 |  |  |
| Return to: Left History: a digital archive | Return to: Say no to imperialist wars! | Return to: NATO-Yugoslav War Internet Resources |
| | |
| Return to: Left History: a digital archive | Return to: Say no to imperialist wars! | Return to: NATO-Yugoslav War Internet Resources |
ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek protesters staged a mock trial of U.S. President Bill Clinton Monday, days before he visits Athens, and declared him guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity for his Balkan policies.
Thousands of protesters shouted "Guilty" and "Death" when the court asked the public to issue a verdict after a two-hour mock trial in Syndagma Square in central Athens.
Waving blue-and-white Greek flags and red Communist Party banners, the protesters chanted anti-American slogans such as "Butcher of the Balkans, Get Out."
Greek actors played the roles of judge, prosecutor, defense and witnesses in the trial organized by artists' groups and leftist unions as a protest against Clinton's visit, which starts Saturday.
"He is 'tried' in absentia but he has a defense lawyer," said actor Vassilis Kolovos, one of the organizers. "This is a tribute to our national dignity."
Apparently embarrassed by the protests preceding Clinton's visit, the government played down the mock trial. Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas told reporters such events were "not useful" and were contrary to official views.
Leftist and labor groups have announced several protests against Clinton, who will visit Greece between Nov. 13 and 15, days before the Nov. 17 anniversary of the Polytechnic school uprising against the 1967-1974 military junta.
GREEKS BLAME UNITED STATES FOR JUNTA
Many Greeks accuse the United States of supporting the dictatorship, which put down the 1973 student revolt with tanks. Commemorative events usually end with a march to the U.S. embassy.
A 1973 photograph of a tank poised before the gates of the Polytechnic was the backdrop of Monday's mock court. Dozens died in the revolt that paved the way for the junta's downfall.
Greek animosity toward U.S. foreign policy revived this year when NATO carried out air raids against fellow Orthodox Christian Serbia. Greece, a NATO member, voiced objections to the attacks but gave NATO logistical support.
The crowd in Syndagma Square marched to the U.S. embassy in Athens to hand in the verdict, waving a huge American flag bearing swastikas instead of stars. Eyewitnesses said hundreds of police were positioned outside the embassy building.
Thousands of police have been deployed around Athens to prevent violent outbreaks during Clinton's visit. Urban guerrilla groups have already targeted U.S. interests in Greece.
A group calling themselves Anti-Capitalist Action planted a time bomb at the Athens offices of the jeans company Levi Strauss Sunday, damaging the premises.
Two hours earlier, the Red Line group fired shots at a U.S. cultural center in central Athens. Thursday, a group calling itself Anti-State Action claimed to have planted a homemade bomb at a car dealership, destroying several vehicles.
No one was injured in any of the attacks.