NEARCHUS: The broader future of Crimea,...[ 3782 ]

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.

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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.........

Friday, March 7, 2014

The broader future of Crimea,...[ 3782 ]

Crisis in Ukraine Live

Tension and fears are mounting

OSCE observers negotiate with an armed guard at a checkpoint heading to Crimea.

It’s Friday and a vote on Crimea seceding from Ukraine to join Russia is a little more than a week away.

On the ground, gunmen are stopping European military observers from crossing into Crimea from the Ukrainian mainland.

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The interim Ukrainian government invited the observers to check on conditions there. Media also are coming under pressure -- two Ukrainian channels have been blocked in Crimea, with a report that Russian state TV is now being broadcast on one of the channel’s frequencies. A Bulgarian journalist was assaulted by masked men while filming in the Crimean regional capital of Simferopol. CNN was also told to stop broadcasting from the hotel in Simferopol -- no reason was given.

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The issue of Crimea, and the broader future of Ukraine as well as Russia’s intentions, continue to be discussed at top levels of government. Last night, President Barack Obama spoke for an hour with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, outlining possible solutions.

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Earlier today, Russia’s parliament welcomed lawmakers from Crimea who want the region to be integrated into Russia -- the issue that spurred howls of outrage in the United States and Europe. Ukrainian interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk -- who came to power after bloody protests toppled former President Viktor Yanukovyuch -- again said Crimea could not and would not leave Ukraine.

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CNN teams are in Ukraine and Crimea as well as Moscow, Washington and other centers of power. Check below for updates of news as it breaks and read our comprehensive full story here.

And here are some other pieces that break down what is happening:

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