Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08THESSALONIKI46
2008-06-03 15:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Thessaloniki
how-toVZCZCXRO0072 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHIK #0046/01 1551518 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 031518Z JUN 08 FM AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0343 INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS PRIORITY 0251 RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHIK/AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI 0384
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THESSALONIKI 000046
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SMIG CH GR
SUBJECT: NORTHERN NOTES - MAY 2008
THESSALONI 00000046 001.2 OF 002
Following is a summary of last month's major political and
economic developments in Northern Greece:
THREE COMPANIES BID FOR PORT CARGO STATION
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THESSALONIKI 000046
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SMIG CH GR
SUBJECT: NORTHERN NOTES - MAY 2008
THESSALONI 00000046 001.2 OF 002
Following is a summary of last month's major political and
economic developments in Northern Greece:
THREE COMPANIES BID FOR PORT CARGO STATION
1. Three companies submitted bids for leasing the Thessaloniki
Port Cargo Station, by the deadline of May 15. The three
companies bidding were Cosco Pacific Limited (China),Peninsular
& Oriental Steam Navigation Company (subsidiary of Dubai Ports
World) and Hutchison Port Holding Limited (Hong Kong-based.)
After the final bids were received, Merchant Marine Minister
Voulgarakis stated that "Thessaloniki is now on its way to
become a commercial hub for the Balkans and Eastern Europe."
The Port Authority also welcomed the development, citing an
upgraded regional role for the port as a direct consequence of
the port leasing. Meanwhile, the port workers' strikes
continued, occasionally resulting in fist fights between their
supporters and opponents of further action. Despite the
continuing labor issues, a representative of the business
community and close contact of post, remained cautiously
optimistic and predicted a "smooth ending" to the saga.
ZONE OF INNOVATION WILL OFFER INCENTIVES
2. The management of Thessaloniki's Innovation Zone is seeking
government approval for a package of incentives that will help
attract innovative companies to Thessaloniki. The Zone, a Greek
government initiative to develop northern Greece as a regional
hub for trade and investment, wants to offer potential investors
up to 70% government subsidy of the investment plan and 70%
subsidy of leased equipment for a period of ten years. The Zone
also proposes that investments of all sizes be tax-exempt for
ten years and companies participating in the Zone will have
their personnel salaries subsidized up to 70%. The incentive
proposals are subject to the approval of the Ministry of Economy
and EC Competition Directorate. Minister of Macedonia and
Thrace Margaritis Tzimas also announced that 250 acres of the
military airport of Thessaloniki (SEDES) will be offered as a
location for the Innovation Zone. Tzimas said that he expects
the whole project to be operational in approximately four years.
News about the Zone has been dominated recently by the alleged
power struggle between the Zone's top two principals (Chairman
Vassalos and Managing Director Arzimanoglou).
UNIVERSITY DEAN INJURED IN STUDENT PROTEST
3. A group of students protesting against education reforms
broke up the Deans' Council meeting at Aristotle University on
May 28 and pushed the rector who fell, hit his head and lost
consciousness. He was subsequently hospitalized and is now in
stable condition. The incident, the latest in a series of
violent and destructive acts on university campuses, was widely
condemned, with some nuances from leftist parties. Syriza said
that the left generally disapproves of violence but added that
government handling of education reform is primarily to blame
for the incident. Most members of the academic community
partially blamed the government for provoking the incident
through poor handling of educational reforms. Others, including
the Dean of the Polytechnic School Nikos Mousiopoulos, called it
"an unacceptable, criminal act." The local press has run
commentaries condemning the general decline of the University.
The Union of Aristotle University Employees ordered a day's work
stoppage, in protest against the incident.
NON-MUSLIMS CRITICIZE APPLICATION OF SHARIA LAW IN THRACE
4. Thrace media continued to criticize the application of
Sharia Law by Muslims in the region. Media report that even
Muslim political leaders, as well as legal experts, say that
Sharia Law is "unfair to women" and "a violation of human
rights." In another development, the Mufti of Komotini
announced that his staff have begun translating the Thrace
Islamic Family Law into Greek and English and expect the work
will be completed in about two months. The Mufti said the
initiative was undertaken at the request of the European Union.
Post's contacts have advised that the translation may be helpful
to members of the ECHR, who have been very vocal in their
objections to the application of Sharia Law in Thrace and may be
looking for ways to tackle the issue more effectively.
U.S. INTEREST IN ROMA PERCEIVED AS "CONSPIRACY"
5. In an important development for the entire Roma community,
the Cultural Association of Roma Women of Drosero, Xanthi,
published the first-ever Thrace newspaper that focuses on
challenges facing the Roma community and presents possible
solutions. The newspaper will be published in Romani, Greek and
English. The Roma Cultural Association was among seven NGOs that
received awards from the President of the Republic in November,
2007 for community service. Meanwhile, Thrace bi-weekly
THESSALONI 00000046 002.2 OF 002
"Antifonitis" has interpreted U.S. government interest in Roma
issues as part of a Europe-wide strategy to establish an
independent Roma state. The paper likely was referring to,
among other activities, Consulate General Thessaloniki's
conference for International Roma Day.
EDUCATION MINISTER FORESEES "MODERN MINORITY EDUCATION"
6. Minister of Education Euripidis Stilianidis told educators
in Komotini, Thrace on May 15 that the Ministry's "strategy for
education" will be announced in Thrace in the middle of June.
According to the Minister, it will include a "modern minority
education," providing, among others things, an increase in the
number of kindergartens to cover the needs of the Muslim
community. Stilianidis said that he chose Komotini in Thrace as
the location for the announcement, so that members of the
minority can contribute to the discussion. In outlining his
vision for Thrace, he said that he would like to see it become
the Educational Center for the greater area.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
7. In ten different incidents, a total of 62 illegal immigrants
and 13 traffickers were arrested in Northern Greece. All of them
had entered the country via the Greek-Turkish border. Among the
illegal immigrants whose nationality was reported (11),all were
all from Iraq.
YEE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SMIG CH GR
SUBJECT: NORTHERN NOTES - MAY 2008
THESSALONI 00000046 001.2 OF 002
Following is a summary of last month's major political and
economic developments in Northern Greece:
THREE COMPANIES BID FOR PORT CARGO STATION
1. Three companies submitted bids for leasing the Thessaloniki
Port Cargo Station, by the deadline of May 15. The three
companies bidding were Cosco Pacific Limited (China),Peninsular
& Oriental Steam Navigation Company (subsidiary of Dubai Ports
World) and Hutchison Port Holding Limited (Hong Kong-based.)
After the final bids were received, Merchant Marine Minister
Voulgarakis stated that "Thessaloniki is now on its way to
become a commercial hub for the Balkans and Eastern Europe."
The Port Authority also welcomed the development, citing an
upgraded regional role for the port as a direct consequence of
the port leasing. Meanwhile, the port workers' strikes
continued, occasionally resulting in fist fights between their
supporters and opponents of further action. Despite the
continuing labor issues, a representative of the business
community and close contact of post, remained cautiously
optimistic and predicted a "smooth ending" to the saga.
ZONE OF INNOVATION WILL OFFER INCENTIVES
2. The management of Thessaloniki's Innovation Zone is seeking
government approval for a package of incentives that will help
attract innovative companies to Thessaloniki. The Zone, a Greek
government initiative to develop northern Greece as a regional
hub for trade and investment, wants to offer potential investors
up to 70% government subsidy of the investment plan and 70%
subsidy of leased equipment for a period of ten years. The Zone
also proposes that investments of all sizes be tax-exempt for
ten years and companies participating in the Zone will have
their personnel salaries subsidized up to 70%. The incentive
proposals are subject to the approval of the Ministry of Economy
and EC Competition Directorate. Minister of Macedonia and
Thrace Margaritis Tzimas also announced that 250 acres of the
military airport of Thessaloniki (SEDES) will be offered as a
location for the Innovation Zone. Tzimas said that he expects
the whole project to be operational in approximately four years.
News about the Zone has been dominated recently by the alleged
power struggle between the Zone's top two principals (Chairman
Vassalos and Managing Director Arzimanoglou).
UNIVERSITY DEAN INJURED IN STUDENT PROTEST
3. A group of students protesting against education reforms
broke up the Deans' Council meeting at Aristotle University on
May 28 and pushed the rector who fell, hit his head and lost
consciousness. He was subsequently hospitalized and is now in
stable condition. The incident, the latest in a series of
violent and destructive acts on university campuses, was widely
condemned, with some nuances from leftist parties. Syriza said
that the left generally disapproves of violence but added that
government handling of education reform is primarily to blame
for the incident. Most members of the academic community
partially blamed the government for provoking the incident
through poor handling of educational reforms. Others, including
the Dean of the Polytechnic School Nikos Mousiopoulos, called it
"an unacceptable, criminal act." The local press has run
commentaries condemning the general decline of the University.
The Union of Aristotle University Employees ordered a day's work
stoppage, in protest against the incident.
NON-MUSLIMS CRITICIZE APPLICATION OF SHARIA LAW IN THRACE
4. Thrace media continued to criticize the application of
Sharia Law by Muslims in the region. Media report that even
Muslim political leaders, as well as legal experts, say that
Sharia Law is "unfair to women" and "a violation of human
rights." In another development, the Mufti of Komotini
announced that his staff have begun translating the Thrace
Islamic Family Law into Greek and English and expect the work
will be completed in about two months. The Mufti said the
initiative was undertaken at the request of the European Union.
Post's contacts have advised that the translation may be helpful
to members of the ECHR, who have been very vocal in their
objections to the application of Sharia Law in Thrace and may be
looking for ways to tackle the issue more effectively.
U.S. INTEREST IN ROMA PERCEIVED AS "CONSPIRACY"
5. In an important development for the entire Roma community,
the Cultural Association of Roma Women of Drosero, Xanthi,
published the first-ever Thrace newspaper that focuses on
challenges facing the Roma community and presents possible
solutions. The newspaper will be published in Romani, Greek and
English. The Roma Cultural Association was among seven NGOs that
received awards from the President of the Republic in November,
2007 for community service. Meanwhile, Thrace bi-weekly
THESSALONI 00000046 002.2 OF 002
"Antifonitis" has interpreted U.S. government interest in Roma
issues as part of a Europe-wide strategy to establish an
independent Roma state. The paper likely was referring to,
among other activities, Consulate General Thessaloniki's
conference for International Roma Day.
EDUCATION MINISTER FORESEES "MODERN MINORITY EDUCATION"
6. Minister of Education Euripidis Stilianidis told educators
in Komotini, Thrace on May 15 that the Ministry's "strategy for
education" will be announced in Thrace in the middle of June.
According to the Minister, it will include a "modern minority
education," providing, among others things, an increase in the
number of kindergartens to cover the needs of the Muslim
community. Stilianidis said that he chose Komotini in Thrace as
the location for the announcement, so that members of the
minority can contribute to the discussion. In outlining his
vision for Thrace, he said that he would like to see it become
the Educational Center for the greater area.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
7. In ten different incidents, a total of 62 illegal immigrants
and 13 traffickers were arrested in Northern Greece. All of them
had entered the country via the Greek-Turkish border. Among the
illegal immigrants whose nationality was reported (11),all were
all from Iraq.
YEE