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.........

Friday, April 9, 2010

Asylum in Australia...[ 873 ]

Australia halts Sri Lankan and Afghan asylum claims

Chris Evans: "The changes we're announcing today send a strong message"

BBC,.Friday, 9 April 2010 08:30 UK

Australia has announced the immediate suspension of all new asylum claims by people from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans said the decision had been made "in the light of changing circumstances" in those countries.

He added that the move would "send a strong message to people smugglers".

Correspondents say a recent increase in the number of asylum seekers arriving by boat has put pressure on the Australian government.

Rights group Amnesty International called the decision "an appalling political move".

Friday's announcement came as news emerged that the navy had intercepted a sinking boat with 70 people on board off Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean, where Australia has a detention centre.

'Hardline approach'

More than 100 boats carrying asylum seekers have been intercepted by the Australian navy since the current government came to power in 2007.

Many of them are carrying people from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

Mr Rudd has been under mounting political pressure over the rise in the number of boat people, says the BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney.

Nick Bryant
The opposition has repeatedly claimed that the softening of the Rudd government's immigration policies has led asylum seekers to target Australia
Nick Bryant's blog: Read more

The immediate suspension on the processing of visa applications from new Afghan and Sri Lankan asylum seekers is clearly intended as a deterrent.

But our correspondent says the decision is being widely interpreted as a political move to neutralise an always sensitive issue ahead of this year's election.

"We have taken a consistently hard-line approach to people smuggling and today's announcements will further strengthen the integrity of Australia's immigration system," said Mr Evans.

Boats will not be turned away by the Australian navy and boat people will still be taken to a detention centre at Christmas Island.

However new arrivals will not be able to apply for asylum.

The Australian government says it will review the situation for Sri Lankans after three months, and for Afghans after six.

Amnesty International urged the Australian government to explain why it believed security conditions in the affected countries had improved enough to justify suspending asylum claims.

"Sadly it appears that the government has caved in to political pressure and is now attempting to override the rights of the most vulnerable to score political points," said Andrew Beswick, of Amnesty International Australia.

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