Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-01-10

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM briefed by ministers on law enforcement

[01] PM briefed by ministers on law enforcement

After the meeting, Pavlopoulos referred to the latest spate of violence in downtown Athens by stone-throwing self-styled anarchist and anti-state youth, on the sidelines and tail-end of a protest rally held by unions representing educators and various ad hoc groups of pupils.

"In a democratic country the law is applied, but first of all, human rights are protected. Because what is most important is social peace, people's right to work and to develop their personality within the framework of the law, without certain others abusing and violating those human rights, social peace and democracy".

Referring to his working relation with Markoyiannakis, Pavlopoulos said claims of "sour relations" are pure fiction, stressing that "everything is completely clear and our cooperation is as good as with a friend from the past".

On his part, Markoyiannakis said police did the best they could on Friday in order to safeguard a peaceful demonstration, adding that violence erupted, police acted within the framework of the law.

"Legality is government's target, and citizens' security the top priority," he concluded.

SYRIZA criticism of police action

Meanwhile, in a related development, Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) parliamentary head Alekos Alavanos, in referring to Friday's violence during a rally protesting the Israeli operations in Gaza, referred to an "unprovoked attack by police against demonstrators".

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis

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