25. Masked Intruders Raid Greek Gold Mining Company

http://world.time.com/2013/02/17/masked-intruders-raid-greek-gold-mining-company/

According to authorities, Sunday night 40 masked attackers raided the facilities of a prospective gold mine in northern Greek. They set offices and machinery alight. For a while there has been some opposition to setting up a gold mine and processing plant at Skouries in the Halkidiki peninsula. Some residents who object say that there will be a destruction of the environment and the pristine forest which would lead to the loss of tourism. Also, other local activities would be lost. Hellas Gold, the mining company, is 95 percent owned by a Canadian mining company called Eldorado Gold Inc. The Greek government has been eager for foreign investments due to its financial troubles. But there have bend disputes that led to protest and even teargas or firebombs used. A police officer reported that the intruders tied two security guards together, drenched them in gasoline, and then threatened to set them on fire. One guard was kicked so badly that he needed hospital treatment for bruising and respiratory problems. So far, police have detained about 27 people for questioning early Sunday morning but all of them were eventually released. Supporters of the mine say that 1,200 jobs have been created in the area which has had long term unemployment. Angelos Deliyovas, a mine employee, said “Who are they who come here and burn everything and threaten our lives? We care for our livelihood and our lives. We have families and kids. The state should tell us what they are going to do about this.” Many see the foreign investment as a vital help for Greece’s economic problems.

The author, Costas Kantouris, uses this article to inform of the happenings in Greece. There is background information given about the incident. Both sides of the argument about the mine are presented such as how some people are worried about the loss of forest and local activities which include raising livestock, fishing, as well as farming. However, Kantouris also provides the pro-mining arguments which include making jobs for a finically struggling Greece. Greece’s dire economic problem is pointed and explained as well .The additional information Kantouris gives helps to show why the attackers might have attacked. Close to the end of the article, Kantouris tells about the mine and the plans for it.