Greek Govt Orders Mobilization of Ships, Ferries

The Greek government has ordered the mobilization of nine ships and ferries to the islands of Crete,Paros and Naxos amid the nationwide seamen's strike. Ferries remain moored in harbors and over 2,500 trucks are stranded at ports across the country, owing to the strike which is planned to run till Feb. 24. The seamen have said they would not allow any ship or ferry to sail, and that the government order was illegal, as it had not been signed by the president of the country. Meanwhile, the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation said it was determined to continue the strike in the main ports in order to add force to its demands. The strike was having a crippling effect on business, particularly farmers, as hundreds of trucks loaded with fresh produce remained stuck in the ports, with much of it beginning to rot. Hundreds of farmers stormed the prefecture building in Crete last weekend to demand a quick solution to the problem. Travelers have also been stranded in different parts of Greece,including a number of emergency medical cases with people needing immediate transfer to a hospital in Athens. (Source: Xinhuanet)