The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.Blogger Tips and Tricks
This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Monday, November 14, 2011

Syria's suspension from Arab League...[ 2532 ]

Russia condemns Syria's suspension from Arab League

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends the APEC ministers' meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii November 11, 2011. REUTERS Photo

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends the APEC ministers' meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii November 11, 2011. REUTERS Photo
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday condemned Syria's suspension from the Arab League over its lethal crackdown on protests, saying the move was "incorrect." "We believe this to be incorrect," Russian news agencies quoted Lavrov as saying in the Russian Far East city of Khabarovsk. "And this looks pre-planned." Late last week the League announced Syria's suspension, drawing international praise but sparking mob attacks on foreign embassies in Damascus.
 The move, to take effect on Wednesday, was prompted by Syria's failure to comply with an agreement to end its crackdown on protests, which the United Nations says has left at least 3,500 people dead since mid-March.
 "Those who took this decision have lost a very important opportunity to make the situation more transparent," Lavrov was quoted as saying.
 "Someone really does not want the Syrians to agree among themselves." Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in October called on the embattled Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to accept reforms or resign but Russia has nevertheless opposed UN sanctions against Syria, insisting on the need for dialogue instead.
 Lavrov also accused the West of instigating the Syrian opposition to seek regime change in the country.
 "When these people hear tough statements from Washington and Brussels that it's impossible to conduct any dialogue with Assad and there's a need to let him know that he needs to go, this, of course, does not encourage them to have constructive dialogue," he was quoted as saying.
 Separately, Lavrov said that Russia on Tuesday would host one of Syria's top opposition leaders, Syrian National Council president Burhan Ghalioun.
 "We will try to get them to understand our concern that the fight for power is a thing that can often become a goal in itself," ITAR-Tass quoted Lavrov as saying. "But you have to think about your country, your people."

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