Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (July 4, 2015)
Page 8A NATION/WORLD East Oregonian Greek campaigns UHDFKGUDPDWLF¿QDOH Associated Press ATHENS, Greece — Greeks packed city squares for dueling rallies late into the night Friday, as polls showed a dead heat between the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ camps ahead of a bailout referendum Sunday that could be Greece’s most important vote since it joined the European Union. More than 40,000 people gathered at the two rallies, half a mile (800 meters) apart, before Sunday’s vote on whether to accept creditors’ proposals for more austerity in exchange for rescue loans, or reject the deal as a show of de¿ance against years of harsh economic austerity. “This is not a protest. It is a celebration to overcome fear and blackmail,” Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told a crowd of 25,000 in front of parliament, who were chanting “oxi, oxi” — “no, no.” Tsipras angered Greece’s creditors by calling the referendum and is urging Greeks to vote no. Meanwhile, police said about 17,000 people gathered outside the nearby Panathe- nian stadium for the “yes” rally, waving Greek and European Union Àags and chanting “Greece, Europe, Democracy.” Rallies for both campaigns were also held in 10 other Greek cities Friday. Tsipras is gambling the future of his ¿ve-month-old left wing government on Sunday’s snap poll — insisting a “no” vote will strengthen his hand to negotiate a third bailout with better terms. But the high-stakes standoff with lenders this week saw Greece default on debts, close banks to avoid their collapse, and lose access to billions of euros as an existing bailout deal expired. At the “no” rally, Athens resident Maria Antiniou held a handmade sign, reading “oxi.” “We have to strengthen Tsipras. It’s not his fault we are bankrupt,” she said. “He doesn’t have the mandate to take tougher measures and now we are giving that to him. It’s not true this is a vote on the euro. It’s a vote to change course and stay in the euro, and Tsipras is our best hope,” she said. That is a message the “yes” voters refuse believe. Evgenia Bouzala, a Greek born in Germany, said she was considering shutting down her olive oil export business because of the ¿nancial turmoil. “I don’t think we can keep going. Look at what AP Photo/Spyros Tsakiris People attend a rally organized by supporters of the No vote in Athens, Friday. A new opinion poll shows a dead heat in Greece’s referendum campaign with just two days to go before Sunday’s vote on whether Greeks should accept more austerity in return for bail- out loans. Saturday, July 4, 2015 Iran: Nuke deal could result in cooperation Associated Press VIENNA — In a message to Washington, Iran’s foreign minister on Friday called for an end to “coercion and pressure” at the nuclear talks, suggesting a deal acceptable to his country will open the door to cooperation on ¿ghting the upsurge of Middle East extremism threatening both nations’ interests. Mohammad Javad Zarif did not mention the United States by name in his video message. But with the Iran six-power talks having devolved essentially into bilateral U.S.-Iran negoti- ations over the past year, his comments were clearly directed at the Americans, who have been the primary drivers of the crippling economic sanctions imposed on his country over its nuclear program. Any deal would result in an end to the sanctions. But negotiations remain bogged down ahead of the extended July 7 target date for an agreement. The West fears Iran could develop its nuclear program to make weapons while Iran insists it is only meant to generate power and for other peaceful uses. Suggesting that Islamic extremism is a far greater threat to the world than his country’s atomic activities, Zarif called for an end to “unjust economic sanctions” and for the West to join Iran in common cause against “the growing menace of violent extremism and outright barbarism.” “The menace we’re facing — and I say we, because no one is spared — is embodied by the hooded men who are ravaging the cradle of civilization,” Zarif said. He called for realign- Greek villagers’ secret weapon: grow your own food KARITAINA, Greece (AP) — Ilias Mathes has pro- tection against bank closures, capital controls and the slashing of his pension: 10 goats, some hens and a vegetable patch. If Greece’s financial crisis deepens, as many be- lieve it must, he can feed his children and grandchil- dren with the bounty of the land in this proud village high in the mountains of the Arcadia Peloponnese. “I have my lettuce, my onions, I have my hens, my birds, I will manage,” he said, even though he can no longer access his full pension payment because of government controls imposed six days ago. The production of food and milk gives villagers in many parts of Greece a small measure of confidence — and a valuable buffer. But that doesn’t mean the financial cut-off doesn’t cause headaches. Some in Karitaina have to pay 40 euros in taxi fares to get to and from the nearest banks just to withdraw 60 euros, the maximum daily amount for those with bank cards. happened in the last three days. Imagine if that lasts another six months,” she said. “A ‘yes’ vote would bring a caretaker government and that would probably be better ... We have to start over.” The drama remained high in the ¿nal hours of campaigning. The country’s top court stayed in session till the late afternoon before rejecting a petition to declare the referendum illegal, while party leaders, personalities, and church elders weighed in with impassioned pleas to vote “no” or “yes” on the airwaves and social media. In a rare public declara- tion, 16 former armed forces leaders wrote an appeal to citizens to show “calm and national unity.” A series of polls published Friday at the end of a frantic weeklong campaign showed the two sides in a dead heat, with an incremental lead of the “yes” vote well within the margin of error. But they showed an over- whelming majority of people — about 75 percent — want Greece to remain in the euro. Much of the ambiguity arises from the complicated question on the ballot paper: “Must the agreement plan submitted by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the Inter- national Monetary Fund to the Eurogroup of 25 June, 2015, and comprised of two parts which make up their joint proposal, be accepted? The ¿rst document is titled ‘reforms for the completion of the current program and beyond’ and the second ‘Preliminary debt sustain- ability analysis.”’ Voters are asked to check one of two boxes: “not approved/no” and — below it — “approved/yes.” “People don’t even under- stand the question,” Athens Mayor George Kaminis told supporters at the “yes” rally. “We have been dragged into a pointless referendum that is dividing the people and hurting the country.” No campaigning is allowed the day before an election in Greece, so Friday’s rallies were the closing salvoes in the battle to persuade voters ahead of Sunday. ment from Iran’s nuclear activities, saying it was time to “open new horizons to address important, common challenges.” Zarif and U.S Secre- tary of State John Kerry have taken the lead in the negotiations. In comments echoed by Zarif ahead of their renewed meeting on Friday evening, Kerry said the talks “are making prog- ress.” But he also spoke of “some tough issues,” telling reporters, “We have a lot of work to do.” The Obama administra- tion says that at least part of the sanctions relief for Iran under any pact will depend on Iran’s full cooperation with the U.N’s International Atomic Energy Agency to probe allegations that Tehran worked secretly on atomic weapons. But hopes of progress any time soon on that issue dimmed Friday. BRIEFLY 2I¿FLDOVOLIW evacuation after Tennessee train GHUDLOPHQW MARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Thousands of eastern Tennessee residents were returning home Friday after they were evacuated when a CSX train car carrying hazardous material derailed and caught ¿re. An evacuation order has been lifted for about 5,000 people who live within a mile-and-a-half radius of the crash site, Maryville City Manager Greg McClain said during a Friday news conference. Most of those evacuated received urgent knocks at their doors between midnight and 6 a.m. Thursday by emergency workers who told them they should leave immediately. The concern stemmed from the contents of the car that derailed: liquid acrylonitrile, a hazardous material used in multiple industrial processes including making plastics. It’s Àammable and it’s dangerous if inhaled. The EPA says some effects of breathing acrylonitrile include headaches, dizziness, irritability and rapid heartbeat. Of¿cials said tests to monitor air quality have shown no danger to residents. “It is safe to go home,” McClain said. Eighty-seven people were treated at Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville, and 36 were admitted, hospital spokesman Josh West said. None had life-threatening injuries, but they were experiencing respiratory issues, skin irritation and nausea, West said. Partnership. “The time has come for the candidates to distance themselves from Trump and call his comments what they are: ludicrous, baseless and insulting,” Aguilar said. “Sadly, it hurts the party with Hispanic voters. It’s a level of idiocy I haven’t seen in a long time.” So far, Trump has paid less of a political price than a commercial one. +LVSDQLFOHDGHUV ZDQW*23¿HOGWR condemn Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — Hispanic leaders are bristling at the largely tepid response by Republican presidential candidates to Donald Trump’s characterization of Mexican immigrants as rapists and drug dealers. Several 2016 contenders have brushed off Trump’s comments while others have ignored them. Marco Rubio, a Florida senator who is Hispanic, denounced them as “not just offensive and inaccurate, but also divisive,” after declining for two weeks to address the matter directly. Another Hispanic in the race, Ted Cruz, said Trump is “terri¿c,” ‘’brash” and “speaks the truth.” It’s an uncomfortable moment for Republicans, who want more votes from the surging Latino population. And it could be a costly moment if more candidates don’t go beyond their Donald-will-be-Donald response and condemn him directly, said Alfonso Aguilar, a Republican who leads the American Principles Project’s Latino 0LOLWDU\UHFUXLWV VWLOOQRWXVLQJ American-made sneakers BOSTON (AP) — New Balance thinks the U.S. military is dragging its feet. Last April, the Department of Defense announced military recruits would start using athletic shoes 100 percent made and manufactured in America, in recognition of a law Congress passed in 1941 requiring the department give preference to American-made goods. Over a year after the announcement, the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines have still not purchased a single sneaker that meets the exacting standards of the 1941 law, known as the Berry Amendment. Matthew LeBretton, New Balance’s vice president of public affairs, is convinced the delays are deliberate “payback” for companies like New Balance that have been vocally lobbying for the change for years. AUGUST 11-15, 2015 Tues. Aug. 11 • 9pm Wed. Aug. 12 • 9pm JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY LATINO NIGHT: THURSDAY, AUGUST 13 DUSTIN LYNCH (7:00pm) ANTIFAZ & (9:00pm) LA-MAR-K DE TIERRA CALIENTE Home Depot Kids Workshop, OMSI, Food, Vendor Booths, Chain Saw Wood Carvers, Bounce Houses, Kids Games AND MORE!! 8:30am - 3:00pm Main Stage Entertainment 8:30 am 9:00 am 9:30am 10:00 am 11:00 am 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:00 pm Parks & Rec Dancers Totally Elite Cheer Round Up City Cloggers Jacob Lopper (Music) Dallin Puzey (Music) Dakota Brown (Music) Fiesta Food Mariachi Band Masonic Lodge Raffle Drawing 2:10 pm George Kenney Wood Carver Auction Main Street & Beyond 7:30-9:30am Rotary Breakfast Main Street 9:00am-4:00pm McKenzie Park Cool Rides Car Show 10:30/12:30/2:30 Main Street Lawn Mower Drag Races 10:00 pm Neon Nights Glow Run 5k, Oxbow Trail Fri. Aug. 14 • 9pm Sat. Aug. 15 • 9pm HINDER WARRANT In the Watering Hole: LIVE MUSIC: Tues & Wed - Brady Goss; Fri & Sat - Blue Tattoo RESERVED TICKETS ON SALE NOW! (does not include $12 admission) Call or stop by the Fair office 515 W. Orchard, Hermiston 800-700-FAIR (3247) • www.umatillacounty.net/fair Visa & Mastercard gladly accepted CARNIVAL WRISTBANDS (until August 10) $12 $23 Concert Reserve Seating: (does include fair fair admission) $30 not after starts
