Re: Akrites.org - Am I missing the point - Weren't the Akrites fighters FOR Greek ideals, not draft-dodgers ?

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: : Akrites.org (SEE PROPOSAL ) : : : : The internet initiative AKRITES consists of over 500 Greeks : : abroad who inevitably face conscription difficulties, as : : their family and professional obligations, together with the existing : : Greek legal framework, do not allow them to fulfill their military : : obligations. : : : The AKRITES core was, up to now, mostly consisted of scientists : : (academics, researchers, medical doctors, industry executives and : : students) due to their easier access to the Internet. However, the : : World Wide Web revolution, together with the recent media attention to : : the issue, enlarged the circle of AKRITES, awakening even more of the : : 18,000+ "self-exiled" Greeks abroad, who ask for a : : fair solution to the problem. : : : In the AKRITES community, there are are no discriminations. Everybody : : with pending military obligations or conscription concerns can join : : us. : : : SECTION: TO PROBLHMA The Problem : : : : Over 18,000 Greeks who were driven abroad for a better future, either : : by later returning to Greece or by staying permanently abroad. : : These people did not go abroad to avoid their military service. : : The prolonged state of exile, away from homeland and family, is more : : painful than the few difficulties during the military service. Many : : of these Greek started a family of their own, followed the career they : : always dreamed of, or formed official ties with their country of stay : : by becoming permanent residents and even citizens of that country. As : : a result, these people were not able to fulfill their military : : obligations. Consequences? : : : Over 18,000 Greeks alienated from homeland, burdened with family : : issues, professional dilemmas and travel deadlocks, disgusted by the : : mockery of the Greek consulates, the conscription services and the : : apathy of the Greek political and military establishment. What is the : : gain of the Greek State from this situation? : : : ***SECTION: TI PROTEINOUME : : The AKRITES PROPOSAL ********* : : : We ask for the understanding of the problem from the State, the : : enactment of unified and fair regulations in the framework of the : : imminent conscription legislation. Under no circumstances do we demand : : to be exempt from our constitutional duty of military service. We : : propose: : : : : Unification of the legislation for immigrants and permanent residents : : of foreign countries by the following means: : : : : Extension of the beneficial measures of law : : "http://www.mod.gr/greek/recruit/n_2510.htm" : : for all the permanent : : residents of foreign countries without any exceptions : : (read the related : : "http://www.saeamerica.org/news/english011901.html" : : appeal of the Council of Hellenes Abroad to the Hellenic Ministry of Defense) : : : : Objective and realistic criteria for the characterization : : of Greeks abroad as permanent residents of foreign countries. : : : : Legislation to allow serving the military service in parts by extending : : the law N. 2510/97 for Greeks with conscription difficulties : : irrespectively of age. : : : Disassociation of Greek passport validity from the conscription : : condition status and allowing for short family visits to Greece. : : : Discussion and measures for a long-term solution to the problem. : : : AWARDS : : : : "http://www.phantis.com/index.html" : : "images/Phantis.Award.gif" : : "Best Greek Sites Phantis Award" : : "http://www.omogenia.com" : : "Omogenia Award" : : : Last update on 30 March 2002, at 20:15:15 EST : _________________________ : Forgive my ignorance, but weren't the Akrites fighters FOR Greek ideals, not draft-dodgers ? : These people fought against the many invaders who were at the outskirts of the empire trying to go to the heartland of what Greeks defined as home. : What a misappropriation of a noble name !

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