Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-03-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] ISRAELI COURT RULES AGAINST IRENAEUS

[02] THE GREEK COMMUNIST PARTY IS AGAINST BORDER CHANGES

[03] MOLIVIATIS-DULES MEETING IN ATHENS

[04] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE ISSUES OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM

[05] INDICTMENT AGAINST THE ECONOMIC MANAGER OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF

[06] SPERCHIOS RIVER BROKE ITS BANKS YESTERDAY

[01] ISRAELI COURT RULES AGAINST IRENAEUS

An Israeli court ruled in favor of a new procedure for the election of the Patriarch of Jerusalem after accepting an appeal made by an Arab Orthodox bishop and annulled the election of Patriarch Irenaeus as being the outcome of illegal moves. The case was tried without the presence of a representative of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

For the time being, the way Patriarch Irenaeus will react remains unknown but an appeal can be made to overturn the specific court ruling.

The Patriarchate's legal adviser in Athens Philippos Ragousis stated that a final ruling has already been issued by the Israeli Supreme Court settling the issues in question.

Meanwhile, according to a ruling issued by a Palestinian court, the individual who had accused Metropolite Timotheos of Vostron that he had paid him to assassinate Irenaeus had acted on libelous motives and there is no incriminating evidence against the Metropolite of Vostron.

Therefore, Metropolite Timotheos, who had been accused of planning to kill Patriarch Irenaeus three years ago, was acquitted.

[02] THE GREEK COMMUNIST PARTY IS AGAINST BORDER CHANGES

Greece should insist in the view that Kosovo belongs to Serbia, stated Greek Communist Party general secretary Aleka Papariga.

Mrs. Papariga met with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis today and stressed that in case Kosovo becomes independent will cause a chain reaction across the Balkans as well as in the Aegean and Thrace.

Mrs. Papariga clarified that in the meeting with Mr. Karamanlis no other issues were discussed.

The Prime Minister briefed Mrs. Papariga on the outcome of his recent visit to Zagreb, Belgrade and Pristina where he had talks on the status of Kosovo.

Speaking to reporters, the Communist Party general secretary called on them to consider what such a development, like Kosovo's independence, could mean later for the Aegean, Cyprus and the Greek Thrace. Mrs. Papariga also backed the implementation of UN resolution 1244 issued in 1999 according to which Kosovo is a part of Serbia.

[03] MOLIVIATIS-DULES MEETING IN ATHENS

The overall situation in Albania, the ethnic Greek minority and the problems it faces were at the center of the meeting Greek Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis had with Human Rights Union Party President Vangelis Dules in Athens.

Mr. Moliviatis expressed the government's interest in the ethnic Greek minority, which is represented by the Human Rights Union Party both in the Albanian Parliament and the country's government.

The Foreign Minister said that elections will be held in Albania this year in which the ethnic Greek minority party will also run. He stated that Greece, the EU and international organizations will watch the election process closely, stressing that it will be one of the main criteria based on which Albania's course toward Europe will be evaluated.

Mr. Moliviatis underlined the need to preserve the minority's cohesion and unity for its own good and Albania's.

[04] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE ISSUES OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM

Government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos stressed that the government's interest in all the issues of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem is understandable and known. He made the comment in response to a question concerning the Israeli court decision on the election of Patriarch Irenaeus.

Mr. Rousopoulos also referred to Deputy Foreign Minister Takis Skandalakis' visit to Jerusalem.

He added that the Greek government gives and will continue to give its support to the Patriarchate to the degree that is necessary.

[05] INDICTMENT AGAINST THE ECONOMIC MANAGER OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM

An indictment was issued against former economic manager of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem Nikolaos Papadimas. He is accused of misappropriation of Patriarchate funds.

His wife Katerina Papadima is also accused of legalizing revenues from illegal activity.

However, Nikolaos Papadimas and his wife have disappeared lately and have not declared a permanent residence.

[06] SPERCHIOS RIVER BROKE ITS BANKS YESTERDAY

The situation in Sperchios River appears improved today with the water level below the alert level of 2.50 meters. However, authorities in the prefecture of Fthiotida, central Greece, remain in a state of alert to deal with any problems that could arise.

Yesterday, the river broke its banks as a result of the continuous rainfall and the Lamia-Gorgopotamos motorway was covered by water as well as hundreds of square meters of arable land. Certain parts of the road opened to traffic gradually since earlier this morning.

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