Hundreds march against Powell Games visit, Athens

These protests are being timed well for publicity as Colin Powell is scheduled to attend the Olympics closing ceremony on Sunday.

The Greek authorities said they recognise the demonstrators' right to protest, but asked them not to cause trouble.

"We have offered an environment of celebration and joy, security and respect of human rights," Public Order Minister Yiorgos Voulgarakis told a news conference before the march began.

"I want to believe that the demonstrators... will respect this climate," he said.

The Greek Communist Party is organising another protest for Saturday.

news.bbc.co.uk...

Running battles on Athens streets

August 28, 2004

POLICE used tear gas today to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who lit fires, smashed windows and beat up journalists as they marched through Athens to protest a visit by US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

One report this morning said 2000 people were involved in the protest, but another put the figure at 700.

news.com.au...

Sanc'.

Oops.

I saw the BBC story and posted my reply here before seeing this post.

I just read another post which stated Bush was to attend, well if Powell's visit is met with resistance, his would be massive, after all, wasn't Powell the best liked of the bunch?

Whoa!!!!!!!!!!and I wonder why our intellingent politicians are not welcome in the rest of the world

I imagine bush going "what did we do wrong?"

Originally posted by SomewhereinBetween
I just read another post which stated Bush was to attend, well if Powell's visit is met with resistance, his would be massive, after all, wasn't Powell the best liked of the bunch?

Hi SomewhereinBetween

You got that right

Sanc'.

Tony Blair attended - and didnt see any reports of any protest

Silk,

The master mind of the Iraq operation was US, UK just help.

Originally posted by marg6043
Silk,

The master mind of the Iraq operation was US, UK just help.

You're right marg. In the words of Rumsfeld, "Go massive".

Sanc'.

Greece is the last bastion of radical socialism in Europe.

Only a couple of hundred protesters? that is kind of pathetic.

MSNBC is now reporting that Powell will not attend the ceremonies in Athens due to "pressing business".
joey

The BBC is also reporting the cancellation of Powell's appearance here:

news.bbc.co.uk...

A spokesman for the department, Kurtis Cooper, was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying the anti-American protests in Athens had "played no role" in Mr Powell's decision.

Yeah right!

Well so close to elections nobody wants to get the risk of looking bad in the public eyes. Right?

us.news2.yimg.com...

Well I guess with a welcome like that I guess powell though "home is were security is at" Right.?

[edit on 28-8-2004 by marg6043]

Originally posted by Mokuhadzushi
us.news2.yimg.com...

Nice sign Whats up with the USSR symbol on the sign? And why is part of the sign seems to be in Russian? Greek commies or something.

Greece has had a strong anti-America sentiment for a long time This did not surprise me.