SUPPORTERS OF BAVARIAN PREMIER STOIBER GIVE THUMBS UP SIGN DURING
POLITICAL ASH WEDNESDAY MEETING IN PASSAU.


Supporters of Bavarian State Premier Edmund Stoiber, conservative
challenger to German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in the upcoming
September general elections, give thumbs up sign during the traditional
Ash Wednesday political gathering of his Christian Social Union (CSU)
party in Passau's Nibelungen arena, Februray 13, 2002 standing under
the slogan "seize the upturn". More than 7,000 conservative supporters
came from all over Germany to take part in the 50th Ash Wednesday
meeting in Passau. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach