Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THESSALONIKI4
2009-02-05 13:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Thessaloniki
Cable title:
NORTHERN NOTES - JANUARY 2009
how-toVZCZCXRO3765 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHIK #0004/01 0361329 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 051329Z FEB 09 FM AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0417 INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS PRIORITY 0306 RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHIK/AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI 0460
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
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
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