THESSALONIKI: GOG DISCOURAGES TEACHERS FROM INVOLVING

UNCLAS THESSALONIKI 000024

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MK GR
SUBJECT: THESSALONIKI: GOG DISCOURAGES TEACHERS FROM INVOLVING
SCHOOLCHILDREN IN MACEDONIAN NAME ISSUE

REF: THESSALONIKI 14


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Teachers from two elementary schools in
Thessaloniki have generated controversy by announcing their
students will travel to the village of Evzoni on the Republic of
Macedonia border to participate in Greek Independence Day
celebrations on March 25. The celebrations will include a march
and a speech by a well-known nationalist academic and activist
on the Macedonian name issue. Teachers claim their initiative
has nothing to do with the name issue, but local observers have
criticized their ill-timed political meddling and exploitation
of children. While the MFA has privately downplayed the
significance of the event (e.g. regarding relations with
Macedonia),the Minister of Education publicly urged the
organizers to avoid "any moves related to the name issue." A
senior Ministry of Education official told post the schools have
not obtained authorization for the trip to the border, casting
doubt on whether it will take place. END SUMMARY

CHILDREN TO MARCH FOR THE PRESERVATION OF GREEK MACEDONIA


2. (SBU) Teachers at two Thessaloniki elementary schools have
announced that their pupils will travel to the village of
Evzoni, on Greece's border with the Republic of Macedonia, in
order to participate in activities marking the 187th anniversary
of Greece's independence from Turkey. The activities will
include a march, a mass, a wreath laying, a visit to the Evzoni
customs station and a speech by well known nationalist academic
and journalist Costas Zouraris, who led a rally in Thessaloniki
on the name issue earlier this month (March 05) (reftel). Evzoni
played no special role in the war of independence, and this will
be the first time students from these schools have traveled to
Evzoni on national day. It is unclear how many students will
participate. Only 35 have so far turned in required parental
consent forms.

GOVERNMENT, MEDIA OPPOSE TEACHERS' MEDDLING IN NAME ISSUE


3. (SBU) Teachers claim their initiative is unrelated to the
name issue but few believe them. Teachers associations and
media have criticized the "despicable political exploitation of
children" and the possible undermining of negotiations on the
name. Commenting on the announced school trip, Minister of
Education Stylianides cautioned organizers against making "any
moves related to the name issue." Another senior Ministry of
Education official told post March 20 the teachers and students
are required by law to obtain authorization for such a trip from
the Ministry, and that so far no such authorization had been
requested. Evzoni Mayor Dimitris Smidakis on the other hand,
maintained that "no permit is necessary for joining a parade on
a national day." MFA contacts have also downplayed the
political significance of the trip.


4. (SBU) COMMENT: While it is not unusual for Thessaloniki
students to visit provincial towns on Independence Day, the
choice of a town on the Macedonian border is not a coincidence,
and likely intended to exert pressure on the government. The
GoG is openly discouraging the trip and hoping it will not
happen. The lack of public support for the initiative and the
low turnout for recent "Macedonia is Greek" rallies (reftel)
reflect general acceptance of the GoG negotiating position and
widespread pre-occupation with other issues, such as mass
strikes over pension reform. END COMMENT

YEE