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.........

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Cuban opposition activist and longtime hunger striker..[ 1388 ]

State media: Cuban hunger striker 'in danger of dying'

Guillermo Farinas, a psychologist and writer, at his home in Santa
Clara, Cuba, in March.

Guillermo Farinas, a psychologist and writer, at his home in Santa Clara, Cuba, in March.

By David Ariosto, CNN

July 3, 2010 -- Updated 2210 GMT (0610 HKT)

Havana, Cuba (CNN) -- Cuban opposition activist and longtime hunger striker Guillermo Farinas is "in danger of dying," state media reported Saturday.

In a rare move, state-run Cuban website Cubadebate published an interview with Armando Caballero, head of intensive care at Arnaldo Milian Castro University Hospital, where Farinas is being treated.

Caballero said Farinas is "conscious [and] oriented," but his frail condition has doctors "on edge," according to the website.

Caballero also said Farinas has gained weight because of vitamins and nutrients being fed to him intravenously, despite having abstained from solid food for more than 120 days. The article touted the high level of care the 48-year-old psychologist and writer has reportedly been receiving at the hospital near his home in Santa Clara.

Farinas stopped eating solid food shortly after jailed Cuban dissident Orlando Zapata Tamayo died February 23 following a prolonged hunger strike. Zapata was among a group of 75 dissidents jailed during a government crackdown on political opposition in 2003.

His death sparked condemnation from Europe and Washington and drew a rare statement of regret from Cuban President Raul Castro.

Farinas then vowed to starve himself to death unless the Cuban government released 26 ailing political prisoners.

Cuba says it has no political prisoners and has rarely acknowledged dissidents in state media. But a recent series of transfers of prisoners to jails closer to their homes and the release of two ailing prisoners has raised questions over whether Cuba is easing conditions for jailed activists.

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