_____

From: Marijo Gillis [mailto:TwinkiePerkyEbby@...]
Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2005 4:25 PM
Subject: WAG's Response to the Greek Ministry of Tourism 5/27/2005

Kindly bear with me and please read the text of my letter below and the
inane letter from the Greek Ministry of Tourism. These are but a very few
incidents of thousands of animals subject to horrifying abuse and neglect..
Shot and set ablaze


Check the position of his bodyA shelter in a county of comfort



SHOT





Mrs. Katerina Malaxia
The Greek Ministry of Tourism
Athens, Greece

Dear Mrs. Malachia;

We offer our appreciation that the Ministry of Tourism has had the courtesy
and wisdom to reply to growing, global concern regarding the abusive and
neglectful treatment of animals in Greece.

As you recall, the " national cleansing" of Greece's abandoned animals
prior to the onslaught of tourists to the long awaited 2004 Athens Olympic
Games garnered worldwide attention and elicited a global outcry.

If we remember correctly, the world press had a field day with the subject.
Fortunately for Greece, and the financially motivated ATHOC led by Mrs.
Angelopoulou Daskalaki; the long reach of ATHOC and the Dimos Athinon's,
public relations "arm" were able to dilute and divert the attention. But we
caution, not 100%. Thankfully, those millions of people encircling the
globe, who respect all life and deem animals, sentient beings, were not
fooled.

The National government based in Athens may indeed have had, at one time,
the prudence and common sense to "verbally" condone such actions as
poisoning, hanging and shooting which are commonplace and everyday criminal
actions perpetrated against Greece's companion and farmed animals. But to
whom? The new animal protection law 3170, ignored by all, is a travesty,
and screams for repeal.

Unfortunately, the national government led by Mr. Costas Karamanlis has not
once expressed the philosophy that you mention in your response -- to the
citizens of Greece. Not once has any government official in Greece stood
before the people to address, via public proclamation, and condemn the
horrifying issue of animal abuse and neglect which has metastasized across
the nation.

Of great concern, according to reports from major animal welfare
organizations and individuals throughout Greece is the fact that a Mrs.
Dile, and a Mr. Stylas, both permanently ensconced as fixtures in the
Ministry of Agriculture for many, many years, have done little to advance
the welfare of animals, both companion and farmed and much to destroy it.

It is frightening, but it seems as if Ms. Dile and Mr. Stylas, both civil
servants, have been given carte blanche by the Minister of Agriculture and
his Deputy Ministers to administer their own personal agenda and wreak havoc
with animal welfare in Greece.

Further to the issue, the Panhellenic Veterinary Association, a powerful
lobby, wrapping the Ministry of Agriculture around it's fingers, refuses to
allow volunteer vets into the country to perform free spay/ neuter/ tx/ vax,
to help alleviate the suffering of gross overpopulation. The Panhellenic
Veterinary Association can take a silver medal for running a close second
behind Mrs. Dile and Mr. Stylas.

Sadly, but ironically fortuitous, as the consequence of indifference on the
part of the central government and the municipalities, the Ministry of
Agriculture, and the general mindset of much of the populace-- the world is
now aware that wanton, criminal acts of abuse and neglect are ignored by
national and municipal officials who are in position by "election" and
therefore obligation to preserve the integrity and the global image of the
Greek state, especially, one would presume, during the tourist season. {May
I add, that the municipality of Athens, under the auspices of Ms. Tonia
Kanellopoulou is attempting to introduce a semblance of control over animal
welfare, but desperately needs to take into consideration the counsel and
input of many more animal welfare advocates throughout Greece and, of
course, foreign ngo's.

Tourism a main contributor to Greece's gross national product is of vital
importance to Greece's economy. The Ministry of Tourism has spent millions
of euros to advance a major public relations campaign around the world -
"Live Your Myth". But you must know, because of the world's escalating
awareness of horrifying abuse and neglect - thanks to photographic
evidence- compassionate people everywhere are voicing their concern and
horror and are resolving to divert their tourist dollars to more gentle
venues. You would be surprised how the plight of all animals and ecological
issues are fast becoming a global priority.

Perhaps, it would be prudent for the Greek government, in order to remove
the layers of tarnish from a global image, to prepare a less convoluted
law, paralleling laws of the European Community, advance a campaign for
animal welfare, {low cost spay/neuter/ vaccination/ re homing, public
awareness and humane education in the schools} as is done throughout the
western world.

Perhaps after such a wise and compassionate effort, there would be little
need for dramatic public relations programs and massive expenditures to
entice visitors to the most beautiful country in the world. I can only hope
that the government of Greece will open a dialogue with animal welfare
advocates within Greece and animal welfare organizations worldwide.

We are at your disposal and do hope to speak with you via telephone.

Respectfully and cordially,

Marijo Anne Gillis - Founder
Welfare for Animals in Greece
Welfare for Animals Global, Inc.
(WAG New York--a New York City non-profit advocacy & political lobby group--
reaching the world
1775 York Avenue
Suite 7 H
New York, New York 10128
USA
Tel. (212) 427-0587 Fax (212) 427-6381
E-Mail Twinkieperkyebby@...
Marijo Anne Gillis - Founder

"Compassion for all life - the only way to a better world"
----- Original Message -----
From: ΜΑΛΑΧΙΑ ΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΑ <mailto:malachia_k@...>
To: 'kirstges@...' ; 'amaliaramirez@...' ;
'rash@...' ; 'post@...' ; 'noemipeter@...' ;
'info@...' ; 'graeskehunde@...' ;
'grsalvadore@...' ; 'twinkiePerkyEbby@...' ; 'hbarz@...' ;
'jenny.panagaris@...' ; 'peachr@...' ;
'Andrea.fischbach@...' ; 'peter.beck@...' ;
'ingeborg.dc@...' ; 'marvan116@...' ; 'manner@...' ;
'detoreilly@...' ; 'proanimal@...' ; 'angierodger@...' ;
'jkovich@...' ; 'rhermann@...' ; 'carlacarlaj@...' ;
'evaveggiegirl@...' ; 'kellyshay@...' ;
'dragonflydylf@...' ; 'mapilica@...' ;
'darkleeii@...' ; 'jtegos1@...' ; 'wendy.cooke@...' ;
'isabel_santos@...' ; 'cat@...' ; 'deszlosek@...'
; 'llinda@...' ; 'pv1mail@...' ; 'hestanley@...' ;
'a_graas@...' ; 'jere@...' ; 'iratxe1988@...'
; 'ddss04@...' ; 'jviska@...' ; 'blq@...' ;
'shalomprinting@...' ; 'delta805@...' ; 'ebeyer@...' ;
'jaynekaszas@...' ; 'villejoh@...' ; 'edda.dietz@...' ;
'gabriella.baio@fastwebnetit' <mailto:'gabriella.baio@...'> ;
'melissa_dalton@...' ; 'despina.andrelus@...' ;
'ahvram@...' ; 'luree@...'
Sent: Friday, May 27, 2005 7:09 AM

The Greek Government condemns any action against animals and expresses it'
s deep sorrow for any unofficial, arbitrary actions that may have caused the
death of some homeless animals in our country.
Our belief is strongly against killing, torturing and generally mistreating
animals and, certainly, the poisoning of stray dogs is totally condemned as
an effective measure to decrease the number of homeless animals in Greece.
The new Greek law for stray animals prescribes the sterilization and the
placing of an electronic ID on every homeless animal and inflicts severe
penalties on those who mistreat animals.
As for the incident that has occurred in Piraeus port on February the 27th,
regarding the 58 dogs of the "Arch Noah", an association owned by Mrs Silke
Wrobel, that were being transported to Germany and have been detained by the
Ministry of Agriculture, we have been informed that they are already in
Germany. However, we are currently investigating the matter.
On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and the Greek Tourism Organization, we
thank you for your consideration and we remain at your disposal for any
further information or remarks on this matter.







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]