NATO Tanks Bound for [FYR] Macedonia Blocked in Greece
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Wednesday April 28, 12:02 PM (EST)
ATHENS (April 28) XINHUA - A large number of demonstrators Wednesday
prevented the transportation by rail of 30 tanks and other military
equipment from the northern Greek port city of Thessaloniki to NATO
forces stationed in neighboring [FYR] Macedonia.
The demonstrators, believed to be Communist Party of Greece ( KKE)
supporters and Greek Railways Organization (OSE) employees, stood on
the railway line near the old railway station in the city, shouting
slogans against the NATO bombing against Yugoslavia.
The demonstrators also threw stones at a train carrying light tanks
and other military vehicles which were unloaded Tuesday from the
British-flagged freighter "Sea Centurion," according to the
semi-official Athens News Agency (ANA).
The train was later forced to return to the port of Thessaloniki,
which has been used as one of the main transit points for the supply
and reinforcement of NATO troops in [FYR]Macedonia.
Some 14,000 NATO troops and heavy equipment have reportedly passed
through Greek territory and about 4,000 British and German troops are
scheduled to pass through Thessaloniki soon.
More demonstrations, which are being organized by teachers of
Thessaloniki prefecture and the Initiative Committee Against the War,
are expected to take place in the next few days.
The Consumers' Institute will also launch a campaign to urge consumers
to boycott products from NATO countries participating in the bombing
of Yugoslavia.
Early this month, demonstrators in the city blocked a convoy of eight
French military vehicles and 48 containers loaded with supplies for a
French contingent in [FYR] Macedonia.
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