Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-03-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] PATRIARCH IRENAEUS REFUSES TO RESIGN

[02] TWO MORE CRUCIAL GAMES FOR THE GREEK NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM

[03] CONSUMERS ARE NOT BEING AT RISK

[04] ANTONAROS ON THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM

[05] KARAMANLIS-MOLIVIATIS MET WITH THE US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE

[01] PATRIARCH IRENAEUS REFUSES TO RESIGN

Patriarch Irenaeus of Jerusalem stated that his post is lifelong responding to a statement made by Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos who called on him to consider the crucial nature of the situation, rise to the occasion and assume his responsibilities before history.

Mr. Koumoutsakos gave to publicity the findings of the team of Foreign Ministry experts on the management of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem property confirming information according to which, they encountered difficulties in their effort to collect evidence while those allegedly involved in the leasing of Patriarchate real estate to Israelis tried to delay their investigation.

Patriarch Irenaeus in a written statement expressed satisfaction about the findings because, according to him, they confirm his position that there was no transfer of land.

Mr. Koumoutsakos commented that the Greek Foreign Ministry will not indicate what are the Patriarch's responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the Patriarch visits Amman at the invitation of the Jordanian government, which allegedly asks for an increase in the number of Arab hierarchs in the Patriarch Holy Synod.

[02] TWO MORE CRUCIAL GAMES FOR THE GREEK NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM

The Greek national football team has two more crucial games in June one with Turkey in Istanbul and one with Ukraine in Athens before it qualifies to the final round of the World Cup 2006 after its victory yesterday over the Albanians in Athens (2-0). The scorers were Charisteas and Karagounis.

Limited incidents were recorded after the game in downtown Athens. The booing heard during the Albanian national anthem before the game was widely condemned.

Greek national football team coach Otto Rehhagel stated that yesterday's victory is important given the fact that Ukraine and Turkey also won.

[03] CONSUMERS ARE NOT BEING AT RISK

There are independent and under state-control inspection mechanisms. Therefore, there is no risk for consumers given the fact that the quantities of FAGE yogurt that should have been kept out of the market were finally withdrawn, stated acting government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros responding to a question on the issue created after the fungus traced in 350,000 yogurt bowls.

Mr. Antonaros added that the Ministry of Development continues the investigation to find those responsible.

[04] ANTONAROS ON THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM

The Greek Foreign Ministry has called on Patriarch Irenaeus of Jerusalem to consider the crucial nature of the situation, rise to the occasion and assume his responsibilities before history, reminded acting government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros in response to a question on the way the government will react to the statement made by Patriarch Irenaeus that he will not resign.

Mr. Antonaros stated that the Patriarchate is outside the Greek territory and has its own rules, therefore the procedure for the removal of the Patriarch has nothing to do with the Greek State. However, the Patriarchate has close historical and religious ties with Greece because of its Greek-Orthodox character, stated Mr. Antonaros, stressing that yesterday's statement by the Greek Foreign Ministry was clear and Greece is mainly interested in the protection of the historic characteristics of the institution of the Patriarchate.

[05] KARAMANLIS-MOLIVIATIS MET WITH THE US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE

US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick had meetings in Athens today with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis and confirmed the excellent state of bilateral relations.

Mr. Zoellick first met with Prime Minister Karamanlis and then with Foreign Minister Moliviatis.

The US government official referred to the role Greece can play in issues concerning the wider region, referred to the Middle East and stated that Greece perhaps could host a meeting on the Middle East issue in the following months.

Mr. Moliviatis stated that they discussed the Cyprus issue and shared the view that the talks on the basis of the Annan Plan should resume. He said that the exchange of letters between the European Commission and Ankara on the Protocol for Turkey's customs union with the ten new EU member states, among them Cyprus, is a first step and stressed that the Protocol must be signed and implemented by Turkey.

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