societies and the non use of violence in the Balkan countries was the message sent yesterday by the southeastern European foreign ministers who took part in the informal meeting in Skopje that was held in the presence of US secretary of state Colin Powell.

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou also participated in the meeting and had bilateral contacts with his counterparts from Yugoslavia, Albania, FYROM, Turkey, Romania and Croatia with whom he discussed Greece's idea for an international conference on the Balkans.

According to information, Mr. Papandreou briefed on the Greek initiative the president of the EU Council of Ministers and his British counterpart Robin Cook, who assured him that he will back it.

Mr. Papandreou stated from Skopje yesterday that there must be close cooperation between the EU, the US and NATO and expressed the belief that the United States want to stay in the region and facilitate the efforts for a solution to the problems. On the situation in FYROM, he said that the EU backs the dialogue underway in the country and the incorporation of the Albanians into the state.

[06] THE MESSAGE OF THE SAE PRESIDENT ON THE HOLY DAYS OF EASTER

World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, president Andrew Athens sent a message on the occasion of the Holy days of Easter.

In it he mentions that during these Holy days our minds go to the less fortunate Greeks who struggle to gain everything the rest of us take for granted, stressing that their struggle and smile make us want to be better people.

In the message, Mr. Athens mentions that during these Holy days he feels that all the Greeks unite with one another around the world and through the celebration of the Resurrection and Easter, love and hope give strength to our common struggle, allowing us to strongly believe that, worthily of our ancestors, we can win the struggle of worldwide recognition and appreciation of Hellenism.

He concluded his message by extending his wishes for a Happy Easter to all Hellenes at every corner of the world.

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