Greece tows migrant-packed ship to safety off Crete+ (Camp of the Saints 2014)

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/27/us-greece-migrants-ship-idUSKCN0JB11X20141127 ^ | Nov 27

[dennisw]

A Greek frigate has towed a disabled cargo ship packed with 700 migrants to safety just off the island of Crete on Thursday, in one of the biggest sea rescues mounted by the Mediterranean nation, coastguard officials said.

The Kiribati-flagged MV Baris issued a distress call on Tuesday after developing engine problems 30 nautical miles (45 km) southeast of Crete. A Greek frigate dispatched to the scene spent over 24 hours fighting off strong winds and waves to tow the ship close to the southeastern port of Ierapetra, where boats had begun transferring migrants to the town.

"The coastguard has been fighting waves since yesterday in a huge rescue operation for 700 souls in very tough conditions," Shipping Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis told parliament.

Most of the migrants were believed to be from Afghanistan and Syria.

Greece is a popular entry point into Europe for thousands of undocumented migrants from Asia and Africa. In September Athens warned that it was

Earlier this week, Pope Francis told Europe's leaders to do more to help thousands of migrants risking their lives trying to get into the continent, saying they had to stop the Mediterranean becoming "a vast cemetery".

[dennisw]

The delusional Pope is promoting the Muslim influx into Europe so they can swamp the remaining Christians. Where is the logic in this? I understand the do-gooder emotions coming from the Pope but he is not infallible and......

The road to hell is paved with good intentions

[Fungi]

“Greece is a popular entry point into Europe for thousands of undocumented migrants from Asia and Africa.”

So they have fled their home country to emmigrate illegally into another country they have illegally entered, therefore they are illegal immigrants. Do I have that right?

[doc1019]

Sounds somewhat familiar.

[Lisbon1940]

No, they emigrated when they left their home country. They hope to immigrate to another country.

[RightGeek]

Full size at http://www.customs.gov.au/site/Translations/images/Flier-English-high-res.jpg

[Pontiac]

Earlier this week, Pope Francis told Europe's leaders to do more to help thousands of migrants risking their lives trying to get into the continent, saying they had to stop the Mediterranean becoming "a vast cemetery".

Who am I to correct a pope?

But it already is.

Humans have been traveling the Mediterranean for millennia and frequently dying in the process. Why would that suddenly change now regardless of the good intentions of a pope

[Gene Eric]

>> The delusional Pope is promoting the Muslim influx into Europe

Something Qaddafi was once paid to manage.

[snoringbear]

I like the Aussie poster. Wish the U.S. Would take such a stance. What Australia has primarily going for itself is location. Having been to Australia, I can tell you that it’s a loooong way away with some of the most trecherous oceans in the world surrounding it. So, there’s few if any “boat people” likely to make it there.

[T-Bird45]

Translated to Spanish with a different background, that needs to be reproduced in pamphlet form and air-dropped by the millions across northern Mexico. Of course, this presumes that we have a law-abiding President that would act accordingly. Australia is specially blessed to have political leadership with spines and a respect for the law.