Greek Navy Chasing Syrian Ship, Refuses to Stop, Flees to International Waters

debka | 1-10-03 | debka

[crystalk]

Greek navy is chasing Syrian-flagged freighter Antradous I in Aegean Sea suspected of carrying illegal immigrants or illicit cargo, drugs and weapons

Greece alerted sea and air forces when ship refused coast guard inspection and fled to international waters – first such refusal by Mediterranean-flagged vessel, according to Greek Shipping minister Anomeritis

Syrian authorities have not granted permission to intercept suspect vessel, currently sailing between south Peloponnesus and Crete

[crystalk]

Go Gettem Greece. Now THERE is an ally we can depend on!

[dighton]

At moments like these, I *really* miss you-know-who.

[anobjectivist]

Election in Israel coming up.

Syrian soldiers firing at israel border for first time in 15 years.

Syrian ship fleeing from inspections


Amid rumors of Syria holding some of Saddam's weapons

I think something is about to happen

[babyface00]

I don't know anything about the Greek navy, or about coast guard inspection. That said, how does a freighter out run the coast guard? Why didn't they fire on them or otherwise stop them from leaving their waters?

Are U.S. Coast Guard ships armed?

[denydenydeny]

At moments like these, I *really* miss you-know-who.

Who!!! Could!!! You!!! Be!!! Talking!!! About???!!!

[babyface00]

BTW, I realize U.S. Coast Guard ships aren't protecting the waters off Greece. Just curious if the same thing could happen here without someone getting their hull punctured...

[bankwalker]

Is debka a reliable source?

[johniegrad]

What happened to him!!!

[crystalk]

Not always... but always interesting, to see what Israel is putting out. I doubt they would say THIS unless it were true, it is too easy to check. Anybody got a Greek website for their navy?

[Chemist_Geek]

Are U.S. Coast Guard ships armed?

Yes, some are. Here's an example.

[11B3]

US Coast Guard vessels are indeed armed. (Some with 5 inch cannons, if I remember correctly.) At a minimum, they've got .50 cal M2s and 40mm Mk19s. Gotta love those Mk19s!

[a_Turk]

show some respect!

mighty geek navy strongest in world!

stop racist comments greece your best ally!

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Go Grecians!

[I_Publius]

Hmmpf....

"...and there you have it." (Big Fat Greek Wedding)

[aristeides]

Will the Sixth Fleet have something to say about this?

[Dead Dog]

GO GREECE LIGHTING!

[michigander]

Navy shadows suspicious ship

Coast guard and navy vessels were shadowing until late yesterday a small Syrian-flagged freighter suspected of carrying illegal immigrants or drugs that refused to undergo an inspection off the Peloponnese, fleeing into international waters.

The 56-meter Antradous I motorship was located on Wednesday night sailing with its navigation lights off just inside Greek waters off the southeastern Peloponnese, a few kilometers south of Leonidion.

Merchant Marine Minister Giorgos Anomeritis said yesterday the ship was on a ministry list of suspected smuggling vessels, and was told to stop for an inspection. “The captain refused, and coast guard vessels fired warning shots,” he said. “But the vessel proceeded at full steam into international waters, where we cannot stop ships.” Late yesterday, the Antradous I, which had sailed from Alexandria, was in international waters south of Crete. Anomeritis said Greece has notified Interpol, and has sought the assistance of naval ships patrolling the Mediterranean.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Is debka a reliable source?

Is the Pope Jewish?

[MrB]

Go Grecians!

They've got the "formula" for success.

[jimtorr]

I doubt they would say THIS unless it were true, it is too easy to check

What, you mean like the reports from Debka of a million Chinese soldiers in Somalia (or was it the Sudan?), or the Iraqi invasion of Jordan a few years back?

In the Iraqi invasion story, they had the Israeli Air Force as well as the US Navy losing a massive aerial battle over Jordan. That was rather easily disproven, but it didn't stop Debka from publishing it.