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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 
 
 
 
¶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