NORTHERN NOTES - JANUARY 2009

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 THESSALONIKI 000004 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON EIND ODIP OPRC PGOV PHUM PREL SNAR SOCI, GR SUBJECT: NORTHERN NOTES - JANUARY 2009 REF: A) THESSALONIKI 01, B) THESSALONIKI 084, C) THESSALONIKI 01 THESSALONI 00000004 001.2 OF 002 Following is a summary of last month's major developments in Northern Greece: FARMERS BLOCK NATIONAL ROADS AND BORDERS, DEMANDING HIGHER GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES ¶1. Since January 20, farmers around Greece have kept national roads blocked in protest against the low prices they receive for their produce and their high production costs. In Northern Greece, farmers have also blocked the borders with Bulgaria and Turkey. Their actions infuriated truck drivers who were forced to remain for days in Customs stations. In a few cases, physical violence between truck drivers and the protesting farmers ensued. The blockades delivered yet another blow to businesses, and hospitals in Northern Greece reported drug and medical equipment shortages. Bulgaria threatened to seek compensation from Greece for lost revenue due to the farmers'actions. Commentators in Greece stressed the illegality of the move and the public's sharp discontent, a view shared by post's business contacts. The government's offer of a financial package worth 500m has resulted in the gradual lifting of the roadblocks, some of which were still in place at the end of the month. THESSALONIKI ANGRY REACTIONS TO ISRAELI OPERATIONS IN GAZA ¶2. In January, a number of demonstrations took place in Thessaloniki against the military operations carried out by Israel in Gaza. In one of those demonstrations, an Israeli and a U.S. flag were burnt outside the U.S. Consulate General building. A statement condemning the "murderous" Israeli actions was circulated and was initially signed by more than 350 people, including a large number of academics. Local authorities have announced to the press the gathering of humanitarian aid and asked the Greek government to ensure that it reaches Gaza. Also, a group of doctors declared themselves available to travel to the area to offer their services. The feeling on the street in northern Greece is clearly pro-Palestinian, as reflected in widespread criticism of the government of Greece's perceived ambivalence on the issue. LOCAL AUTHORITIES ADMIT FAILURE TO TACKLE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL VENDORS ¶3. The Vice Mayor of Thessaloniki for Municipal Police [Note: Municipal Police are auxiliary to Hellenic National Police. They are unarmed, with no powers to arrest. They can only confiscate goods and issue fines. End Note] admitted this month that his agency cannot tackle the problem of illegal vendors without support from Hellenic Police. Dealing of contraband goods is a long-standing and acute issue for traditional retail businesses in Thessaloniki (Ref A). In the past year, local business chambers have turned up pressure on city officials to act against illegal vendors (Ref B). Retail store owners hard hit by the financial crisis and the riots in December (Ref C) are likely to keep up this pressure. GREECE'S MINORITY EDUCATION DISCUSSED IN UN FORUM IN GENEVA ¶4. A conference held in Geneva, Switzerland on December 15-16, entitled "Minorities and the Right to Education", included a discussion of Muslim minority education in Thrace, northern Greece. The conference was organized by the Minorities Forum of the UN. The introductory speech was given by the UN Independent Expert on Minority Issues Gay McDougall (an American national), who had visited Thrace last September. According to Post's THESSALONI 00000004 002.2 OF 002 contacts, Greek officials emphasized the achievements of the last ten years in the field, while the Muslim minority representatives stressed that although schools for the Turkish-speaking Muslim minority had improved the parts of the curriculum taught in Greek, the instruction in Turkish remains inadequate. Minority representatives submitted proposals for further improvements, such as the introduction of bilingual kindergartens and the improvement of the teaching staff in minority schools . HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY OBSERVED IN THESSALONIKI, ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS ELSEWHERE ¶5. A wreath-laying ceremony and an evening concert took place in Thessaloniki on January 25, in observance of the Holocaust Remembrance Day. Senior GoG officials attended, including the Minister for Macedonia and Thrace as well as local officials and most main-stream political parties. Left-wing SYRIZA boycotted the occasion in protest of the presence of the Israeli Ambassador to Greece, but said it would hold a separate memorial event. Media also reported anti-semitic incidents in Western and Central Greece. On January 20, three graves were desecrated by unknown perpetrators at the Jewish cemetery of Ioannina, while on January 17, in the city of Larisa, protesters tried to deface Jewish buildings and monuments but were stopped by other protesters. Media speculate the incidents may be linked to outrage over recent events in Gaza. MAJOR DRUG SEIZURES, ONE AIDED BY DEA ¶6. Hellenic police confiscated on January 16more than 70 kilos of cocaine, well hidden inside lumber in a shipping container that arrived at the port of Thessaloniki from Colombia. Police acted after a tip-off from US anti-drug agency Drug Enforcement Administration. DEA's contribution was formally acknowledged by the Greek Ministry of Economy. A Bulgarian national is wanted by the police in connection to the case. In another incident, media reported the arrest on January 22 of two Albanian nationals by the police and the hunting of a third, for possession of 23 kilos of skunk cannabis and another 17 kilos of regular cannabis. GREEKS CELEBRATE OBAMA INAUGURATION, PROTEST U.S. SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL ¶7. On January 20, the U.S. Consulate General in Thessaloniki hosted a large number of Greek officials, journalists, academics and other contacts to observe the inauguration of President Obama. During the event, a group of protesters gathered outside the Consulate building, to protest against U.S. support for Israel during the Gaza conflict. The demonstration ended uneventfully. YEE