Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-04-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE ACTING GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE FYROM NAME

[02] EFFORTS AGAINST SPECULATION

[03] DOXOLOGY WITHOUT IRENAEUS IN NAZARETH

[04] ISRAELI OFFICERS PAY HOMAGE TO THE GREEK JEWS

[05] RESPONSE LETTER BY THE GOVERNMENT TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

[06] CLOSE TO A SOLUTION ON FYROM'S NAME

[07] HUGE CROWDS EXPECTED IN THE POPE'S FUNERAL

[01] THE ACTING GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE FYROM NAME

The Greek government supports the efforts made within the framework of the UN aimed at reaching a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of the FYROM name, stressed acting government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros pointing out that these efforts continue in an intensive pace after losing three years because of the policy followed by the previous government.

Regarding the contacts Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis will have with political party leaders, Mr. Antonaros stated that the Foreign Minister will brief them on a number of issues as well as on developments on the issue of FYROM.

Responding to the question if the Political Party Leaders' Council will convene under the Hellenic Republic President in case there is a change of position, Mr. Antonaros stated that the government will consider it if this is deemed necessary.

[02] EFFORTS AGAINST SPECULATION

Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas stated after his meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis that the Ministry of Development is relentless in cases of market irregularities, economic crime and speculation.

The supermarket owners attributed the impression that the cost of the fine imposed on them by the competitiveness committee will, in essence, be paid by the consumers to a misinterpretation of their statements.

Regarding fuel prices, Mr. Sioufas stated that inspections will continue while he pointed out that the prices in the Greek fuel market are the lowest in Europe.

[03] DOXOLOGY WITHOUT IRENAEUS IN NAZARETH

The doxology on the occasion of the Greek national holiday of March 25 held in the city of Nazareth this morning took place without Patriarch Irenaeus of Jerusalem.

Earlier, a message by the Arab Orthodox Communities had warned the Patriarch that the reactions against him would be intense.

Meanwhile, the Arab Orthodox Communities have scheduled a new rally in Nazareth this afternoon calling for the removal of Patriarch Irenaeus.

[04] ISRAELI OFFICERS PAY HOMAGE TO THE GREEK JEWS

A total of 185 Israeli officers will be on a three-day visit to Thessaloniki to pay homage together with the Greek armed forces, to the Greek Jews killed while fighting in the Albanian front during WWII and also, in Nazi concentration camps.

The ceremony will take place tomorrow at the Jewish Cemetery.

The visit by the Israeli officers takes place within the framework of an Israeli army education program, which includes a pilgrimage to Auschwitz followed by a visit to a European city with a historical Jewish presence. This year was Thessaloniki's turn. The Israeli delegation will also meet with representatives of the Thessaloniki Jewish Community.

[05] RESPONSE LETTER BY THE GOVERNMENT TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

The state regulations do not violate the European law because they do not affect terms and preconditions concerning the exercise of European Community freedoms, while they also do not concern the imposition of punitive measures on domestic and foreign companies.

The above are pointed out in the Greek government's response letter to the European Commission letter and European Commissioner Charles McCreevy on the main shareholder issue. The Greek response letter bears the signatures of Minister of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis and Minister of State Thodoris Rousopoulos.

They mention that the Greek government is not aware of the accusations made by domestic and foreign companies to which the European Commission refers.

In the letter they explain that article 14, paragraph 9 of the Greek Constitution aims at ensuring absolute transparency of transactions in Greece.

[06] CLOSE TO A SOLUTION ON FYROM'S NAME

Greek Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis will have a number of contacts with the political party leaders to brief them on foreign policy issues including the issue concerning the name under which FYROM will be recognized.

Acting government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros stated that Athens continues to support the efforts for a mutually acceptable solution and clarified that the political party leaders council will convene if it is deemed necessary.

[07] HUGE CROWDS EXPECTED IN THE POPE'S FUNERAL

The Italian authorities issued an appeal to the faithful not to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul B' because according to predictions it is estimated that a total of 6 million people will gather for the funeral of the Pontiff.

People wait for over 7 hours in line to see the Pontiff for the last time. The Italian government took emergency measures for the protection of the 200 state leaders and officials, among them, Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias and Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, and the tens of religious leaders, among them, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece.

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