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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-03-09Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou on clashes: Minister must goMain opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou late Thursday evening called for the removal of Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras, calling him "unsuitable" and "dangerous", along with the entire police leadership, which he described as "verifiably inadequate", following extensive disturbances in downtown Athens hours earlier during a students' demonstration.Papandreou said the New Democracy (ND) government was "proved to be absolutely inadequate" on Thursday, adding that the only question remaining for citizens is "if this is merely due to incompetence or a deliberate policy of polarisation and of using violence as a way of influencing public opinion." He also emphasised that unprecedented and shocking disturbances in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, speaking of "desecration of the monument. In response to Papandreou's statements, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said from Brussels that "never has a police force been needed to protect the historic memory, which the sacred site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier represents." The spokesman added that "I do not comment on other statements that steadfastly aim at tension and polarisation." [02] Athens mayor honors UEFA president PlatiniAthens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis on Thursday conferred the Medal of the City of Athens on French soccer legend and UEFA president Michel Platini at City Hall.The medal was awarded to Platini in recognition of his significant contribution to football and sport, in general. "When values remain unaltered through time, myths are born. It is indeed an honour and a pleasure for me, as the Mayor of Athens, to confer the Medal of the City of Athens on UEFA chairman, Mr. Michel Platini. A man with sincere love and a vision for football. An expert on the needs of European football. His strategic mind, adeptness in scoring an virtuosity as a team leader serve as the best guarantee of success in his mission as UEFA chairman," Kaklamanis said. On his part, Platini referred to the European Champions League Cup final which will be held at Athens' Olympic stadium in May. "I'm certain that the two teams which will come here to play in the final will find themselves in a very beautiful environment, in the sun. They will find a people who adore football," Platini said. The French football great was also in Athens for a ceremony to unveil the new game ball for the upcoming Champions League final, which will be held in the Greek capital. Caption: Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis, right, poses with UEFA president Michel Platini at the municipality's City Hall on Thursday, March 8, 2007. ANA/MPA / G. Antoniou. [03] 12 charged with felonies over protest violenceA total of 61 individuals were brought in for questioning at the Athens police headquarters late Thursday evening in relation to the violent incidents that broke out in central Athens during yet another student demonstration against education reforms, which were passed by Parliament the same day. Moreover, 12 suspects were charged with a number of offences, while another 49 are being accused of disrupting public order. Thirteen police officers were injured during the incidents and one of them was hospitalised. According to police, the incidents were caused by self-styled anarchist and anti-establishment youths who participated in the rally and are responsible for the petrol bomb attacks on a number of banks, as well as for the violent clashes recorded when they attempted to break the anti-riot police cordon in front of the Parliament building hurling petrol bombs, stones and other objects against the security forces. The same individuals are responsible for torching a sentry box at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and for the attack on a traffic police officer, forcibly removing his radio set. The statement issued also clarified that the Evzone Guards, members of the presidential guard, were removed from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by decision of the police for security reasons. The extensive disturbances in downtown Athens sparked a call by main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou for the removal of Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras, who termed him "unsuitable" and "dangerous", as well as of the leadership of the police, which he described as "verifiably inadequate". Speaking on Friday, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros defended both the minister and the police, saying that he could not see any political responsibility in connection to the incident, while the police had done their work in the best possible way under difficult circumstances. In Thessaloniki, traffic was back to normal on early Friday morning when disturbances caused by a small number of students and anti-establishment youths ceased. The demonstrators had blocked a central street opposite the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki's theology school and set garbage dumpsters on fire, while they launched attacks against anti-riot police with petrol bombs and flares.Caption: A sentry box in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in downtown Athens burns on Thursday, March 8, 2007, after self-styled 'anti-state' youths torched the structure during unprecedented violence in the city's centre. ANA-MPA / P. Saitas. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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