VZCZCXRO1149
PP RUEHIK
DE RUEHIK #0024 0810852
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 210852Z MAR 08
FM AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0324
INFO RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS PRIORITY 0231
RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE PRIORITY 0020
RUEHIK/AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI 0358

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