Thesssaloniki paramedics protest over lack of equipment

Συγκέντρωση διαμαρτυρίας εργαζομένων στο ΕΚΑΒ στη Θεσσαλονίκη , originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

The ambulance crews were demonstrating in order to demand new vehicles and protective suits. Of the 220 new ambulance ordered in 2007 not one has been assigned to Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city and home to 10% of the population of the country.

See here for a report in Greek from Kathimerini.

On the other hand the massive medical equipment scam which has cost taxpayers billions since 2004 has gone unpunished despite a government report submitted to then minister of health, Nikos Kaklamanis in 2006 outlining the way in which companies supplying hospitals pumped up prices. For example, A titanium screw, for instance, cost 18 euros in Cyprus, but was bought for 159 euros by Greek hospitals.

Nor has present health minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos, been inclined to act on the report.

See here for a report in English from Kathimerini.

Athens residents clash with riot police over park

Picture from indymedia Athens

The move to bulldoze one of the last remaining parks in the Kypseli district of central Athens sparked off clashes between local residents and Greek riot police. Yesterday's decision by Athens mayor, Nikitis Kaklamanis to order the cutting down of 45 trees to start work on the construction of a car park led to day long confrontations and the use of flash grenades and tear gas by the authorities (see here for video from the tvxs.gr independent news agency).

The sudden start of construction was, according to Greek media sources designed to forstall any possible injunction by Athens courts over the controversial project. Despite having less green spaces than any other European capital the city of Athens sent in contractors to start clearing the area despite questions over the legality of the work . As a result the forestry commision of the Attiki district, which includes the Greek capital yesterday sued the city of Athens over the destruction of the park.

Athens mayor, Nikitis Kaklamnais, speaking to Skai TV station claimed that only three trees had been cut down and that the other 40 were being transplanted. However, eye witness accounts and pictures taking by local residents seems to cast doubt on the mayor's claims.

Yesterday evening protesters planted 45 sapling to replace the pine trees cut down during the day. Work resumed early this morning however, stopped after two hours amidst protests Unconfirmed reports talk of the presence of members of Greece's ultra-right Chrysi Aygi party taking part in clashes with protesters early this morning. Three residents including local council member, Kostas Lagos have pressed charges after being assaulted.

Local residents have vowed to guard the site and prevent building work from continuing.

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