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The President of the Republic launched his tour of Estonia's small islands09.07.2003
 President Arnold Rüütel and Mrs Ingrid Rüütel started their four-day tour of Estonia's small islands, during which they are scheduled to visit Manilaid, Kihnu, Ruhnu, Vilsandi, and Abruka.
This morning, President Rüütel called at Manilaid, where the Elder of the Village of Manija, Tiit Pilt, showed him around on the island. The President of the Republic visited a farm by the name of Neeme, where the young and the old farm mistress demonstrated their handicrafts, and gave President Rüütel and Mrs Rüütel self-made socks and mittens as a present. On top of that, the President of the Republic and Mrs Ingrid Rüütel viewed a photo exhibition of village life by Ülle Tamm, a local resident.
Next, the President of the Republic at the Village Centre talked with islanders about the islands current and future life. President Rüütel was interested in how subsidies had affected tillage and animal raising, and whether there were any other possibilities of enterprise on the island. The islanders brought out tourism as one of the possibilities: Scottish Highland cattle have been introduced to the island in order to tend coastal meadows and to attract tourists, and a farm resort by name Riida operates there.
President Rüütel at the meeting said that the islands nature was a great asset: "For instance, in order to develop tourism but also in order to produce health-friendly consumer goods and organic food. The European Union supports organic farming and conservation, and this gives hope that life on the coast and islands can progress."
In the afternoon, the President of the Republic will arrive on the Island of Kihnu.
Office of the President
Kadriorg, July 9, 2003
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