Powell cancels trip to Olympics

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Klaus

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3607242.stm

A state department spokesman said Mr Powell had called off the visit due to the "press of business in Washington".

Maybee, just maybee it has to do something with the fact that he wouldn't be welcomed by the Greek citizens

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The announcement came only hours after clashes erupted in Athens as protesters rallied to condemn the planned visit.

Marchers shouted angry slogans against the Bush administration and its operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
So you think it was a good idea of Mr. Powell not to travel to Athens?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3609922.stm

To Vima tis Kiriakis focuses on the embarrassment to the Greek authorities caused by Mr Powell's non-attendance at the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, in what has otherwise been considered a very successful event.

Do you think the Greek press is right in their assumtions:


official reason for cancelling the visit is valid, behind it lies the fear that "the closing ceremony could have been converted into an expression of anti-Americanism".

"Powell was frightened off by the people's rage," the paper says, referring to demonstrations in central Athens on Friday, during which marchers shouted angry slogans against the Bush administration and its operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
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So if Powell travels there he is being insensitve to the "will of the Greek people", if he doesn't then its an embarresment to the Greek authorities, talk about a no-win situation.
 
A_Wanderer
Of course it's a no-win situation, i haven't bin in any other country in europe with such a massive anti-war movement before the iraq war than Greece.

Do you think Powells action was the right one or do you think by what he has done (minimizing the risk of a big "anti-americanism" movement in greece) he helps the Communists and weakens the conservative Greek government?

My personal opinion is:
It would have bin better for america if he would have attended the Olympics and even made public speeches about Iraq (maybe sum up all the mistakes that have bin done and try to paint a picture of what america wants to do there in the future).
But it's better for the Republican party that powell didn't attend the Olympics because it's less media attention this way.
 
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