- Colin Powell, the US Secretary of State, cancelled a
weekend visit to attend the closing ceremony of the Olympics, prompting
Greek Communists to claim it as a victory for anti-American protests.
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- There were fears that General Powell's appearance at
tonight's closing ceremony would have been booed by spectators, marring
the festivities. The US State Department made the announcement hours after
police used tear gas in central Athens on Friday night to break up a march
by about 1,500 demonstrators protesting at his one-day trip.
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- The Greek Communist Party went ahead with its demonstration
yesterday morning. Several hundred protesters marched peacefully through
the capital, waving red flags and banners denouncing General Powell and
US foreign policy.
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- Greece's Foreign Ministry said General Powell told his
counterpart, Petros Moliviatis, that "urgent responsibilities"
prevented him from making the visit, which was to include meetings with
athletes and government leaders. In Washington, the State Department said
the protests played no role in the decision. But the prospect of television
pictures of anti-US demonstrations on the eve of the Republican Convention
in New York may also have been a factor.
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- © 2004 Independent Digital (UK) Ltd http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?story=556257
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