About the Thassian movement again the Radar installation at the mountain Ypsarion.  The text is copied from the:  Official Journal of the European Communities C 350 E/184 EN 11.12.2001. Online Source: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2001/ce350/ce35020011211en01840184.pdf ----------------------------------------- (2001/C 350 E/199) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1550/01 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (28 May 2001) Subject: Building of a radar station on Ipsarion on the island of Thassos The Ministry for Civil Aviation and the Ministry for Transport have decided to build a 130m2 radar station in a 3 000m2. enclosure on the mountain of Ipsarion on the island of Thassos, an area protected under the Natura 2000 network, thereby provoking complaints from the mayor of Thassos and local residents concerning the adverse environmental impact of the project, the threat to the continued existence of protected plant species and the danger from electromagnetic radiation. The local residents have registered a complaint with the public prosecutorís office in Kavala, alleging that in connection with the project, a number of irregularities have occurred, such as failure to observe the environmental regulations issued by the Prefecture, failure to obtain the necessary authorisation from the archaeological authorities and infringement of environmental protection legislation. In order to protect the area, which is classified as being of outstanding natural beauty, can the Commission provide the following information: 1. Have possible alternative locations for the radar been considered? 2. Can it investigate whether the works being carried out on Ipsarion are in accordance with environmental protection legislation such as Directive 92/43/EEC (1) and, if this is not the case, can it take action to prevent the installation of the radar and have the area restored? (1) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7. Answer given by Mrs Wallstrˆm on behalf of the Commission (10 July 2001) The Greek authorities have proposed Mount Ypsarion on Thassos as a site for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network in accordance with Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. Accordingly, they must see to it that the siteís conservation value is not compromised by activities undertaken there. The Commission is unable to tell the Honourable Member whether alternative solutions have been examined for the project in question, as such examination falls primarily within the jurisdiction of the Member States. Nonetheless, in order that it may examine the reported situation properly, the Commission would ask the Honourable Member to provide more detailed information on the projectís potential impact on the site.  C 350 E/184 EN 11.12.2001 Official Journal of the European Communities. ------------------------------------- Link for more detailed information in Greek and German: http://mitglied.lycos.de/ThassosYpsario