Greek gov. on alert for looming violence

Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos has called an emergency meeting with his ministers to discuss increasing attacks on politicians, amid fears of violence at the upcoming March 25 national day parade and general elections campaigns. Greek media reported that protesters have recently exercised violence against Greek politicians during the financial crisis and following the consequent austerity measures. "These acts of violence have become a significant issue that must be broadly condemned, not only because we are heading towards an election campaign, but because this has a direct affect on the quality of our democracy," Greek government spokesman Pantelis Kapsis said in a radio interview. Papademos convened with the ministers of education, interior, defense, and citizen protection following violence at a parade in Rhodes island southeast Greece last week and a crowd attack during a charity concert by a Greek singer. Several dozen protesters clashed with riot police at a parade on Rhodes island held last Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the Dodecanese Islands' union with Greece in 1947.