<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing="0"><tr><td>
<pre>Jamal,

When I visited some traditional oil presses in the north of Syria it was the
first time that I had been exposed to olive oil processing. Since that time
I have learned much and I would have to say now that what I saw then was not
pressing to high quality hygienic standards! Far from it.

Mats did not appear to be cleaned on a regular basis, the workers looked as
if they worked with automotive oil and were covered with it, the pits
....... Well they were something else and the storage drums were pretty
terrible. Waste was thrown out the back of the shed and the black water was
allowed to run down the gutters of the street and into the river.

Mind you the oil tasted terrific!

Phil

p.s. what to do with the waste products is well worth a new discussion
subject.
</pre>
</td></tr></table>