Ankara To Send Commandos to East Med., report says

The government of Turkish Prime Minister T. Erdogan is steadfast in instigating a war in the Eastern Mediterranean, by skillfully using the power of the media.

After sending frigates, corvettes, rockets, and even the Piri Reis off the coast of Cyprus, now the pro-government newspaper Bougkioun, came out with an article today claiming that Ankara is ready to send Turkish commandos to the area!

According to the report, the Turkish Armed Forces have sent SAT and SAS units to the frigates that are sailing in the area. The report, which was featured on onalert says that the Turkish fleet is now controlling ten key areas in the eastern Mediterranean, which have been divided to "red, yellow and blue." The sea area off of Israel has been colored red, perhaps to remind the Turks that they should not get too close!

The article notes that there is a plan based on three levels according to which, three frigates, a logistics ship, three naval helicopters and SAS and SAT units are conducting alternate service in the eastern Mediterranean.

In such a framework, the report adds, the first group of ships have already been sent to the area and they will remain there until November 15. The second group will begin to operate from November 15 until May 15, 2012 and the third group from May 15 until August 15, 2012. 

Under this plan, adds the report, Turkey will be constantly present in the drilling areas.

Political "Dog and Cat Fight" Greek Style!

Certainly we all have our moments, and sometimes people can lose their patience, but today's dialogue between PASOK MP (and president of the Committee of Financial Affairs) Vasso Papandreou and main opposition New Democracy MP Manolis Kefalogiannis can go down in the books as "the dog and cat fight" of the year.Fortunately Greek Parliamentarians are not like some Asian MPs who beat each other up when they don't agree with each other, but words cut deeper than knives and our MPs can indeed become a little vulgar at times.

Vasso Papandreou

It is actually quite funny and years from now, I am sure both these MPs will sit back and have a good laugh over it.

Our protagonist Vasso Papandreou continued to ignore the objections and inquisitions of Manolis Kefalogiannis until the latter, frustrated by being so ignored, began to interrupt the session with hopes of getting his voice heard. 

Vasso Papandreou (who was abusing her post as the president of the Committee of Financial Affairs as well as being totally ignorant to him because he is from the opposing party) kept ignoring Kefalogiannis until he became so "anal" that she called him a “bully” and then the vulgarity began.

M. Kefalogiannis:
“Are you going to ever start acting like the president of this committee?"

V. Papandreou:
“I cannot become a bully like you. No one is listening to you and taking you seriously.

M. Kefalogiannis:
“You have lost seriousness, and if you cannot (properly perform your duties) then you can step down from the presidential post so someone else can lead (this committee). You should be serious and (stop being) Vaso Papandreou".

V. Papandreou:
“The characterizations of Mr. Kefalogiannus do not concern me.”

M. Kefalogiannis:
“And I don't care about your existence "

V. Papandreou:

"Why don't you go to hell mal...ka" 

Manolis Kefalogiannis

A little later on Mr. Kefalogiannis and after soaking in the word "makaka", Mr. Kefalogiannis spoke his mind again and said "it is surreal that the president told me to 'go to hell re mal...ka," and with a swift look he looked over at Papandreou and said "get out of my way before I clobber you".

The Committee wrapped up proceedings about ten minutes later when Mrs. Papandreou began to take it to extremes saying that she was not going to take Mr. Kefalogiannis' rude tactics. 

Well Mrs. Papandreou... there is a phrase in Greece that says... that by day you should be a lady and a dirty talker only by night... What did you expect a man to say to you when you outright call him a makaka? Thank you? I think not!

Central bank activates rescue plan and nationalises Proton Bank

 

Greece's central bank said on Monday it activated a bank rescue fund to save Proton Bank , effectively nationalising the small lender that is under investigation for possible violation of the country's money-laundering laws. It is the first lender to be nationalised under the Financial Stability Fund (FSF), a safety net set up by Greece and its international lenders for banks that need to recapitalise but cannot raise funds in the market.

Analysts said the move had to do with Proton's own business problems and not with the country's severe debt crisis. "After recommendation by the Bank of Greece, the Finance Ministry proceeded to apply to Proton Bank a new law about the restoration of banks," the Bank of Greece said in a statement.

The Bank of Greece said Proton was split into a "good bank" where all of its private sector, government deposits and sound assets were transferred. The good bank will have the FSF backstop as its sole shareholder and retain the trade name Proton.