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.........

Sunday, December 1, 2013

US urges N.Korea to release detainees..[ 3184 ]

US urges North Korea to release detainee Merrill Newman

Merrill Newman  
Mr Newman was shown in a video released by North Korea apparently reading a confession

BBC., 30 November 2013 Last updated at 23:15 GMT
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The White House has urged the release of US citizen Merrill Newman, detained in North Korea for more than a month.
On Saturday, state media in North Korea said Mr Newman, 85, had confessed to "indelible crimes" against the state during the 1950-53 Korean War.
It published what it described as a "statement of apology" by Mr Newman.
The US also called on Pyongyang to release another American, Kenneth Bae, held since November 2012 and sentenced in May to 15 years' hard labour.
"We remain deeply concerned about the welfare of the US citizens held in custody in the DPRK [North Korea]" said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden.
"Given Mr Newman's advanced age and health conditions, we urge the DPRK to release Mr. Newman so he may return home and reunite with his family," she went on.
Regarding Mr Bae, a Korean-American, she said: "We continue to urge the DPRK authorities to grant him amnesty and immediate release."
Pyongyang accused Mr Bae - described as both a tour operator and Christian missionary - of using his tourism business to plot sedition.
'Mistaken identity' The official Korean Central News Agency said on Saturday that Mr Newman had ordered the deaths of North Korean soldiers and civilians in the Korean War.
Although Mr Newman did serve during the Korean War, his family says he is the victim of mistaken identity.
Pyongyang's state media have routinely publicised alleged apologies from previous US detainees, which cannot be independently verified, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Seoul.
Authorities have previously been accused of coercing confessions from detainees.
Some observers say Mr Newman's alleged confession could allow North Korea to release him without formal legal proceedings.
A four-page document titled "Apology" with the name of US citizen Merrill E. Newman and dated 9 November 2013 is seen in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang on 30 November 2013  
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 "I have been guilty of a long list of indelible crimes," the statement reads
'Forgive me' Mr Newman - a pensioner from Palo Alto, California - has been held in North Korea since being taken off a plane as he prepared to leave the country on 26 October, following a 10-day tourist visit.
In a video released by North Korean authorities, Mr Newman is shown reading his alleged apology, dated 9 November.
It claims he was an "adviser of the Kuwol Unit of the UN Korea 6th Partisan Regiment part of the Intelligence Bureau of the Far East Command" - an apparent reference to one of the special operations units acting against the North.
Mr Newman apparently confesses to trying to contact surviving soldiers during his trip as a tourist.
The statement adds: "Please forgive me."
But Mr Newman's family has said there must have been "some dreadful misunderstanding" and has appealed for his release, saying he may need medication.
Another veteran, also named Merrill Newman, was awarded a Silver Star medal for his efforts during the Korean War.
He has previously told Reuters news agency he thought it was possible there had been "a case of mistaken identity".
US troops backed South Korea in the 1950-53 Korean War, which killed at least two million people.

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