Patriarch: ready to turn to the European court for human rights
December 21, 2009
Source: Skai.gr
Translated © Greeks Rethink
An interview of Ecumenical Patriarch for a Turkish newspaper
“[I am] determined to drive the case of Theological School of Halki to the European Court of Human Rights,” states to an interview for a Turkish newspaper, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Mr. Bartholomew repeats to “Haber Turk” that the patriarchy wishes to operate the school again as it used to reminding that the two latest ministers of Education of Turkey have stated that there is no legal obstacle for its re-opening.
“If by the end of the year there is not any development for the Halki issue then we will exhaust all legal measures in Turkey and go to the European Court,” he states.
In the same interview, Mr. Bartholomew reveals the content of a recent conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Rejeb Tayib Erdogan. Most likely he referred to what they discussed last August at Pringipos when Mr. Erdogan visited the Monastery of Saint George Koudounas and the wooden building of the orphanage where he was welcomed by the Patriarch.
At this discussion Mr. Bartholomew asked the re-opening of the Theological School and the reply of Mr. Erdogan was that “in Athens there is no mosque”.
The Ecumenical Patriarch replied to him that this is not his responsibility on this specific issue and that he would not object with the existence of a praying place for the Muslims that live in Athens.
“We paid the consequences of the Tukish-Greek relations and of Cypriot Issue. We are citizens of this country and we want our rights” said between others the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Ship leaves Cyprus to Gaza, IDF navy intercepts
July 1, 2009
Greeks Rethink Note: The ship is part of the Free Gaza movement headed by Greek Professor Vangelis Pissias. Please watch video below for his interview and mission.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Photo: AP
An IDF Navy unit took over a ship that was en route to breaking the naval closure on the Gaza Strip, the IDF said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.
International activists cover boxes of medical supplies to protect them from the rain aboard a boat before setting sail for Gaza from the Cypriot port of Larnaca, Monday.
After the Navy contacted the ship and realized it was headed to Gaza, the troops clarified that the Strip is under naval closure and that because of security concerns it will not be allowed to reach the beach of Gaza.
The ship, named Arion and referred to by the Free Gaza movement which sponsored its trip as the Spirit of Humanity, continued sailing to Gaza despite the Navy’s warnings, and after refusing to heed consecutive calls not to sail to the Strip, Navy troops mounted the ship and navigated it to the Ashdod port.
The Arion’s crew and passengers will be transferred over to relevant authorities, the military statement said.
The IDF added that any entity wishing to transfer humanitarian aid can do so through land crossings, after coordinating with the relevant Israeli authorities.
The Cypriot Embassy in Tel Aviv issued a statement following the incident, saying “The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Israel would like to inform that the “Spirit of Humanity” boat, sponsored by the Free Gaza Movement, that attempted in the early hours today to reach Gaza was given permission by the competent Authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to sail off the port of Larnaca in Cyprus on the basis of its declaration that its intended destination was the port of Port Said in Egypt.”
