Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-02-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] AN ANCIENT GREEK SHIPWRECK WAS FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

[02] SIMITIS MET WITH D'ALEMA AND ROCARD

[03] THE MINISTRY OF MACEDONIA-THRACE SUPPORTS SAE

[04] VENIZELOS MET WITH THE SAE PRESIDING BOARD

[05] A LEADING MAFIA MAN WAS EXTRADITED TO ITALY

[06] SIMITIS: THE SOCIALISTS HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY

[07] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: A LOW TENSION CRISIS WITH TURKEY IS NOT RULED OUT

[08] THREE KILOS OF URANIUM IN EVERY TOMAHAWK AND CRUISE MISSILE

[09] SIMITIS-ARAFAT MEETING

[01] AN ANCIENT GREEK SHIPWRECK WAS FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

An ancient Greek shipwreck was discovered at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea at a depth of 4 kilometers. The discovery of the 2.300yearold Greek merchant ship was made by the US company Nauticos, 300 miles off the Corsican coasts last May, during a search for the location of an Israeli submarine that sunk in 1968. The discovery of the ancient shipwreck was kept secret until the Israeli submarine was located.

The finding is especially important as it will offer valuable information on the commercial sea routes followed in antiquity and the climate changes that occurred in the last two millenniums. A US state of Texas Sea Archaeology Institute oceanographer stated that the ship had set sail either from the island of Rhodes or Kos in southeastern Aegean and further details on the discovery will be presented in Archaeology magazine.

[02] SIMITIS MET WITH D'ALEMA AND ROCARD

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis met with two former prime ministers and leading members of the European Center-Left, Italian Massimo D'Alema and French Michel Rocard.

Their talks focused on the economic and social developments in the united Europe and the situation in the Middle East, which was presented yesterday to prime minister Simitis by Palestinian president Yasser Arafat, who was on a formal visit to Athens.

Mr. D'Alema and Mr. Rocard were in the Greek capital to attended the two-day conference on the "Economy of knowledge, Education and Employment in Europe" organized by the European Socialist Party in Athens.

[03] THE MINISTRY OF MACEDONIA-THRACE SUPPORTS SAE

The ministry of Macedonia-Thrace will cooperate with the World Council of Greeks Abroad, SAE, on certain of its economic issues, stated to MPA minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis after the meeting he had with SAE presiding board in Thessaloniki today.

Mr. Paschalidis stated that the ministry of Macedonia-Thrace will participate in SAE's trade and cultural exhibition in Chicago and suggested that there must be a joint publication issued by the ministry and SAE on the investment programs that are placed within the framework of the reconstruction of the Balkans and southeastern Europe. The publication will be distributed to the Greeks abroad that are interested in investment activities in the Balkans.

Mr. Paschalidis stated that the ministry of Macedonia-Thrace promotes the establishment of a Museum for the Greeks Living Abroad in Thessaloniki to keep the archive material that will come from all over the world.

Responding to a question on the concerns expressed on the issue of the FYROM name, the minister of Macedonia-Thrace stated that the interim accord between FYROM and Greece is in effect, stressing that it has brought positive results. He said that with the solution of the last pending issue concerning the name of FYROM the terms for a more essential cooperation between the two countries could be formed.

[04] VENIZELOS MET WITH THE SAE PRESIDING BOARD

Issues relating to the organizing of the 2004 Olympic Games, the Cultural Olympiad and the participation of the Greeks living abroad, as well as the mail vote option for the Greeks abroad and the Helleniad, a sports and cultural event dedicated to the young Greeks living abroad that will be held in Thessaloniki in 2002, were the topics of discussion in the meeting culture minister Evangelos Venizelos had with the World Council of Greeks Abroad, SAE, presiding board in Thessaloniki today.

Mr. Venizelos pointed out that the Greek cultural presence abroad will intensify until 2004, adding that the big SAE exhibition in Chicago will be under the auspices of the cultural Olympiad that will be present there. The culture minister also stressed that his ministry will invest money from the 3rd Community Framework of Support on digital infrastructure.

On the participation of the young Greeks, who live abroad, in the volunteer program for the 2004 Olympic Games, he stated that this effort is already underway.

Referring to the protests made by the Pan-Macedonian Associations on the issue of the FYROM name, Mr. Venizelos stated that nothing has changed, adding that there is a process of dialogue and negotiation that is being held under the UN auspices within the framework of the interim agreement. He also said that the process continues, stressing that many things have changed and the climate between the two countries has improved impressively, while economic cooperation has intensified.

[05] A LEADING MAFIA MAN WAS EXTRADITED TO ITALY

Leading Italian Mafia man Francesco Prudentino is in the hands of the Italian authorities. The 52yearold Prudentino was captured in Thessaloniki on December 22, 2000 during a coordinated Italian and Greek police operation that was based on an international warrant for his arrest.

Yesterday afternoon, Prudentino left the Diavata Prison outside Thessaloniki and was taken to Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport where he was handed over to three Italian police officers.

Prudentino is an alleged member of the so-called "Sakra Korona Unita" Mafia organization in Italy and in his country is accused of murder, blackmail and illegal cigarette trade.

[06] SIMITIS: THE SOCIALISTS HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY

The socialists have an important role to play as they want equal opportunities for all people within the framework of the new economy. This message was delivered today by Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis in the round table discussion on the "Economy of knowledge, education and employment in Europe" held in Athens by the European Socialist Party.

The prime minister pointed out that the economy of information has roots in Europe and the view that it will boost the economic situation is being confirmed, adding that there is an obligation to make this development the possession of society as a whole.

Earlier, former Italian prime minister and socialist party, PS, president Massimo D'Alema had stressed the need for the European socialists to succeed at a European level on what they have succeeded at a local level and added that vocational training and knowledge will certainly be advantages and resources that must be aimed at for the creation of a strong and competitive Europe.

[07] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: A LOW TENSION CRISIS WITH TURKEY IS NOT RULED OUT

A low tension crisis with Turkey is possible in case Ankara persists on its positions on issues of European defense, stated Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos in an interview with the Athens newspaper "Ependitis", clarifying at the same time that for the moment there can be no Greek-Turkish moratorium on armaments as this would have consolidated Turkey's supremacy in weaponry compared to Greece.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that it is possible for Ankara to create a fabricated tension in the Greek-Turkish relations within the framework of its toughened stance insisting to exercise its veto power on the use of NATO means and infrastructure for the European defense.

In such a case, stated Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, a message must be sent by the international community especially, by NATO and the United States that no country can block decisions reached by the majority of the NATO countries.

[08] THREE KILOS OF URANIUM IN EVERY TOMAHAWK AND CRUISE MISSILE

There are three kilos of uranium in every Tomahawk and Cruise missile, pointed out Portuguese physics professor at Evora University, Rui Namorado Rosa speaking in the two-day conference on the "Balkans, environment, depleted uranium, European Union" that was held in Thessaloniki.

Professor Rui Namorado Rosa stressed that the civilian population and the soldiers in the regions attacked with depleted uranium bombs were exposed to high risk, while he accused the government authorities of altering the scientific figures on the effects of the depleted uranium and called on the scientists to be vocal.

The Portuguese professor also pointed out that apart from the NATO states other 20 countries have depleted uranium weapons in their possession.

[09] SIMITIS-ARAFAT MEETING

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis stressed the need for peace in the Middle East in the meeting he had with Palestinian president Yasser Arafat, who was on a visit to Athens yesterday.

Mr. Simitis stated that Greece will raise the Middle East issue in the EU General Affairs Council meeting next Monday and added that in the NATO summit on Tuesday foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will discuss the issue with US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

The prime minister pointed out the need for the two sides to start talks based on the decisions already reached, return to normality and make use of the breakthrough made so far in the negotiations. He expressed the belief that an escalation will not benefit anyone but on the contrary it will create new dangers for the whole region.

Mr. Simitis concluded by saying that the Middle East is a matter of humanity and a very significant political issue.

From his side, Palestinian president Arafat thanked the Greek prime minister for the efforts he makes for peace and for the assistance offered to the Palestinian people by Greece and the European Union.

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