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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-03-27
CONTENTS
[01] Calm restored to Idomeni after earlier tension eases
[01] Calm restored to Idomeni after earlier tension eases
A rumour that the borders were about to open was the cause of tension
on Sunday in the refugee and migrant camp in Idomeni, next to Greece's
northern border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM),
with the refugees and migrants split into opposing camps: those that
believed the rumours and those trying to dissuade them.
The two sides were ranged against each other on the railway tracks in
the no-man's land, with one group determined to cross the border and
the other trying to explain that the border was not about to open and
that it was futile.
Calm was eventually restored by Sunday afternoon, after some intense
arguments and heated moments, monitored by a strong police presence on
both sides of the border. The Greek police, with announcements in Arabic
and Farsi, tried to dissuade people from gathering, warning that the
border will not open and that their lives would be in danger if they
attempted to cross.
Those massing at the border included people in wheelchairs and everyone
was holding hands and waving white paper napkins in order to demonstrate -
as they said - their peaceful intentions. Many were holding placards with
the message "Don't strike us," "Freedom of movement is everyone's right,"
"Open the Borders" and "No violence. We only want to pass."
Those gathering on the lines since early on Sunday were not only refugees
and migrants from the camp but also from the relocation centres, such
as Nea Kavala and Giannitsa, who had heard the rumours.
"We heard that the borders will open today and we came to pass. They
told us that the Red Cross is with us and 500 journalists from all
over the world," said a young Syrian that had come with a group from
Giannitsa earlier on Sunday. Italian activitists that arrived in Idomeni
on Saturday and were reportedly among those inciting the refugees to
attempt to cross the border on Sunday denied connection with the rumour.
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