Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a Resolution commemorating the 194th Anniversary of Greek Independence Day, March 25, 2015 and recognising the strong relationship between the people of Greece and the United States.
“The United States and Greece are connected by deep historical bonds, and today, I am proud to stand with my Senate colleagues and join Greek-Americans across the United States in celebrating 194 years of Greek independence,” Menendez said.
“This Resolution recognizes Greece as the birthplace of democracy, which vested in the people the supreme power to govern, and from which our founding fathers drew heavily in forming our representative democracy. I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to the people of Greece as they celebrate the 194th anniversary of the independence of their country on March 25th.”
U.S. Senator Dan Coats (R-IN), using an undemocratic but legal measure according to Senate rules, decided to prevent the passage of the largely ceremonial recognises the 194th Anniversary of Greek Independence Day. He opposed to said resolution which “celebrates the birth of democracy in Ancient Greece and the commitment of the Greek people to democratic principles and recounts the important role that Greece has played in the wider European Region and its strong relationship with the United States.”
The reason seems to be Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos’ recent threat to release millions of illegal immigrants upon Europe. Coats had prior to his decision to halt the resolution sent a letter to Christos Panagopoulos, Greece’s Ambassador to the United States, expressing his concerns.
“I believe it is in your interest as well as ours that you or another senior spokesman of the Greek government publicly comment on those threatening statements and clarify whether they reflect current policy or thinking within your government,” Indiana Senator Dan Coats wrote.
“With such clarification, I hope I will be able to support the Senate resolution regarding Greek independence and our shared democratic traditions,” he concluded.
As a response, the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEF) released the following statement:
“Senator Dan Coats has no idea what tragedy he could cause America’s men and women of the military with his grandstanding effort today to kill the simple Greek Independence Day Resolution. This resolution is America’s expression, in each of the last 29 years, of gratitude for all the wonderful things Greece has always done for America. […] Kammenos’ statement was motivated by the EU’s economic asphyxiation of the people of Greece. It was made out of frustration and anger and was not taken seriously. Among the hundreds of US and other countries’ officials who, unlike Coats, are experts on this matter, none has chosen to conduct themselves like Coats.”
The American Hellenic Institute (AHI), which is a non-profit Greek American think tank, sent a letter today to Dan Coats, expressing the Greek American community’s disappointment.
“We are extremely disappointed that Senator Dan Coats has taken such drastic action to express concern about the minister’s flippant comment,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said.
“Greece’s contributions to the security interests of both the United States and NATO are quite clear and evident. Our letter details Greece’s unwavering commitment to United States security policy and should alleviate any concern the senator has about it.”
“We urge the Greek American community to contact Senator Coats today and urge him to let S.Res.105 pass,” Larigakis added.
Both CEF and AHI encourage the Greek American communities to contact U.S. Senator Dan Coats’ office, and urge the senator to remove his hold on S.Res.105.