Proteste in Athen gegen geplanten Powell-Besuch

Athen (AFP) - Bei einer Demonstration gegen den bevorstehenden Besuch von US-Außenminister Colin Powell ist es in Athen zu Ausschreitungen gekommen. Eine Gruppe von hundert der insgesamt rund 700 Demonstranten warf am Ende der Kundgebung Steine auf Polizisten sowie auf Banken und Geschäfte, wie ein Journalist der Nachrichtenagentur AFP berichtete.

Die Demonstranten hatten angekündigt, bis zur US-Botschaft zu ziehen. Die Polizei sperrte ihnen jedoch am zentralen Syntagma-Platz den Weg ab und drängte sie unter dem Einsatz von Tränengas zurück. Die Demonstranten riefen Parolen wie "Powell raus" und "USA raus aus Irak". Nach Polizeiangaben waren fast 3000 Polizisten der Anti-Aufruhr-Einheiten im Einsatz.

Die Demonstranten bewarfen auch Fernsehjournalisten mit Steinen, es wurde jedoch keiner verletzt. Der Protestzug sollte ursprünglich auch durch die Straße führen, die für akkreditierte Fahrzeuge der Olympischen Spiele reserviert ist. Dort befindet sich auch das Hilton-Hotel, in dem die Vertreter des Internationalen Olympischen Komitees (IOC) untergebracht sind. Powell bleibt von Samstag bis Montag zu politischen Gesprächen in Athen und will am Sonntag an der Abschlussfeier der Olympischen Spiele teilnehmen. Für den Schutz der Sportveranstaltung sind 100.000 Sicherheitskräfte im Einsatz.

JO: Manifestation anti-américaine à Athènes contre Colin Powell

Fri August 27, 2004 11:36 PM CEST

ATHENES (Reuters) - La police grecque a fait usage de gaz lacrymogènes vendredi pour disperser un groupe de manifestants qui tentaient de rejoindre l'ambassade des Etats-Unis pour protester contre la venue du secrétaire d'Etat américain Colin Powell ce week-end à Athènes.

Des affrontements mineurs ont éclaté quand des dizaines de policiers anti-émeute, retranchés derrière leurs bus, ont bloqué le millier de manifestants devant le parlement grec et ont tiré des gaz lacrymogènes pour les faire reculer.

Jusque-là, les manifestants s'étaient mêlés pacifiquement aux touristes dans les rues du centre-ville d'Athènes.

"La police a tiré des gaz lacrymogènes de faible portée. Aucun blessé n'a été signalé", a déclaré un porte-parole de la police, ajoutant que la manifestation s'était dispersée pacifiquement.

Les manifestants, qui brandissaient des banderoles sur lesquelles étaient inscrites "Powell dehors!", avaient promis de se rendre devant l'ambassade des Etats-Unis mais le gouvernement grec, qui ne souhaite pas voir l'image des Jeux olympiques ternie par des questions politiques, avait fait savoir qu'il les en empêcherait.

"La visite de Powell ici est une provocation politique de premier ordre; 94% des Grecs étaient contre la guerre en Irak", affirme l'un des manifestants, Christos Petrakos, 38 ans, professeur d'anglais.

Le gouvernement avait appelé les manifestants à ne pas porter atteinte à la bonne image des Jeux. Des dizaines de policiers anti-émeute avaient été déployés pour encadrer cette marche de protestation.

Powell doit se rendre samedi à Athènes pour assister le lendemain à la cérémonie de clôture des JO, compliquant ainsi un peu plus la tâche des forces de sécurité grecques dont les hommes sont pour la plupart mobilisés pour assurer la sécurité des Jeux.

"Nous devons respecter le droit démocratique de manifester mais nous n'allons laisser aucun manifestant sans surveillance pour qu'aucun ne cause de dégâts", avait dit à Reuters un important responsable gouvernemental, sous le couvert de l'anonymat, avant le début de la manifestation.

"C'est notre droit de protester. Je suis descendu dans la rue pour chaque guerre depuis la guerre du Vietnam. Nous avons gagné alors et nous allons gagner aujourd'hui", estime Maria Stilou, 64 ans, professeur d'économie.

Demo to test police strength

Fearing severe disruptions to Olympic security and transportation schedules, police are set to prevent anti-war demonstrators from marching through central Athens to the US embassy tonight, officials said yesterday.

The march is being organized at 7 p.m. by left-wing groups that object to the visit to Athens tomorrow of US Secretary of State Colin Powell. It is due to start at the old Athens University building on Panepistimiou St, and organizers plan to proceed through the center of the city to Syntagma Square, and past the Hilton Hotel to the embassy.

But Public Order Ministry officials told Kathimerini yesterday there was no chance of the marchers being allowed to get past Syntagma Square, as it was imperative to keep clear the area in front of the Hilton Hotel, where many foreign dignitaries visiting Athens for the Olympics are lodged.

The last time police tried to stop a major demonstration from getting past Syntagma Square was in late 1999, when then-US President Bill Clinton visited Athens.

Riot control forces managed to halt the march, using copious quantities of tear gas, but in the ensuing riots dozens of banks and shops were damaged and burned.

The Public Order Ministry intends to have as many officers on the capital’s streets as possible this afternoon. However, it is unclear whether it will be able to pull enough men together, as nearly all the forces in Athens are deployed in the Olympic security effort.

Meanwhile, the Greek Communist Party is organizing another demonstration against Powell’s presence in Greece tomorrow morning, also starting at the old University building.

San Francisco Chronicle

(08-27) 14:50 PDT ATHENS, Greece (AP) --

Police used tear gas Friday night to disperse more than 2,000 demonstrators who lit fires, smashed windows and beat up journalists while marching through downtown Athens to protest the weekend visit of Secretary of State Colin Powell.

The demonstrators, who scuffled with police in front of the Parliament, fought running battles with riot squads trying to prevent them from reaching the U.S. Embassy. The embassy is not near any Olympic venues, but it is near the hotel being used by the International Olympic Committee and located on a major Olympic traffic lane.

The protesters shouted slogans against the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq.

Powell was expected to arrive Saturday to meet Premier Costas Caramanlis and attend the closing ceremony of the Athens Olympics on Sunday night.

Earlier, hundreds of riot police with shields prevented the protesters from heading toward the embassy, and the two sides faced off in front of the Greek Parliament building.

The protesters marched in front of Athens University, beating drums, spraying graffiti on the walls and unfurling banners criticizing President Bush.

"Powell is the man who peddled Bush's lies on Iraq," said protest organizer, Yiannis Sifahakis. "He is a murderer and we don't want him here."

In Washington, deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said only that officials were aware of protest plans and that: "We are committed to visiting our Greek friends and sharing in this very important occasion."

Some of the demonstrators shouted slogans in English, taking advantage of the international TV crews covering the event. They called on passers-by to join them on a march to the U.S. Embassy.

Among those who joined in before the violence broke out was Andrea Murray, 22, who graduated from Duke University in North Carolina. She said she was looking for Athens' National Museum and instead found the demonstration.

"I found this and I thought, like wow! I am participating because I am American and I want Greeks to know that not all Americans are drones or idiots," Murray said.

A spectacular, moonlit Acropolis served as a backdrop to more than 500 riot police who were positioned in the central Syntagma Square in front of the Parliament building and elsewhere in central Athens.

One Olympics volunteer in the trademark Athens 2004 polo shirt and shorts held up a sign that read: "Any volunteers against U.S. policy?"

Another demonstration by 200 people in Thessaloniki, a northern port and Greece's second-largest city, dispersed peacefully after protesters marched by the U.S. consulate to complain about Powell's visit.

Greece's top law enforcement official said the demonstrators had a right to protest but asked them not to cause any trouble.

"We organized games in an environment of security and discretion. Everyone recognizes this," Public Order Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis said. "I want to believe that the events that have been planned will respect what with great effort all Greeks have accomplished."

Some Greeks worried that Powell's visit could destroy the festive atmosphere that has been present in Syntagma Square and the rest of the capital in recent days.

"I hope it won't spoil the party because the city is buzzing and everyone's pro-Olympics," said Marissa Daras, 26, a human resources specialist, as she walked through the square.

The right to demonstrate is cherished by Greeks, following harsh restrictions imposed during a 1967-74 military dictatorship. Protest groups have said they would oppose any police attempt to prevent them from marching on the U.S. Embassy.

Greece's small but influential Communist Party also said it was organizing a protest march on Saturday from central Athens to the embassy.

Associated Press writers Niko Price, Miron Varouhakis and Toula Vlahou contributed to this report.

Riot in Athens!

posted by Collin Sick on Friday August 27 2004 @ 03:58PM PDT

ATHENS - Thousands of anti-war demonstrators clashed with Greek riot police in Athens' main tourist district Friday after a rally to protest U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's upcoming visit to the Olympics degenerated into a rock-throwing melee.

Greek security forces pepper sprayed the crowd and launched at least one tear gas canister after confronting the protesters next to the Greek Parliament in Syntagma Square. The police acted after some demonstrators hurled bottles and rocks and were blocked from reaching the U.S. Embassy, their intended destination about a half mile away.

In the ensuing ruckus, marchers set fire to trash cans and smashed some storefront windows before dispersing about an hour later. In spite of the violence, no serious injuries were reported.

The contingent of about 500 police refrained from making mass arrests and spent most of their energy trying to direct the protesters away from nearby crowds of Olympic tourists, many of whom watched the action from a safe distance. Some journalists were not so lucky; at least three cameramen and reporters were physically assaulted by demonstrators.

Political protests are a common occurrence in Greece, and it is not unusual for them to turn violent. There is a long history of anti-American and anti-capitalist sentiment among demonstrators here, although the Greek government and Olympics organizers had kept the Games free of such distractions until Friday night.

The march was prompted by news that Powell will visit Athens on Sunday to attend the Olympics' Closing Ceremonies and meet with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis. An estimated 5,000 people joined in the demonstration, including labor unions, anarchists, Marxists and others opposed to U.S. foreign policy in Iraq, Afghanistan and Israel.

"Colin Powell - Out! Out!" the protesters shouted in English as they carried hundreds of placards indicating their dissatisfaction with a variety of things, from the U.S. invasion of Iraq to the Olympics. "War Games, Olympic Games, Game Over," read one sign.

Maria Styllou, a teacher at a local technical college, called Powell "a murderer" and said the vast majority of Greeks are vehemently against the U.S. presence in Iraq. In an interview beforehand, she predicted the demonstration would turn ugly and the police would response with gas, adding that such outcomes are routine in Athens.

"That's what they're going to do," she said. "We push, and they tear gas."

Nick Skiadas, 18, a recent high school graduate from Athens, said many Greeks were fed up with the Olympics and upset the government has devoted so much money to the Games. "You can buy so many cameras and so many police officers, but we need the money for schools and hospitals," he said.

Greece has spent $1.5 billion on security for the Olympics and have deployed about 70,000 police officers, soldiers and other forces, primarily to deter a catastrophic terrorist attack. Prior to the march, Greek government officials said they would permit the demonstration to take place but declared the U.S. Embassy off limits, as well as the nearby Hilton Hotel where many members of the International Olympic Committee are staying.

The Greek Communist Party said it was planning another march Saturday.

Demonstrators clash with riot police outside parliament in central Athens on Friday, Aug. 27, 2004. The rally was held to protest a weekend visit by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powel over the weekend in order to attend the closing ceremony of the Athens Games. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Greek riot police push back demonstrators protesting against a week-end visit by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games (news - web sites) August 27, 2004. Minor scuffles broke out and police hurled tear gas to stop the demonstrators reaching the U.S. embassy.

A protester shouts in front of riot police outside parliament in central Athens on Friday, Aug. 27, 2004. The rally was held to protest a weekend visit by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) in order to attend the closing ceremony of the Athens Olympic Games (news - web sites). (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Colin Powell annule sa visite en Grèce

ATHENES (AP) - Quelques heures après les manifestations organisées à Athènes contre sa venue programmée, le secrétaire d'Etat américain Colin Powell a décidé d'annuler la visite qu'il devait effectuer ce week-end en Grèce, a annoncé samedi le ministère grec des Affaires étrangères.
Vendredi soir, la police anti-émeutes avait dispersé à coups de grenades lacrymogènes quelque 1.500 manifestants pour les empêcher de se rapprocher de l'ambassade des Etats-Unis à Athènes.
Lors de sa visite, Colin Powell avait prévu de s'entretenir samedi avec le Premier ministre grec Costas Caramanlis et d'assister dimanche à la cérémonie de clôture des Jeux Olympiques. AP
sop/123

© AP - The Associated Press. Tous droits réservés.

The Guardian

Powell Cancels Greece Visit Amid Protests

Saturday August 28, 2004 8:01 AM

AP Photo OLY101

ATHENS , Greece (AP) - Secretary of State Colin Power canceled a weekend visit to Greece Saturday just hours after demonstrators staged a protest march.

Greece's foreign ministry said that Powell informed his Greek counterpart Petros Moliviatis that ``urgent responsibilities'' prevented him from carrying out the visit to attend the closing ceremony of the Athens Olympics.

On Friday, riot police used tear gas to disperse about 1,500 anti-globalization demonstrators from reaching the U.S. Embassy to protest Powell's visit.

29.08.2004 06:48

Ausschreitungen im Amüsierviertel Athens

Athen (dpa) - In der Olympia-Stadt Athen ist es in der Nacht zu gewalttätigen Auseinandersetzungen zwischen Jugendlichen und der Polizei gekommen. Rund 100 Randalierer zogen durch das Amüsierviertel «Monastiraki» und schleuderten Molotow-Cocktails auf Banken, Geschäfte und geparkte Autos. Die Polizei setzte massiv Tränengas und Schlagstöcke ein. Zwölf Personen wurden festgenommen, gab die Polizei bekannt. Zum Zeitpunkt der Zwischenfälle waren tausende Besucher der Olympischen Spiele in den Tavernen und Bars der Gegend.

Colin Powell cancels trip to Greece
Riots had already been staged in Athens in opposition to his visit.

George Gedda - The Associated Press
August 30, 2004

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Colin Powell canceled his trip to Greece at the last minute, partly because of concern that his presence—expected to be met with anti-war protests—might have disrupted the closing ceremony at the Olympics, State Department officials said Saturday. Powell’s decision, announced just hours before he was to depart, came after anti-American protests in Athens on Friday that featured “Powell Go Home” placards.

The secretary was not concerned about his own security but felt Greek organizers were entitled to carry out the Sunday night ceremony without the potential for distraction that his presence might have caused, said two State Department officials, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Many Greeks had wondered why Powell planned to visit this weekend, knowing his presence would likely provoke protests. Until Powell announced his visit, there had been none of the anti-American demonstrations that were feared in the run-up to the games.

He discussed the situation on Friday with Greek Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis. Powell said he hopes to travel to Athens in October.

The officials said a contributing factor was the U.N. Security Council’s debate this week over the performance of the Sudanese government in carrying out a council resolution last month on Darfur .

The council set Monday as the deadline for Sudan to demonstrate it is acting to improve security and humanitarian access in Darfur and to curb Arab militias in the western Sudanese region.

Some council members, notably China and Pakistan , have been reluctant to take strong steps against Sudan . It is not clear what the United States will recommend during the upcoming deliberations.

In Athens , the Greek foreign ministry said Powell decided against the trip because of “urgent responsibilities.”

The State Department said initially that the situations in Iraq and Sudan led to the cancellation. Later, however, officials said Sudan was the primary foreign concern this weekend for Powell.

On Wednesday, a department spokesman, Adam Ereli, said officials were aware of protest plans. “We are committed to visiting our Greek friends and sharing in this very important occasion,” he said.

In a letter, Powell congratulated Moliviatis “for the especially successful and secure organization of the games.”

Friday’s protest was directed largely against U.S. policies in Iraq . Greece , along with about 10 other members of NATO, is not a part of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq .

Riot police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators protesting Powell’s planned visit. About 1,500 people who took part in the march were prevented from taking their protest to the U.S. Embassy.