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.........

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Iran protests could lead to civil war..[ 2110 ]

Iran resident: Protests could lead to civil war


February 18, 2011 1:49 p.m. EST
Garbage containers are set on fire as Iranian protesters stage an anti-government demonstration on February 14, 2011.
Garbage containers are set on fire as Iranian protesters stage an anti-government demonstration on February 14, 2011.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • An Iranian opposition member warns that street protests could lead to civil war
  • "Nastaran" warns that protests are strengthening Iran's Revolutionary Guard and pro-government militia
  • "Nastaran" says many Iranians will not accept a religious figure as the new leader of Iran
(CNN) -- An Iranian supporter of the country's opposition movement has warned that continued anti-government street protests could lead to civil war.
The woman, a 34-year-old jewelry designer who lives in Tehran, issued the warning in a series of emailed answers to questions put to her by CNN.
The woman doesn't want her real name revealed due to fear of retribution so has asked that we call her Nastaran.
Does Iran's opposition movement want regime change or just more freedom from this regime?
Nastaran: Secularism. [The] separation of religion from politics. As long as religious leaders don't interfere with politics, I don't see a regime change as necessary. However, I doubt that the religious leaders would be willing to accept this.
What kind of real change does the opposition movement hope to accomplish with street protests?
Nastaran: I completely disagree with the continuation of street protests. We are walking towards a civil war by asking people to pour into the streets and fight with empty hands. The regime will not step back and will kill as many people as it deems necessary to stay in power.
 
Fight over Iran protest deaths
Civil war is not the way. We need a change in strategy. I think by not changing the strategy and constantly asking people to get into the streets (especially in the same location) we are empowering Sepah (Iran's Revolutionary Guard) and the Basij (Pro-government militia). It is evident when you go on the streets during the protests that they have learned how to organize and mobilize better. Further, we are helping them to expand their army.
How afraid are you of Iran's security forces and their threats?
Nastaran: Extremely scared!! They are merciless and will do anything in the name of religion. The legal framework of Iran is also being ignored so they can accuse you of anything and perhaps kill you.
Are Mir Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karrubi the leaders of Iran's opposition movement?
Nastaran: To me they are not. To me they became leaders through people's anger and dissatisfaction with the regime. However, I believe that every movement and uprising requires a leader and at this point in time there is no one better than them.
The regime will not step back and will kill as many people as it deems necessary to stay in power.
RELATED TOPICS
--Nastaran
I do not accept them as leaders because I generally disagree with their ideologies. Further, I think they are not the right leaders for a large portion of our population. Many Iranians will always believe that these guys are part of the system and will refuse to support them.
Many Iranians will not accept a religious figure, some one with a turban on their head as a leader, given their experience in the past 30 years.
What does Iran's opposition movement want from America right now? What do you want President Obama to do?
Nastaran: Direct interference [from] America is not helpful. Iranians are prone to conspiracy theories and history has proven that American interference is not to our benefit. 28 Mordad is a prime example [the 1953 U.S.-backed coup that overthrew Iran's democratically elected government].
As a result, the masses tend to not want to follow any movement that is initiated or assisted by Americans. Their help should be indirect, but their help can be valuable. An example would be creating infrastructure for Iranians to more freely communicate, have access to information and spread the information.
Additionally, appropriate sanctions can be useful also. However, they should be the type of sanctions that the regime wouldn't be able to blame for the people's unhappiness and poverty. I think [that] until people really feel hungry and see that different economic and foreign policies will mean more comfortable lives, they won't join any kind of a movement. Intelligent sanctions can result in the latter.
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