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, April 11, 2010

Sudan: first elections in nearly 25 years...[ 894 ]

Africa : , Sudan Elections after 25 years

Voting Begins in Landmark Sudanese Elections

VOA News 11 April 2010

Chinese observers enter a polling station for Sudan's first multiparty elections in decades in Khartoum, Sunday, April 11, 2010
Photo: AP,,Chinese observers enter a polling station for Sudan's first multiparty elections in decades in Khartoum, Sunday, April 11, 2010

The people of Sudan are taking part in the country's first multi-party elections in nearly 25 years.

Balloting got under way Sunday amid concern over possible civil unrest and doubts the government will hold a credible vote. Authorities in Sudan are deploying some 100,000 officers to maintain order.

Several opposition parties planned to fully or partially boycott the elections, saying President Omar al-Bashir and his ruling National Congress Party are preparing to rig the results. President Bashir is expected to win re-election.

Reports from the capital, Khartoum, say turnout was light in the early hours of voting. President Bashir cast his vote and shouted "Allahu Akbar," or God is great, to supporters.

Salva Kiir, the president of semi-autonomous southern Sudan, cast his ballot in the regional capital of Juba. He told reporters it was the first time he had ever voted.

Sudanese voters are choosing a president, parliament, and many regional offices. Voting continues through Tuesday.

Two of Mr. Bashir's main challengers, ousted former prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi and Yasir Arman from the southern Sudan People's Liberation Movement, pulled out of the race last week.

On Saturday, Mr. Bashir met with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, whose Carter Center will have election observers in all 25 Sudanese states.

Mr. Carter said he hoped the decision of individual voters will be, in his words, "expressed freely without intimidation" and that votes would be tabulated fairly. Sudan state television said Mr. Bashir assured Mr. Carter that polls were in accordance with electoral law and international standards.

Parliamentarians from around the world have called on Sudan to postpone elections, saying in a public letter that the "building blocks for a free and fair election" are not in place. Khartoum has refused to delay the polls.

The elections follow a 2005 peace accord that ended a 21-year civil war between Sudan's northern and southern regions.

They are a prelude to a referendum next year that determines whether the semi-autonomous south will become completely independent.

President Bashir has been in power since a 1989 coup. He is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes committed in the western region of Darfur.

Αναρτήθηκε από στις
Ετικέτες

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)