For Immediate Release: January 31, 2009
Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel. (917) 699-9935
NEW YORK—The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) has formally contacted the
International Secretariat of Amnesty International to request that the case of
our ethnic Greek brother, Australian-Cypriot, Harry Nicolaides, who is unjustly
imprisoned in Thailand for merely writing a book that criticized the King of
Thailand, or for exercising his right to freedom of expression, be adopted as an
Amnesty International ‘prisoner of conscience’. Just this past Thursday, January
29, 2009, Hellenic-American activists staged a small vigil demonstration outside
the Royal Thai Consulate in New York City, in coming weeks, we will also seek
the cooperation of like-minded communities concerned with human rights in
Thailand to join our letter writing campaign, and demonstrate in solidarity
with us outside the Royal Thai Consulate in New York City and the Thai Embassy
in Washington DC to call for the unconditional release of Harry Nicolaides.
Activism on behalf of our ethnic Greek brothers who are imprisoned anywhere in
the world is also imperative toward breaking down the barriers that separate us
as a people in the homeland and in the Diaspora. None of us may know Harry
Nicolaides personally, nor do we know his belief system, nor his family. We are
mobilizing because of the need to free Harry Nicolaides and to begin a new
movement of solidarity and concern for our Hellenic brothers and sisters,
regardless of ideology, citizenship, personal belief systems, or language
abilities. Our people for too long have been victim to a slave mentality
inherited from the Ottoman past, that makes some of us strike out at our own
brothers and sisters, sometimes this takes the form of egoism, materialism,
personal opportunism and political party loyalty. Other times its sheer cruelty
and misguided anger.
Regardless of where we are born, and how well we speak Greek, if at all, we
are all obligated to help each other, and this case will be a good start toward
ending the prejudices of i.e. the prejudices of Mainland Greeks who view
Diaspora Greeks as lower than them, for not speaking the Greek they speak, or
the bias of Mainland Greeks we have seen toward Cypriot Greeks, or toward Greeks
from anywhere outside the temporary political border of today’s Greece. We march
for the welfare of our ethnic Greek brothers who have been wronged anywhere in
the world --regardless of ideology, citizenship, personal belief systems, or
language abilities.
Ethnic Greek activist Ioannis Fidanakis has compiled a list of petitions, news
articles, and you tube videos that include interviews with Harry Nicolaides’
Greek-Cypriot mother and father, all filling in more background to the case,
available on his blog Enotitan Revolution:
http://enocism.blogspot.com/2009/01/free-harry-nicolaides.html
LETTER WRITING URGENT APPEAL:
Please write your appeals in your own words. Personal letters hold more weight
than e-mails, so it's important to take the time. Draw from the key
recommendations below and borrowed from Amnesty International, and be polite in
your language.
1. Use a reasoned and respectful tone. Yes, many human rights abuses are
outrageous. But your aim is to be listened to. Assume your reader is open to
reason and a respectfully-worded appeal.
2. Use your personal voice. Our appeals gain strength when they are seen to be
coming from many concerned individuals. Include a personal reference, for
example: "As a mother of two children…," "As a student…." Express key points of
the "Recommended Actions" through your own feelings and words.
3. Base your appeals on international law, not political opinions. Human rights
are based on international laws, agreements and obligations. Effective letters
are based on these obligations. Political judgments or jargon are not effective
and can sometimes do harm.
4. Point to positive opportunities for change. Where possible, point to a
country's traditions or ideals that support human rights. Look for opportunities
to encourage further support for human rights.
5. Express your personal interest in the country. If relevant, include a brief
reference to your personal experience with the country and its peoples, such as
travel experience or studying the country’s history.
6. Be brief. Most letters can easily fit on one side of a single page. Often a
two- or three-sentence letter can be effective.
Postage abroad for a standard letter is 94 cents, and Harry Nicolaides freedom
is well worth it.
Let us know about your efforts. And try to educate more people in your own
community about this case, and encourage your friends and relatives to also
write letters.
BY MAIL:
Mr.Abhisit Vejjajiva
Prime Minister
Government house,
Pitsanulok Road, Dusit District,
Bangkok 10300
THAILAND
c.c.
MR. KRIT GARNJANA-GOONCHORN
Royal Thai Embassy,
1024 Wisconsin Ave.,
N.W. Washington D.C. 20007
Fax. (202) 944-3611
(Below is our Sample Letter but Please Take the time to personalize your own
letter)
Your Excellency:
I am writing to express my grave concern over the imprisonment of Harry
Nicolaides, a teacher and writer who has been imprisoned solely for exercising
his right to freedom of expression and his rights to offer opinions in writing.
I urge you to bring about his immediate and unconditional release from prison.
The right to freedom of expression is protected under the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
which Thailand has signed. Harry Nicolaides’s imprisonment appears to be a
violation of both of these legal instruments. The pervasive system of censorship
in Thailand contradicts the guarantees of freedom of expression that are
embodied in international law. I am alarmed that authorities continue to use
laws to detain journalists, dissidents and others engaged in the peaceful
exercise of their right to free expression.
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) considers Harry Nicolaides an ethnic
Greek prisoner of conscience. Many Hellenes or ethnic Greeks in America and
around the world, are distressed at seeing one of our brothers imprisoned simply
for exercising his rights to freedom of expression. I respectfully call upon you
to bring about his immediate and unconditional release from prison. I urge you
to amend or repeal laws or regulations that can be used to persecute individuals
who exercise their right to freedom of expression.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
####
========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.
To be added to CANA's Action Alert e-mail distribution list, or to introduce
CANA to a friend or colleague, please forward the pertinent name and e-mail
address, with the subject heading "Add e-mail to CANA distribution list", to
cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
You are encouraged to forward this action alert to five or more individuals who
may have an interest in our e-distributions or in CANA's mission.
You may post any CANA article, press release or action alert on the internet as
long as you credit CANA and the author(s).
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
FREE Harry Nicolaides
To the family of Harry Nicolaides:
We stand with you
To Harry:
We will march until you are FREE!
Zhto H Ellada
Hellenic Pride World Wide
Online Petitions:
FREE Harry Nicolaides
Sign petition Here
Petition to free Harry Nicolaides by Cyprus Community of Melbourne & Victoria
Petition located Here
YouTube Videos on Harry Nicolaides:
Letter from Harry Nicolaides
Radio interview with Harry Nicolaides' mother
Interview with Harry Nicolaides's father
Harry Nicolaides is innocent - Royal Pardon now!
News Articles on story:
Australian Convicted of Insulting Thai Monarchy
Read article Here
Harry Nicolaides Refused Bail for Third Time in Les Majeste Case in Thailand
Remains in Prison
Read article Here
The trouble with Harry
Read article Here
Australian, Harry Nicolaides, Sentenced For Insulting Thai Monarchy
Read article Here
Writer Harry Nicolaides jailed for insulting Thai king
Read article Here
Writer jailed for Thai 'insult'
Read article Here
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Turkish TV actor faces war crimes charges
By Nicholas Birch in Istanbul
Thursday, 29 January 2009
A Turkish actor known as "the tough wolf" for his portrayal of a gangster is facing real-life war-crimes charges after admitting that he killed a prisoner of war during the Cypriot intercommunal violence of 1974.
Read Full Article Here
Justice is on the horizon for Cyprus, as a TV star whose role on a nationalistic television show maybe changing his stardom for pinstripes. Attila Olgac's confessed he committed war crimes during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 on a Turkish talk show.
"The first kid I shot was a 19-year-old prisoner. His hands were tied behind his back. When I pointed my gun at him, he spat in my face. I shot him in the forehead."
One can imagine the scene, a young Hellenic patriot. His hands bound and force to his knees. Staring at the barrel of a gun, being held by a man whose ancestors had butchered his ancestors. Defiant to the bloody end, spatting in the face of your oppressor before meeting your end, a bullet in the forehead.
May Attila Olgac hang until he is dead, dead, dead.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
A Turkish actor known as "the tough wolf" for his portrayal of a gangster is facing real-life war-crimes charges after admitting that he killed a prisoner of war during the Cypriot intercommunal violence of 1974.
Read Full Article Here
Justice is on the horizon for Cyprus, as a TV star whose role on a nationalistic television show maybe changing his stardom for pinstripes. Attila Olgac's confessed he committed war crimes during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 on a Turkish talk show.
"The first kid I shot was a 19-year-old prisoner. His hands were tied behind his back. When I pointed my gun at him, he spat in my face. I shot him in the forehead."
One can imagine the scene, a young Hellenic patriot. His hands bound and force to his knees. Staring at the barrel of a gun, being held by a man whose ancestors had butchered his ancestors. Defiant to the bloody end, spatting in the face of your oppressor before meeting your end, a bullet in the forehead.
May Attila Olgac hang until he is dead, dead, dead.
SKOPIAN FASCISM
FYROM-skopje violating W.I.P.O 1995 copyright of Sun of Vergina
True Face of Skopian 'Democracy'
The racist government of FYROM has violated the human rights of its indigenous Hellenic minority, numerous international treaties, and the W.I.P.O copyright of the Sun of Vergina. Their irrendenist and revisionist madness must come to an end. It is time for action! If the Hellenic government will not grow a backbone and form its only foreign policy, separate from the will of the United States and EU, to defend Hellenism and our cultural, political, and historical identity. Then it is up to the Hellenic people within Hellas to take to the streets and force our government to take action through grassroots mobilization of our youth. The time is NOW!
True Face of Skopian 'Democracy'
The racist government of FYROM has violated the human rights of its indigenous Hellenic minority, numerous international treaties, and the W.I.P.O copyright of the Sun of Vergina. Their irrendenist and revisionist madness must come to an end. It is time for action! If the Hellenic government will not grow a backbone and form its only foreign policy, separate from the will of the United States and EU, to defend Hellenism and our cultural, political, and historical identity. Then it is up to the Hellenic people within Hellas to take to the streets and force our government to take action through grassroots mobilization of our youth. The time is NOW!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Statue of Alexander to go up in northern Iraq
Kathimerini
Wednesday January 28, 2009
Greek authorities plan to build a statue to Alexander the Great in northern Iraq to mark the site of a key 331 BC battle that led to the fall of the Persian Empire, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said yesterday.
Read Full Article Here
Wednesday January 28, 2009
Greek authorities plan to build a statue to Alexander the Great in northern Iraq to mark the site of a key 331 BC battle that led to the fall of the Persian Empire, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said yesterday.
Read Full Article Here
Monday, January 26, 2009
Russia Today: Interview with Dmitry Rogozin
November 18, 2008, 9:58
Dmitry Rogozin
"Until things get really tough, they are going to keep pretending that Russia is their opponent. I think that in the XXI century, the real threat is posed by a certain bunch of people who think that you and I are second-class people. Those close-minded people simply don’t recognize our right to live. They don’t care who they are dealing with - Russians, Jews, Tatars, French, or British, or whoever, - they are all the same to them. To them, we are just a worthless civilization that must be destroyed. Let’s hope our Western counterparts realise that those guys threaten us all in equal measure and that this plague advancing on the European continent will engulf us while we are all arguing. Today, we talk about existing threats such as terrorism, extremism (political or religious), drug trafficking, and piracy.
As for piracy, there are pirates rampant in Somalia, and tomorrow, I think, the entire African coast will be swarming with pirates, and there will not be enough warships to keep them at bay. There is an enormous distance between Europe and the Third World. There is a new civilization emerging in the Third World that thinks that the white, northern hemisphere has always oppressed it and must therefore fall at its feet now. This is very serious
If the northern civilization wants to protect itself, it must be united: America, the European Union, and Russia. If they are not together, they will be defeated one by one."
Read Full Interview Here
Truer words have never been spoken.
Dmitry Rogozin
"Until things get really tough, they are going to keep pretending that Russia is their opponent. I think that in the XXI century, the real threat is posed by a certain bunch of people who think that you and I are second-class people. Those close-minded people simply don’t recognize our right to live. They don’t care who they are dealing with - Russians, Jews, Tatars, French, or British, or whoever, - they are all the same to them. To them, we are just a worthless civilization that must be destroyed. Let’s hope our Western counterparts realise that those guys threaten us all in equal measure and that this plague advancing on the European continent will engulf us while we are all arguing. Today, we talk about existing threats such as terrorism, extremism (political or religious), drug trafficking, and piracy.
As for piracy, there are pirates rampant in Somalia, and tomorrow, I think, the entire African coast will be swarming with pirates, and there will not be enough warships to keep them at bay. There is an enormous distance between Europe and the Third World. There is a new civilization emerging in the Third World that thinks that the white, northern hemisphere has always oppressed it and must therefore fall at its feet now. This is very serious
If the northern civilization wants to protect itself, it must be united: America, the European Union, and Russia. If they are not together, they will be defeated one by one."
Read Full Interview Here
Truer words have never been spoken.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Greece faces shipping crisis
The global economic downturn has hit the Greek shipping industry, which has the world's largest merchant fleet.
Shipping is essential to the country's economy, and the slow trade in goods has been devastating.
Nicole Itano reports from Athens.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Government of FYROM releases new propaganda Infomercial
Fascist Official Video of the FYROMian Government, on State TV
"Blasphemous, Fascist and Racial Collectivist Infomercial by the Government of FYROM, on TV from January 2009, Depicting God Talking about "Macedonians" of FYROMian Type as Progenitors of the White Race."
GOD IS ...MACEDONIAN. FYROMIAN JOKE (ΒΙΝΤΕΟ ΠΟΥ ΘΑ ΧΑΛΑΣΕΙ ΚΟΣΜΟ!)
"Blasphemous, Fascist and Racial Collectivist Infomercial by the Government of FYROM, on TV from January 2009, Depicting God Talking about "Macedonians" of FYROMian Type as Progenitors of the White Race."
GOD IS ...MACEDONIAN. FYROMIAN JOKE (ΒΙΝΤΕΟ ΠΟΥ ΘΑ ΧΑΛΑΣΕΙ ΚΟΣΜΟ!)
Turkish TV actor admits to killing 10 Greek Cypriots in 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation
For Immediate Release: January 23, 2009
Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel. 1-917-699-9935
NEW YORK—The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is releasing its own
translations from the Turkish Press in Turkey and illegally Turkish-occupied
Cyprus reflecting Turkey’s responsibility for Crimes Against Humanity in Cyprus.
The first article was published in ‘MILLIYET' newspaper, major newspaper of high
circulation, last Wednesday January 22 2009, the article prints a confession by
a Turkish actor to various killings in Cyprus, including the murder of a Cypriot
youth who was bound, the second article is dated July 6, 2008 and was printed in
KIBRIS POSTASI in illegally Turkish-occupied Cyprus, it sends an alarming
message out to “attack” Greek-American activism , mentioning Cyprus Action
Network of America (CANA) specifically.
CANA encourages activism and the publication of dissident scholarship, as well
as translations of primary sources documenting Turkish criminality in Cyprus. We
will not go away and we will not be silent until Turkey admits the invasion,
returns occupied Cypriot lands and makes appropriate reparations. The “coming
out” story of this TV actor in MILLIYET will hopefully begin a wave of dissident
scholarship on Genocidal Turkey.
The MILLIYET article is published below in translation followed by the KIBRIS
POSTASI article.
URL:
http://www.milliyet.com.tr/Yasam/SonDakika.aspx?aType=SonDakika&Kategori=yasam&KategoriID=&ArticleID=1050432&Date=22.01.2009&b=10%20kisiyi%20gercektenoldurdum&ver=52
NEWSPAPER MILLIYET 22 JANUARY 2009
Theatrical series “Wolfs Valley” dizi tiyatro kurtlar vadisi Atilla Olgaç
"I killed really10 persons”
“ I killed really 10 persons” The actor Atilla Olgac who is playing the role of
the Kilic (Sword) in the TV series “Wolfs Valley” said these words who has been
45 years actor of theatre. He told about this truth of his life in a TV program
named “What is happing over there”.
Atilla Olgaç said that “because of the scenario needs playing as Kilic we killed
a man. However it is so pity that for this country I killed in real life 10
persons”. Atilla Olgac said that I needed one day to complete my military
service. Exactly that time the “Peace” Operation of Cyprus happened. They sent
me from Mersin to Cyprus, They gave me duties of cleansing in the days of the
most intense fighting. "
I told to my Commander “I can’t do it. I cannot kill man. I am an artist” He
told here art is finished. Here we have real war. I order you must kill”. The
first I killed was a child of 19 years old who was captured as prisoner as
soldier. His hands was tied behind his back. When I pointed the gun towards his
face he spat on me. I shot him on his forehead and he died. Then I killed 9
persons. After killing I went to the barracks and I cried and next day I killed
again. It didn’t go out of my dreams. I had for a long time psycho therapy.
Still I can’t eat meat. I can’t see blood. In my mind always the child I killed
is coming and smelling corpses. This condemned picture is not leaving me.
Atilla Olgac said he confessed these painful events the first time after 25
years, Then he added that “I am the only artist in Turkey that I fought in a
terrible war, killed persons and obtained the title of gazi” Then he continued
his talk saying that “ The war affected my profession long time. I was locked
and I was not able to do anything, Today I remember what my Commander told me
that day: “Are you going to pretend killing always, Take your gun and kill in
reality to see how this is happening really”. I cannot forget the scene how this
19 year- young person how he is spitting on my phase. Many years passed but I
cannot push away that condemned picture from eyes”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
URL: http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/1/col/104/art/3559/PageName/KIBRIS_POSTASI
Amerika’da kendini anlatmak 6 Kasım 2008, Perşembe
KIBRIS POSTASI (July 6, 2008)
Summary of the article. This is not a literal translation.
“ After the new government elect in the USA I have analysed the method with
which we must face and counter attack the Greek and Armenian lobbies in the USA.
I have explained how we must organise and face up to these lobbies. We must
challenge the Armenian lobby which promotes the recognition of genocide.
The time of us standing by and doing nothing is long gone. We must start working
in the USA for our interests.
I say we must face them everywhere and stop being bystanders. We should not
allow their advance in television and other Media.
Especially now that the time the European Union was under the influence of the
USA is gone we must put forward our objectives.
This goes so much for Turkey as for the T.R.N.C. We must create
lobbies/Associations in New York, New Jersey to promote our interests in our
“little country”.
As a reply to Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) which has offices in New
York we are organising the gathering on Sunday the 20 July 2008 in Washington
between 2-5 in the afternoon in support of the TRNC.
If Turkey had acted properly, we should have shown what the Armenians had done
to us and the Greek genocide upon us. We should have explained why the Turkish
army is in Northern Cyprus.
We need an action plan. Because if we let things as they are the Armenians are
gaining ground and during the discussions in Cyprus we will have the same
results.
Or do we want in 2009 the Americans to ask for the removal of the Turkish army
from Cyprus?
During the demonstrations this week in Washington, Maryland and Virginia by our
co-patriots, we must fly high the Turkish and T.R.N.C’s flags… And we must see
all on Sunday in Washington.
There, one voice in the Internet. We welcome all to use it. We must advance to
the attack”.
By an anonymous translator.
####
========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.
To be added to CANA's Action Alert e-mail distribution list, or to introduce
CANA to a friend or colleague, please forward the pertinent name and e-mail
address, with the subject heading "Add e-mail to CANA distribution list", to
cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
You are encouraged to forward this action alert to five or more individuals who
may have an interest in our e-distributions or in CANA’s mission.
You may post any CANA article, press release or action alert on the internet as
long as you credit CANA and the author(s).
Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel. 1-917-699-9935
NEW YORK—The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is releasing its own
translations from the Turkish Press in Turkey and illegally Turkish-occupied
Cyprus reflecting Turkey’s responsibility for Crimes Against Humanity in Cyprus.
The first article was published in ‘MILLIYET' newspaper, major newspaper of high
circulation, last Wednesday January 22 2009, the article prints a confession by
a Turkish actor to various killings in Cyprus, including the murder of a Cypriot
youth who was bound, the second article is dated July 6, 2008 and was printed in
KIBRIS POSTASI in illegally Turkish-occupied Cyprus, it sends an alarming
message out to “attack” Greek-American activism , mentioning Cyprus Action
Network of America (CANA) specifically.
CANA encourages activism and the publication of dissident scholarship, as well
as translations of primary sources documenting Turkish criminality in Cyprus. We
will not go away and we will not be silent until Turkey admits the invasion,
returns occupied Cypriot lands and makes appropriate reparations. The “coming
out” story of this TV actor in MILLIYET will hopefully begin a wave of dissident
scholarship on Genocidal Turkey.
The MILLIYET article is published below in translation followed by the KIBRIS
POSTASI article.
URL:
http://www.milliyet.com.tr/Yasam/SonDakika.aspx?aType=SonDakika&Kategori=yasam&KategoriID=&ArticleID=1050432&Date=22.01.2009&b=10%20kisiyi%20gercektenoldurdum&ver=52
NEWSPAPER MILLIYET 22 JANUARY 2009
Theatrical series “Wolfs Valley” dizi tiyatro kurtlar vadisi Atilla Olgaç
"I killed really10 persons”
“ I killed really 10 persons” The actor Atilla Olgac who is playing the role of
the Kilic (Sword) in the TV series “Wolfs Valley” said these words who has been
45 years actor of theatre. He told about this truth of his life in a TV program
named “What is happing over there”.
Atilla Olgaç said that “because of the scenario needs playing as Kilic we killed
a man. However it is so pity that for this country I killed in real life 10
persons”. Atilla Olgac said that I needed one day to complete my military
service. Exactly that time the “Peace” Operation of Cyprus happened. They sent
me from Mersin to Cyprus, They gave me duties of cleansing in the days of the
most intense fighting. "
I told to my Commander “I can’t do it. I cannot kill man. I am an artist” He
told here art is finished. Here we have real war. I order you must kill”. The
first I killed was a child of 19 years old who was captured as prisoner as
soldier. His hands was tied behind his back. When I pointed the gun towards his
face he spat on me. I shot him on his forehead and he died. Then I killed 9
persons. After killing I went to the barracks and I cried and next day I killed
again. It didn’t go out of my dreams. I had for a long time psycho therapy.
Still I can’t eat meat. I can’t see blood. In my mind always the child I killed
is coming and smelling corpses. This condemned picture is not leaving me.
Atilla Olgac said he confessed these painful events the first time after 25
years, Then he added that “I am the only artist in Turkey that I fought in a
terrible war, killed persons and obtained the title of gazi” Then he continued
his talk saying that “ The war affected my profession long time. I was locked
and I was not able to do anything, Today I remember what my Commander told me
that day: “Are you going to pretend killing always, Take your gun and kill in
reality to see how this is happening really”. I cannot forget the scene how this
19 year- young person how he is spitting on my phase. Many years passed but I
cannot push away that condemned picture from eyes”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
URL: http://www.kibrispostasi.com/index.php/cat/1/col/104/art/3559/PageName/KIBRIS_POSTASI
Amerika’da kendini anlatmak 6 Kasım 2008, Perşembe
KIBRIS POSTASI (July 6, 2008)
Summary of the article. This is not a literal translation.
“ After the new government elect in the USA I have analysed the method with
which we must face and counter attack the Greek and Armenian lobbies in the USA.
I have explained how we must organise and face up to these lobbies. We must
challenge the Armenian lobby which promotes the recognition of genocide.
The time of us standing by and doing nothing is long gone. We must start working
in the USA for our interests.
I say we must face them everywhere and stop being bystanders. We should not
allow their advance in television and other Media.
Especially now that the time the European Union was under the influence of the
USA is gone we must put forward our objectives.
This goes so much for Turkey as for the T.R.N.C. We must create
lobbies/Associations in New York, New Jersey to promote our interests in our
“little country”.
As a reply to Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) which has offices in New
York we are organising the gathering on Sunday the 20 July 2008 in Washington
between 2-5 in the afternoon in support of the TRNC.
If Turkey had acted properly, we should have shown what the Armenians had done
to us and the Greek genocide upon us. We should have explained why the Turkish
army is in Northern Cyprus.
We need an action plan. Because if we let things as they are the Armenians are
gaining ground and during the discussions in Cyprus we will have the same
results.
Or do we want in 2009 the Americans to ask for the removal of the Turkish army
from Cyprus?
During the demonstrations this week in Washington, Maryland and Virginia by our
co-patriots, we must fly high the Turkish and T.R.N.C’s flags… And we must see
all on Sunday in Washington.
There, one voice in the Internet. We welcome all to use it. We must advance to
the attack”.
By an anonymous translator.
####
========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.
To be added to CANA's Action Alert e-mail distribution list, or to introduce
CANA to a friend or colleague, please forward the pertinent name and e-mail
address, with the subject heading "Add e-mail to CANA distribution list", to
cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
You are encouraged to forward this action alert to five or more individuals who
may have an interest in our e-distributions or in CANA’s mission.
You may post any CANA article, press release or action alert on the internet as
long as you credit CANA and the author(s).
Friday, January 23, 2009
URGENT: PROTEST THAILAND! FREEDOM FOR HARRY NICOLAIDES!
For Immediate Release: January 22, 2009
Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel. 1-917-699-9935
NEW YORK--The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) and its friends will have
a peaceful demonstration outside the Royal Thai Consulate in New York (351 East
52nd Street between First and Second Avenue) on Thursday, January 29, 2009 from
12 noon-2PM, to call upon Thailand to bring about the immediate and
unconditional release from prison of ethnic Greek prisoner of conscience Harry
Nicolaides, a teacher and writer who has been imprisoned solely for exercising
his right to freedom of expression and his rights to offer opinions in writing.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
URGENT: CALL ON THAILAND TO RELEASE FROM PRISON HARRY NICOLAIDES
An Australian Cypriot or ethnic Greek was jailed for three years in Thailand
this past Monday January 19, 2009 for offending Thailand’s King. Harry
Nicolaides, 41, was originally sentenced to six years imprisonment but this was
reduced after he pleaded guilty to lèse-majesté charges. Lèse-majesté crimes,
which can carry up to a 15-year jail sentence in Thailand, apply to “whoever
defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir to the throne or the
Regent”—that in Thailand is considered “semi-divine” It is imperative for
Hellenes or ethnic Greeks around the world to protest this violation and stand
up for one of our own. The right to freedom of expression is a universal human
right. Protest letters and petitions against this arrest have been published in
Cyprus and in the Cypriot community of Australia. World news wires have noted
the ethnic Greek origin of Nicolaides. The time is now for all ethnic Greeks to
unite behind the cause of FREEDOM FOR NICOLAIDES. The Cyprus Action Network of
America (CANA) will be demonstrating outside the Thailand diplomatic posts in
New York and Washington DC periodically, and we encourage all Hellenes, to unite
in the cause of FREEDOM FOR NICOLAIDES and to protest Thailand by letter writing
or demonstrating, and do all that is possible to draw public attention to the
unjust imprisonment of our ethnic Greek brother and call upon the Thailand
government bring about his immediate and unconditional release from prison.
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) considers Harry Nicolaides an ethnic
Greek prisoner of conscience.
Current Status
Harry Nicolaides, whose father was a Greek Cypriot who emigrated to Australia in
1955, told reporters he had endured “unspeakable suffering” during his five
months of detention but would not elaborate. He also asked them to tell his
family he was “very concerned”. The Thailand prison system has been condemned
for many years by human rights organizations for its cramped and unsanitary
conditions and its practices of torture. Every day that Nicolaides spends in
that Thai prison is another day in Hell.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
WRITE TO THE THAILAND GOVERNMENT TO BRING ABOUT HARRY NICOLAIDES’ IMMEDIATE AND
UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE FROM PRISON (SAMPLE LETTER IS PROVIDED BELOW)
BY MAIL OR FAX:
Mr.Abhisit Vejjajiva
Prime Minister
Government house,
Pitsanulok Road, Dusit District,
Bangkok 10300
THAILAND
Fax: +66 2 282 8631
c.c.
MR. KRIT GARNJANA-GOONCHORN
Royal Thai Embassy,
1024 Wisconsin Ave.,
N.W. Washington D.C. 20007
Fax. (202) 944-3611
Email: thai.wsn@thaiembdc.org
Your Excellency:
I am writing to express my grave concern over the imprisonment of Harry
Nicolaides, a teacher and writer who has been imprisoned solely for exercising
his right to freedom of expression and his rights to offer opinions in writing.
I urge you to bring about his immediate and unconditional release from prison.
The right to freedom of expression is protected under the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
which Thailand has signed. Harry Nicolaides’s imprisonment appears to be a
violation of both of these legal instruments. The pervasive system of censorship
in Thailand contradicts the guarantees of freedom of expression that are
embodied in international law. I am alarmed that authorities continue to use
laws to detain journalists, dissidents and others engaged in the peaceful
exercise of their right to free expression.
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) considers Harry Nicolaides an ethnic
Greek prisoner of conscience. Many Hellenes or ethnic Greeks in America and
around the world, are distressed at seeing one of our brothers imprisoned simply
for exercising his rights to freedom of expression. I respectfully call upon you
to bring about his immediate and unconditional release from prison. I urge you
to amend or repeal laws or regulations that can be used to persecute individuals
who exercise their right to freedom of expression.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BACKGROUND
For More Information Read:
‘Writer jailed for defaming royalty in book that sold seven copies’, THE
INDEPENDENT (UK), Monday, 19 January 2009
URL: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/writer-jailed-for-defaming-royalty-in-book-that-sold-seven-copies-1451243.html
Τριετής φυλάκιση σε κυπριακής καταγωγής δημοσιογράφο, I SIMERINI, Cyprus,
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
URL: http://www.sigmalive.com/simerini/news/social/112513
Father makes plea for son's release from Thai jail, The Famagusta Gazette,
Cyprus, Wednesday, 21, January 2009
URL: http://www.famagusta-gazette.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=69&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=7366&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2350&hn=famagusta-gazette&he=.com
####
========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.
To be added to CANA's Action Alert e-mail distribution list, or to introduce
CANA to a friend or colleague, please forward the pertinent name and e-mail
address, with the subject heading "Add e-mail to CANA distribution list", to
cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
You are encouraged to forward this action alert to five or more individuals who
may have an interest in our e-distributions or in CANA's mission.
You may post any CANA article, press release or action alert on the internet as
long as you credit CANA and the author(s).
Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel. 1-917-699-9935
NEW YORK--The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) and its friends will have
a peaceful demonstration outside the Royal Thai Consulate in New York (351 East
52nd Street between First and Second Avenue) on Thursday, January 29, 2009 from
12 noon-2PM, to call upon Thailand to bring about the immediate and
unconditional release from prison of ethnic Greek prisoner of conscience Harry
Nicolaides, a teacher and writer who has been imprisoned solely for exercising
his right to freedom of expression and his rights to offer opinions in writing.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
URGENT: CALL ON THAILAND TO RELEASE FROM PRISON HARRY NICOLAIDES
An Australian Cypriot or ethnic Greek was jailed for three years in Thailand
this past Monday January 19, 2009 for offending Thailand’s King. Harry
Nicolaides, 41, was originally sentenced to six years imprisonment but this was
reduced after he pleaded guilty to lèse-majesté charges. Lèse-majesté crimes,
which can carry up to a 15-year jail sentence in Thailand, apply to “whoever
defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir to the throne or the
Regent”—that in Thailand is considered “semi-divine” It is imperative for
Hellenes or ethnic Greeks around the world to protest this violation and stand
up for one of our own. The right to freedom of expression is a universal human
right. Protest letters and petitions against this arrest have been published in
Cyprus and in the Cypriot community of Australia. World news wires have noted
the ethnic Greek origin of Nicolaides. The time is now for all ethnic Greeks to
unite behind the cause of FREEDOM FOR NICOLAIDES. The Cyprus Action Network of
America (CANA) will be demonstrating outside the Thailand diplomatic posts in
New York and Washington DC periodically, and we encourage all Hellenes, to unite
in the cause of FREEDOM FOR NICOLAIDES and to protest Thailand by letter writing
or demonstrating, and do all that is possible to draw public attention to the
unjust imprisonment of our ethnic Greek brother and call upon the Thailand
government bring about his immediate and unconditional release from prison.
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) considers Harry Nicolaides an ethnic
Greek prisoner of conscience.
Current Status
Harry Nicolaides, whose father was a Greek Cypriot who emigrated to Australia in
1955, told reporters he had endured “unspeakable suffering” during his five
months of detention but would not elaborate. He also asked them to tell his
family he was “very concerned”. The Thailand prison system has been condemned
for many years by human rights organizations for its cramped and unsanitary
conditions and its practices of torture. Every day that Nicolaides spends in
that Thai prison is another day in Hell.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
WRITE TO THE THAILAND GOVERNMENT TO BRING ABOUT HARRY NICOLAIDES’ IMMEDIATE AND
UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE FROM PRISON (SAMPLE LETTER IS PROVIDED BELOW)
BY MAIL OR FAX:
Mr.Abhisit Vejjajiva
Prime Minister
Government house,
Pitsanulok Road, Dusit District,
Bangkok 10300
THAILAND
Fax: +66 2 282 8631
c.c.
MR. KRIT GARNJANA-GOONCHORN
Royal Thai Embassy,
1024 Wisconsin Ave.,
N.W. Washington D.C. 20007
Fax. (202) 944-3611
Email: thai.wsn@thaiembdc.org
Your Excellency:
I am writing to express my grave concern over the imprisonment of Harry
Nicolaides, a teacher and writer who has been imprisoned solely for exercising
his right to freedom of expression and his rights to offer opinions in writing.
I urge you to bring about his immediate and unconditional release from prison.
The right to freedom of expression is protected under the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
which Thailand has signed. Harry Nicolaides’s imprisonment appears to be a
violation of both of these legal instruments. The pervasive system of censorship
in Thailand contradicts the guarantees of freedom of expression that are
embodied in international law. I am alarmed that authorities continue to use
laws to detain journalists, dissidents and others engaged in the peaceful
exercise of their right to free expression.
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) considers Harry Nicolaides an ethnic
Greek prisoner of conscience. Many Hellenes or ethnic Greeks in America and
around the world, are distressed at seeing one of our brothers imprisoned simply
for exercising his rights to freedom of expression. I respectfully call upon you
to bring about his immediate and unconditional release from prison. I urge you
to amend or repeal laws or regulations that can be used to persecute individuals
who exercise their right to freedom of expression.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BACKGROUND
For More Information Read:
‘Writer jailed for defaming royalty in book that sold seven copies’, THE
INDEPENDENT (UK), Monday, 19 January 2009
URL: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/writer-jailed-for-defaming-royalty-in-book-that-sold-seven-copies-1451243.html
Τριετής φυλάκιση σε κυπριακής καταγωγής δημοσιογράφο, I SIMERINI, Cyprus,
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
URL: http://www.sigmalive.com/simerini/news/social/112513
Father makes plea for son's release from Thai jail, The Famagusta Gazette,
Cyprus, Wednesday, 21, January 2009
URL: http://www.famagusta-gazette.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=69&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=7366&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2350&hn=famagusta-gazette&he=.com
####
========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.
To be added to CANA's Action Alert e-mail distribution list, or to introduce
CANA to a friend or colleague, please forward the pertinent name and e-mail
address, with the subject heading "Add e-mail to CANA distribution list", to
cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
You are encouraged to forward this action alert to five or more individuals who
may have an interest in our e-distributions or in CANA's mission.
You may post any CANA article, press release or action alert on the internet as
long as you credit CANA and the author(s).
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Schoolgirls banned from lessons by headmaster for being 'too blonde'
By Daily Mail Reporter
22nd January 2009
A headteacher has come under fire from parents and pupils after banning two 16-year-olds from school for being 'too blonde'.
Raegan Booth, 16, and Aby Western, 15, say they were threatened with expulsion by David Alexander unless they dyed their hair brown.
Read Full Article Here
This unbelievable story comes from the United Kingdom. Where two young teenage girls have been banned from attending school, during the middle of their 'GCSE year', because of the students hair color. When one first hears that young teenagers are in trouble because of their hair color, one tends to believe that the students must have had some outrageous 'punk' look. Perhaps bright blue or green hair, which by no surprise have been seen as a distraction and banned by school authorities in some cases. Yet in this case the two students in question do not have any 'punk look' or outrageously bright hair color. In fact their only crime is being blond! This seems to be to be a clean cut example of anti-white discrimination in the part of the school authorities that have banned these two young girls. This is racism.
22nd January 2009
A headteacher has come under fire from parents and pupils after banning two 16-year-olds from school for being 'too blonde'.
Raegan Booth, 16, and Aby Western, 15, say they were threatened with expulsion by David Alexander unless they dyed their hair brown.
Read Full Article Here
This unbelievable story comes from the United Kingdom. Where two young teenage girls have been banned from attending school, during the middle of their 'GCSE year', because of the students hair color. When one first hears that young teenagers are in trouble because of their hair color, one tends to believe that the students must have had some outrageous 'punk' look. Perhaps bright blue or green hair, which by no surprise have been seen as a distraction and banned by school authorities in some cases. Yet in this case the two students in question do not have any 'punk look' or outrageously bright hair color. In fact their only crime is being blond! This seems to be to be a clean cut example of anti-white discrimination in the part of the school authorities that have banned these two young girls. This is racism.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Act now on Cyprus, Mr. President
For Immediate Release: January 21, 2009
Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel. 1-917-699-9935,
WASHINGTON--Yesterday, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the
United States. Today, we are watching for how President Obama will lead on
Cyprus—starting now.
The time for rhetoric is over and the real work begins. The Cyprus movement will
stand behind this president if he acts boldly on Cyprus.
This is the moment for everyone to speak up.
Send a letter to President Obama—tell him to keep his word to end the Turkish
occupation of Cyprus.
We need immediate and decisive action. With Turkish murder and Turkish mayhem
raging on, Cyprus can't wait a minute more—good intentions must become good
policy now.
That means a strong peace surge that will end this crisis instead of "managing"
it. President Obama must move quickly toward an end to Turkish occupation in
Cyprus (not even one Turkish soldier should be in Cyprus), protection for
civilians victimized by the Turkish military, and accountability for the Turkish
war criminals (arrest the entire illegal pseudo-state in Cyprus and the Turkish
military and the Turkish government and try them for Crimes Against Humanity)
and its allies --the Turkish people and the Turkish so-called “Cypriots” should
be forced to pay reparations.
As his inaugural speech made clear, the new president faces many challenges. So,
what will compel him to act boldly on Cyprus? Your voice. Only a powerful,
unrelenting constituency of conscience can make Cyprus the priority it must be.
Be a Voice for Cyprus
President Barack Obama made statements regarding an end to "Turkish occupation",
he must honor humanity by pursuing an end to the Cyprus genocide and Turkish
occupation of Cyprus perpetrated by Turkey and the Turks.
Be a voice for Cyprus. Join us in declaring with one voice: Obama must make
Cyprus a Day One priority.
*WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Send your letter to the White House now urging President Obama to take decisive
action to help end the genocide.
BY MAIL: The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
BY FAX OR PHONE:
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
BY WRITING IN THE FORM AT THE ‘CONTACT US’ PAGE OF THE WHITE HOUSE WEBSITE:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
SAMPLE LETTER, Please remember as always to maintain a courteous and
professional tone:
Dear Mr. President
As a candidate you promised an end to Turkish occupation in Cyprus. I urge you
to keep that promise by making Cyprus a priority from day one of your term to
achieve:
Removal of all Turkish troops from Cyprus.
Return of all occupied Cypriot land stolen by illegal Turkish military invasions
Reparations to all victims of Turkish Crimes against Humanity.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Important: Please maintain a courteous and professional tone.
*** Please forward this web page to five or more friends or colleagues who you
believe will act on it -- after five cycles, your e-mail can generate 23,580
letters.
(To avoid ">>>" please copy and paste the entire text onto a new e-mail when
forwarding)
For Further Reading:
Cyprus 1974 –TurkishMurderers.com:
http://turkishmurderers.com/cyprus1974/
Occupied Cyprus Project – Kypros.net
http://www.kypros.org/Occupied_Cyprus/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's not delay in raising our voices loudly.
In Solidarity,
Nikolaos Taneris, Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
Donate to Help Save Cyprus
Help build the pressure needed to end the Turkish occupation in Cyprus by
supporting our crucial awareness and advocacy programs. Will it make a
difference? Potentially, all the difference in the world.
Visit our website now to make a secure online donation (www.cyprusactionnetwork.org)
####
========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.
To be added to CANA's Action Alert e-mail distribution list, or to introduce
CANA to a friend or colleague, please forward the pertinent name and e-mail
address, with the subject heading "Add e-mail to CANA distribution list", to
cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
You are encouraged to forward this action alert to five or more individuals who
may have an interest in our e-distributions or in CANA’s mission.
You may post any CANA article, press release or action alert on the internet as
long as you credit CANA and the author(s).
Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel. 1-917-699-9935,
WASHINGTON--Yesterday, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the
United States. Today, we are watching for how President Obama will lead on
Cyprus—starting now.
The time for rhetoric is over and the real work begins. The Cyprus movement will
stand behind this president if he acts boldly on Cyprus.
This is the moment for everyone to speak up.
Send a letter to President Obama—tell him to keep his word to end the Turkish
occupation of Cyprus.
We need immediate and decisive action. With Turkish murder and Turkish mayhem
raging on, Cyprus can't wait a minute more—good intentions must become good
policy now.
That means a strong peace surge that will end this crisis instead of "managing"
it. President Obama must move quickly toward an end to Turkish occupation in
Cyprus (not even one Turkish soldier should be in Cyprus), protection for
civilians victimized by the Turkish military, and accountability for the Turkish
war criminals (arrest the entire illegal pseudo-state in Cyprus and the Turkish
military and the Turkish government and try them for Crimes Against Humanity)
and its allies --the Turkish people and the Turkish so-called “Cypriots” should
be forced to pay reparations.
As his inaugural speech made clear, the new president faces many challenges. So,
what will compel him to act boldly on Cyprus? Your voice. Only a powerful,
unrelenting constituency of conscience can make Cyprus the priority it must be.
Be a Voice for Cyprus
President Barack Obama made statements regarding an end to "Turkish occupation",
he must honor humanity by pursuing an end to the Cyprus genocide and Turkish
occupation of Cyprus perpetrated by Turkey and the Turks.
Be a voice for Cyprus. Join us in declaring with one voice: Obama must make
Cyprus a Day One priority.
*WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Send your letter to the White House now urging President Obama to take decisive
action to help end the genocide.
BY MAIL: The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
BY FAX OR PHONE:
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
BY WRITING IN THE FORM AT THE ‘CONTACT US’ PAGE OF THE WHITE HOUSE WEBSITE:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
SAMPLE LETTER, Please remember as always to maintain a courteous and
professional tone:
Dear Mr. President
As a candidate you promised an end to Turkish occupation in Cyprus. I urge you
to keep that promise by making Cyprus a priority from day one of your term to
achieve:
Removal of all Turkish troops from Cyprus.
Return of all occupied Cypriot land stolen by illegal Turkish military invasions
Reparations to all victims of Turkish Crimes against Humanity.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Important: Please maintain a courteous and professional tone.
*** Please forward this web page to five or more friends or colleagues who you
believe will act on it -- after five cycles, your e-mail can generate 23,580
letters.
(To avoid ">>>" please copy and paste the entire text onto a new e-mail when
forwarding)
For Further Reading:
Cyprus 1974 –TurkishMurderers.com:
http://turkishmurderers.com/cyprus1974/
Occupied Cyprus Project – Kypros.net
http://www.kypros.org/Occupied_Cyprus/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's not delay in raising our voices loudly.
In Solidarity,
Nikolaos Taneris, Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
Donate to Help Save Cyprus
Help build the pressure needed to end the Turkish occupation in Cyprus by
supporting our crucial awareness and advocacy programs. Will it make a
difference? Potentially, all the difference in the world.
Visit our website now to make a secure online donation (www.cyprusactionnetwork.org)
####
========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.
To be added to CANA's Action Alert e-mail distribution list, or to introduce
CANA to a friend or colleague, please forward the pertinent name and e-mail
address, with the subject heading "Add e-mail to CANA distribution list", to
cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
You are encouraged to forward this action alert to five or more individuals who
may have an interest in our e-distributions or in CANA’s mission.
You may post any CANA article, press release or action alert on the internet as
long as you credit CANA and the author(s).
Athens warns Turkey after F-16s approach Greek passenger jet
Tuesday January 20, 2009
Kathimerini
"Government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros yesterday called on Ankara to curb the provocative behavior of Turkish jets in the Aegean after two F-16s entered Greek national air space just a few kilometers from a Greek passenger aircraft en route to the northeastern port of Alexandroupolis from Athens. “Turkey must put a stop to behavior that is unsuitable to its European orientation and with the allied relationship it wishes to maintain with us,” Antonaros said. The Aegean Airlines flight, with 91 people aboard, reached its destination safely."
Article found here
Recent Turkish provocations in the Aegean are nothing new to many of us. The Turkish state has for years now continued to violate Hellenic airspace, while our puppet government, whether PASOK or New Democracy controlled, sit back and do nothing. Brave Hellenes have lost their lives during these violations of Hellenic sovereignty and yet many of us do not remember these fallen heroes. Enough is Enough! It is time the Hellenic Government to stand firm against these expansionist behaviors and SHOOT DOWN the Turkish planes.
Kathimerini
"Government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros yesterday called on Ankara to curb the provocative behavior of Turkish jets in the Aegean after two F-16s entered Greek national air space just a few kilometers from a Greek passenger aircraft en route to the northeastern port of Alexandroupolis from Athens. “Turkey must put a stop to behavior that is unsuitable to its European orientation and with the allied relationship it wishes to maintain with us,” Antonaros said. The Aegean Airlines flight, with 91 people aboard, reached its destination safely."
Article found here
Recent Turkish provocations in the Aegean are nothing new to many of us. The Turkish state has for years now continued to violate Hellenic airspace, while our puppet government, whether PASOK or New Democracy controlled, sit back and do nothing. Brave Hellenes have lost their lives during these violations of Hellenic sovereignty and yet many of us do not remember these fallen heroes. Enough is Enough! It is time the Hellenic Government to stand firm against these expansionist behaviors and SHOOT DOWN the Turkish planes.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
President Barack Obama 2009 Inauguration and Address
Today the 44th President of the United States, President Barack Obama, became the first African-American to be elected 'Leader of the Free World'. This is a historical moment, not only in American history, but also in world history. As roughly 2 million Americans turned out to watch President Obama take his oath and address the crowd, I couldn't help but wonder what this will mean for the whole world. Obama's larger then life image is one that doesn't sit well with me. Many naive people have created a cult of personality around President Obama that worries me deeply.
Will Obama save the United States? Will he be able to 'remake America'? Only time will tell, if President Obama's words will be just as sweet as they sound. Has real change come to Washington or has the same old Democrats returned to power under the disguise of change? I believe I speak for all people of this planet that I hope REAL change comes under President Obama, that this change is more then just the color of the American President's skin. President Obama spoke about the battle against Fascism and Communism, but I wonder what about Zionism and Kemalism? Will Obama keep his promises to Hellenism? Will he keep his promises to the Middle East and to Armenia? Only time will tell. . .
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Μήνυμα Καραμανλή στα Σκόπια
Αυστηρό μήνυμα στα Σκόπια έστειλε για μια ακόμη φορά ο πρωθυπουργός, από το βήμα της Βουλής, απαντώντας σε ερώτηση του προέδρου του ΛΑ.Ο.Σ., ενώ επανέλαβε ότι η κυβέρνηση βαδίζει με μοναδικό γνώμονα το συμφέρον της Ελλάδας.
«Ούτε ένα ευρώ από τα προβλεπόμενα 50 εκατομμύρια ευρώ που προβλέπεται για τον ευρωπαϊκό άξονα των Σκοπίων δεν θα εκταμιευθεί όσο οι Σκοπιανοί επιμένουν στο κλίμα μισαλλοδοξίας, αδιαλλαξίας και προκλητικότητας», δήλωσε ο πρωθυπουργός στη Βουλή απαντώντας σε ερώτηση του Γιώργου Καρατζαφέρη.
Read Full Article Here
«Ούτε ένα ευρώ από τα προβλεπόμενα 50 εκατομμύρια ευρώ που προβλέπεται για τον ευρωπαϊκό άξονα των Σκοπίων δεν θα εκταμιευθεί όσο οι Σκοπιανοί επιμένουν στο κλίμα μισαλλοδοξίας, αδιαλλαξίας και προκλητικότητας», δήλωσε ο πρωθυπουργός στη Βουλή απαντώντας σε ερώτηση του Γιώργου Καρατζαφέρη.
Read Full Article Here
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
CANA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ELEFTHEROS KOSMOS NEWSPAPER
For Immediate Release: January 13, 2009
Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel. 1-917-699-9935,
NEW YORK—The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is pleased to announce the
publication of an exclusive interview given by Nikolaos Taneris of CANA to
Hellenic intellectual and publisher Dimitris Zafeiropoulos printed this week in
ELEFTHEROS KOSMOS Ελεύθερος Κόσμος, an independent political weekly national
newspaper in Greece, that is also available on the web.
This is an in-depth interview of the CANA grass-roots movement, the history of
the organization’s memorable actions, the political and methodological approach,
and hopes for the future are discussed openly in Hellenic, the English
translation will be available soon.
Please visit Eleftheros Kosmos on the web to read this exclusive, the URL or
link to the article, complete with pictures, follows below:
Read Interview Here
####
========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.
To be added to CANA's Action Alert e-mail distribution list, or to introduce
CANA to a friend or colleague, please forward the pertinent name and e-mail
address, with the subject heading "Add e-mail to CANA distribution list", to
cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
You may post any CANA article, press release or action alert on the internet as
long as you credit CANA and the author(s).
Contact: Nikolaos Taneris, New York, Tel. 1-917-699-9935,
NEW YORK—The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is pleased to announce the
publication of an exclusive interview given by Nikolaos Taneris of CANA to
Hellenic intellectual and publisher Dimitris Zafeiropoulos printed this week in
ELEFTHEROS KOSMOS Ελεύθερος Κόσμος, an independent political weekly national
newspaper in Greece, that is also available on the web.
This is an in-depth interview of the CANA grass-roots movement, the history of
the organization’s memorable actions, the political and methodological approach,
and hopes for the future are discussed openly in Hellenic, the English
translation will be available soon.
Please visit Eleftheros Kosmos on the web to read this exclusive, the URL or
link to the article, complete with pictures, follows below:
Read Interview Here
####
========================
Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA)
2578 Broadway #132
New York, NY 10025
New York: Tel. 917-699-9935
Email: cana@cyprusactionnetwork.org
www.cyprusactionnetwork.org
========================
The Cyprus Action Network of America (CANA) is a grass-roots, not-for-profit
movement created to support genuine self-determination and human rights for the
people of Cyprus.
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Tuesday, January 13, 2009
VIDEO: Sibel Edmonds Documentary: Kill The Messenger
"Most Americans have never heard of Sibel Edmonds, and if the U.S. government has its way, they never will. The former FBI translator turned whistleblower tells a chilling story of corruption at Washington’s highest levels—sale of nuclear secrets, shielding of terrorist suspects, illegal arms transfers, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, espionage…."
Watch Video Here
Watch Video Here
Monday, January 12, 2009
Και οι Σκοπιανοί το βιολί τους...
Τον Ηλιο της Βεργίνας επαναφέρει στη σημαία της ΠΓΔΜ ο πρωθυπουργός Νίκολα Γκρούεφσκι, σύμφωνα με πληροφορίες των ΜΜΕ της γειτονικής χώρας. Στην τακτική κλιμάκωσης των προκλήσεων κατά της Ελλάδας προστίθενται οι πρωτοχρονιάτικες αποφάσεις του γραφείου του πρωθυπουργού για τη μετονομασία του «Διαδρόμου 10» από τα σύνορα της Ελλάδας μέχρι τα σύνορα με τη Σερβία σε «Αλέξανδρος ο Μακεδών», καθώς και η μετονομασία του Δημοτικού Σταδίου των Σκοπίων σε «Εθνική Αρένα Φίλιππος Β ο Μακεδών». Α, και στις 19 Ιανουαρίου ο Γκρούεφσκι θα κάνει τα αποκαλυπτήρια ανδριάντα του Μεγάλου Αλεξάνδρου πάνω στον Βουκεφάλα, στην κεντρική πλατεία των Σκοπίων. Αμέσως μετά θα φύγει για Καναδά, όπου θα μιλήσει σε εκδήλωση, στην αφίσα της οποίας, πάνω από τη φωτογραφία του, δεσπόζει η «Μεγάλη Μακεδονία» που φτάνει μέχρι τη Θεσσαλονίκη και τη Χαλκιδική και πάνω της ο Ηλιος της Βεργίνας.Χ.Τ.
Read Full Article Here
The Sun of Vergina is an ancient religious and ethnic symbol for the Hellenic people. A symbol, which is copyrighted by the Hellenic state, and if the Revisionist government of FYROM thinks it can illegally fly such a flag the Hellenic government should and must take whatever actions necessary to protect our ethnic heritage and Macedonian legacy. Whether these actions mean taking the state of FYROM to court over the use of the symbol, an economic embargo or even military conflict, the Hellenic government must stand strong and not allow our identity to be stolen.
Read Full Article Here
The Sun of Vergina is an ancient religious and ethnic symbol for the Hellenic people. A symbol, which is copyrighted by the Hellenic state, and if the Revisionist government of FYROM thinks it can illegally fly such a flag the Hellenic government should and must take whatever actions necessary to protect our ethnic heritage and Macedonian legacy. Whether these actions mean taking the state of FYROM to court over the use of the symbol, an economic embargo or even military conflict, the Hellenic government must stand strong and not allow our identity to be stolen.
The Berisha Plan to Seize Greek Minority Properties,Ethnic Cleansing under the Cover of Development,and Albania’s European Course.
PRESS RELEASE
DATED: 12 January 2009
For Immediate Release
Telephone for Questions: (30) 697-228-5442
Albania’s Berisha Government appears to be demonstrating in word and deed that it is not ready to join the European Union family of nations as it violates not only foundational property and minority rights, but also basic legal principles.
Early Friday morning 9 January, about 200 riot units of the Albanian police raided Kakomaia (Alb. Kakome, in the province of Cheimarra [Alb. Himare] on the Ionian Sea) with a view to assisting Riviera Sh.P.K., a private company, forcibly to seize the land properties claimed by local residents, who happen to be ethnic Greeks.
The land in question totals about 70 hectares, the ownership titles of which belonged for centuries and until 1945 to residents of the nearby village of Nivitsa, and were expropriated by the Communist regime of Enver Hoxha. After the collapse of the Hoxha regime in 1990 the successor Albanian government did not return the land to its rightful owners, as it did in most other parts of the country.
The Berisha Government, ignoring the owners’ rights recently leased the land in question for 99 years to the Riviera Company even though the legal cases challenging this decision are still pending. A certain Dritan Çelaj appears as the majority shareholder of this company, though sources in Tirana link to it members of the Berisha family.
The events described above could have been considered as an isolated dispute between the residents of a community and a predatory government official were it not for the facts that,
a) Berisha had persecuted the Greek minority in the past (he had imprisoned five of its leaders on unspecified charges in 1994), and
b) he is using the country’s economic development plan to legitimate ethnic cleansing.
Specifically, the Albanian Southern Coast Development Plan has been drawn up under the direction of international entities such as the World Bank and includes tourism as one of the major axes of the country’s development.
Using the cover of these international entities Berisha has targeted properties of the ethnic Greek minority of the “Southern Coast”, i.e. the stretch between Cheimarra and Agioi Saranta (Alb. Sarande), an area inhabited by the minority.
Based on this context, many experienced international experts consider that the violent seizure of the private properties in Kakomaia represents only the beginning of a campaign of expropriations of properties that aim at eliminating the financial underpinning of the ethnic Greek minority.
The above events are taking place at a time when the Albanian Government is undertaking to finalize efforts for the country’s acceptance into NATO in April and is promoting its eventual joining of the European Union, both of which aims assume the concurrence of the Greek Government, and when hundreds of thousands of its nationals live and earn their income Greece, remitting to Albania hundreds of millions of euros yearly.
The Enosis Cheimarrioton (=Cheimarriot Union), representing the ethnic Greek inhabitants of Cheimarra Province living and working in Greece, is undertaking a campaign,
• to protect the rights of the ethnic Greek minority in Albania,;
• to actively monitor abuses, whether these originate with the Albanian Government or from other sectors of society;
• to inform the Greek Government, the Greeks of the Diaspora, the governments of all European Union states, the European Union, NATO, the United States Government, the Government of the Russian Federation and the international press with a view to transmitting the message to the Albanian Government that it expects it to respect the basic values and principles that govern joining the European family of nations.
DATED: 12 January 2009
For Immediate Release
Telephone for Questions: (30) 697-228-5442
Albania’s Berisha Government appears to be demonstrating in word and deed that it is not ready to join the European Union family of nations as it violates not only foundational property and minority rights, but also basic legal principles.
Early Friday morning 9 January, about 200 riot units of the Albanian police raided Kakomaia (Alb. Kakome, in the province of Cheimarra [Alb. Himare] on the Ionian Sea) with a view to assisting Riviera Sh.P.K., a private company, forcibly to seize the land properties claimed by local residents, who happen to be ethnic Greeks.
The land in question totals about 70 hectares, the ownership titles of which belonged for centuries and until 1945 to residents of the nearby village of Nivitsa, and were expropriated by the Communist regime of Enver Hoxha. After the collapse of the Hoxha regime in 1990 the successor Albanian government did not return the land to its rightful owners, as it did in most other parts of the country.
The Berisha Government, ignoring the owners’ rights recently leased the land in question for 99 years to the Riviera Company even though the legal cases challenging this decision are still pending. A certain Dritan Çelaj appears as the majority shareholder of this company, though sources in Tirana link to it members of the Berisha family.
The events described above could have been considered as an isolated dispute between the residents of a community and a predatory government official were it not for the facts that,
a) Berisha had persecuted the Greek minority in the past (he had imprisoned five of its leaders on unspecified charges in 1994), and
b) he is using the country’s economic development plan to legitimate ethnic cleansing.
Specifically, the Albanian Southern Coast Development Plan has been drawn up under the direction of international entities such as the World Bank and includes tourism as one of the major axes of the country’s development.
Using the cover of these international entities Berisha has targeted properties of the ethnic Greek minority of the “Southern Coast”, i.e. the stretch between Cheimarra and Agioi Saranta (Alb. Sarande), an area inhabited by the minority.
Based on this context, many experienced international experts consider that the violent seizure of the private properties in Kakomaia represents only the beginning of a campaign of expropriations of properties that aim at eliminating the financial underpinning of the ethnic Greek minority.
The above events are taking place at a time when the Albanian Government is undertaking to finalize efforts for the country’s acceptance into NATO in April and is promoting its eventual joining of the European Union, both of which aims assume the concurrence of the Greek Government, and when hundreds of thousands of its nationals live and earn their income Greece, remitting to Albania hundreds of millions of euros yearly.
The Enosis Cheimarrioton (=Cheimarriot Union), representing the ethnic Greek inhabitants of Cheimarra Province living and working in Greece, is undertaking a campaign,
• to protect the rights of the ethnic Greek minority in Albania,;
• to actively monitor abuses, whether these originate with the Albanian Government or from other sectors of society;
• to inform the Greek Government, the Greeks of the Diaspora, the governments of all European Union states, the European Union, NATO, the United States Government, the Government of the Russian Federation and the international press with a view to transmitting the message to the Albanian Government that it expects it to respect the basic values and principles that govern joining the European family of nations.
The Present Situation in Berisha’s Albania
Rule of Law, Private Property and Minority Rights
Aristide D. Caratzas*
A recent flare up near Loukovo, one of the towns in the predominantly ethnic Greek prov-ince of Cheimarra (Albanian, Himara) over questions of property rights suddenly raises questions about the nature and extent to which the Albanian government, headed by Prime Minister Sali Berisha, has accepted basic democratic values such as the primacy of the rule of law, property rights and the basic human rights of ethnic minorities.
Indeed there is a clear sense that economic development (which ironically also was a ma-jor priority for the late and unlamented Communist regimes, their failures in this field not-withstanding) is used as a cover for organized violation of property rights and illegal sei-zures of property (even by Albanian law), which in turn are used to pressure the ethnic Greek minority. As an official in the Berisha government put it last week, “we will drive you [i.e. the ethnic Greeks] to the sea.”
The Recent Events at Kakomaia (Alb. Kakome)
Kakomaia is one of the lovely small valleys in the province of Cheimarra that culminate in a jewel of a beach on the Ionian Sea. Kakomaia also is the site of a Christian monastery and is near the village of Nivitsa (Alb., Nivica), which is in turn near Loukovo, a small and wealthy town, before the Communist take-over in 1945, which has been inhabited by eth-nic Greek Christians for centuries.
In 2004 the Albanian government leased for 99 years 70 hectares (700,000 square meters) to Riviera, a construction company headed by the Albanian businessman Dritan Çelaj. The problem immediately arose as to the ownership title of the land in question, as there are 120 private individuals (and the Albanian Orthodox Church) claiming ownership of individual parcels that make up this property. In July 2008 the claimants filed a suit on the basis of earlier title records and other evidence. Subsequently the suit was dismissed by the courts and the claimants filed appeals, which are still pending.
RECENT MOVES THAT IGNORED THE LEGAL PROCESS AND PENDING DECI-SION
Meanwhile, and on the administrative front, on September 19, 2008 the “Commission for the Return of Properties” (Komisioni i kthimit te pronave), a body created by the Berisha ad-ministration to afford it more direct control on the property issue and headed by Berisha’s son-in-law Jamarber Malltezi, rejected the applications of the 120 ownership claims of the Kakomaia properties.
At 8:00 AM on November 6, five truck convoy carrying building and fencing materials pre-sumably for the Riviera construction company set out for Kakomaia. The convoy was in-tercepted by crowds of local inhabitants who protested these arbitrary and basically extra-legal moves by blocking the road and forced the trucks to stop. The drivers abandoned the vehicles.
The next day, November 7, the mayor and town officials issued Municipal Orders 40 and 41, by which the trucks were then driven to and parked at the municipal facility of Louk-ovo. The owners of the vehicles were notified and were requested to remove them, which they did on November 15.
On November 9 police from Agioi Saranta (Alb., Sarande) raided Loukovo and arrested ten persons on nebulous charges. These were released the next day.
The aforementioned five truck convoy again tried to enter the Kakomaia area on Novem-ber 19. It was stopped by a large number of protestors, many more than had appeared on November 6; the protestors poured in from all the ethnic Greek villages of Cheimarra and other contiguous areas. Again the convoy was stopped. The protestors continued their vigil, day and night, so as not to allow access to the contested area.
November 22 the police arrived and there followed clashes in which were arrested four per-sons, including Kleomenis Bantzeris, one of the town elders of Loukovo (from Nivitsa). As the police withdrew the clashes continued between the inhabitants and a private security squad brought in by the company. The local inhabitants charged that most of the members of the private security squad were former convicts or others known to have committed criminal offenses, paid thugs in short. As a result of the clashes a number of people were injured, including elderly and children.
Leaders of the community and their families were threatened with violence, to the extent that some removed their families for reasons of safety. Meanwhile the four persons arrested were “tried” in court in Agioi Saranta (Alb. Sarande) on November 27 and convicted of a range of charges such as disrupting the peace and theft of equipment (the moving of the trucks to the Loukovo parking facility until they were picked up by the owners) and they are still held in prison. The latest and very credible reports (December 1) indicate that members of SHIK, the Albanian secret police, have questioned the four imprisoned Greeks with a view to intimidation, a practice that carries over from the Communist period.
The arrow points to the Loukovo- Nivitsa- Kakomaia area
The Background, or Is Berisha’s Past a Measure for the Future
In the 1990s the Albanian regime headed by former Communist Berisha targeted the Greek minority in an effort to diminish its influence or even to ethnically cleanse it. The tactics the regime had used were heavy-handed, and included harassment and violence against ethnic Greeks, the arrest of their leadership and its detention for six months before any charges were filed. Pressures from Greece, which received and gave work to hundreds of thousands of impoverished Albanians, and by the United States (mostly originating by Greek-Americans), eventually led to the reversal of these policies.
In 1997 the Berisha regime collapsed as a result of widespread systemic corruption culmi-nating in the pyramid scandals that resulted in the loss to the Albanian people of hundreds of millions of their hard-earned dollars.
Sali Berisha won reelection in 2004, apparently a reformed and effective leader who devel-oped a close relationship with the US and the EU, reasonable relations with Albania’s neighbors, especially Greece, where over 750,000 Albanian citizens live and earn enough to remit yearly over a billion euros to their country of origin. Berisha’s political high point was reached when Albania was nominated for entry into NATO in April of this year.
DEVELOPMENT AS A COVER FOR ETHNIC CLEANSING
It now has become apparent that behind the mask of the statesman Berisha has reverted to the more sinister past agenda of persecuting the ethnic Greek minority, but this time he is using much more sophisticated approach: Berisha’s strategy to diminish or eliminate the millennial ethnic Greek presence in the space that is now southern Albania is legitimized by having international organizations, such as the World Bank, assist in drawing up its economic development plan (for example the Albanian Southern Coast Development Plan).
The Development Plan, seemingly a serious document, appears to address a number of planning and environmental issues that need to be addressed. A key element of the Devel-opment Plan is tourism, and as such the areas near the ethnic Greek towns of Cheimarra, Drymades (Alb. Dhermi), Gialos (near Vouno), Palasa and Loukovo, have been earmarked for the creation of “tourist villages.” This concept is promoted by Berisha’s the aforemen-tioned son-in-law, who is focused on the exploitation of properties that were seized by the Communist regime in 1946 and that have never been restored to their rightful owners or their de-scendants.
RESTORATION OF PROPERTY: AN AUTHORITARIAN APPROACH OR SIMPLE THEFT
A note of the restoration or private properties is in order: In the early 1990s all former Communist bloc states were pressured to restore private properties to their rightful owners, as part of the process of the transition to democracy. In the case of Albania the process should have been relatively easy in the sense that the Italians had created a very accurate and detailed title registry during their occupation of the country.
When the Berisha regime of the early 1990s approached the issue of the restoration of pri-vate properties it opted not to refer back to the pre-Communist title registry, but passed Law 7501 instead, by which arbitrarily he granted 3,000 square meters of land to each Al-banian citizen residing in the country. Over the last fifteen years the restoration of private property was carried out throughout most of the country based on the above law, until it was abolished in favor of the Commission cited above—this afforded Berisha even greater control over the land privatization process. The notable exception to this policy has been in the south, where the ethnic Greek minority lives; there few residents have been restored their properties, virtually none in the province of Cheimarra.
It is in the abovementioned towns of Cheimarra that large tracts of land have been arbitrar-ily seized and given to individuals or entities linked to the Berisha regime. In the coast near Palermo, near the village of Keparo, 800 hectares were leased to an Orthodox Christian Albanian, while the aforementioned 70 hectares in Kakomaia (a site that includes a monas-tery and that is near Loukovo) were leased to a Riviera, a construction company headed by Dritan Çelaj.
These and many other tracts in fact have legitimate owners, whose families held these properties for generations, and who have been struggling to have them restored to them. Given the present situation Berisha and his associates, under the cover provided by “eco-nomic development” plans sanctioned by international organizations, seem poised for a land grab of properties historically owned by the ethnic Greek community and its institu-tions. Given Berisha’s previous history it is clear that his predatory impulses aim not only to enrich him and his associates, but also to break the economic back of the ethnic Greeks thus providing the reason for them to leave. A kind of ethnic cleansing with velvet gloves.
The Greek Government’s Response
The leadership of the Cheimarra ethnic Greek community has been providing information on the events to the Greek Embassy in Tirana on a virtual real-time basis. At the same time the Enosis Cheimarrioton, consisting of people from Cheimarra living in Greece, has been in constant touch with Epirotan organizations in Athens (a motivation for this writing in part is to inform the Greek-American, Greek-Canadian and Greek-Australian diasporas). The Cheimarriots of Athens are planning a protest at the Albanian Embassy in Athens on Monday, December 1.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Valinakis, testifying in Parliament on November 17, in response to a formal question submitted by Athanasios Plevris, an MP from the LA.O.S. party, stated that government’s objective is to safeguard the properties of the ethnic Greek minority, both on the legal and political levels. The Deputy Minister went on to link the need for the resolution of the property rights issue to Albania’s relationship with the European Unions and noted that the EU placed a priority on the return of the seized properties. Valinakis was less specific about the actions Greece will take to deal with the harassed and imprisoned ethnic Greeks, and with the Kakomaia situation.
A more puzzling response was that of the official Foreign Ministry Spokesman George Koumoutsakos, in a news conference held on November 27. In response to a question about the “Albanian government’s operation that is under way to seize properties of the omogeneis” Koumoutsakos stated, “From time to time the inhabitants of Greek origin (sic) have dealt with problems relating to the security of their properties that are sometimes seri-ous and sometimes less so.” Koumoutsakos then went on to say that he was not informed as to the specifics of this case (his Deputy Minister was ten days earlier!), and said that the Greek Embassy in Tirana “is undertaking all actions, is in touch with the Albanian authori-ties, in order that such phenomena be addressed.”
In short, the Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman obfuscated (in contrast to the Valinakis response, which while weak recognized the Greek Government’s obligations to protect the rights and security of the minority in Northern Epirus). In fact Koumoutsakos’ comments evidence a lack of will to act, something which in diplomacy invites the other side to con-tinue with its untoward behavior. According to some observers in Athens, the Ministry spokesman reflects the attitude and posture of his Foreign Minister, Mrs. Bakogiannis, who has been showing untoward passivity when dealing with authoritarian individuals, whether Berisha or Albania or Gruevski of Skopje.
* Aristide D. Caratzas is an academic book publisher, historian and political consultant.[His web site is www.caratzas.com]
Aristide D. Caratzas*
A recent flare up near Loukovo, one of the towns in the predominantly ethnic Greek prov-ince of Cheimarra (Albanian, Himara) over questions of property rights suddenly raises questions about the nature and extent to which the Albanian government, headed by Prime Minister Sali Berisha, has accepted basic democratic values such as the primacy of the rule of law, property rights and the basic human rights of ethnic minorities.
Indeed there is a clear sense that economic development (which ironically also was a ma-jor priority for the late and unlamented Communist regimes, their failures in this field not-withstanding) is used as a cover for organized violation of property rights and illegal sei-zures of property (even by Albanian law), which in turn are used to pressure the ethnic Greek minority. As an official in the Berisha government put it last week, “we will drive you [i.e. the ethnic Greeks] to the sea.”
The Recent Events at Kakomaia (Alb. Kakome)
Kakomaia is one of the lovely small valleys in the province of Cheimarra that culminate in a jewel of a beach on the Ionian Sea. Kakomaia also is the site of a Christian monastery and is near the village of Nivitsa (Alb., Nivica), which is in turn near Loukovo, a small and wealthy town, before the Communist take-over in 1945, which has been inhabited by eth-nic Greek Christians for centuries.
In 2004 the Albanian government leased for 99 years 70 hectares (700,000 square meters) to Riviera, a construction company headed by the Albanian businessman Dritan Çelaj. The problem immediately arose as to the ownership title of the land in question, as there are 120 private individuals (and the Albanian Orthodox Church) claiming ownership of individual parcels that make up this property. In July 2008 the claimants filed a suit on the basis of earlier title records and other evidence. Subsequently the suit was dismissed by the courts and the claimants filed appeals, which are still pending.
RECENT MOVES THAT IGNORED THE LEGAL PROCESS AND PENDING DECI-SION
Meanwhile, and on the administrative front, on September 19, 2008 the “Commission for the Return of Properties” (Komisioni i kthimit te pronave), a body created by the Berisha ad-ministration to afford it more direct control on the property issue and headed by Berisha’s son-in-law Jamarber Malltezi, rejected the applications of the 120 ownership claims of the Kakomaia properties.
At 8:00 AM on November 6, five truck convoy carrying building and fencing materials pre-sumably for the Riviera construction company set out for Kakomaia. The convoy was in-tercepted by crowds of local inhabitants who protested these arbitrary and basically extra-legal moves by blocking the road and forced the trucks to stop. The drivers abandoned the vehicles.
The next day, November 7, the mayor and town officials issued Municipal Orders 40 and 41, by which the trucks were then driven to and parked at the municipal facility of Louk-ovo. The owners of the vehicles were notified and were requested to remove them, which they did on November 15.
On November 9 police from Agioi Saranta (Alb., Sarande) raided Loukovo and arrested ten persons on nebulous charges. These were released the next day.
The aforementioned five truck convoy again tried to enter the Kakomaia area on Novem-ber 19. It was stopped by a large number of protestors, many more than had appeared on November 6; the protestors poured in from all the ethnic Greek villages of Cheimarra and other contiguous areas. Again the convoy was stopped. The protestors continued their vigil, day and night, so as not to allow access to the contested area.
November 22 the police arrived and there followed clashes in which were arrested four per-sons, including Kleomenis Bantzeris, one of the town elders of Loukovo (from Nivitsa). As the police withdrew the clashes continued between the inhabitants and a private security squad brought in by the company. The local inhabitants charged that most of the members of the private security squad were former convicts or others known to have committed criminal offenses, paid thugs in short. As a result of the clashes a number of people were injured, including elderly and children.
Leaders of the community and their families were threatened with violence, to the extent that some removed their families for reasons of safety. Meanwhile the four persons arrested were “tried” in court in Agioi Saranta (Alb. Sarande) on November 27 and convicted of a range of charges such as disrupting the peace and theft of equipment (the moving of the trucks to the Loukovo parking facility until they were picked up by the owners) and they are still held in prison. The latest and very credible reports (December 1) indicate that members of SHIK, the Albanian secret police, have questioned the four imprisoned Greeks with a view to intimidation, a practice that carries over from the Communist period.
The arrow points to the Loukovo- Nivitsa- Kakomaia area
The Background, or Is Berisha’s Past a Measure for the Future
In the 1990s the Albanian regime headed by former Communist Berisha targeted the Greek minority in an effort to diminish its influence or even to ethnically cleanse it. The tactics the regime had used were heavy-handed, and included harassment and violence against ethnic Greeks, the arrest of their leadership and its detention for six months before any charges were filed. Pressures from Greece, which received and gave work to hundreds of thousands of impoverished Albanians, and by the United States (mostly originating by Greek-Americans), eventually led to the reversal of these policies.
In 1997 the Berisha regime collapsed as a result of widespread systemic corruption culmi-nating in the pyramid scandals that resulted in the loss to the Albanian people of hundreds of millions of their hard-earned dollars.
Sali Berisha won reelection in 2004, apparently a reformed and effective leader who devel-oped a close relationship with the US and the EU, reasonable relations with Albania’s neighbors, especially Greece, where over 750,000 Albanian citizens live and earn enough to remit yearly over a billion euros to their country of origin. Berisha’s political high point was reached when Albania was nominated for entry into NATO in April of this year.
DEVELOPMENT AS A COVER FOR ETHNIC CLEANSING
It now has become apparent that behind the mask of the statesman Berisha has reverted to the more sinister past agenda of persecuting the ethnic Greek minority, but this time he is using much more sophisticated approach: Berisha’s strategy to diminish or eliminate the millennial ethnic Greek presence in the space that is now southern Albania is legitimized by having international organizations, such as the World Bank, assist in drawing up its economic development plan (for example the Albanian Southern Coast Development Plan).
The Development Plan, seemingly a serious document, appears to address a number of planning and environmental issues that need to be addressed. A key element of the Devel-opment Plan is tourism, and as such the areas near the ethnic Greek towns of Cheimarra, Drymades (Alb. Dhermi), Gialos (near Vouno), Palasa and Loukovo, have been earmarked for the creation of “tourist villages.” This concept is promoted by Berisha’s the aforemen-tioned son-in-law, who is focused on the exploitation of properties that were seized by the Communist regime in 1946 and that have never been restored to their rightful owners or their de-scendants.
RESTORATION OF PROPERTY: AN AUTHORITARIAN APPROACH OR SIMPLE THEFT
A note of the restoration or private properties is in order: In the early 1990s all former Communist bloc states were pressured to restore private properties to their rightful owners, as part of the process of the transition to democracy. In the case of Albania the process should have been relatively easy in the sense that the Italians had created a very accurate and detailed title registry during their occupation of the country.
When the Berisha regime of the early 1990s approached the issue of the restoration of pri-vate properties it opted not to refer back to the pre-Communist title registry, but passed Law 7501 instead, by which arbitrarily he granted 3,000 square meters of land to each Al-banian citizen residing in the country. Over the last fifteen years the restoration of private property was carried out throughout most of the country based on the above law, until it was abolished in favor of the Commission cited above—this afforded Berisha even greater control over the land privatization process. The notable exception to this policy has been in the south, where the ethnic Greek minority lives; there few residents have been restored their properties, virtually none in the province of Cheimarra.
It is in the abovementioned towns of Cheimarra that large tracts of land have been arbitrar-ily seized and given to individuals or entities linked to the Berisha regime. In the coast near Palermo, near the village of Keparo, 800 hectares were leased to an Orthodox Christian Albanian, while the aforementioned 70 hectares in Kakomaia (a site that includes a monas-tery and that is near Loukovo) were leased to a Riviera, a construction company headed by Dritan Çelaj.
These and many other tracts in fact have legitimate owners, whose families held these properties for generations, and who have been struggling to have them restored to them. Given the present situation Berisha and his associates, under the cover provided by “eco-nomic development” plans sanctioned by international organizations, seem poised for a land grab of properties historically owned by the ethnic Greek community and its institu-tions. Given Berisha’s previous history it is clear that his predatory impulses aim not only to enrich him and his associates, but also to break the economic back of the ethnic Greeks thus providing the reason for them to leave. A kind of ethnic cleansing with velvet gloves.
The Greek Government’s Response
The leadership of the Cheimarra ethnic Greek community has been providing information on the events to the Greek Embassy in Tirana on a virtual real-time basis. At the same time the Enosis Cheimarrioton, consisting of people from Cheimarra living in Greece, has been in constant touch with Epirotan organizations in Athens (a motivation for this writing in part is to inform the Greek-American, Greek-Canadian and Greek-Australian diasporas). The Cheimarriots of Athens are planning a protest at the Albanian Embassy in Athens on Monday, December 1.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Valinakis, testifying in Parliament on November 17, in response to a formal question submitted by Athanasios Plevris, an MP from the LA.O.S. party, stated that government’s objective is to safeguard the properties of the ethnic Greek minority, both on the legal and political levels. The Deputy Minister went on to link the need for the resolution of the property rights issue to Albania’s relationship with the European Unions and noted that the EU placed a priority on the return of the seized properties. Valinakis was less specific about the actions Greece will take to deal with the harassed and imprisoned ethnic Greeks, and with the Kakomaia situation.
A more puzzling response was that of the official Foreign Ministry Spokesman George Koumoutsakos, in a news conference held on November 27. In response to a question about the “Albanian government’s operation that is under way to seize properties of the omogeneis” Koumoutsakos stated, “From time to time the inhabitants of Greek origin (sic) have dealt with problems relating to the security of their properties that are sometimes seri-ous and sometimes less so.” Koumoutsakos then went on to say that he was not informed as to the specifics of this case (his Deputy Minister was ten days earlier!), and said that the Greek Embassy in Tirana “is undertaking all actions, is in touch with the Albanian authori-ties, in order that such phenomena be addressed.”
In short, the Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman obfuscated (in contrast to the Valinakis response, which while weak recognized the Greek Government’s obligations to protect the rights and security of the minority in Northern Epirus). In fact Koumoutsakos’ comments evidence a lack of will to act, something which in diplomacy invites the other side to con-tinue with its untoward behavior. According to some observers in Athens, the Ministry spokesman reflects the attitude and posture of his Foreign Minister, Mrs. Bakogiannis, who has been showing untoward passivity when dealing with authoritarian individuals, whether Berisha or Albania or Gruevski of Skopje.
* Aristide D. Caratzas is an academic book publisher, historian and political consultant.[His web site is www.caratzas.com]
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Southern Italian Nationalism: A look at the importance of Griko
Today’s Italiotes and Siceliotes that have not fallen victim to italianization continue to live in their ancestral homeland of Magna Graecia. A small community of these Hellenes still hold onto the regions Italiot Hellenic dialect that has been spoken since the days of ancient city-states. This dialect, know to most Hellenes as Katoitaliotika (“Southern Italian”) is also known by Griko, Grecanic and even sometimes Calabrian. Two small Griko-speaking communities that still survive today are located in the Italian regions of Calabria and Puglia. The community living in the area of Salento is made up of nine towns in the Grecia Salentina region. This small pocket of Hellenic speakers number roughly 40,000 people. The second community of Calabrian Griko is also made up of nine villages, although the populations size is unknown.
The origins of Griko are mostly seen to date back to the 8th century BC, making the dialect a long lasting connection for Southern Italians to their ancient Hellenic ancestry that once ruled Magna Graecia. The present Italian government does officially recognize the Griko community of Salento as an ethnic and linguistic minority under the phrase “Minoranze linguistiche Grike dell’Etnia Griko-Salentina” or linguistic minority of the Griko-Salentinian ethnicity. A much needed recognition from the central government in Rome since the repressive measures under Fascism that pushed to discourage the Hellenic dialect from being used.
The present day status of the Italiot Hellenic Dialect is one of a fading direct connection to a peoples past. Only two periodicals are currently being published in Greek-Calabrian. No radio stations exist and the dialect has never even been used on television. The one positive hope for the language is an annual festival called ‘Palea riza’ (Ancient Root) that is held in Bova and near by towns. At this festival traditional Griko music is played for all to hear. However, the slow decline of Griko’s use is a painful tragedy to watch take place. Many italianized Italiotes see it as nothing more then one in a dozen dialects of Italy that scatters the countryside. These dialects are viewed, as is Griko, to be an expression of lower class speech and illiterate country folk. Hence the population pushes to learn standard Italian. A language that was based on Tuscan, a Northern Italian dialect, and was forced upon the newly created Italian state after its ‘unification’.
As the Southern Italian ethnic consciousness continues to build momentum and more and more political movements formed to divide Italy into Northern and Southern states, it seems only natural for true Southern Italian patriots to adopt their original identity of Italiotes and Siceliotes. This is the only true legitimate claim for the regions separation from the central government in Rome. Thus being stated, the adoption of Griko seems the only natural choice any Southern Italian patriot would choose to replace the oppressors northerner’s linguistical domination.
The origins of Griko are mostly seen to date back to the 8th century BC, making the dialect a long lasting connection for Southern Italians to their ancient Hellenic ancestry that once ruled Magna Graecia. The present Italian government does officially recognize the Griko community of Salento as an ethnic and linguistic minority under the phrase “Minoranze linguistiche Grike dell’Etnia Griko-Salentina” or linguistic minority of the Griko-Salentinian ethnicity. A much needed recognition from the central government in Rome since the repressive measures under Fascism that pushed to discourage the Hellenic dialect from being used.
The present day status of the Italiot Hellenic Dialect is one of a fading direct connection to a peoples past. Only two periodicals are currently being published in Greek-Calabrian. No radio stations exist and the dialect has never even been used on television. The one positive hope for the language is an annual festival called ‘Palea riza’ (Ancient Root) that is held in Bova and near by towns. At this festival traditional Griko music is played for all to hear. However, the slow decline of Griko’s use is a painful tragedy to watch take place. Many italianized Italiotes see it as nothing more then one in a dozen dialects of Italy that scatters the countryside. These dialects are viewed, as is Griko, to be an expression of lower class speech and illiterate country folk. Hence the population pushes to learn standard Italian. A language that was based on Tuscan, a Northern Italian dialect, and was forced upon the newly created Italian state after its ‘unification’.
As the Southern Italian ethnic consciousness continues to build momentum and more and more political movements formed to divide Italy into Northern and Southern states, it seems only natural for true Southern Italian patriots to adopt their original identity of Italiotes and Siceliotes. This is the only true legitimate claim for the regions separation from the central government in Rome. Thus being stated, the adoption of Griko seems the only natural choice any Southern Italian patriot would choose to replace the oppressors northerner’s linguistical domination.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Independent Magna Graecia – Southern Italy- Ausonia Flag Proposal
Southern Italy or as it should be known as, the historical region of Magna Graecia or ‘Greater Greece’, has always followed a distinctly different path then the north. Italiotes and Siceliotes formed the Hellenic speaking population of Southern Italy and Sicily. Ancient Hellenic city-states controlled most of the ancient landscape of the region until the coming union with the Roman Empire. A union with the northern region of the peninsula that lasted until Eastern Roman (Byzantine) control of the southern part of the peninsula, which reinforced Hellenism to its semide-Hellenized population.
The lasting imprint of the original Hellenic culture of Magna Graecia can still be fled throughout the peninsula and its history. The Old Italic alphabet and hence the Latin alphabet were variations based of the regions Hellenic alphabet. Many of the ancient Hellenic City-states survive to this day like, Neapolis (Naples), Taras (Taranto) and Ankon (Ancona).
During the Middle Ages, Magna Graecia would see a new explosion of Hellenic colonization as Eastern Roman Hellenic speaking people fled Hellas proper and Anatolia to come to Southern Italy. A process that only strengthen the bonds of Magna Graecia with Hellas proper. Although through the years many Italiotes and Siceliotes have become Italianized and no longer speak their original Hellenic dialect. There are still those who still to this day speak the indigenous Hellenic dialect of the region known as Griko. Griko still exists today mostly in Calabria and Salento.
Magna Graecia today is wildly known by the term ‘Mezzogiorno’, which includes Magna Graecia and Sardegna. The term which is associated with thoughts of poverty, crime, illiteracy, and other kinds of negative stereotypes towards Italianized Italiotes and Siceliotes comes from the very ‘Northern Italians’ that created the modern Italian nation-state like Giuseppe Garibaldi. The Divide that has always exist between the Northern and Southern parts of the peninsula are not only historical differences. They are also economic ones that were put in place during the creation of the modern Italian state and have been kept that way ever since. Before unification of the peninsula, the independent South was economically stable and prosperous. It is not until the unification takes place that the north emergence as the wealthier of the regions of Italy. A logical outcome seeing that those pushing for unification all hailed from the North. One could argue that it was not a unification that took place, but rather an invasion and occupation by the North forced upon Magna Graecia that resulted in the colonization of the South for the benefit of the North.
Today, like in Northern Italy, so does the South have its own political aspirations of independence from the central government in Rome. On one side of the coin you have Lega Nord and its goal to create an independent Padania state in Northern Italy. On the other side you have Lega Sud Ausonia and its dream to establish an independent Ausonia in Southern Italy. Lega Sud is not the only political party with such dreams, it is however, the only one to actually name the state they wish to create. A name that one must take a closer look at. What is Ausonia? The name is Hellenic for the region in Magna Graecia where the Ausones, an ancient tribe lived. Legend holds it or at least as Diodorus Siculus records, the King of the Ausones was Ausonus, the Son of Odysseus, the famous ancient Hellenic hero.
Whether Italiote, Siceliote or Ausone the concept is all the same and its connection to Hellenism is undeniable. It is with this in mind I’ve decided to present a flag for an Independent Magna Graecia – Southern Italy- Ausonia state. A real indigenous symbol of the region, compared to the modern flag of Italy with its Napoleonic origins.
The flag proposal consits of using the tricolour design of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies according to Steenbergen Book (1862). Located in the flag’s center is the Sicilian national symbol known as the Trinacria, which is a variation of the Hellenic Triskelion symbol. The Medusa head centered in the Triskelion implies the protection of the Hellenic Goddess Athena, which is commonly found on the Sicilian version. On the top and bottom parts of the flag a white Meander pattern is found. The Meander is a commonly found in ancient Hellenic art and was even found on the Shield of Philip II of Macedon.
The lasting imprint of the original Hellenic culture of Magna Graecia can still be fled throughout the peninsula and its history. The Old Italic alphabet and hence the Latin alphabet were variations based of the regions Hellenic alphabet. Many of the ancient Hellenic City-states survive to this day like, Neapolis (Naples), Taras (Taranto) and Ankon (Ancona).
During the Middle Ages, Magna Graecia would see a new explosion of Hellenic colonization as Eastern Roman Hellenic speaking people fled Hellas proper and Anatolia to come to Southern Italy. A process that only strengthen the bonds of Magna Graecia with Hellas proper. Although through the years many Italiotes and Siceliotes have become Italianized and no longer speak their original Hellenic dialect. There are still those who still to this day speak the indigenous Hellenic dialect of the region known as Griko. Griko still exists today mostly in Calabria and Salento.
Magna Graecia today is wildly known by the term ‘Mezzogiorno’, which includes Magna Graecia and Sardegna. The term which is associated with thoughts of poverty, crime, illiteracy, and other kinds of negative stereotypes towards Italianized Italiotes and Siceliotes comes from the very ‘Northern Italians’ that created the modern Italian nation-state like Giuseppe Garibaldi. The Divide that has always exist between the Northern and Southern parts of the peninsula are not only historical differences. They are also economic ones that were put in place during the creation of the modern Italian state and have been kept that way ever since. Before unification of the peninsula, the independent South was economically stable and prosperous. It is not until the unification takes place that the north emergence as the wealthier of the regions of Italy. A logical outcome seeing that those pushing for unification all hailed from the North. One could argue that it was not a unification that took place, but rather an invasion and occupation by the North forced upon Magna Graecia that resulted in the colonization of the South for the benefit of the North.
Today, like in Northern Italy, so does the South have its own political aspirations of independence from the central government in Rome. On one side of the coin you have Lega Nord and its goal to create an independent Padania state in Northern Italy. On the other side you have Lega Sud Ausonia and its dream to establish an independent Ausonia in Southern Italy. Lega Sud is not the only political party with such dreams, it is however, the only one to actually name the state they wish to create. A name that one must take a closer look at. What is Ausonia? The name is Hellenic for the region in Magna Graecia where the Ausones, an ancient tribe lived. Legend holds it or at least as Diodorus Siculus records, the King of the Ausones was Ausonus, the Son of Odysseus, the famous ancient Hellenic hero.
Whether Italiote, Siceliote or Ausone the concept is all the same and its connection to Hellenism is undeniable. It is with this in mind I’ve decided to present a flag for an Independent Magna Graecia – Southern Italy- Ausonia state. A real indigenous symbol of the region, compared to the modern flag of Italy with its Napoleonic origins.
The flag proposal consits of using the tricolour design of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies according to Steenbergen Book (1862). Located in the flag’s center is the Sicilian national symbol known as the Trinacria, which is a variation of the Hellenic Triskelion symbol. The Medusa head centered in the Triskelion implies the protection of the Hellenic Goddess Athena, which is commonly found on the Sicilian version. On the top and bottom parts of the flag a white Meander pattern is found. The Meander is a commonly found in ancient Hellenic art and was even found on the Shield of Philip II of Macedon.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Ground Invasion begins: "Israel = Fascist state"
Israel has taken the next step in their genocidal policy towards the Gaza Strip, as air strikes have turn into a full fledge ground invasion of Gaza. Reports on the situation are hard to come by because of the Israeli ban on journalists entering the area. One can only wonder what barbaric acts of violence are taking place against the innocent women and children of Gaza. While the Zionist state of Israel with its Fascist tactics ban media access to Gaza to hide their crimes from the civilized world.
Some of the most recent ‘self-defense’ missions against ‘terrorists’ in Gaza come with an Israeli air strike on a Gaza mosque, where 200 innocent people were praying, the United Nations estimates that as of January 3rd, a quarter of the deaths in Gaza were civilians. Either Israeli troops are dropping the ball and are no longer the high quality professionals the world knows the Israeli military as, or we are watching a government-backed policy of Genocide against an entire people. Which ever it is, it is safe to say that if this situation was happening in any other country other then Israel, a united front would have entered and toppled the government committing such unthinkable war crimes against innocent civilians.
Inside the state of Israel thousands of activists took to the streets yet again to protest the military actions of their own country. Knesset members Dov Khenin and Ahmad Tibi joined those in the crowd to let the world know not every Israeli supports the actions of their government in Gaza. "I came here to demonstrate along with thousands of citizens in Tel Aviv and all across the country, Jews and Arabs alike, who are calling to stop this war, which is a disaster. It hasn't solved the security problems in the south, and nothing good will come out of it," Dov Khenin
Meanwhile across the world the International reaction seems to ring loud and clear, End the Genocide in Gaza! Protests from Britain, France, Germany, Hellas, Ireland, Italy, Turkey, Spain, the United States, the list goes on and on of those who wish to see an end to the fighting and allow humanitarian aid to enter the region. In Hellas, police fired teargas at activists who rallied outside the Israeli embassy in Athens. Others marched through the streets setting fire to banks and throwing rocks at police and the embassy. 12,000 demonstrators came out in London where thousands threw their shoes at Downing Street in anger towards the crisis in Gaza. In Time Square a sea of people wearing black and white kaffiyehs, the famous Palestinian scarf, spread out for four blocks. During Protests in San Francisco activists held signs that read “Gaza = Warsaw Ghetto”. One protester, Jack Fertig had the following to say, "I'm descended from Holocaust victims, and we need to identify with the oppressed - not imitate the oppressors". Yet, the United States for the second time this week has prevented a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate end to the conflict inside Gaza.
The barbaric crimes against the Palestinian people must come to an immediate end. If the Israeli state does not end their onslaught against the innocent women and children of the occupied zone, it only makes logic sense that some type of international coalition must come to the aid of those dying inside the ghetto that is Gaza. Shame on Israel and the United States, both nations with innocent blood on their hands. The years of favoritism towards Israel must come to an end; they are just as responsible for their actions as any other country in the world. Wake up and smell the reality of the situation, Israel is a new Fascist dictatorship in the World.
Israeli Troops Invade Gaza Strip
Read Full Article Here
Israel fires artillery shells into Gaza
Read Full Article Here
MK Khenin: Gaza war won’t solve security problems
Read Full Article Here
Thousands protest in Europe at Gaza offensive
Read Full Article Here
Thousands throw shoes at Downing Street in protest against Israeli action in Gaza Read Full Article Here
Times Square Rally Protests Fighting in Gaza
Read Full Article Here
Hundreds in S.F. again protest Israeli bombings
Read Full Article Here
World leaders condemn Israel
Read Full Article Here
US Again Stops UN Call for Gaza Truce
Read Full Article Here
Some of the most recent ‘self-defense’ missions against ‘terrorists’ in Gaza come with an Israeli air strike on a Gaza mosque, where 200 innocent people were praying, the United Nations estimates that as of January 3rd, a quarter of the deaths in Gaza were civilians. Either Israeli troops are dropping the ball and are no longer the high quality professionals the world knows the Israeli military as, or we are watching a government-backed policy of Genocide against an entire people. Which ever it is, it is safe to say that if this situation was happening in any other country other then Israel, a united front would have entered and toppled the government committing such unthinkable war crimes against innocent civilians.
Inside the state of Israel thousands of activists took to the streets yet again to protest the military actions of their own country. Knesset members Dov Khenin and Ahmad Tibi joined those in the crowd to let the world know not every Israeli supports the actions of their government in Gaza. "I came here to demonstrate along with thousands of citizens in Tel Aviv and all across the country, Jews and Arabs alike, who are calling to stop this war, which is a disaster. It hasn't solved the security problems in the south, and nothing good will come out of it," Dov Khenin
Meanwhile across the world the International reaction seems to ring loud and clear, End the Genocide in Gaza! Protests from Britain, France, Germany, Hellas, Ireland, Italy, Turkey, Spain, the United States, the list goes on and on of those who wish to see an end to the fighting and allow humanitarian aid to enter the region. In Hellas, police fired teargas at activists who rallied outside the Israeli embassy in Athens. Others marched through the streets setting fire to banks and throwing rocks at police and the embassy. 12,000 demonstrators came out in London where thousands threw their shoes at Downing Street in anger towards the crisis in Gaza. In Time Square a sea of people wearing black and white kaffiyehs, the famous Palestinian scarf, spread out for four blocks. During Protests in San Francisco activists held signs that read “Gaza = Warsaw Ghetto”. One protester, Jack Fertig had the following to say, "I'm descended from Holocaust victims, and we need to identify with the oppressed - not imitate the oppressors". Yet, the United States for the second time this week has prevented a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate end to the conflict inside Gaza.
The barbaric crimes against the Palestinian people must come to an immediate end. If the Israeli state does not end their onslaught against the innocent women and children of the occupied zone, it only makes logic sense that some type of international coalition must come to the aid of those dying inside the ghetto that is Gaza. Shame on Israel and the United States, both nations with innocent blood on their hands. The years of favoritism towards Israel must come to an end; they are just as responsible for their actions as any other country in the world. Wake up and smell the reality of the situation, Israel is a new Fascist dictatorship in the World.
Israeli Troops Invade Gaza Strip
Read Full Article Here
Israel fires artillery shells into Gaza
Read Full Article Here
MK Khenin: Gaza war won’t solve security problems
Read Full Article Here
Thousands protest in Europe at Gaza offensive
Read Full Article Here
Thousands throw shoes at Downing Street in protest against Israeli action in Gaza Read Full Article Here
Times Square Rally Protests Fighting in Gaza
Read Full Article Here
Hundreds in S.F. again protest Israeli bombings
Read Full Article Here
World leaders condemn Israel
Read Full Article Here
US Again Stops UN Call for Gaza Truce
Read Full Article Here
Saturday, January 3, 2009
As if Things Weren't Bad Enough, Russian Professor Predicts End of U.S.
In Moscow, Igor Panarin's Forecasts Are All the Rage; America 'Disintegrates' in 2010
Read Full Article Here
Read Full Article Here
Friday, January 2, 2009
Shame on Israel: Hellenism is outraged!
Four Days ago on December 30th a small boat from Free Gaza, an American based organization which has been sending medical aid to the region since August, was attacked by an Israeli naval ship while it was bound for Gaza. The boat was denied the right to deliver the much needed humanitarian aid to suffering Palestinians and was forced to dock in Tyre, Lebanon after suffering damages during the confrontation. The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that an ‘incident’ had occurred between the two vessels. Reuters was informed by activists who organized the humanitarian aid mission that the vessel with 3 ½ metric tons of medical aid and 16 individuals was rammed by an Israeli naval vessel inside international waters. No one was hurt during the attack; however, activists have confirmed that the Israeli vessel did indeed fire upon them. "I thought I was going to die. I'm 68. None of us had life jackets on. We are appalled at this barbaric act," said David Halpin. The medical supplies the vessel was carrying had been donated by the Cypriot government. Several of the individuals on the boat headed to Gaza were of Cypriot origins, including a Cypriot parliamentarian.
This attack on Hellenism’s generosity towards the innocent people of Gaza is appalling. The Israeli government should be ashamed of itself, while the International Community should demand the Israeli government end its constant temper tantrums and obeyed by the same stands as the rest of the civilized world. This government sanctioned attack on a Cypriot parliamentarian is a direct attack on the Cypriot government and therefore technically an attack on the nation of Cyprus. The Hellenic government, should as the defenders of Hellenism, in cooperation with the Cypriot government demand an official apology from the Israeli government. The years of international silence and appeasement towards Israel’s oppressive and genocidal agenda in the Middle East must come to an end.
Gaza aid boat damaged by Israelis reaches Lebanon
Tue Dec 30, 2008
Read Full Article Here
This attack on Hellenism’s generosity towards the innocent people of Gaza is appalling. The Israeli government should be ashamed of itself, while the International Community should demand the Israeli government end its constant temper tantrums and obeyed by the same stands as the rest of the civilized world. This government sanctioned attack on a Cypriot parliamentarian is a direct attack on the Cypriot government and therefore technically an attack on the nation of Cyprus. The Hellenic government, should as the defenders of Hellenism, in cooperation with the Cypriot government demand an official apology from the Israeli government. The years of international silence and appeasement towards Israel’s oppressive and genocidal agenda in the Middle East must come to an end.
Gaza aid boat damaged by Israelis reaches Lebanon
Tue Dec 30, 2008
Read Full Article Here
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