GREEK RIOTS: DECEMBER 12 UPDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 001669 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ASEC GR SUBJECT: GREEK RIOTS: DECEMBER 12 UPDATE REF: A. ATHENS 1658 ¶B. ATHENS 1656 ¶C. ATHENS 1649 ¶D. ATHENS 1643 Classified By: Ambassador Daniel V. Speckhard for reasons 1.4(b) and (d ). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) The level of violence dropped in Greece over the night of December 11, but there were still attacks on police stations. On December 12 two demonstrations took place. Police are concerned that anarchists will try to use an evening rally on December 12 to enter Parliament and perhaps the Prime Minister's office. End Summary. A Quieter Night -------------- ¶2. (SBU) December 11 saw the lowest level of violence since the riots began December 6 (reftels). While there were no full-fledged battles between protesters and police, students and anarchists did attack 15-20 police stations in the Athens area, typically by throwing rocks. Many of the demonstrators were high school students, and there are reports that anarchist organizers are encouraging high school students to take over their schools. ¶3. (C) Two groups held demonstrations in downtown Athens at noon December 12: the Pan-Hellenic Laborers' Fighting Front (PAME) at Omonia Square and university and high school students at Athens University. Further student demonstrations are scheduled for later in the day. The police are particularly concerned about a student rally at 1800 local time, because of information that anarchist leaders could try to forcibly enter Parliament and perhaps the Prime Minister's office. In the rioting to date, police have focused on preventing demonstrators from taking control of major government buildings in Athens. ¶4. (U) Violent episodes in Thessaloniki also declined December 11, and a demonstration of 1,500 students was peaceful. One small demonstration passed by the U.S. Consulate-General without violence on the morning of December ¶12. Another is planned for the evening and a labor rally is scheduled for noon on December 13. Mission Actions -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The consular section continues to respond to inquiries from Amcits regarding the unrest. The number of these inquiries has dropped. The consular section is also fielding inquiries from outside of Greece from potential travelers looking for updated information and advice. We have not received any reports of Amcit injuries or loss of property. The Embassy released a new warden message December ¶12. SPECKHARD