solidarity actions at embassies (as we are all doing), but maybe also news media offices. Here in the UK, while there was an in-depth piece on Radio-4's PM News between 5pm and 6, including a long substantial interview with Simon's brother, there was absolutely nothing on the televsion news at 6pm (presumably nothing at 10 either). Yet they covered a story on the Greek police's anti-terrorist training ahead of next year's Olympic games, and also such big features as the exhuming of King Harold's bones (strenching to a 5 min feature).

The priorites of the news media, as usual, only shows the lengths to which the establishment conspire to bury the real news, to blank-out the reporting of our friends and the murdering intent of the state which cannot afford this news of their potential martyrdom (much as they themselves would hate that concept) in the face of this brutal oppression that will undoubtedly spread like wildfire amongst the consiousness of the masses. It will because it is already spreading, because the actions of the prisoners speak louder than any set of words we utter in our solidarity to them, and because we are making it happen.

ok - the anti-terrorist measures of the Greek Government in preparation for the Olympics are already reported in the media.

I like Greece, the cradle of occidental culture, it's language, it's people. I am worried about the anti-terrorism policies of the Greek government, which are putting the reputation of the entire nation at risk, while it should be preparing for the Olympics, the beautiful games of peaceful competition.

What will the international public think if the Athens Olympics are overshadowed by the death of international hungerstrikers, held in Greek Prisons on false charges, caused by incompetence and mindless repression?

The Olympic Games are a beautiful idea, a bit like lord of the rings, the fellowship of the nations, united in fair sports. Greece will, for a while, become an international showcase. Does the Greek Government really want to risk 5 innocent young men dead in this showcase? Also, IF the hungerstrikers do not survive their ordeal in the Greek Prison system, would this not mean masses of angry people in the streets of Athens, while the city should be preparing for the Olympics, the games of peace?

Has anyone told the Greek government about the risk they are running?


 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/11/281933.html

BBC 6 o'clock news featured a special report on Simon Chapman's case a week or so ago. From your desktop, an email campaign is the most straightforward thing to do. I have emailed the Greek embassy here in London (and that in Dublin, where I am from) - there are a number of email addresses on their website, so I emailed them all, and I got a fairly personalised reply from their politics department. Telephone calls to them must also be logged and forwarded to the authorities in Greece. Emails to media outlets asking what coverage they are giving to this case, particularly in comparison to the furore over the planespotters case, is to be my next move. I am similarly frustrated as to what to do to help, these are the ideas I have had so far. Did you receive a reply from Chris Smith?

BBc News said:
>> "Did you receive a reply from Chris Smith?"
- whether we have or not, do you not consider that a larger weight of importance should be attached to this major injustice, corroborated by both the Greek public TV channel ERT-3, and a private Greek television channel.

You also said:
>> "these are the ideas I have had so far".

- how about more coverage, ...nuff said