THE Greek National Federation of Railworkers (POS) has expressed its ‘disappointment’ at the government’s intention to privatise TRAINOSE (Greek Railways).
In a statement issued on Thursday, POS said: ‘We will defend the railways which are the Greek peoples’ property.’
Following the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ visit to Moscow on Wednesday, the Russian government has reiterated its interest to buy the Greek Railways as well as the port of Thessaloniki ‘if they are to be sold’ as the Russian statement put it.
Two weeks ago the Greek Deputy Prime Minister Dragasakis announced from Beijing that the port of Piraeus was to be privatised.
The Chinese state company Cosco already owns part of the Piraeus port.
Greek media reported that the Chinese government was willing to ‘invest’ in Greek state bonds.
Both the Greek Federation of Port Workers and the Greek Federation of Seafarers have issued statements strongly opposing privatisation of the port and vowing action.
The three Greek workers’ federations have emphasised that the government’s privatisation announcements are in complete contrast to election promises made by SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left party) leader, now Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras.
Last Wednesday in Moscow, Tsipras met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and, as announced at the joint press conference, discussed the situation in the Middle East and in the Ukraine, a proposed energy pipeline in Greece, setting up joint Greek-Russian state companies to overcome sanctions imposed by Russia on EU agricultural products, cheaper gas prices to Greece and tourism.
In a speech to Moscow’s state International Relations University, Tsipras emphasised Greece’s ‘unique geo-political position’ and once again declared his opposition to the EU sanctions against Russia.
In Athens, nine prisoners, convicted for throwing bombs at banks, are still on hunger strike with five of them reaching 40 days of protest.
The Korydalos’ prison doctor Lina Vergopoulou, in a written statement on Thursday, pointed out that the ‘prisoners’ lives are in danger.’ The hunger strikers demand the abolition of high security prisons, so-called ‘anti-terrorist’ legislation, and the release of convicted bomber Savas Xiros on health grounds after 10 years in a special prison.
Hundreds of anarchist youths, supporters of the hunger strikers, marched in Athens last Tuesday and then clashed with riot police that made extensive use of tear-gas against them in a densely populated area of central Athens. Police said that over 20 arrests were made. Several protesting youths needed hospital treatment.
Anarchist students are continuing for the 12th day the occupation of the central administrative building of Athens University in support of the hunger strikers’ demands.
A government-proposed Bill that abolishes high security prisons is being discussed in the Vouli (Greek parliament) and a vote is expected next week.
